Sarah didn't know what to say.

Because-

"But all the books have a stake-"

"I think we should have a cup of coffee on that. " He suggested and her face went up in flames .

She was such an idiot!

She had been holding him hostage here.

Not even letting him sit or catch his breath.

Sarah found herself flying towards the switchboard and flipping on all the lights. Well, they weren't bright enough but they did their job.

They came with warranty so. .

Her cozy lounge bathed in white . A watered down version of the color because of how bad the quality was.

Amused ,he watched her nearly collapsing under pressure. She seemed to be haphazard. She was moving around with jittering nerves , taking the bowl of cornflakes and trying to fix the TV so it wouldn't disappear on them.

Just watching her do the simplest of chore . . fixing the TV and flipping her tousled brown hair over her shoulder while trying not to let her nerves get her. . .. he felt at home.

Such an odd feeling.

To feel for a complete stranger.

"It's alright. I didn't come here to watch TV, you know. " He said amused.

At once Sarah turned at him her face red with embarrassment.

"Sorry about that. " She wrung her hands together nervously. " I'll—i'll be right back with coffee."

She said it so fast, all the words jumbled against each other . He knew what she was trying to do.

Again.

Escape.

To catch her breath.

Fix herself.

And this time . .quite graciously he nodded.

As soon as he had nodded—

She moved swiftly towards her tiny kitchen, her eyes downcast . Her whole body covered up in some oversized clothes that made her look so laid back. . .so comfy.

He almost wished for to see. .what was she hiding under all those layers. .

Just as she disappeared from the room, he took a step in . . moving around . .into her intimate space. Interestingly, she had no photos on the worn out walls. And judging from the state of her . .home. .she was an all over the place kind of person.

And he actually liked it.

He had seen enough of ordinance in his life.

His taste had changed from clean cut to outright mess.

Nervous mess.

××××××××××××××××

Why was the stupid tray trembling so much?!

Because you're shaking , stupid!

Her mind retorted back.

" Stop this nonsense Sarah Darrow! Stop it!" She muttered darkly even going as far as to spew some colorful curses she had learned on the streets.

The coffee had wisps curling up in the air.

Waiting to be served to the beautiful stranger—

No. .he wasn't a stranger.

Not anymore—

"Stop overthinking! You can overthink all the night! Move!"

Taking a deep breath and with a straight spine , she vowed not to lose her confidence and then the second she stepped in the room—

She stopped right there.

One foot in.

One foot out.

Her confidence shattering right there. Laughing on her .

Because. .well. .he was lounging on the couch. .all she could see was the back of his head. .one arm laying against the back of the couch. .the heavy metallic wrist watch glinting in the light—

Little did the human know . .he was aware of her . Staring at him.

Aware of her beating heart .

Her blood running in her body.

But he stayed still . Not wanting to stratle her . Letting her take a full drink of him.

Full view.

Swallowing hard, she moved towards the couch . . gripping the edges of tray hard to not let pressure get to her. But she was alone ! With a man! And—she never thought about this .

Not even when she let him in so blindly.

She didn't think about the aftermath . At all.

Seeing her approach, he turned his neck at her. . sitting up a little straighter. A  smile playing on his lips when she nearly shoved the tray in his face .

Sarah looked ready to melt and he couldn't help but pull her leg.

Widening his eyes playfully at her , he took the hot cup of coffee .

"Thanks , Sarah." He raised the cup into a cheer like gesture. . earning a smile from her.

Seeing him smiling made her shoulders relaxed , she slumped with relief and then hesitantly she sat down right beside him. . hardly any space between them .

One slight movement and her arm would—

Sarah was glad she had a hot cup of something in her hands . Glad for the warmth.

The static TV kept glitching.

"Sarah tell me something." He said suddenly. .not looking at her. Just staring ahead, beyond the TV.

"Yeah?"

"Is it possible to love and resent at the same time?" He asked lightly and then he did look at her expectingly.

The intensity in them stealing her breath .

"How can the both of words fit in the same sentence? How can anyone resent the person they love?" She wondered taking a sip.

He nodded absently.

"It is quite possible. I think. . resentment runs deeper than love. Resentment takes roots when a person is constantly taking from you and not . .not giving you a chance at anything. " He was talking more to himself than her.

"Thats—that can't be true. Love runs deeper than resentment. It's the love in the heart that doesn't let the resentment take over."

Her low voice made him lean against the couch . .as he sipped on his coffee. His frame taking half the couch while Sarah tried to squish against her side.

And then Sarah made a move so bold she surprised herself.

"Who are you talking about?"

She saw him staring at the floor , a humorless smile on his face now.

"I have sister issues, Sarah." He said it like a joke but she knew he wasn't joking.

"How so?"

"How so?" He glanced at her." Your question is so simple and yet I can write a book on it. " He grinned at her , stunning her for a moment.

Seeing her looking at him for an answer , he sighed softly. . looking away.

"It's hard to—to put it in words. She's overpowering. Overbearing. Overwhelming. I always try to be on good terms with her but really—there is always that . . something happens that rips us apart but I guess I know what the problem is. She's all ego and i . .i'm all pride. Ego and pride don't clash well."

"Did you talk to her about this?" Sarah asked softly.

"We are not like those kind of siblings who hugs and makeup." He chuckled. " It different . It's complicated. Here. . . I accept it. I'm from an unstable family. Things don't run around the way it does in a stable family. "

Sarah thought about what he said and how smoothly he was just. .letting her in like it was no -big- deal and it- was- life and shit -happens- kind sof way.

"I wish i could say I understand though. " Sarah said gently.

Damien just shook his head .

"How's your family like?" He asked her while looking straight in her eyes and—this time it didn't affect her as much.

The conversation was making her forget about being nervous.

"Dad died when I was a toddler and my mom was the sole bread earner . She juggled between playing mom and dad at the same time. I never saw her breaking down . .never saw her complaining and I guess. .I guess that's what made her kind of emotionally cold. She's a strong woman but a cold woman." She said it. Out loud.

Surprise filled her heart.

She had never talked about her mother with anyone. Not even to herself and here she was. . .

He had been listening to her .

Understanding dawning in his blue eyes.

"So you have mommy issue?" He asked bringing back the light humor.

She nodded, grinng this time.

"Yeah, I guess."

"What a night it is to be alive. " He mocked making her laugh .

She noticed he was done with his coffee and saw him placing the cup on top the of the small wooden table infront of the couch.

Just watching him leaning forward was . .so entrancing. His body was perfectly aligned, leaned like a jaguar. Graceful like a panthar.

Why was everything so . .animlastic about him and yet. . enchanting—

"I think it's time to go to bed."

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