I freeze, the world narrowing to the cold press of the fridge handle beneath my palm. The chill seeps into my skin, biting, but I cling to it harder than I could remember, as if the steel could anchor me while everything inside me threatens to give away.
"Tristan Donovon," I managed. His name was strange and heavy on my tongue.
So many years have passed. I can't even remember when was the last time I'd seen him standing in this house.
While him, leaning onto the kitchen counter with a glass in his hand, studying me with those piercing black eyes.
"I didn't expect anyone to be awake at this time," he said. His voice was deeper than I could imagine, smooth, firm but unsettling.
"Oh, I was just.., erm.., thirsty," I replied.
His dark brow arched, and a faintest smirk was seen tugging at his mouth.
"Still trailing after Sophia, I see?" he said.
Heat crept up to my neck. Ah, it's that old nickname again. The little shadow.
"We are best friends," I said. Sharper than I have intended.
He chuckled low in his chest, and the sound sent an odd shiver through my veins. "Well, I can see that. You have been around far longer than any of the furniture in this house," he mused.
It should have been a joke, and I should have just laughed to ease the tension, but I could not. I can feel my heartbeat rising because under his teasing tone, I sense there is something else hidden.
His gaze was not that a man looking at a child anymore. It was more like an accessing gaze and a little too intent, if I could describe.
"Please don't let me keep you up," I muttered, pulling my eyes from his gaze while opening the fridge to fetch the cold water.
"Ellie," he called. His voice was quiet and serious.
I turned sharply, almost on reflex, the bottle clutched tight in my grip as I met his eyes.
His deep eyes locked onto mine, unblinking. Then I heard he said, "You have grown."
The words sound so simple, but the way he said it, with his mellow voice and the certainty, made me catch my breath.
Before I could reply to his statement, there was a sound of the door creaked upstairs, breaking the whole moment.
Tristan straightened his back, mask slipping back into place.
"Goodnight," he said before disappearing into the dark night.
My eyes were glued on his back while standing rooted in the kitchen, with my heart pounding crazily in my chest.
For the first time, I wondered if Sophia's brother saw me more than just a shadows.