Chapter 10: Torrid

His gaze remained on me. I saw the moment his eyes softened at what he heard. The serene of the wind caressing my back made me gasp, not because of the cold it brought but because of Alforo reaction.

"Seems familiar?" he chuckled.

I averted my gaze from her. I cleared my throat as I watched him looking at me intently.

"Start it, Demi."

She nod.

"I don't cry, but that was a lie."

"I don't want to make it on myself."

"Cause when tears were going down, running through my cheeks."

"It's so hard to say goodbye."

I didn't mind him. I gently close my eyes. I was forced to put aside all my thoughts. I found his eyes, and I could see how soft his stare was. Somehow the acid dripped within me. There's something wrong with me when he's near or not.

"So let's make things clearer."

"Its a sign I'm scared."

"To let things fall when you're gone."

"But I know in time, you'd be here again."

"But I think its all a lie ..." I whispered the last line.

My eyes immediately darted at Alforo. He's biting his lip while I'm in so much awe drifting my gaze on the camera. I smiled there, genuinely.

"Finished?" he said nonchalantly.

"Yeah ..." I uttered weakly.

"Who wrote that?"

I followed him with my gaze. I remained calm, and even my heart was beating rapidly for an unknown reason.

I folded my arms. "I don't know."

"Really?" he said, amused.

I turned to him. I let myself stare at him for a long time. Its also the same for him, his eyes stayed too long, weighing what's coming on my eyes or it tells.

A smile appeared on his lips.

"I didn't compose it, Alforo."

"It's good ..." he looked away.

Our gaze was cut off when Demi spoke. She looked excited, removing her gear. Likewise, the two, I sighed defeated.

"Your game is over?"

He still turned to me. "Not yet. We are the last game."

They nodded. "We'll be next."

I let the three pull me over after hearing his last sentiments. Alforo then glanced at me. I smiled sourly as he almost handed me his belongings next to me.

I even muttered a curse for him. Especially when the three of them stared at me.

"She already had a boyfriend, Alforo. Just give me that!" Jamie laughed as Demi immediately stared.

I shook my head and grimaced at him. "W-what?"

He smiled devilishly. "Hand me this after."

"They can do it. And I won't be here for long either. I'm just wasting my time here." I lamented.

He looks stunned at my words, and I noticed that. I immediately bit my lower lip. I put that aside. What a freaking mouth, Riani!

"Uh ... Fine. Hand me that."

He looked at me.

"Are you sure?"

"If you don't want to, it's okay," he said calmly.

I feel the sincerity in his tone. And I feel bad he take it that way. I shook at my thought. Trembling in my chest as he sat close to me. Damn this feeling.

"It's okay," I said wearily.

His figure doesn't fit here in this long chair. I sighed and noticed that I was too affected especially if he was there. I stayed composed, but I just can't contain it.

I tried to watch the game in front of me. I was just staring at it blankly when I noticed Alforo's stare in the corner of my eye.

"Why do you fond of staring at me by the way?" I ask languidly.

"Hmmm." his baritone filled my ears.

"Am I intimidating you?"

His Adam's apple moved as he swallowed hard. I was immediately alarmed there. I even saw his jaw clench while waiting for my response.

"Not at all. Suppose I didn't know that you're cousins with Klaud. I would have thought you had a bad plan." I mocked.

He laughed. Even with so much yell and screams, his baritone voice did not escape me. It felt soothing in ears.

"Really? That's why you're so cold the first time you laid your eyes on me."

My face heated, I no longer remember that. It was a month ago. I just find his aura strongly opposite for my ideal. Knowing that Klaud had a soft feature while he was more bold and ruthless.

"I just hated you for staring, Alforo that much."

His lips twisted. I stepped back there.

His brows shot up.

"Why will I stop staring, huh?"

I slowly looked at him.

"I don't know. Maybe you're a pedophile. I don't hit an old man." I said frankly.

The amusement was now totally etching on his face. He sucked his lips, tilting his head a bit. I was a bit caught off guard when I notice it.

"Why? You know it doesn't matter now." he utter.

His voice sent shivers down my spine. I know he's too straight forward. He can always be transparent to his words but this brute.

"I just didn't want it. Maybe a four to five gap works."

His lips protruded. "Do I have hope?"

My eyes glazed over at him. He's joking, but my system can't just digest that. I  Stared at him like a dagger.  His eyes were on me as I saw his lips rose teasingly.

He chuckled. "I'm twenty. Come on, Riani..."

"That would work, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. I smiled at the thought—the face of this brute. I shook as I carefully avoided glancing at him.

"You're still too old for me."

His lips parted. I glimpse at him swallowing hard. I don't know if he's serious or not. But the thought of that spontaneously crossed my mind. I sighed as I watched Alforo.

The game went on, and he's fucking turning to me every time he got the point or what. I was embarrassed to look at a few glancing at me. I smiled shyly, cursing Alforo to sprain his ankle.

"He's turning to you, huh?" Demi whispered.

I looked at Demi. I do not know what to say. But it intimidates me more when after the game he approaches me.

"Congrats! Here!" I held.

I bit my lip. He's mint scent stung my nose. And the ruthless face of Alforo glancing at me made my system numb for a reason.

His gaze diverts at me. My eyes narrowed at him curiously. It was only then that I noticed his gaze firmly on my lips.

"W-why?" I stuttered.

"Nothing, Riani."

I nodded, not criticizing the last thing he said. I don't want to have another petty fight with words on him, because I feel different.

My eyes widened as I noticed that the water bottle I had got was different. I thought it sealed, but it's not. My cheeks turned red as I met Alforo's staring gaze. Dumbfounded I shook my head, grimace for my doings!

Don't tell me that this is Alforo's!

Fuck!

"I'm sorry. I thought it was mine." I bit my lip.

His eyes were sharp. He smiled casually. His thin lips were now in a grim line while he sucked it looking away. His jaw tightened as I caught his eyes on my lips.

He stared at me, darkly. I am now alarmed. Did he close his eyes firmly, holding back? I didn't know.

"I-its fine," he said patience.