~ 015
~ BRIAN
• CLOSING TIME
"Hey, how are you feeling? Are you okay?" I asked, my fingers intertwined with hers as we walked out of the office.
"I don't feel okay," she replied, her voice trembling. "I'm scared, like I'm in shock. I keep thinking about Gabriel... it feels surreal. I'm trying to process everything, but it's hard."
"It's going to be alright," I said softly, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "You just need some time to heal."
"I'm thinking of taking a break from school for the rest of the week," she said, her eyes welling up with tears.
My voice betrayed my disappointment. "Is that really necessary?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I think so. Like you said, I need time to get over this. I'll be back by Monday, hopefully feeling better."
"Okay," I said, resigned. "I'll drop you off, then. My driver will be here soon."
"Thanks," she said softly.
As we reached the gate, my driver was already waiting for us. "He's here," I said, nodding towards the car.
"Great, let's get in," she replied, her voice still subdued.
We settled into the car, the silence between us thick and heavy. I wanted to apologize, to find the right words to comfort her, but they eluded me. My gaze drifted to her, and I felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her, to offer what little comfort I could. But I hesitated, unsure if she'd welcome it. The tension between us was palpable, and I struggled to resist my instincts.
As we reached the gate, my driver was already waiting for us. "He's here," I said, nodding towards the car.
"Great, let's get in," she replied, her voice still subdued.
We settled into the car, the silence between us thick and heavy. I wanted to apologize, to find the right words to comfort her, but they eluded me. My gaze drifted to her, and I felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her, to offer what little comfort I could.
As the car began to move, she turned to look out the window, her eyes fixed on some distant point. I watched her profile, my heart aching with a mix of concern and longing. I reached out and gently took her hand, hoping the small gesture would offer some comfort. To my surprise, she didn't pull away.
Instead, she turned to me, her eyes searching mine. I saw the vulnerability there, and my heart skipped a beat.
Without thinking, I leaned in, my lips brushing softly against hers. It was a gentle, comforting kiss, but it spoke volumes about my feelings for her. For a moment, we just breathed each other in, the world outside fading away.
As we pulled back, her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled weakly. "Thank you," she whispered.
The kiss lingered between us, a gentle promise of comfort and care. I smiled back at her, trying to convey the depth of my feelings without words. She leaned her head on my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around her, holding her close.
The drive was quiet, the only sound the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of leaves outside. I stroked her hair, feeling a sense of protectiveness wash over me. We rode like that for a while, lost in our own thoughts.
As we approached her place, she stirred, looking up at me with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "We're here," I said softly, not wanting the moment to end.
She nodded, and I helped her out of the car. My driver discreetly gave us space, busying himself with something near the trunk. We stood outside her door, the evening air filled with an unspoken understanding between us.
"Thanks for being here for me, Brian," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I smiled, my heart swelling with emotion. "Always," I replied, squeezing her hand gently.
She smiled back, her eyes shining with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you," she said, her voice cracking slightly.
I pulled her into a gentle hug, holding her close. "You'll never have to find out," I whispered, my heart racing with emotion.
As we stood there, the world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in this moment of tender connection. I felt her heartbeat against mine, and knew in that instant that I'd do anything to protect her, to be there for her.
After a moment, she pulled back, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "I should go in," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, reluctant to let her go. "Okay," I said, my voice low and husky.
We stood there for a moment, the tension between us palpable. Then, without thinking, I leaned in and kissed her again, this time deeper, more possessively.
The world around us dissolved into nothingness as our lips met, the kiss igniting a spark that seemed to burn brighter with every passing second.
As we broke apart for air, her eyes fluttered open, and she gazed up at me, her face flushed. I smiled, my heart racing with excitement.
"I should go in," she repeated, her voice barely audible.
I nodded, my arms still wrapped around her. "Yeah," I said, not letting go.
We stood there for a moment, the only sound the quiet hum of the night. Then, reluctantly, I released her, and she stepped back, her eyes never leaving mine.
"Goodbye," she whispered, her voice husky.
I smiled, my heart still pounding. "Goodbye," I replied, watching as she turned and disappeared into her place.
I stood there for a moment, savoring the memory of her lips on mine, before turning to get back into the car. My driver, discreet as always, held the door open for me.
As we drove away, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything had changed between us. The kiss had been more than just a gesture of comfort – it had been a spark that ignited something deeper.
I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of hope and anticipation.
The drive back was a blur. My mind kept wandering back to the kiss, to the way she felt in my arms. I couldn't stop smiling.
When I got home, I poured myself a glass of water, still replaying the moment in my head. The way she smiled, the way her eyes sparkled. I felt like I was walking on air.
I pulled out my phone and sent her a text. "Hey, just wanted to check in and make sure you're okay?"
I waited for a response, my eyes fixed on the screen. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for everything tonight. I don't know what I would've done without you."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Anytime," I replied. "Get some rest, we'll talk tomorrow."
As I dashed into the bathroom to take a warm shower, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between us. Something real.
~ OLIVIA
I walked into the house but there was no sight of my Mum anywhere. Maybe she stepped out. Sigh! That's what you get when you have a workaholic Mum.
I stepped into the bathroom, the warm water cascading down my skin, but my mind was elsewhere, replaying the intensity of the moment – the way he looked at me, the way he touched me, the way my heart reacted. Something had shifted between us, something real and palpable.
As I emerged, wrapped in a towel, Mum's worried eyes met mine. "Darling, darling, are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern, her hands reaching out to cradle my face.
Oh! I thought she actually stepped out. Seems she's been around all along? Gasps! What if she Brian? God! I'm so done for.
I nodded, trying to brush off the exhaustion and emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. "I'm fine, Mum," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
But Mum's gaze probed deeper, her eyes searching for the truth behind my words. The principal had clearly filled her in on what happened, and now her questions poured out in a rush of worry. "What happened, baby? Did he hurt you? Did he touch you?"
I felt a shiver run down my spine as the memories replayed, but I shook my head, my voice firm. "No, Mum. Brian stopped him. He wouldn't let anything happen."
Mum's expression changed, curiosity replacing worry. "Brian? Who's Brian?" she asked, her brow furrowed in inquiry.
I hesitated, unsure how to explain the connection I felt with him, the way he made me feel seen and protected. "He's... someone who helped me," I said, my voice soft.
But Mum's eyes saw right through me, her gaze sparkling with interest. "Tell me more about him, darling," she coaxed, her voice gentle.
"I've told you mum. He's just my friend. The one that brought me back home the other day." I said
Mum raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in her eye. "Just a friend?" she repeated, her tone dripping with skepticism. I felt my cheeks flush, and I looked away, trying to brush off the intensity of her gaze."
Mum's eyes never left mine, and I could sense her piecing together the puzzle. "You know, darling, I've seen the way he looks at you," she said softly. My heart skipped a beat as I met her gaze, wondering what she saw, and what she knew.