Chapter 101

He wasn't expecting her to apologize, not because he thought she wasn't sorry but because she had nothing to apologize about.

She said nothing wrong; she had just spoken truthfully about the arrangement he decided on. His feelings were hurt, but he couldn't fault her for being truthful.

"You said nothing wrong," he replied and picked up the tablet.

"I did," she mumbled, her palm gripping the sheets tighter. "I never should have said that. It was mean of me."

"Was it?" He asked gently. "You make it sound as though you said it to hurt me."

"I didn't," she cried, turning her body to face him.

She really didn't. Instead, she had said it because she was scared of getting hurt, and made a mess of the situation.

"I know," he replied, sitting up alongside her. He stretched out his hand and placed it over her palm.

He could feel her palm relax and she let go of the sheet but she didn't pull away.

"I-I wanted—"

"You don't have to explain. I am not angry," he said with a sigh, running his fingers through his hair. "It must have looked like I was. I am glad you told me."

She opened her mouth to speak but he was already pulling his hand away from her. She winced slightly as the cool air touched her palm.

His palm was really warm and she wished he would keep touching her but she couldn't demand that, certainly not after what she said.

"Should we begin the movie?"

She nodded but her heart still felt dampened. She had said it and she knew she meant it when she said those words to him but why was she so bothered?

He wasn't even angry with her and he said he was glad she told him. Would she have preferred if he was? She had seen how hurt he looked, yet he said he wasn't angry.

She barely paid attention to the movie and when the credits rolled, she didn't want to stay awake any longer.

"Do you want to watch anything else?"

"No," she whispered and faked a yawn. "I am tired from staring at screens all day."

"Oh, that's true. You should have mentioned it," he said and turned the television off. "You didn't have to watch the movie with me."

"No, I wanted to."

She lay on her back, adjusting the covers over her body but she was still cold. Maybe she should have opted for a sweater instead of the simple top she wore.

"Goodnight Layla," he called as he turned off most of the lights before placing the tablet on the table next to his side of the bed.

"Goodnight, Master Davian."

She was sleeping on her side facing his direction while he slept facing the ceiling. A large space separated them. She had kept it that way and Davian had never infringed on it. But right now the space felt larger than it really was.

She shut her eyes. She didn't want to think about their earlier exchange. It left a queasy feeling in her chest.

She didn't fall asleep as quickly as she would like and she could feel the hours go by but she didn't move about; she just lay stiffly so she wouldn't bother Davian.

\---

Layla woke up slowly, letting out a satisfied sound as the warmth of the morning wrapped around her. It was an unfamiliar feeling but she easily welcomed it.

Her eyes flew open but it took a moment to get her bearings. The room wasn't as dark as the night before.

Light rays of the morning sun seeped through the windows and the lamp by her side of the bed was still turned on.

Her side? Her brows furrowed. Why did it feel like she was farther away from the lamp compared to normal? Even if she had her back to it.

"You're awake."

Her frown deepened; his voice sounded too close for comfort but that wasn't the only problem, it almost sounded as if she could feel him speak.

"Are you comfortable?" He asked as his arm tightened around her.

His arm!

Her eyes widened as she realized she wasn't lying on the bed; rather, she was face down on Davian's bare chest.

She jumped away from him in horror, his hand pulling away from her back in time. She held her hands to her chest as she sat on the bed with disbelief in her expression.

"I am s-sorry," she stuttered. "I don't know. I didn't know. I am so sorry."

Davian yawned and sat upright. "You don't have to apologize so badly. You seemed cold at night and moved closer."

He threaded his fingers through his hair as he turned to look at her. His bedhead and lazy eyes made him look even more handsome than usual.

Layla frowned slightly as she recalled she had been cold at some point in the night and then it got warmer.

"I didn't mean to infringe on—"

"I didn't mind," he said with a sigh as he got out of bed. "Now stop apologizing."

He knew it wasn't that she found him repulsive or hated that he touched her but it was hard not to think otherwise when she had jumped away in that manner.

"Thank you," she said as he stood with his back to her. "I did sleep better."

Davian froze and then a smile appeared on his face. He palmed his face, pressing into the corners of his eyes. Why was he so pleased?

"It's fine. I'll wash off first. We'll leave for breakfast together."

She nodded even though he couldn't see her face. She watched him walk to the bathroom with her hands still pressed against her chest.

She couldn't believe she had slept on his chest so comfortably at that. She even had the guts to tell him.

Ahh!

But it felt like she should. He didn't seem happy that she was apologizing so much and if he truly hated it, he could have pushed her away but he didn't.

She didn't know what to feel. Didn't know if she was doing the right thing or not. But one thing she was starting to notice was that she didn't want to hurt him.