Chapter 15: .

Selene 's pov

The rise and fall of my chest indicated how hard I was breathing

Not because I did anything physically draining, but because I had to summon enough strength to face Alfred on his accusations about Ethan

I couldn't bait back and let Ethan take the fall for protecting me, he warned me against Jack

I was just too hard headed and wanted to prove him wrong.

"Stay out of this Selene , this is between Ethan and I , you don't know what this boy is capable off, I need to clip his wings" Alfred warned.

I stood defiantly in front of Ethan , arms and legs spread apart protectively.

"I'm sorry, but I won't stay out if it until you hear what I have to say as well. It involves me too."

"What are you doing?" Ethan whispered at my back.

"Returning the favour." I whispered back.

Alfred's squinted angry eyes relaxed.

He sat at the edge of his desk, rubbed his palms together.

"Okay, I'm listening."

"Jack Hopkins was an asshole." I started, wondering my choice of words were safe.

"He tried to have his way with me at a party and Ethan was just there in time to save me from that vulture."

Alfred's look changed to one of pensive.

"Are you alright? His voice was laced with concern.

I swallowed hard, it was difficult having to tell that story again.

"I am fine, Ethan made sure of it, that is why you can't punish him, it's my fault for getting into trouble."

I left out the part where I heard Becca confessing her role in to Jack. That was news for Ethan 's ears alone.

"I'm glad nothing bad happened to you. But Ethan shouldn't have allowed you at such party." Alfred's voice was high pitched again.

"He should have a sense of responsibility now that he has a sister."

Shit, how do I begin to explain that Ethan did tell me not to attend.

This is so screwed.

"I'm letting this one slide because of Selene , you two can leave." Alfred dismissed us with a wave of his hand.

Ethan already disappeared before I turned back. I saw him at the door.

"Ethan , I got you some presents on our return trip." Mom's cool voice breezed from the entrance.

I saw her holding a gift bag towards him.

Ethan slapped it off her hand with so much force, that the bag went sailing in the air.

Mom gasped in shock at the attitude.

Her eyes rested on me with burning hatred.

I don't understand why she had to look at me in such way, I am not Ethan .

"Come here." She tried to grab my hand, but ended up scratching me instead.

"What did you do."

"Nothing." I whimpered at the graze in my skin.

"You slut, why did you attend a party and put Ethan in such difficult position with his dad?"

Tears stung at the rim of my eyes.

"You should be happy that nothing happened to me, instead you're worried about your step son."

With the speed of light her palm connected to my face in a stinging slap.

"Ethan holds more value to me than you ever will." She gritted her teeth.

"Darling." Alfred called for inside his office.

Mom smoothened her dress, and her hostile smirk was replaced by a happy and calm smile.

She's such a chameleon, if only Alfred saw her for who she truly is, he probably would not have married her.

I made my way to Ethan 's room.

His door was already locked when I tried the knob.

I slapped against the door to get his attention.

"Ethan open up."

"Go away." His voice was low, but I heard him clearly.

"I'm not leaving until you open the door. " I continued rapping on the door until he opened it and my hand slapped against his chest.

"Sorry" I tuck my hand behind me

"What do you want?" He asked gruffly.

"I came to see if you're okay."

"I'm fine." He cut me off.

"You don't look fine." I continued.

"Tsk, you can be quite persistent, Greasely."

He fell quiet, I noticed his eyes fixed on something, and I followed it.

"What happened to your hand?, it wasn't there earlier today." He asked before I could hide it.

He pulled me inside his room so I wouldn't protest.

"It's just a small bruise, it'll heal before you know it." I tried to put on a brave smile.

He brought out an ointment and started applying it to the bruised parts.

"I can't have you getting injured, remember. My dad wouldn't like that." He teased.

"I don't think your dad was harsh to you just because of me, he really cares about you, I could tell."

Ethan closed the cap of the ointment and kept it where he took it from

"I know, when it comes to me, his bark is actually worse than his bite, I'm afraid that might be waning"

His beautiful blue eyes clouded with worry

Those lips, he used them on me, and I can't stop thinking about what wonders it would have done if we continued.

"No."

I shook the thought out of my head, the kiss only happened because I was drunk. I'm sure he wouldn't do that when I'm in my right senses

"No, what?"

Ooops, I didn't realise I said it out loud, it was supposed to be my inner voice.

I jumped from the bed.

"Nothing, I should get going to my room now, thanks for this." I pointed to my arm.

He pulled me back gently so that I was on top of him.

His hands on my waist, and our lips almost touching.

"I thought you came to check on me?" His eyes twinkled seductively.

I tried to get up by pressing my hands on his sculptured chest.

"Erm, I can see you're okay now. Bye" I rushed out of his room before I do something out of bounds.

I clutched my chest as it pulsated rapidly.

What's happening to me?.