ZAHRIA

He licked away my tears.

He fucking licked away my tears.

A shiver coasted through me when I remembered his tongue gliding over my cheeks, warm and wet, soft lips.

There was no stopping the butterflies in my stomach every time I thought of that. And I thought of it almost every minute.

Having seen the DNA report I was half convinced that he was telling the truth but hearing it from them was a different thing altogether.

I understand their reason and I still love them but it's going to take me some time to come to terms with everything.

Also, the fact that Arien tried to comfort me in his way. I need to come to terms with that too.

Had he laughed and called me pathetic on seeing me cry, I wouldn't have had a difficult time believing it but...

Stop. That's enough.

I have already avoided him since yesterday.

I only left my room for lunch after making sure the kitchen was empty and then I searched around and could hear him in the gym so I decided to watch TV.

I retreated to my room the moment I heard him approach and then repeated the same thing during dinner.

It was late at night and I was bored so I cautiously wandered downstairs, I was relieved to not find him anywhere so I walked towards the back of the mansion where his helicopter was.

Sliding open the glass door, I stepped out, the wind instantly making my hair sway.

The lights out there illuminated the place enough, the helipad in the middle and I walked around it, eyeing the helicopter, wishing I knew how to fly one.

I sighed softly in defeat and stared out at the ocean which looked dark and scary making me shudder.

Glancing back at the helicopter, I trailed my fingers over the cold metal--

"What are you doing out here?"

My heart picked up speed, my fingers paused on the metal, heat bloomed on my cheeks and I swallowed hard.

I remained where I was a moment later his front pressed against my back making my breath hitch.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him lift his hand and place it beside mine on the helicopter.

His hand inched closer and his fingers grazed mine ever so slightly making me bite my lips.

What is happening?

I bit back a gasp as his hand covered mine, hot breath washing over my ear. "Do you need a ride, little bird?"

It took me a couple of seconds to realise he was referring to the helicopter and I was mortified at how dirty-minded I was, at the same time I was surprised he was offering to take me on a ride (on the helicopter) or maybe he was just joking.

I snapped my head back towards him, not realising how close our faces were until his stubble rubbed against my cheek, my nose grazing his jaw.

My eyes locked onto his lips which were way too close to mine, pink, soft, tempting.

I spent way too long staring at his lips, by the time I lifted my eyes to his, I found him watching me with hooded eyes.

Something hard and hot pressed against my ass making me feel almost dizzy from all the sensations.

I want him. The realisation made me shut my eyes firmly. God, I am pathetic.

A warm hand cupped my cheek, tilting my head further towards him until I could feel his breath fan my lips.

Is he going to kiss me?

No. But the softness in his tone as he whispered, "What's wrong?" was enough to make me melt.

I shook my head slightly, subtly pulling away until his hand left my cheek and I turned to face him, stepping back until my back pressed against the helicopter.

He watched me with a darkened gaze, cocking his head. "Do you want to take a ride in the helicopter?"

I wanted to. But... "You are messing with me. You don't mean that."

He shrugged before rounding the helicopter and opening the door, he climbed, and seconds later the lights turned on and it made a loud sound.

I contemplated for a minute. I can't believe he is serious about it. Maybe he pitied me.

Whatever the reason was, I didn't think much about it and slid open the door to the helicopter.

With some manoeuvring, I climbed inside and found him pushing some buttons wearing the headphones.

I settled down on the seat beside him and shut the door. His stare burned the side of my face but I refused to look at him.

As I fiddled with my seat belt, he leaned down, grabbed my hands, pulled them away and buckled my seat belt himself, checking it in the end, making sure I was secured tightly.

Next, he grabbed the headphones and placed them over my head gently, adjusting them.

For a moment I stopped breathing as he grabbed a strand of my hair, eyes locking with mine.

I gulped when he continued to look into my soul. "What?"

He glanced at the strand of hair that he held. "There was something in your hair."

"Oh..."

He left the strand and settled back in his seat.

Within minutes we were up in the sky and moving forward, the dark ocean below us.

Staring out at it sent a scary shiver down my spine and I unconsciously reached out and placed my hand on Arien's thigh, holding it firmly.

Realising what I did, I felt mortified but was even more embarrassed to remove it now so I let it as it was hoping he didn't push it away.

I took a quick look at him and was filled with admiration when I noticed how smoothly he flew the helicopter.

Clearing my throat, I looked ahead. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

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I watched in confusion as the helicopter descended on another island after flying for around half an hour.

Unlike the island where I was staying, this one was illuminated by lights, buildings, houses, everything surrounded by greenery and I could see lots of people roaming around.

It was a small city.

The helicopter descended on the helipad and I finally removed my hand from his thigh.

He was quick to get out while I struggled with unbuckling my belt and removing the headphones.

Just as I removed everything, the door slid open and Arien stood on the other side looking impatient.

Before I could step out myself, he grabbed me by my waist, picked me up and placed me down on the ground.

I didn't get to glare at him as he took my hand in his and dragged me away from there.

The city was small but beautiful as we silently walked through it.

People stared at us curiously as we walked, or more like they stared at Arien.

"Do you come here often?" I asked when another group of boys turned their heads towards him.

"Sometimes."

"Why is everyone staring at you as if you own this place?"

He continued walking, eyes focused ahead, completely ignoring everyone's stares. "I do." He answered nonchalantly.

"You do?!"

He shrugged. "It was more like a village years back. I developed it."

"Why?"

"I was bored."

I shook my head. He is weird. So weird.

Yet, I liked how my hand fitted in his, our fingers intertwined together. I know he is only doing it to make sure I don't run away but I enjoyed the feeling.

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I lay in my bed in the morning, replaying everything from last night.

The helicopter ride, him holding my hand, us walking through the city.

We stayed there for around an hour, at one point we came across a street food van and I made a run towards him making him follow me.

I ordered food from it only to realise I had no money with me but Arien paid for it before I could.

He can be nice if he wants to.

I pinched my forehead when I realised that I was once again picking out the good points in my captor.

There was a loud crash downstairs followed by the sound of shattering glass making me jump up.

What the fuck?

I ran out of my room and down the stairs in haste coming to a stop in the living room.

The table which was against the wall was knocked onto the floor, and the vase on it shattered into pieces.

Arien stood near it, eyes down on the floor, breathing heavily, fists clenched.

"Arien?"

There was no reply from him nor did he show any sign of hearing me.

I took a cautious step towards him. "Arien? Are you okay?"

I had my slippers on and I carefully dodged past the glass on the floor, coming close to him. "Arien..."

I noticed the look in his eyes, hazy and dream-like, and full of agony.

I reached out and lightly touched his hand.

He reacted so quickly. His fingers wrapped around my throat and was slammed against the wall knocking my breath.

His eyes bore into mine but he still had that hazy look in them, as if he was looking past me.

I couldn't breathe and I placed my hand over his trying to remove it. "A-Arien...stop..."

"Please..." I begged, eyes tearing up.

I didn't want to die.

I placed my other hand over his cheek. "Stop. It's me."

I pinched him on his cheek making him blink rapidly, the haziness leaving his eyes replaced by wide eyes as he stared at where his hand choked me.

"Fuck." He snarled, instantly leaving my throat.

I coughed loudly, panting as I gulped in the air.

"Fuck. Fuck." He tugged at his hair, glaring at me. "What the fuck were you doing?!"

"Me?! You were trying to kill me!"

"Next time, stay the fuck away!"

He turned around to leave and I stayed there breathing heavily.

He paused, cursing to himself as he whirled around and stalked over to me.

I flinched as he slammed his palm next to my head. "Fuck." This time he looked almost guilty.

He held the back of my neck, very gently, pulling my face to his, his eyes softening as he stared at my neck. "I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it."

His thumb brushed over my throat. "I didn't mean it, little bird."

I wiped away my tears as he continued to repeat the same thing.

"I'm your enemy. You want to kill me, it's clear--"

"No." His gaze collided with mine, pained and angry. "I didn't mean it. I didn't see you, in my mind, you were someone else."

I looked away, not able to think straight.

He stared at me for a couple of seconds before bending his head, his lips grazing my throat as he whispered, "I'm sorry, my little bird."