Phoenix:
My body had gone stiff in his arms. It had been such a long time since anyone hugged me. Except, of course, Jai and Maria.
Last time, it was my mom whom I tried to hug, but she pushed me back. Why? Because I was impure to touch.
"Hey," he said softly near my ear, "you are still trembling, love!"
Emerald.
Love.
Why was he using such endearments for me?
Couldn't he smell the pungent scent from my face?
"Are you alright?" his hand started rubbing over my arm.
No. I'm not alright, Sebastian. You know why?
Because you're standing so close to me. The last time you stood this close was at our wedding. But no. You were quite close when you invited me on a date.
Do you want to know why I'm not alright? Because you're not supposed to look at me like this.
Because I hated you for so long, and now I'm not able to hate you anymore, because I never knew this side of you.
This version of you was kept hidden from me.
