Chapter 38 - In love?

Chapter 38 - In love?
~Harriet~

My eyes fluttered open, taking in the light that filtered through the curtains. My skin brushed the sheets, and I groaned. Rubbing my bleary eyes, the incidents from last night flashing through my mind. The banquet, the wine, and then nothing. Had I gotten drunk?

I got off the bed, my dainty feet hitting the floor. This didn't look like my room from Rael's mansion.

Just as I reached for the door, it swung open, revealing the man. His eyes were devoid of any emotions.

“You–why didn't you wake me up!” I almost yelled, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. The man calmly stared at me before going to take a seat in a chair resting at the side of the room. Tsk!

I rushed into the bathroom, taking a shower before changing into a pair of clothes I'd found in the closet. I'd just walked over to the door to pull it open when Rael's voice stopped me.

“You don't have to go to school today,” He stated, and I watched as an attendant pulled the door open to serve us some food.

“And why is that?” I asked, turning to him fully as I watched the attendant serve him tea.

“I asked Kai to take care of it,” He calmly muttered, yet, my attention had completely diverted. I stared at the attendant who bent her body seductively, her huge chests almost popping out of her blouse as she bent. Looked as though she was seducing Rael. Yet, what was this feeling in my chest?

“If you're done, you should leave,” I said to her, walking over. I pushed the man back on his chair, straddling him, and from the corner of my eyes I could see the resentment in her eyes. I couldn't care less.

“Thank you so much, daddy. If you don't mind, can I treat you to a little shopping today as thank you for taking a day off school for me?” I asked, my tone morphining. It had turned soft, coy. Like a teenage girl in love.

“Okay,” he muttered, and I smiled, landing a small peck on the corner of his lips.

The attendant stormed off, having had her plans ruined by me. I smirked.

When I turned to Rael, I caught sight of the way his lips curled up faintly, his gaze marred with amusement.

The moment the attendant slammed the door behind her, I let out a satisfied hum, still perched comfortably on Rael’s lap. His hands rested lightly on my waist, his expression unreadable, but that faint amusement still lingered in his dark eyes.

“You’re quite possessive today,” he remarked, his voice low and smooth, making something stir in my chest.

“Hmm? I don’t know what you mean.” I said, tilting my head as I feigned innocence.

His fingers tightened slightly around my waist, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Sly,” he commented, and a smirk tugged at my lips.

“I just don’t like people eyeing what’s mine.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them, and for a second, I froze. What’s mine? Since when had I started thinking of Rael like that?

But instead of mocking me or pulling away, his gaze darkened. He studied me, his thumb brushing idly against the curve of my hip.

“Is that so?”

I cleared my throat, forcing a playful tone.

“Well, since you agreed to shopping, we should get going soon. I have a lot of things I want to buy.” The truth was that I never really wanted to go shopping. I'd just said that as the fastest thing that came to my mind.

Rael exhaled, almost like a laugh, before lifting me effortlessly off his lap and standing.

“Eat,” came his curt words.

As I hurried to grab my utensils, I couldn’t shake the warmth still lingering where his hands had been. Fuck! What was this feeling?

After breakfast, Rael had cancelled his schedule for the day, surprisingly following me to the largest mall in country M. All the while, my phone buzzed in my pockets, and I could immediately tell who was calling –my father. After seeing me with Rael Morgan last night, of course he'd want me back home. To my father, it was always about benefits. Now that he saw a use for me, he wants me back. I snorted.

Rael saw this and patted my head, stunning me. A faint blush came to rest on my cheeks, and I immediately stuffed my phone back into my pocket before walking deeper into the mall to shop for accessories.

I'd just come out of the changing room when I spotted Rael seated at the reception, his gaze fixated on his phone. I walked over, a smile marrying my lips. But just before I reached him, a woman had gone to stand in front of him. Why did it suddenly seem like all the women wanted him?

I walked closer, and then noticed something–Rael had raised his head, speaking to the woman while she smiled. It seemed as though they knew each other.

“Rael, I'm done. Can we leave now?” I muttered once I got to them, and I saw the man cast a glance at me before nodding and tossing his phone into his pocket.

For a fleeting second I thought I saw a glint in the woman's eyes before she smiled.

k8

“This must be the woman you brought to the banquet last night. Nice to meet you, I'm Delphine,” she muttered, stretching out her hand for a handshake. I was a little hesitant, but still took it.

“I'm Rael's childhood friend, I just returned to the country yesterday,” she muttered, and the previous smile that had married my falter. Childhood friend? Why did that suddenly not sound right in my ears? Why did it suddenly feel like she was declaring that she owned him? Snap out of it, Harriet!

“Nice to meet you,” I muttered before pulling my hand away.

“Why don't I treat you both to a meal to catch up on old times?” Delphine suggested, and I turned to Rael who didn't seem to object. I smiled, tagging along.

Throughout the meal, she blabbered on and on about how cold Rael used to be in school and how only she alone could lift his mood. I played with my phone, yet I could hear the sound of my own heart breaking. Fuck! What was this ugly feeling?

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth and set my fork down.

“I need to use the restroom."

I didn’t wait for a response before leaving the table.

The moment the bathroom door closed behind me, I gripped the edge of the sink, staring at my reflection. My cheeks were flushed, my eyes too bright.

What the hell is wrong with me?

This wasn’t like me. I didn’t get jealous. I didn’t care.

The door creaked open, cutting through my thoughts, and I straightened, smoothing my expression.

Delphine stepped inside, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

"You’re in love with him, aren't you?" she mused, leaning against the counter beside me.

I froze. In love?