Now Moreau's attention quickly fell on the surface of the soft mattress, where some sinister image of her mother and stepfather's romance continued here like something painfully incarnate. She never wanted to be caught between potentially painful things.
Six months had not yet been completed, but Moreau was already overwhelmed—not by how Abihirt would be rough in bed; but rather... she felt; sort of bound by the urge not to share the man with anyone—not even her mother, though Barbara was the most entitled. This was very wrong. Moreau recognized that. Just couldn't control the forbidden ego when the survival instinct had taken over. She was afraid this would end up worse. More painful; like having to plunge into more violent feelings—then, there was no way out. "Are you going to stay there until sunrise or until your mother comes home?" Abihirt's deep, raspy voice almost sounded like something urgent—demanding Moreau to be dragged to the surface, so she hadThere was something odd about Moreau struggling to interpret Abihirt's statement. She didn't want to go too far, let alone take over Barbara's bed for a night. Such an unethical part. However, her mind still didn't want to. "Probably best not to." Still with the same residual need. Moreau could feel how parched her throat was, but she didn't need a splash of water just to make things feel better. There was nothing to soothe, even as Abihirt's fingertips had—slowly—lifted Moreau's face up, while the man's fingers also tentatively brushed across the surface of parted lips. "It's getting late, Abi. Aren't you tired—" Moreau's voice was held at the tip of her throat. Not because she was forced to close her mouth. However, Abihirt's idiosyncratic approach was completely indecipherable when the man dropped a light kiss on the lips, then lifted her body just like the act of moving a large doll—not heavy, but had to be quite careful when crashing on the bed. I
"You mean, my mother is doing anything that could be called cheating?" asked Moreau not with any inclination to be sure, as if something was trying to urge her to fish for how far Abihirt could go. It took a while before the deep, husky voice was heard. "What else could it be?" Abihirt was justifying anything. Anything that ended up being an odd blob in Moreau's mind. Not understanding why the man chose to remain silent when her stepfather was the most knowledgeable of Barbara's faults. And to underline, they were all in similar circles. Doing things not much different. Endless betrayals.However, it would be fairer not to delay the desire to know Abihirt's true reasons. Moreau swallowed roughly, momentarily making sure that she touched the man's shoulder. "You know everything my mother did behind your back, why not talk to her directly? At the very least, until my mother no longer has a relationship with Samuel." The pause between them was suddenly thi
"You'd better let me go back to my room," Moreau said slowly, slightly expecting Abihirt to release the man's arm restraints soon, but she saw no prospect that would happening. "I want you to sleep here." Instead, the whispered voice sounded hoarse as Abihirt barely kissed her earlobe. There was no telling how many times Moreau held her breath. She tried to stay sane while keeping the man from doing anything more serious. "I'm afraid of my mother." And even had to release such a confession while moving her mouth in front of her stepfather's lips. It only took one action, then Abihirt could finish the remaining part between them that was suspended in midair. "You said yourself that your mother is going with her business." "Yes. But that doesn't mean I will feel free. We never know what will happen. My mom could suddenly come back, whether it's because she left something behind or whatever. I don't want the incident on the balcony to happen again."
"Moreau ...." The voice was hoarse and deep, slow, like it was craving for her to be quiet. Now Moreau would not give up. Would not deliberately soak up the remnants of the voice while staring intently at her stepfather. Had Abihirt understood that they were supposed to enjoy life like this? She had never once witnessed the man laugh out loud. Indeed. Never, but here, there had to be a slight improvement. Which unfortunately must require special training just to express oneself. Moreau would not blame Abihirt if her stepfather was still quite stiff, no matter if it did not leave a sense of satisfaction. "Why, do you mind if I feel amused?" Yes, it should be fine to let them make eye contact longer. It was okay to try to understand each other's different situations. Moreau would let Abihirt wait for the right moments, until they were silent for an almost indeterminate amount of time.Suddenly... he dropped his mouth just in time to give her a kiss; first
Moreau swallowed harshly, but couldn't help but notice the serious look on her handsome stepfather's face when the man took a sitting position so close together, even though Abihirt was positioned at a slight angle with one arm outstretched to touch some part of her body. "Open your legs." "What?" It was rash to ask a question. Moreau hoped that the man would elaborate on something. Something she still could not understand. There was no clue yet and Abihirt unexpectedly opened her legs wide. A touch from the fingertips that felt hot as if they were loaded seduced Moreau's body. She swallowed harshly again; looking up at Abihirt's face after being distracted for a moment. "What do you want?" She was worried about whatever it was, but soon found a faint grin under the flicker of the nightlight and indeed barely visible. "You're wet." The voice was husky and deep—so close, murmured, then made a circular motion on the upper corner of the swol
Moreau closed her eyes while biting her lips hard. She squirmed uncomfortably. Waiting for the moment where her stepfather would finish. However, perhaps Abihirt soon understood his own actions—just for a moment, deciding to take a pause while staring intently at her. "I hurt you so much?" That was what was questioned when Moreau barely had the best words to say. She nodded vaguely. Sure that Abihirt could notice every detail of her silent response in the middle of the dimly lit room. It was nothing. Moreau was not brave enough to protest too long. It was a risk and she had understood that from the beginning. It was unfair, but Abihirt's love for Barbara was the only thing she could not forget, even though the man's hips were soon moving slower; as if that part was a form of repair work in progress. Truly to make up for her stepfather's earlier behavior. "I tried not to be too harsh with you." Moreau did not know whether to believe this or not. She jus
The bed rattled slightly, but Abihirt was more than careful when moving Moreau's body onto the mattress. The girl had been so sound asleep; as requested... this is what he did; positioning Moreau as comfortably as possible while spreading the thick blanket to cover the instinctively moving body. Not immediately walking away. Abihirt decided to simply sit on the edge of the bed for a while. Staring at the beautiful and innocent face that was closed while thinking about some things. Moreau had never known anything. Everything that turned out was a series of knots from events in the past. After all, this was how it was supposed to be. Everything was already done, just like Abihirt also knew nothing about his father's affair in the beginning. Like he was still too green to understand the civilization of marital conflict. Reality had all kinds of bitter sensations to be inhaled simultaneously. A woman loves her husband too much. Devoting life excessively with prospect
Realizing the extreme different situation made Moreau's body jolt slightly. She immediately got up. Taking in all the corners of the room where the room seemed so quiet. There was no one here, not even the man she had been with last time, although that was how it should be. They were not trying to be conspicuous—too risky. There was too much danger of repercussions, even though there was no telling how long it would all be okay. There was also no need to think about where Abihirt should go. Moreau slowly rubbed her rough face while wiping off the thick blanket. The man showed a caring attitude when he decided to actually bring her here? In her own room? There was no need to feel impressed or not. Moreau nonetheless started to make her way to the bathroom—getting everything ready after a long night. She wasn't going to stall for time, and that was evidenced by her efforts to be fresh. Perhaps Barbara wasn't home—not such an instant fear, as she didn't see anyone at
"Shouldn't we be going home? Why are you taking me to a hotel instead?" Moreau had sensed something unusual about Abihirt's decision from the start. Just waiting for the moment—the right moment to ask a question. At least here, when they were trapped in a room together. No one would interrupt, though she was wrong in her assumption, as a faint knock from outside immediately prompted the man to open the door. Moreau did not try to know who the person behind Abihirt's large body was. She did not want to deliberately shift her face just to risk a direct view. Let her stepfather speak for a moment. She didn't want to get involved in the conversation there either. Maybe it was just a custom as the owner relaying information to the hotel staff. It shouldn't be anything. Moreau kept waiting... until she finally noticed the new clothes in the man's hand. She instinctively looked down to scrutinize every single thing that clung to the body. They were still half damp. Need
Moreau was a little tense about the various reasons lodged in her mind. Abihirt's touch had caused an electric shock and the most important part was that the wound from Froy's actions might become apparent. That could be evidenced from Abihirt's suddenly silent facial expression, while the man's fingers moved slowly. It was as if he wanted to give her a light stroke, then instantly became a firm grip—not painful on her neck, but enough to scare Moreau. Worried that Abihirt would suddenly strangle her when the man was not in good control; angry perhaps, though there was still no specific reaction to be found, other than her stepfather remaining still. Or actually not .... "Why didn't you tell me this from the start?" the man asked in a voice that sounded like skepticism-disbelief. It almost made Moreau flinch and blink quickly so as not to arouse more suspicion. "Tell you what?" She understood where Abihirt was going with this. Intentionally feigning
Moreau let her hand soak in the water, letting the touch there, on Abihirt's arm like leaving a trace of mutual need. "Your mother will not be home today." Then a whisper from that deep, hoarse voice added something Moreau had hardly ever thought about. Reflexively... she parted her lips and asked, "Why?" "Your mother asked permission to take a vacation." Okay. She might have forgotten that; about Barbara's statement the other day during their dinner together. But that didn't mean this was part of their freedom, did it? Moreau still wanted to keep the boundaries or actually she was still waiting for when the irritation in her mind would disappear. "But I still want to go home," she said finally. Let Abihirt relent. The man should always give in, though Moreau unexpectedly felt her stepfather's embrace loosen. Only briefly, which made the new touch feel more intimate as she was lifted high and invited to sit by the lake. Perhaps Abihirt
"Thank you." There shouldn't have been anything else. The only thing Moreau wanted to do was put the necklace back on. She would be self-sufficient for times like this. Ironically, there was no time to read the slightest warning when Abihirt unexpectedly pulled her into the lake. "Abi—my phone!" Moreau shouted instinctively. She was now flooded quite high up. Almost her entire body was completely wet. And the very first thing she did was to grab the handheld cell phone that was clearly tucked into the back pocket of her pant. At least it was still on, but it was quite doubtful that it would last after almost the entire compound was submerged in water. She gave Abihirt a sharp look. Didn't know whether to feel grateful when still holding the necklace in hand so tightly. Probably, she would have gone straight to the edge just to make sure if her cell phone was okay or not. Moreau lifted the flat object high into the air. The lake shore felt shallow enough tha
"You have to be careful." Don't know why, but that's what Moreau said. She looked longingly at Abihirt's face. The first brief reaction was a faint nod. There was nothing else to do when she only needed to observe her stepfather's body was out of sight. Abihirt dived. Moreau did not expect that she would be waiting for quite some time. That was surprising. There was no clue about her stepfather from the start. Abihirt's method was definitely not like Froy's who often popped into the air, though this made Moreau feel very scared as she further examined the calm surface after a few puddle runs. Abihirt was completely unpredictable about appearing, and then... at times she would daydream—the sound of splashing water immediately drawing her attention closer. Moreau straightened her shoulders. Unfortunately, she would not immediately find Abihirt turning his head towards her. The man presumably just wanted to scoop up some oxygen and dive back into the water.
Moreau's body suddenly stiffened at the sight of the water splashing, while Abihirt had gotten closer to Froy. The man offered help to his nephew and there was some relief that they were slowly swimming to the shore. She and Gabriel instinctively ran to the lip of the lake. It wasn't Froy Moreau was thinking about. Only her stepfather. Let Gabriel take the remaining action by welcoming the man—who seemed to be panting—to be laid down on the grass with a groan. The cramping was painful. The feeling could be imagined so clearly in her mind. Moreau winced, but also looked over to find that Abihirt had climbed to the ground. Now the man towered over her soaking wet. Staring at his nephew half annoyed, though saying nothing but letting Froy calm down a bit more. Slowly... at least it had subsided. There was still no conversation. However, Gabriel again offered to help when Froy tried to get up from his seat and looked up hesitantly. "I can't find the necklace."
Moreau continued to watch her stepfather. The unpredictable handsome man was now at least trying not to be incensed at any form of resistance from Froy. "You know that throwing something small into the lake will make it difficult for you to find, so why do you keep doing it? You keep throwing Moreau's necklace for no reason." Abihirt's question was simple enough, but it more than made Froy almost faint. The man's eyes moved restlessly. It took a few moments of pause to actually find an answer. "I was out of line, Uncle. I was angry at the attitude you gave Lewi and the way you gave the necklace to Moreau instead!" That was like a huge protest. Froy's voice boomed loudly. The man was lucky, because it seemed like Abihirt had paid with money to make people leave the park, which Moreau only realized when she looked around. Not a surprise. She should be used to it. "What's wrong with that? Didn't I replace Lewi's necklace with a new one?" Abihirt's statement this time made Fro
Moreau thought that Gabriel's involvement in the trip to Sierre De Guadarrama National Park was something that made it an unfair prospect. However, it turned out that she was wrong to include such a notion, as Abihirt's wishes were more understandable when asking her to move to Gabriel's car, while the man walked into the building—quite a flashy place there. Moreau had been to this place before; it was where Froy got married and she ended up asking for permission to leave early. It was a little odd to think that Abihirt had actually come to the man's nephew for some sort of accountability. Now she found her stepfather forcing Froy to walk. Although it seemed forced, Froy would have no choice. The man's body had disappeared in the car. Only a tendrils of shadow remained, then she also had to watch Abihirt's body get into the driver's seat. The car engine started and that's when Gabriel understood to bring them up behind. "Abi wants to ask his nephew to dive
Moreau shook her head for a while. In the end, she decided to lift her face. She was almost surprised—of course, because this was not what she wanted to find; the smallest hint of disappointment on her stepfather's handsome face, no matter how much Abihirt tried to keep every detail of the reaction between them brief. The necklace left to her was indeed a lasting memory and Moreau was sure it was very-very precious. "I apologize." She still could not take it for granted that Abihirt did not want to prosecute anything at the moment. There was an impact where her heart felt like it was being crushed. Staring at the man made her eyes sting and heat up. To the time that kept crawling forward... would soon be accompanied by seepage of water and Moreau would not be able to hold back. Perhaps Abihirt understood how worry controlled the fear in her mind, so the man hugged instead of saying angry. Hugging after letting her tremble as if this was an unexpected outburst of trouble. "N