ORLA

"Open." Marcelo's stern tone left no room for any argument.

I parted my lips and he placed the tablet on my tongue and made me drink water from a glass, not letting me even lift a single finger.

I was surprised when I woke up in his room earlier and any efforts to go back to my room were of no use as he even threatened to tie me down if I dared leave this room.

He is quite demanding but at the same time so fucking sweet in his own way that I don't know what to do with him.

After I drank half glass of water, he wiped the drop of water lingering on my chin with his thumb.

"You don't have to do all this. I am fine now. They couldn't hurt me much." I told him for the hundredth time.

"Don't tell me what to do, Orla. You are under my roof which makes you my responsibility." He placed away the glass of water on the nightstand.

Ouch. "So you are only taking care of me because I am under your roof?"

His eyes clashed with mine, his jaw ticked and he remained silent. We stayed like that for a minute, none of us breaking eye contact, I didn't want to anyone. His eyes are so beautiful, I could willingly lose myself in them.

"Rest, Orla." He ignored my question and picked up his Rubik's cube which lay on the nightstand.

"You always ignore these questions, Marcelo," I said softly. "Please, is it that hard to answer my questions?"

His attention was on the cube. In the next second, he placed it back from where he picked it up.

Another second passed. His gaze locked with mine.

Then another. He grabbed my hand.

Another one. He placed my palm right over his heart.

His heartbeat matched mine. Fast. Uncontrollable. Perplexing. "Does that answer your question?"

He leaned closer until his breath fanned my lips. "Do you have any idea how maddening it is? To fight this every day? Letting you cause havoc inside me?"

My heart fluttered. My eyes closed and I leaned closer, our lips almost brushing each other. Just when I thought he might kiss me, he ducked his head and pressed his lips on my throat making me gasp.

It only lasted for a couple of seconds and then he was leaning back and grabbing his cube, he was on his feet, ready to leave but paused when there was a knock on the door.

Marcelo opened the door and Cyrus stepped inside, spreading his arms for a hug as he approached me. "Orla, baby! You scared me, I was so worried about you."

Marcelo pursed his lips at Cyrus as he wrapped his arms around me, rubbing my back.

Only three seconds had passed when Marcelo spoke up, "That's enough. Move back."

Cyrus moved back but pouted at Marcelo. "Stop being a jealous bitch."

Marcelo cocked his head. "Wanna repeat that?"

Cyrus chuckled nervously. "Just kidding, just kidding."

I couldn't help but laugh at how scared Cyrus was of Marcelo.

"You really kicked their ass, you know," Cyrus told me, averting his attention from Marcelo.

"Did anyone of them say anything? Reveal anything?" I asked.

"No, babe, afraid not."

I sighed. "Like this are we ever gonna catch the person behind all this?"

Cyrus ruffled my hair. "You just rest for now, don't stress your little brain."

"My brain's not little."

"Whatever, babe and oh, your brother is actually downstairs, he came to meet you."

"Arnaud is here?" What is he doing here?

Cyrus glanced at Marcelo for some confirmation and he simply nodded his head and Cyrus got up to leave. "I'll bring him here." Marcelo followed him out of the room leaving me alone.

A minute later, Arnaud walked in looking even taller and strong and more mature being dressed in a pair of jeans and a shirt.

"You came here all alone?" I asked, not knowing what else to say.

Stuffing his hands inside his pockets, he walked closer to where I sat. "Dad was busy with his work and so was mom. He told me that you got hurt."

My eyes welled up with tears. My parents couldn't even bother checking on me but my little brother came all this way for me. "Come on, give me a hug."

He scowled. "Eww, don't be ridiculous."

I chuckled and wiped away my tears. "You little shit, come here."

Rolling his eyes though there was a small smile playing on his lips, he leaned down and hugged me awkwardly.

When I pulled back I noticed how his shoulders had broadened and his biceps have developed. "Dad's training you hard, isn't he?"

"I am supposed to take over when I turn twenty. I need to be strong."

I smiled sadly. "Promise me, you will be better than dad. That you will care about our people."

"You know I will. Don't worry."

"I should leave now..." He added.

"Okay. And...tell mom this on my behalf: Marcelo Ludovica is extremely hot and so good in bed." I winked.

The tips of his ears burnt and he lowered his gaze. "Do you have no filter? And have you been really...?"

"Just tell her that, Arnaud. Her work was more important than me so I need to fire back, don't you think?"

He shook his head slightly. "I think you hit your head too hard. Take care, I am leaving."

He turned around to leave and said, "Record her reaction though."

"You will never grow up, will you?" He said over his shoulder and then left.

I was smiling even after he left, feeling a little better. At least someone in my family cares for me.

.
.
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"You know you can stop thanking me. You are my friend, I couldn't have let anything happen to you." I squeezed Lilith's hand.

A now empty plate of food was in her hands after she forced me to eat dinner. "I am glad to have you as my friend too, especially a female friend. There are too many men in this house." She chuckled.

"Agreed."

"I should get going, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, goodnight."

She smiled. "Goodnight."

She was on her way out when the door opened and she ran straight into Silvio's chest. I am used to seeing that poker face on him all the time but I find it fascinating how just one look at her and his features soften instantly, the usual blankness in his eyes replaced by longing.

Ugh. Why don't they just patch up already and start dating?

"Sorry." She mumbled, her face flushing before he stepped aside to let her leave.

Following right behind him was Marcelo.

Silvio's poker face was once again back and he walked to me. Did he come here to see me? But I soon realized he wasn't here to check on me but to rather say, "Thank you." Without any other words, he simply turned around and left.

Confused I looked at Marcelo whose eyes were already fixed on me and he explained, "You saved Lilith, that's why. She means the world to him."

"Oh..." I nodded in understanding. "That means he doesn't hate me anymore?"

"I guess you earned his respect."

Humming, I got off the bed and walked closer to him as he watched me carefully. "You should rest, Orla."

I shrugged. "I am tired of resting the whole day."

"What are you doing?" He asked in a low voice laced with a warning when I stepped closer and ran the tip of my finger down his chest.

Just to distract him, I said, "I have a question. What if something had happened to Lilith? What would have been Silvio's reaction towards me?"

"He would have killed you."

I fiddled with a button on his shirt and tilted my head up, locking our gazes. Heat flared in his eyes. "That's scary. But I am sure you would have saved me." I grinned and pulled his cheek. "You love me too much to let him kill me."

Fuck. I wasn't supposed to say that. My grin faded away. His body tensed completely.

I removed my hand from his chest and chuckled awkwardly. "Just kidding."

One step back. "I know you don't love." Shut up. "Like obviously." I chuckled again.

His face looked so fucking blank. Not able to take the embarrassment plus the fact that I did want him to love me, I turned around.

I heard him groan lowly. "Fuck it."

In the next moment, I was grabbed by my elbow and turned around and a pair of warm lips landed on mine.

I have heard people say that when being kissed by someone special, it feels like heaven. Guess what, they were fucking right.

Marcelo's lips fit mine perfectly and oh, how I wished there was a place higher than heaven to be able to describe what his kiss felt like.

My hands clutched his shoulders to support myself as the week's desperation, longing and want pouring into that kiss.

His arms wrapped around my waist to lift me off my feet so that our faces were level.

I cupped his face and moved my lips over his trying to match his rhythm.

He moved us back and I soon found myself landing on the bed, his lips still attached to mine.

I gasped softly when his teeth sunk into my lower lip tenderly and he plunged his tongue inside.

Our tongues danced together, both desperate for dominance until I gave up and he hummed into the kiss.

He pulled back for a second.

"Marcelo..." I breathed, tugging at his hair and wrapping my legs around his waist.

He slanted his mouth back on mine, this time taking his own time to kiss me leisurely, tasting my mouth, his hands roaming my body.

Somewhere in the room, my phone chimed loudly from a notification and that seemed to snap us to reality.

Our mouths separated and I could see clearly on his face the decision to start ignoring me again but I held on to him tightly.

This time we are going to have a proper talk.

Chapter completion on: 7/3/23
Published on: 15/3/23