Hide and Seek

Alexa's eyes widened in surprise at Julian’s unexpected words. Can he really be her friend? She hadn’t expected kindness from him, especially after everything that had just happened. Her cheeks flushed as she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Y-yes."

A genuine smile spread across Julian's face, and he gently squeezed her hands. "I'm glad," he said, his eyes crinkling with warmth, softening the intensity she had always associated with him.

They both stood up, and Julian led her out of the room. With every step, a surprising sense of ease washed over Alexa. She couldn’t believe it—this was Julian, the man who had once intimidated her, now offering his kindness so effortlessly.

As they entered the living room, Miss Yvonne looked up from her book, a surprised expression crossing her face. "Alexa, dear, how are you feeling?" Her voice was filled with concern.

A grateful smile tugged at Alexa's lips. "I’m feeling better, thank you, Miss Yvonne," she replied, her voice steadier than before.

Julian, still looking a little protective, narrowed his eyes slightly. "And you, Miss Yvonne? You're not overexerting yourself, are you?" His tone, though gentle, carried an undertone of genuine concern.

Miss Yvonne chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I’m quite fine, Julian. But I must say, I’m surprised to see you two together." Her gaze shifted between the two of them knowingly.

Alexa’s cheeks flushed once again, but Julian’s laughter broke the tension. "We’re just becoming fast friends, Miss Yvonne. Alexa and I will get along just fine." His voice was light, but there was a warmth in his eyes that made Alexa feel like maybe, just maybe, this could be real.

As they walked further into the house, Julian pointed out various rooms and features, sharing stories about the villa’s history. Alexa, eager to absorb it all, found herself drawn into his tales, though a lingering nervousness still clung to her. Julian seemed to notice.

"We’re friends now, Alexa," he reminded her softly, his voice a calm reassurance. "No need to be nervous around me."

Alexa nodded, a sense of relief flooding through her. She forced herself to relax, focusing on the beauty of the villa, but then something unexpected happened.

As they entered the lounge, Alexa’s eyes scanned the room—a comfortable space with inviting sofas and a large window pouring in natural light. But when she glanced at Julian, her gaze faltered, and a strange pull gripped her chest. The room seemed to blur, and for a fleeting moment, she was transported back to her childhood. Hide and seek. A memory. A little boy. The room—so similar. But when she tried to make out his face, it remained elusive, like a shadow she couldn’t quite catch.

Suddenly, the world tilted. Her head spun, and her knees wobbled. Before she could react, Julian’s hands shot out, steadying her.

"Alexa, hey, are you okay?" His voice, low and concerned, cut through the fog in her mind.

She blinked rapidly, struggling to clear the disorienting haze. What was that?She looked up at Julian, feeling a rush of gratitude for his steady presence. 

"I... I think so," she stammered, her mind still trying to process what had just happened.

Julian frowned slightly, his grip on her shoulders firm yet gentle. "This doesn’t look like nothing," he said, his voice laced with concern. "I’ll call the doctor."

"No!" Alexa protested, her voice sharper than intended. She shook her head quickly, her eyes wide with worry. "It’s nothing, Mr Salvatore. I just... I just need to rest. Really."

His eyes narrowed, studying her closely. She could see the wheels turning in his mind, the quiet resolve that always seemed to linger behind his enigmatic gaze. "Rest or not, I’m calling Dr. Patel. And it's Julian, from now." he said, pulling out his phone without waiting for her consent.

"Mr Salvatore, please—" Alexa started, but he held up a hand, silencing her gently yet firmly.

"It’s not up for debate, Alexa," he said, his tone calm but leaving no room for argument. "If something’s wrong, I need to know."

Before she could protest further, Julian had already dialed. He turned slightly away, speaking in a low voice into the phone. Alexa caught snippets of the conversation—words like "urgent" and "house call." Her shoulders slumped, realizing she’d lost this battle.

Moments later, Julian ended the call and turned back to her, his expression unreadable. "Dr. Patel will be here shortly," he said. "In the meantime, sit down and relax."

Alexa hesitated but eventually sank onto the plush sofa. Her frustration at his high-handedness was outweighed by the lingering dizziness. As much as she hated to admit it, maybe Julian was right.

He sat down beside her, his demeanor softening. "I’m not trying to upset you, Alexa," he said quietly. "I just want to make sure you’re okay."

His sincerity disarmed her, and she found herself nodding reluctantly. "Thank you," she murmured, though her voice was barely above a whisper.

Julian offered her a small smile. "That’s better," he said. "Now let’s wait for Dr. Patel. Together."