HEARTBEAT
Zachary was startled awake by the sound of his cellphone ringing. He barely opened his eyes, fumbling with the cellphone on the bed’s side.
“Hello?” he said, frowning and closing his eyes.
“Are you still sleeping, Zach?”
“Mom?”
“Manang Tessie has finished doing her laundry. They’ve been ironing your and Samarra’s clothes as well. You must go down, and Mang Dado is outside waiting for them to be returned.”
He couldn’t respond because his mother, Mommy Lorraine, had vanished on the other end of the line. He couldn’t help but look and quickly checked the time. It was eight o’clock at night. He sighed and closed his eyes once more. He kissed Samarra slowly. He inhaled her hair. To avoid waking Samarra, he stood up slowly a few minutes before.
He nodded and helped them carry the laundry baskets with his and Samarra’s clothes. They said their goodbyes quickly because it was already past eight o’clock.
He went to the laundry room before leaving to see if the helpers had cleaned it before they left.
He was on his way out when he noticed a box beneath the cabinet. He frowned, unsure when the package would arrive. He quickly grabbed it and set it on the table. What was inside the box piqued his interest. He promptly opened the box. The contents of the box made his brow furrow even more. There are numerous Christmas lights and small light bulbs inside. Even though it is still October, their home has a Christmas light. He shrugged as he carried the box to the third floor of their house.
Samarra was surprised to feel cold. She sat up in bed, frowning. She checked the time on the side of their bed. It was ten o’clock at night when she noticed it. She hadn’t seen Zachary. Perhaps he left again. She went to the bathroom right away when she felt her eyes water. She decided to take a shower after she finished. She then changed into her bathrobe and exited the bathroom. She nearly screamed when she saw Zachary sitting in front of the bed.
“What are you doing here?” She scolded the question as she tightened the knot of her bathrobe strap. She became aware of Zachary’s gaze on her.
Pervert! She rolled her eyes when Zachary didn’t respond to her question.
Zachary frowned as he recovered.
“Samarra, do you want to ask me again? Do you want me to remind you why I’m in our room?”
Her tongue twitched in response to the question. She, by the way, is always asking questions. She had forgotten Zachary was also the owner of this house. She couldn’t say anything and went to their closet to get dressed.
She snatched Zachary’s oversized t-shirt. She didn’t have any sleeping clothes in her bag. That’s why she dresses like Zachary. She felt at ease in its clothes as well. Zachary was the same way.
While she sat on the bed, Zachary stood up and went to the bathroom. She dries her hair with a blow dryer. She was caught staring at Zachary while wrapping a towel around his bottom. Her world seemed to slow down as Zachary approached.
As she looked at Zachary, she swallowed. He reminded her of the men in magazines who had perfect abs. His stare pierced her heart. She had no idea why her heart was racing so quickly. It was her first time looking at Zachary. Other than Kiel, no other man had made her feel this way. Her heartbeat was becoming increasingly rapid. She was afraid Zachary would overhear her say something.
“Why you’re staring at me like that?” Zachary inquired, not even raising his head from his boxer shorts.
Samarra was shocked by what she heard. Was he aware that she was keeping an eye on him?
To calm her racing heart, she took a deep breath. She didn’t want to feel like she couldn’t like Zachary immediately.
Like? OMG! Samarra. What are your thoughts? Keep in mind that your husband has a girlfriend. She shook her head at what she was thinking.
She was already starving. Right! She’s just hungry, so she can think of things she shouldn’t.
“Do you find something that you didn’t like?” Zachary still raised an eyebrow as he smiled at her.
“Conceited.” She smirked and crossed her arms.
He shook his head. “At least, I can be proud of myself. Why don’t you admit that you’re staring at me? And do you like me?”
She sluggishly turned him. “Cadden, are you serious? Do you believe I like you?”
“You don’t?”
“No,” she said, her gaze averted.
Zachary smiled even more comprehensively as he looked at her and seemed relieved.
“I know that look, Liar. Lady,” Zachary accused her.Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
Her visible annoyance seemed to have settled the matter.
“Stop bothering me and leave me alone.” As she turned her back on Zachary, she said.
“Did you find me attractive?”
“Cadden, stop bothering me,” she hissed angrily.
When she heard Zachary’s weak laugh at her, she quickly turned away.
“What?” she asked, not taking her gaze away from Zachary’s question.
“Easy.” He laughed and raised both hands.
Her expression indicated that she was cringing at what Zachary was doing to her. She had arranged herself on the bed and placed pillows between them before turning on Zachary.
“Come on, love.”
Zachary, already dressed in a black t-shirt and boxer shorts, turned to face her; Zachary extended his hand to her.
Zachary received a frown from her. Fifteen minutes before eleven o’clock; where would they go in those circumstances? Maybe he wasn’t, but he had an evil plan. She shook her head and swallowed. It’s not good that she overthinks everything.
“Here.” Zachary extended his arms to help her.
“Huh?”
“What kind of looks is that?”
“Where are we going?” she asked quickly, not wanting Zachary to think she was acting negatively once more.
“Oh, that?! Let’s go.” Zachary appeared to recall that they were leaving abruptly. He took her hand in his and led her out of the room.
Zachary turned around behind her as they closed the door.
“Close your eyes,” he orders.
She rolled her eyes at him but still did as Zachary asked. She closed her eyes. Zachary placed his palm over her eye. She was taken aback when Zachary placed another hand on her waist.
Samarra walked like her. She expected them to go upstairs. The question is, what will they do there? Zachary’s hand wrapped around her waist, drawing him closer.
Samarra suddenly swallowed as her heartbeat increased again. She rubbed her chest. And forced herself to calm down.
“We’re here,” Zachary whispered and removed his hand from her eye.
She slowly opened his eyes. That’s how widened her eyes are in what she sees.
What the hell!