CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55

Rhea sat quietly on her bed, her nose red, her eyes swollen, tear tracks staining her cheeks.

For a while, she did nothing; her mind was blank, her heart was heavy, but she just stared into space.

Finally, she crawled under the duvet, pulling it over her head like a shield.

The following morning....

What can I do for him? How can I show him the level of love he has showed... me?

Dragging her feet through the hallway with deliberate measure, Rhea made her way to Zeenare’s office after class.

How can I even show the level of love he has for...me?

After a soft knock, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, pausing at the entrance to stare at him.

I don’t want to do anything that will look like a pity. I want it to be genuine but I have to start somewhere.

A crack formed at the corner of Zeenare’s lips, a smile that decorated his face with an unsettling beauty. His eyes locked onto hers as he leaned back in his chair, abandoning whatever work he had been doing.

Is this how you’ve lived? Lifetime after lifetime, suffering the pain of losing the one you love most? Rhea’s thoughts whispered bitterly as her eyes lingered on his face, a twitch of sorrow tugging at her own lips.

"To what do I owe this wonderful visit. Am I going to be rewarded for being a good boy or something?" Zeenare teased, delight threading through his voice.

For what level of hatred could a person have had to cures another person to this level? She wondered again, her heart tight.

Gliding closer to his table, Rhea leaned against it gracefully. "Do you want to go on a date with me?" she asked, her voice smooth.

Zeenare’s lashes fluttered twice, looking up at Rhea as he played with the pen in his hands,

"I would love to." He answered was a breeze.

"Then we meet by 8, pick a place you’d like to go...with me." She said, and added, "Call me when you get there."

"Is that why you came?" He asked as she turned to leave.

I’m going to make you feel loved as much as I can, before I maybe eventually die.

"Yeah. See you around." She walked to the door, twisted the handle, glanced at him and stepped out.

***

"Hey, pumpkin." The voice jolted her, warm and dangerous all at once.

Rhea’s head whipped toward the sound before her body even moved.

And there he was in his whole sinful beauty, lounged lazily on her window ledge, his hands clasped between his thighs, the fading evening glow painting sharp lines across his face.

Her heart pounded in her chest, as she stood there staring at him idly.

"Did you fly here?" she managed, her voice quiet.

How could I forget he had wings?

"You guessed right," he murmured, his eyes dragging over her frame, an amused chuckle slipping at the sight of her rumpled pajamas, loose hair, and bare legs.

"Why are you here so early?" She flicked her gaze at the clock and it read 7pm. Before narrowing her eyesat him.

"I wanted to make the most of our time." He trailed toward her, "Since it’s the first time I’ll be going on a date with you." His towering frame closed in, his arms sliding around her waist. "I was truly thrilled earlier today, that I couldn’t concentrate on anything else, while waiting for time to pass."

Her breath caught as she tilted her head up, his grip firm around her body.

Bruh, are you serious? I’ve not even ready yet.

Her gaze darted down to her own clothes, and her cheeks flamed red.

Why did he have to see me like this? I haven’t even showered this evening.

"So what do you have in store for our date?" Rhea questioned, sliding her hands over his waist.

Sometimes when she acts like this, it gets my hopes up that she is starting to have feelings for me. And I don’t know if I should press further, and if should will it chase her from me for being too strong?

I love how she is now and I don’t want her to stop.

He lowered his forehead against hers, inching toward her lips.

"No... we can’t. Not here. Tia’s in her room," Rhea whispered, her eyes shifting toward the wall as if she could see straight through it.

"I see." Zeenare’s gaze softened, and instead of pressing further, he placed a kiss on her forehead, then trailed to her nose, then her cheek.

Knock. Knock.

The sound startled them both, followed by the rattle of the door handle.

Rhea pulled away instantly, heat rushing to her face.

"Rhea? Are you okay? I keep hearing voices from your room."

"Y-yes," she stammered, the word breaking out weaker than she intended. She coughed lightly, steadying her voice. "I was just... working on some class notes. See you tomorrow."

"Alright, goodnight," came the reply, fading away with retreating footsteps.,

"That’ll be a surprise... one you’ll love," Zeenare murmured as he finally released her.

"Okay. Let me freshen up."

"Can I join you?"

"Definitely not."

Her firm response made him to break into a soft laugh.

He watched her with quiet amusement as she moved about the room—bathing, styling her hair, slipping into something new.

"I’m ready," she announced, slightly breathless.

"Are you ready to be whoa?"

"Yes. Are we taking my car or something?"

"No don’t worry about that. Just brace yourself for what you are about to do."

What are we about to do?

Stepped behind her, Zeenare locking her frame against his body. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes-----."

No, don’t tell me we are doing that.

Before she could finish the thought, his wings spread wide, and in one motion, they soared into the bustling city.

With her eyes clamped shut and her heart in her throat, Rhea screamed, but it got lost in the rushing wind around her.

"Pumpkin," his voice coiled into her ear, low and steady. "Don’t be scared. You’re with me. I’ll never let you fall. Open your eyes."

Yes, I know you won’t drop me, but that was sudden, and I can still feel my body trembling.

"Come on," he coaxed again. "You’ll love it, I promise."

With a shaky breath, Rhea cracked her eyes open. A gasp ripped out of her chest.

The city stretched beneath them, the night air brushing against her skin like velvet. The air became still, every sound swallowed by the soothing flapping sound of Zeenare’s wings, her hair dancing with the night wind.

Her eyes locked on the beautiful view before her.

The lights below were like rare gems and sparkling diamonds.

"It’s beautiful." She whispered.

"You like it."

"Like it? I love it." Rhea replied.

His lips twitched. "I’m glad you do."

"How far can you fly?" She asked.

"Five minutes to another country. Want to give it a try?"

"I would love to."

"You think you can hold on?"

"You think you can hold me well?" She shot back.

Zeenare only scoffed, and in seconds, they bolted like lightning.

Throughout that evening into midnight, Rhea and Zeenare spent it going from one country to another, trying street food, stealing photos at famous landmarks, her hand constantly in his.

"This is the best date anyone could ever ask for." She murmured when they finally returned.

I thought I’d be the one to make it special. But to turned out to be the other way.

"Thank you, Zee." She kissed his lips, then brushed her cheek against his. "I had so much fun. See you at school."

"Yeah, see you."

Rhea fell on her bed with a grin after he left, soft giggling escaping her lips.

Today was so much fun than I anticipated.

Cuddling with her pillow, she continued.

Will I be too greedy to ask him to do that again?

The remaining hours bled into the morning, Rhea still lay peacefully on her bed, into the afternoon, then late evening.

"Umm." That was more refreshing than I thought." She stepped into the living room stretching.

"Guess you read all night, since you slept into the night," Tia stated, munching on a chip.

"Y-yeah I did." She chucked nervously. Then continued, "Anything to eat?"

"Chips." Tia lifted the chip bag above her head.

No I don’t need that. I need something delicious, crunchy and warm too.

"Going to the restaurant across the street, want something?" Rhea asked.

"Everything you get."

"Greedy."

With bags of takeout in hand, Rhea stepped out of the elevator. That’s when she noticed someone in a hoodie lingering near her apartment door.

Her steps faltered. Her breath caught.

"...Zack?" Her voice came out sharp, strained. "Why are you hovering over my doorstep?"

His eyes flicked over her, the food in one hand, the car keys in the other, his gaze sliding deliberately down her exposed legs before crawling back up to her face.

"I heard you don’t have a boyfriend," he spat. "So how do you have a car? You’re broke as fuck. Or are you fucking someone for it now?"