Chapter 8 The Unintended Closeness
Aveline didn't know what prompted her to say it. Perhaps it was guilt. Perhaps the curiosity she wouldn't admit. Or maybe... because of Ezra's gaze that felt like it penetrated the most hidden layers of her being.
"Come in," Aveline finally said, her voice softer than she intended.
Ezra didn't move for a few seconds, as if making sure he hadn't misheard, then slowly nodded. Without a word, he followed Aveline into the house.
As the door closed, silence enveloped them both. The house was dark and cold as usual, but Ezra's presence somehow made the air around her feel different. The atmosphere in the house felt denser, fuller, and alive.
Aveline walked towards the kitchen. Ezra followed her from behind, his steps light but always maintaining a respectful distance.
He sat on a dining chair when Aveline pointed to it without much verbal guidance.
"What would you like to drink?" Aveline asked, opening the cupboard for mugs.
"Just water, Miss," Ezra answered softly.
She nodded and started to take out two glasses. Her hand trembled slightly. Either from nervousness, or the awareness that she had brought a student into her home, something that went against rules and logic.
"About yesterday—" Aveline began, her voice trying to be steady, "—I know I was too harsh. I shouldn't have dismissed you from class like that."
Ezra slowly shook his head, his gaze remaining calm. "It's alright. I understand."
"Still," Aveline continued, trying to re-establish their boundaries, "whatever you think about... that painting, stop drawing conclusions. I am fine."
The sentence hung in the air. Ezra looked at her.
For a long time. So long that Aveline could barely sustain the gaze.
Then Ezra spoke softly. He was so calm and genuinely mature.
"Miss..." He lowered his head slightly, then raised his face again with a different look, deeper and more honest. "...even if Miss tries to hide it, I can still see it."
Aveline's heart beat fast. "See what?"
Ezra didn't smile. Nor did he look away.
"The wound," he answered quietly.
Aveline was stunned.
Ezra continued, his voice remaining gentle but certain. "I don't know how to explain it. But... I have a kind of sensitivity. I can see what others try to conceal. Emotions, pain, small things usually hidden behind smiles and words." He looked away for a moment. "It's not a special ability. More like... a habit of looking at people too deeply."
Aveline swallowed. "Ezra, you shouldn't be like that. It's—"
But her words stopped. As she reached for a glass on the table to give Ezra water, Ezra's hand moved... seemingly spontaneously... and suddenly held Aveline's wrist.
It wasn't rough or painful. Just a brief, warm touch, but it was enough to make the air in the kitchen seem to stop moving.
Aveline froze.
As soon as he realized what he had done, Ezra froze, then slowly pulled his hand back, like someone who had just realized they stood too close to a fire.
"I apologize..." His voice was almost shaky, yet still low and controlled. "A reflex."
They stared at each other in silence. Aveline's body felt warm. Her heart was racing, and she hated the fact that Ezra might hear it. Meanwhile, Ezra... although his face remained calm, his breathing changed slightly. Heavier than before.
It was awkward, yet also... something else. Something utterly unnatural happening between a lecturer and a student.
Aveline quickly turned away, trying to regulate her breathing. Meanwhile, Ezra bowed his head, as if trying to regain his composure that had momentarily faltered.
The atmosphere was so thick with tension that when the sound of heavy footsteps came from the front door...
Both immediately flinched. The front door opened. Footsteps entered the living room. The strong scent of alcohol was carried along with a familiar heavy voice.
Adrian.
In an instant, Aveline's body tensed. Ezra turned towards the door, his eyes narrowing slightly, his instincts instantly becoming alert.
Adrian appeared in the kitchen doorway, standing with a tired face, a loose tie, messy hair, and breath that still reeked of liquor. His gaze immediately fixed on Aveline... then on Ezra sitting at the kitchen table.
Adrian's face hardened. And the entire atmosphere changed instantly. The tension that had been personal turned into something much more dangerous.
Aveline felt her breath catch. Ezra remained seated, calm but clearly unwilling to back down if anything happened.
And Adrian... stared at both of them with eyes that were starting to darken.
"Great. I just got home, and you're already bringing a stranger into the house?" Adrian sneered with a cynical smile.
"Adrian, you're drunk. So this is why you didn't come home last night?" Aveline retorted.
Adrian ignored his wife's words. He walked closer to Ezra with a sharp look, as if about to blindly attack the young man.
But Aveline quickly ran. She stood between the two of them.
"He is my student," Aveline asserted.
Adrian scoffed, "So now you're giving extra lessons at home?" His gaze shifted to Ezra, who was now standing behind Aveline, "What kind of lesson? Painting? Or... something else?"
"Adrian, stop it!" Aveline snapped. Her voice was trembling from suppressed emotion. She couldn't accept Adrian's arrogance, which seemed to blame Aveline, while Adrian himself had been cold and neglectful toward her.
Ezra slowly stepped forward past Aveline, looking at Adrian more closely. His demeanor remained calm and mature, sharply contrasting with Adrian's heavily intoxicated state.
"I think I should go, Miss... Thank you for the lesson today." Ezra glanced at Aveline for a moment, "If anything happens, let me know."