Chapter 11 Between Rain And Wounds
Adrian came home late that night with a face that was hard to read. Not angry. Not sad either. But more like someone who had just lost a part of himself in a distant place. Aveline, who was having dinner, just silently watched him; her curiosity was almost boiling over, but she managed to restrain it. Because Adrian looked too fragile at that moment.
Without saying anything, Adrian changed his clothes and sat at the dining table. Aveline got up and prepared a plate. Usually, he ate alone, while Adrian chose to eat in his study. But tonight felt different. Adrian sat at the dining table and ate Aveline's cooking. Slowly, without looking at Aveline, but also not distancing himself as usual. Only silence filled the space between them.
Aveline dared to speak softly.
"If there's anything you want to say..."
Adrian closed his eyes for a moment, holding a long breath.
"Not now," he answered quietly. "Not when my mind is so chaotic. I... just want peace tonight."
Aveline gave a small nod. "Alright."
She hid the thousands of questions swirling in her head. About the lipstick stain on the shirt. About the photo. About Adrian's rage toward Ezra. About why Adrian looked so devastated.
But that night, they just sat together in silence. Perhaps for the first time in a long time, they were together without hurting each other.
The next morning, rain had been falling since dawn. It's drops tapped on the window as if understanding how soaked Aveline's heart felt, matching the weather today. She hadn't slept well. She kept thinking about Adrian, the photo, and... Ezra, of course.
She decided to bring Ezra's painting to campus. Partly because she wanted to return it. Another part... because she wasn't sure what she should do if she kept it at home. If Ezra wouldn't take it back, at least she could store it in the studio and hide it there.
Lifting the large canvas out of the car proved to be more difficult than she had imagined. The rain made the surface slippery, and the wind made it sway.
"Miss."
That warm yet deep voice appeared from behind her.
Aveline turned. She saw Ezra standing there. With an umbrella in hand and his jacket slightly wet from hurrying over. His hair was dripping water, but his gaze remained calm. Calm in a way that made Aveline's heart move strangely.
"Luckily you came..." Aveline said, smiling unconsciously.
"I have class," Ezra replied, a small nod accompanying the sentence. "Let me help you carry it."
He lifted the canvas easily, as if familiar with its weight. Aveline walked beside him toward the studio building. The rain diffused the smell of earth and wet paint, and their two steps felt strangely synchronized.
Upon reaching the classroom, the room was still empty. The lights weren't fully on, leaving soft silhouettes on the walls. The floor was slightly wet from rain seeping through an open window.
As Ezra leaned the painting against the wall, Aveline intended to take one step forward, but suddenly the sole of her shoe slipped.
"Aveline!"
In an instant, Ezra caught her. Their bodies pressed against each other, their breaths meeting at a distance that was too close. His arms gripped Aveline's waist. Meanwhile, Aveline's hands held tightly to Ezra's chest, feeling the young man's heartbeat. She could feel Ezra's heart beating fast, just like hers.
The rain outside intensified. And inside the room, time seemed to stop.
Aveline looked up. Ezra's face was only centimeters from hers. Their eyes locked, and Ezra's gaze... wasn't the gaze of a student towards his lecturer. It was the gaze of someone who saw her deeper than anyone else.
"Ezra..." Aveline whispered, but her voice was lost in the distance.
The young man didn't let go. Not immediately. He just stared at her with dark eyes full of something that should not be spoken. Something dangerous. Something that... Aveline felt an urge to answer immediately.
There were no other students. There was no sound at all except the rain.
And who moved first didn't matter; Ezra's hand moved up to Aveline's cheek, touching it very gently.
"I..." Ezra whispered, his voice cracking.
But Aveline was already lost in a current of feeling stronger than her logic. A small pull from her chest made her body move closer. Ezra lowered his head.
Their breaths mingled. And in the coldness of the rain-shrouded morning... Their lips met.
Soft. Hesitant. But gradually deeper, more demanding, as if the world belonged only to the two of them. Their lips locked, devoured, and exchanged feelings that they had both suppressed.
Aveline closed her eyes, allowing everything she had held back to pour out. The hurt. The silence. And the longing to be seen. And Ezra responded as if he had been waiting for that moment for a long time. As if he had adored the woman in his arms since the first time they met.
Outside, the rain continued to fall... as if trying to conceal the first sin they had just committed.
Aveline suddenly gasped. Her eyes widened as she realized the mistake she had made. Quickly, she distanced herself and pushed Ezra away. Her face was flushed with shame and suppressed passion.
"I'm sorry... This shouldn't have happened..." she said regretfully.
Ezra opened his mouth, wanting to reassure Aveline and convince her that she didn't need to be afraid. But the woman was already too panicked and agitated. Afraid of being seen. Also afraid of her feelings falling too deeply into this forbidden relationship.
"You have to go. I mean... We shouldn't be alone here. Someone could find out and..." Aveline was rambling in a panic when suddenly the classroom door opened, and several students walked in.
They were surprised and stopped when they saw Aveline was already in the classroom. Aveline looked at Ezra, asking for help with an explanation because she was afraid of being suspected. And with his usual calm demeanor, Ezra smiled.
"You guys just arrived. I just finished helping Miss Aveline carry her things from the car," Ezra said.
His friends laughed.
"Oh, right. Sorry, Miss, we didn't help."
"It's alright... It's alright... Come in..." Aveline replied nervously. She glared at Ezra, signaling for the young man to keep up the pretense. Ezra was still smiling and walked to his own seat.
But as he walked past Aveline, he whispered softly.
"I don't regret it... Aveline..."