Chapter 25 Red-handed
Amrah
“Could it have fallen out when you took something out of your bag?” Zayd offered.
“Maybe” I had my doubts but decided not to pursue it.
I decided to change the key card later for security purposes. Anything could have been done to it within the past few hours.
“Are you sure the hallway is cleared? No one must see me come out of your unit like this” I asked Zayd again.
“No one. I checked thrice” he brushed the straying strands of hair out of my face, his fingers lingering on my chin.
I felt like a cheating housewife who had nosy neighbors as I looked down at the oversized hoodie and shorts I had on.
Zayd had ransacked his closet before he got something close to my size. I asked for my clothes after taking a shower but he said they were still in the machine.
“I don't know how to operate that shit”
He gave an unbelievable excuse. I didn't even bother to argue with him, my mind was whirling with more pressing issues.
Issues like getting back to my apartment and getting ready for my afternoon class without anyone seeing me come out of this apartment.
I could have just handed him my key card so he could get me something to put on from my apartment which was just next door, but the naughty part of me wanted to wear his clothes again.
He handed me another dark grey hoodie and the shorts he had spent ten minutes finding.
“Okay, I'm leaving now. Don't follow me” I ordered feigning toughness.
Oh lord help me, I will never do this again!
I swear I want to kiss Zayd again… no! I mean I would never let him touch me again.
Why is he so perfect? Even his meal tasted so good, so familiar in fact.
I should leave, for real.
I peeped through the peephole to make sure the coast was cleared. It was, so I gingerly opened the door and stepped out.
“Your bag” Zayd called, he had an amused expression on his face when I turned to get my bag from him.
And he was still fucking shirtless! I just know he was trying to seduce me… Amrah!
I slipped out, slamming the door right behind me to stop Zayd from coming out, and made for my door as quickly as I could, my heart pounding hard with adrenaline.
“Amy?”
Fuck!
How did she recognize me with the large hoodie? I made sure to carefully tuck my hair into the hood.
“Zayd?”
I thought I shut him in? He was looking out through the half-opened door shamelessly. He turned to Daphy with a blank expression.
“Good morning” He greeted her flatly.
“Go inside” I whispered yelling at him, he raised his hand and gave me an amused smile.
“That's so out of character, Zayd”
Daphy stared at Zayd in shock, not believing he was actually smiling and being playful even though it was towards me.
“Oh my goodness! I just witnessed a hot tea…!” Daphy squealed the moment Zayd closed the door.
The rest of her loud words muffled as I clamped my palm over her mouth.
“Shut up!” I looked around hoping Sally or Yvonne were not on their way in or out by chance.
“Mmmmm” Daphy's words were muffled by my palm on her mouth.
“Come on, let's go in before you can yell please.” I dragged her to my door and opened it as fast as I could.
“What the actual fuck, Amy you actually seduced Zayd! That robot? And you guys fucked?” she rambled as soon as I closed the door behind us.
“Calm down Daphy, we didn't” I fibbed.
“You didn't? Then why are you in his clothes and smelling like him? You definitely had a shower in there”
Her eyes twinkle as if she just witnessed the best thing in her life.
“That's not it, Daphy. We… I… uhm… I lost my key and had to spend the night in his apartment”
“So you are telling me you guys did nothing? Then why are you wearing his clothes?” she insisted.
“Let me explain.”
“I'm listening” Daphy batted her eyelashes dramatically.
“We went out for a late lunch together and got drenched,”
“You went on a date with Zayd! Holy shit!”
“It is just lunch. He wanted to thank me for staying with him at the hospital” I could feel heat creeping up my cheeks.
“It sounds like a date though. Go on” Daphy smiled sheepishly
“I… I forgot my key card at the diner and couldn't get into my apartment. And you know it was storming last night, I had no choice but to spend the night at his. I changed into his clothes because mine were wet of course” I excluded all the juicy details as much as I could.
“So, you are saying nothing else happened?” Her eyes narrowed at me suspiciously.
“Er… yeah”
“Lie! You have a big mark on your neck” she pointed at my exposed neck.
“Ha? Where?” I touched my neck anxiously.
“You did something! I just knew it, no wonder your lips look like someone nibbled them all night” Daphy squealed excitedly.
She actually tricked me!
“We just kissed…” I touched my lips as last night's memory crashed down my mind.
“Ahhhh!!!”
“And that was bad of me” Daphy went quiet.
“How? Because you kissed a hot guy?”
“I… I have a boyfriend…” I didn't know why I blurted that out anyway.
“Chris?”
My jaw slacked in shock, “You… knew?”
“Of course, I do. You guys were subtle but I have keen eyes, so don't worry.”
I couldn't rest assured. Who else knew?
Would I be labeled as a cheater if people found out I was dating Chris and now hooking up with Zayd?
Guilt weighed on my chest.
“Yeah…” I mumbled.
“I thought you guys broke up though” she added seeing I was quiet.
“We didn't”
“But you two haven't been as close as you used to be and I'm sure you don't know what he is up to at the moment”
I felt a lump in my throat as she hit the right spot.
“What do you mean he is not worth it?”
“Girl, he is not worth it. That's all you need to know for now. And I will tell you from a keen observer's view, Zayd is down for you completely. I'm so glad you finally looked at him”
“What do you mean?”
“The way he always looks at you with that rare tender gaze couldn't escape my eyes of course. He was tucking hard after you guys kissed during the game that day”
“Ah?”
“I swear down
“Well… I know I shouldn't be saying this but Chris is definitely not worth it. Please give Zayd a chance, you don't have to date him right away. Oh, you guys would be so cute together” she finished dreamily.
“I… I will think about”
I wasn't going to think about anything, I would just avoid Zayd and keep hoping that Chris never finds out what happened last night.