/Zane's POV/
What the hell am I doing? Even I started to wonder at some point, but seeing Madison flustered and disturbed made me want to keep bothering her.
Although she wasn't the type to run, she still resorted to running after what happened. She showed annoyance and inconvenience at our proximity, but in the cracks of the perturbed expression on her face was the want she tried hard to ignore—the lust she was trying her best to keep reined in.
I want to see her cave. I want to tempt her until she chooses her needs over her stubbornness and pride. I guess I'm a cowardly bastard, wanting to push her over the line first while I hide behind my selfish reasons.
I knew this wasn't me, but Maddy strangely knew how to push my buttons, making my desire triumph over my reason.
It only took me a couple of minutes to finish the rest of my meal that I couldn't bring myself to finish for fifteen minutes while Maddy was sitting across from me. Her scent still lingered faintly on the air—something light and warm.
My eyes caught on the interview practice printout she forgot as she hurried away in an attempt to avoid me. Her chair was still slightly pushed back, like she'd left in a rush, the cushion still holding the shape of her body. I brought it over to her room, wondering if it'd give us the chance to talk again—maybe I'd ask her to practise on me—but she wasn't in.
I still haven't given Maddy a tour around the house, so I had no idea where she could be, but after leaving her room, I noticed the door to my study was slightly ajar even though I'd left it closed, so I headed over hoping to find her there. A faint draft slipped through the gap, and I could hear the soft rustle of movement inside—too hushed to place, but enough to pull me in.
I didn't mean to catch her by surprise. Her reaction to my sudden appearance was entertaining though. She jolted, breath catching sharply, the tiny sound echoing in the quiet room. Unfortunately, Allison's phone suffered in the process.
Why does she even have that? What is she even doing here? I wondered as she immediately crouched over to pick the phone off the floor.
"I'm so sorry… I was only looking for a pen but found the phone instead. It's my sister's, isn't it?" she asked while examining the shattered screen.
Fuck! That was important. A tight pinch pulled in my chest as I took in the web of cracks running across the display.
"Yeah," I admitted, walking over to take the phone from her. Her fingers brushed mine—cool at first, then warming quickly—and the slight tremor in her grip caught my attention. The screen was a mess, but at least it still turned on.
"I'm sorry," she apologised again, and I sighed softly.
"Don't worry about it. It doesn't seem like the damage was much. Besides, it can always be repaired," I shrugged, returning the phone to my desk.
"Were you able to check the contents? Did you figure out the relationship between my sister and Elias?" she asked, her eyes brimming with curiosity. There was a sharpness there—focused, hungry—that sent a ripple of heat down my spine.
She did mention I should tell her if there was any new information. I guess there's no harm.
"Not really. I just recently got it, and I'm still trying to get through the password—" I paused, pondering whether or not to ask Maddy if she had any idea. They've been separated for so long, I doubt she knew.
My eyes caught something akin to relief rather than disappointment in Maddy's expression, but it was gone as fast as it came, so I doubt I saw it correctly.
"That's such a letdown. You should tell me once you access it though. I can't wait to confirm the lies of that son of a bitch who thinks he could easily manipulate me." Her expression tightened. Her jaw flexed, and the air around her seemed to thicken with restrained anger.
Maddy looked like she had a bone to pick with Elias personally, and something about the vengeful look felt so hot I was tempted to kiss her.
"Sure, I mean… why not?" I replied, and she nodded.
She immediately turned, ready to leave, but I held her back by the wrist. Her skin was warm—too warm—and the faint thrum of her pulse pressed against my fingertips. Her eyes instantly fell on our joined hands, expectantly waiting for me to say something, and I hesitated.
"Is there something you wanna say to me?" She finally asked as her hand slowly grew warm in mine from the hesitation.
"Here, you forgot this." I handed her the print, and she responded with a warm smile. Her smile hit harder than expected—soft but bright enough to pull something tight inside me.
"I could help you practise for the interview," I offered, and she shook her head slightly.
"I think I'll be okay. Thanks for offering though."
Maddy left immediately afterwards, almost like she was afraid to stay another second. My eyes lingered on her until she was out of sight, my heart heavy with so many untold words.
As the soothing scent of her perfume faded, I was finally able to think. The room felt colder without her in it.
Did Maddy really come here for a pen? I don't remember telling her the way to my study though.
When I tried turning on Allison's phone, the screen came back blank.
Maddy couldn't have tried to sabotage this, could she?
I dismissed the thought because I know better than anyone how much Maddy wants to find her sister's killer.
I retired to bed a lot earlier than planned. After all, I wanted to take my time analysing Allison's texts, but I guess not tonight.
Maybe I should have tired myself out or something. Once again, I woke up in Maddy's bed, but this time I wasn't tied to her chair. Instead, she'd left to sleep downstairs.
The sheets smelled like her—a mix of something soft and citrus-warm—and the faint indentation where she'd been lying made my chest tighten.
"Maddy, we need to talk," I declared just as I walked downstairs but froze after seeing Aya.
"Is something wrong?" she asked upon seeing me. I guess I woke up later than usual.
"Nothing," I lied, then turned back, briefly avoiding Maddy's eyes in the corner. Her gaze scraped along my skin like a quiet question.
I called Noah over later to bring the phone for repairs, but I still didn't catch a whiff of Maddy even as I headed downstairs to talk to him—until I came by her room later to inform her we needed to pack and leave since the renovations were done.
"Does that mean you guys are heading back to your mansion now?" Aya asked Maddy, who didn't look bothered or disturbed by the news.
"Yeah, pretty much," she replied absentmindedly before turning to me.
"I'll get ready then," Maddy added, our eyes meeting briefly before I left. Her voice was steady, but something in her gaze felt distant, like a door quietly closing.
I didn't meet the girls until it was time to leave since Maddy stayed cooped up in her room together with Aya.
But we were all able to have lunch together after returning to the mansion.
"If you want, I could stay the night," Aya said, obviously enjoying Maddy's company. She was completely hoarding her.
"No, go home, Aya. In fact, since I'll be seeing Richard, I'll drop you off," I volunteered, but she looked rather uncomfortable at my suggestion. Her fingers paused over her fork, and her gaze flickered downward for a split second, like the air around her had stiffened.
"Aya, is something wrong?" I asked, and she flashed me a grim smile. The smile didn't reach her eyes; it felt thin, stretched—like brittle glass about to crack.
"Aya, are you okay?" Madison had to ask as her face slowly darkened. The tension between them thickened the air around the table, wrapping tightly around all three of us.
"Can't I just stay here tonight?" she asked, and my brows furrowed slightly. It was obvious something was bothering her; we just didn't want to pressure her. Even her voice sounded smaller, softer… like it had lost some of its usual sharpness.
"Sure, I think it's okay for you to stay the night," I agreed, and relief spread over her face. Her shoulders sagged visibly, as if she'd been holding herself up with sheer will until that moment. I can always get whatever it is from Richard though—they're both my friends after all.
"I still have to drop by Richard's though. My headache's getting worse so—" It was me implying that I wasn't entirely visiting her husband because I was curious something was up with the two of them. It's also not entirely because I was worried about them. The dull throb at the back of my skull pulsed heavier as I spoke, the lights in the dining room suddenly feeling a little too bright.
"Do you have to go tonight?" Her question made me realise she really was intent on hiding what was going on between her and Richard.
"Sure, fine, I can go some other time." I agreed before showing her to the guest room. Her footsteps were too light behind me, almost hesitant, like she didn't want to move any closer or any farther away.
"You really don't have to. I plan on sleeping in Maddy's room tonight. I just don't wanna be alone right now," she admitted.
Unlike me, Aya has always been good at hiding how she feels. If the cracks were showing this much, it must mean she could no longer hide it. Just what on earth is going on with her?
"Okay, freshen up and get some rest," I suggested, and she nodded.
"I used—" she stopped just before I completely turned around. "You know you can always ask me for help, right?" I asked, and she replied with a half-smile. A tired one—her eyelids drooping slightly, shoulders tense despite the attempt at reassurance.
"Of course I know that. Zane, I'm gonna be okay. I promise." She assured, and I nodded, returning to my room immediately afterwards—but to my surprise, Maddy was waiting for me in my room.
"You do know your sleepwalking has gotten worse recently, right?" she said, almost like an accusation. Her voice was soft but sharp, the kind that slipped beneath the skin. "Are you gonna be okay with Aya around? "
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