Chapter 85 TIME TO CONFESS.

Chapter 85 TIME TO CONFESS.
RAFAEL.

By the time I returned back to the house, Kim had already slept off on the couch, waiting for me probably.
She was all scrunched up on the cushioned chair, her soft snores punctuating the silence of the room.
Greedily, I sat right where her head was and placed it on my lap, longing for that contact with her again.
Even if it was just a single part of her body joined with mine, I could make do with that.
My head was boggling all day with Baxter's health, Rita Williams, the wedding and Kim's health which later turned out to be a false alarm but it didn't feel overwhelming with Kim beside me.
Reaching for the stray strands on her face, I tucked them away and pressed my thumb on her cheeks gently.
Kim stirred a little in her sleep, adjusting her head properly on me.
Knowing that we can't spend the whole night in this position, I tapped her gently."Hey."I drawled out, holding her superior arms out.
Kim groaned gently, rubbing her eyes before sitting up slowly.
I didn't withdraw my hand on her bare lap and that was what seemed to snap out of her sleep.
She spun at me, wiping her face quickly."You're back."She mumbled roughly, clearing her throat.
"Yeah."I muttered, standing up to my feet else this would turn into something else.
I was already getting a hard on at the mere sight of her and I didn't want her to assume that all I had for her was mere carnal desires.
Kimberly adjusted a little on her seat and dropped her gaze to her lap before raising it up at me again clumsily."How was Baxter? I mean...."
"Baxter will be fine."I mumbled, tucking my hands back into my pants.
"But you don't look okay."She remarked, standing up to her feet.
I licked my parched lips."Food? I can whip–"
"No, I had some oats."She shook her head, dipping her hand into her back pockets bashfully.
"Good."
Silence preceded between us for long seconds. I knew I should talk or say something to keep the awkwardness off the atmosphere but I was blank too.
"Maybe we should get some sleep or–"
"Yeah, I think we should."I muttered, rubbing my arms."Goodnight, Kim."
She locked her gaze with mine head on, nodding with a small smile tugging her lower lips."Goodnight, Rafael."
I turned in the direction of my room, staggering towards there.
Kim went to her room as well, clicking the door shut behind her.
Getting to my room, I let out a harsh growl and kicked the clothes off my body before walking to the bathroom to take a hot bath.
I let the scalding water pour on my body until it left me with a stinging sensation before going back to my room.
Retiring to the bed, I laid up there, staring into space, my body pinching irritably at the awkwardness that still lingered between Kim and I even though barely a few hours ago, we were ready to eat each other up.
God. Where did we even go wrong with all of these?
Luckily for me, my eyelids started to get heavy and it didn't take me long to sleep off.

•THE NEXT MORNING•

Kimberly wasn't out of her room when I woke up but I could already hear her hushed tones which meant that she was awake.
Guess she was already getting accustomed to her online lessons already.
Knowing that she would be famished by the time she was done, I walked down the kitchen, my legs still feeling groggy against the floor like I didn't sleep a wink.
I set out to start making breakfast and I was already half way through it when she walked in.
"Hey."She waved slightly, pressing her lips together as she marched into the kitchen.
My chest quaked in a good way at the sight of her."Hi."I managed to say in a leveled tone, trying hard not to sound like a smoky asshole.
"You woke up early."She pointed out, taking her seat right beside me on the island.
Gripping the bowl of whisked egg tightly in my hand, I shifted a little from her, gritting my teeth together."Yeah, couldn't sleep."
"Same."
"Same?"I echoed her word, facing her squarely.
Her eyes darted a little before focusing them back on me again."I had a lot in my mind, I was even thinking of coming to your room to–"She trailed off, pressing her lips together.
"Sorry."Kimberly choked out a laugh, clasping her hand over her mouth."I shouldn't have said that."
"Why?"
She shrugged, biting her lips in."I mean, I told us to keep things platonic–"
"I knew you didn't mean it."
"You knew?"
"Of course, you were overwhelmed and–"
"Yes, I was."She admitted, wringing her fingers together.
I studied her for a moment and sighed."I found out something last night."
Kim's head snapped to me immediately, her eyes widened in horror like someone who had something to hide or protect."You found something?"She stuttered.
"Rita Williams is my Aunt."I shrugged noncommittally, biting on my apple.
Her jaw dropped further."What?"
"Baxter told me."
"He knew?"
"I guess."
"Oh God."Kim gasped, shaking her head in disbelief."How did you feel about that?"
"I don't know."I breathe out, sticking my tongue out between my lips."Surprised? Maybe."
"You weren't hurt or–"
"Why should I be hurt?"I threw back at her defensively.
Kim flinched slightly."Sorry, I just thought–"
Groaning out, I gripped the edges of the island and dropped my head down."I was."I confessed, daring not to look at her.
"Your emotions are justified, Rafael."
"It makes me wonder if there was anything real about her too."
Kimberly cleared her throat above my head and returned to her seat."I guess it's time for me to confess to you too."
"Confess?"I asked, scanning her face.
She folded her arms."Rita knew."
I felt my brows furrowed harder at her."Rita knew what?"
"She knew our marriage was never real."