Chapter 27

The persistent rays of sunlight that came from the window woke me up. I woke up irritated with myself for not closing the curtain yesterday. However, the sight beside me made me forget about the annoying rays or my irritation.

Killian was sleeping peacefully, his pouty lips parted a little. The same lips that I so courageously kissed. I thought it was the midnight vibe that made me courageous but it was his sincerity that lured me in. After that kiss last night, I felt a little embarrassed for being bold while he just got into the bed, hugged me, and told me to stop overthinking.

Supporting my head on my bent hand, I stared at the masterpiece before me. Everything about him looked like it was made with utmost caution. He was a sculpture perfected over years of intense observation. he was flawless. he was a masterpiece and the clumsy me couldn't look away.

Who knew that the imperfect me could be gifted with a masterpiece like him. Who knew that I would end up kissing the guy I hated so much. Who knew that staring at Killian's face would be my new hobby? Who knew that the guy who I considered was just my evil boss would sleep right next to me?

All I know is that these feelings were not an overnight happening. They were a butterfly effect, very small actions that have been accumulated all this time have finally made their presence known. Just like a drop of water on a rock that persistently fell and overtime ended up creating a hole in the rock. Our feelings were hidden behind fake annoyance and hate, which revealed themselves as we got close.

Maybe this setting was what gave us the push we needed but the feelings were there, small and undetected. I traced his features with my finger trying to memorize his face. His rather long eyelashes and his ruffled bed hair made him look adorable and I wooed inside for the heck of it. But his sharp Jaws and his Adam's apple were a different story.

“Good morning,” said Killian with a morning voice that made me want to propose.

“It's so unfair!” I complained pretending to be angry.

“What is?” asked Killian confused what made me change my mind so suddenly that too without responding to his good morning wishes.

“That you look this handsome when you just woke up from your sleep and I look like a duck even after putting on makeup,” I said praising his natural good looks that never shun from being displaying themselves at any time.

“That was a spot-on description of yourself, I was wondering who you resembled like.” joked Killian followed by his throaty laugh.

I followed suit joining in this happy moment that I wished I could play on repeat. I kissed his cheek and he responded by hugging me tight and kissing my forehead. I kissed the crook of his neck and stayed there trying to capture the moment.

“Shouldn't we get up and go to work?” I asked, my voice muffled by his body, which I'd clung onto like a parasite.

“We should—after I kiss you one more time,” said Killian making me blush in anticipation of the kiss to come.

Our stay in Weslan was mostly filled with days like these. A lot of morning kisses and late-night talks followed by make out sessions that made me forget the grip of reality. I was obsessed with his kisses, his words, and his entire being.

I enjoyed every bit of Weslan as we worked there, choosing the better side of the beach for building a Raushan hotel. We talked about the property with the landowners and checked off everything that needed to be finished here. As the work was finished, our stay at Weslan sadly came to an end.

On the last day before the departure, we ate a candle-lit dinner near the beach that was organized by Carol hotel. As the sun was setting beautifully reminding me that this fantasy might end when we leave Weslan, Killian held on to my hands as if trying to tell me that what we have is not fantasy, but reality. I remembered what the receptionist told us the first time we arrived at Carol hotel.

you don't know how many single people come here and leave as a couple.

I genuinely wished that was the case for us as we departed the island the next morning. I really wished I could live on that island of love with Killian. It was the latest addition to my wishes: to be with him in Weslan forever.

•••

There was no break for us to properly talk about us, as the deadline for the project was something that kept us busy. I really wanted to ask Killian what the things that had happened in Weslan made us. I wanted to know what we were to each other. We knew within our hearts that we had crossed the line of boss and secretary or the line of friendship, but I didn't know about that of lovers. That was the line I wasn't sure about as there was no verbal communication regarding our label and status.

I was at Leo's home enjoying my well-deserved break after days of staying in the office. Getting permission from a very busy Killian was easy as I wasn't disclosing where I was going. Although I wanted to tell him about Leo, I didn't want him to be more stressed than he already was. I intended to tell Killian about his rival company's heir being my long lost best friend when we have finished the presentation at the monthly shareholders meeting.

I remembered every single place of the Cunningham mansion, it was me and Leo's childhood playground. The wide living room we raced in or the giant sofas we hid behind, it was just like I remembered it. I felt like I was really at home, especially when Sara, Leo's mom, hugged me; she reminded me of my mom. Not wanting to cry in front of her, I excused myself to go to the bathroom that was two doors away from the living room we were chatting in.

Upon returning from the bathroom, I heard people arguing. It was Sara and Leo who were not agreeing on something I had yet to find out. Intending to give them, I stayed in the hallway, not far from the bathroom I had just gotten out of. The wide living room echoed their voice that got louder with every second. I couldn't help but listen to what they were saying.

“You can't order me to do that mom!” said Leo in a tone I've never heard him speak.

“That diary belongs to her, Leo! What's wrong with you? You can't protect her from her fate. She has to know what is written in there,” yelled Sara, making me wonder if I had to inform them I was here.

“I know it belongs to Lia, mom. I know it does but I can't just let her get hurt like that. She can't know–” Leo didn't finish his sentence as I interrupted him.

“What belongs to me and what is it that I shouldn't know about?” I asked crossing my hands across my chest.

I need to know what was going on here.