A Fall Or A Push.

(KAIRA'S POV)

I am honestly not sure of how I came to be inside the pool.

To be honest, I should be thinking of how to survive now, I should be scared of drowning but my lips were still tingling from the kiss I shared with Slade, like it wasn't minutes ago already.

I wanted to replay and replay the way his hand held my head when he kissed me back sensually.

I could feel his arms around me, holding me tightly like I had the key to his life. Holding me closely like he wanted to feel me just as much as I—

"Makaira!"

Water burst from my lungs.

I coughed so hard my chest burned.

Strong hands kept me upright.

"Makaira."

The cool evening air hit my wet skin. I was shivering. But I barely noticed. Not when he was this close.

"It's okay. It's okay now." I could hear Slade's voice clearly, I could also feel his hand rubbing my back gently.

But when I opened my eyes and found his face, so close to mine, I was shocked to my bones.

Had his emerald eyes always been so beautiful? Water dripped down his face from his damp hair strands and I noticed then that he was already wet.

"Oh my God! Is she okay?" I could hear Shelly's voice now but I was still unable to tear my eyes away from Slade’s.

"Yes. She's fine. Just shocked." Slade answered and then we broke eye contact.

He moved back, giving just enough space to take off his tux jacket and put it around me.

"Kaira? Are you okay?" That was Jackie and her voice helped me to start placing the missing pieces.

I had been with her and Germaine, talking and laughing. Then we stood up to get a drink refill.

"Yes I'm fine." I finally answered with a hoarse voice that earned relieved sighs.

"We're going home now." Slade announced, leaving no room for argument but he got disappointing replies.

I felt guilty for ruining the moment. "You don't have to. I'm fine honestly, I—"

"We're leaving." He stated in a finalized tone that had me tongue-tied.

Then he swooped me into his arms and when I looked at him with a look of protest, he added.

"You broke your heel." Then shouted above his shoulders. "See you guys tomorrow."

"Alright, bye!"

"Take care, Kaira."

Amidst all those goodbyes, I heard Shelly, loud and irritated as she said.

"Oh my goodness! She's such a baby!Did she fall into the pool for attention or what?"

Her words pricked me but I said nothing as we left. Shelly's voice was helping my mind jog back and I remembered that she came up to us when we went for a refill.

She had told me she liked my hair, then walked away. I turned to walk away then felt someone push me slightly before I landed into the pool.

I didn't slip, someone pushed me. Maybe it was a mistake but someone pushed me.

With me in his arms, Slade started the walk back where we came from, but this time he took a turn towards the mansion.

It was evening and dark out already. But it was okay, because the pathways were lined with bright lights.

We had walked for a few minutes and Slade was making me get on edge with the overwhelming silence. He walked like a soldier, eyes staring ahead like he had a goal set.

My hands were hooked around his neck, staring at his perfect jaw which seemed to be tightening at something.

Is he upset with me?

"Thank you for saving me." I found the courage to say.

He didn't say anything. Didn’t even spare me a glance, he just kept on walking.

I cleared my throat. "Are you angry with me? You seem to be angry." I observed.

He still didn't answer.

I clicked my tongue then. "I didn't force you to carry me. I can walk on my own. Even barefoot." I said, rolling my eyes as I tried to suppress the annoyance in me.

He finally looked down at me, his face was as icy as ever but his eyes flashed with fire.

"Why would you want to walk? This is what you wanted, isn't it?" He demanded through gritted teeth before looking away.

"What I wanted? I wanted to leave on my own. I didn't want you to leave your party?" I defended.

He looked down at me, a brief glance that spoke of disbelief before he maintained his straight gaze towards the Horton mansion.

"You think this is about the party?" He laughed, dryly and sarcastically. "I could give a fuck about the party. "What the hell were you thinking?" His voice shook with anger. “You could've hit your head. You say you’re terrified of water but it’s funny how you keep ending up in it.”

I shifted my head to one side in a questioning manner.

"Excuse me? Jump into the pool?"

"You heard me right." He didn't look at me.

"For your attention? Who are you? William Shakespeare?"

He looked down, confused.

"Exactly, because that may be the only person whose attention I'll jump into a pool for." I snapped angrily. "I fell, someone pushed me."

Something flickered in his eyes for a second but then it was gone.

"How rich!!" Slade chuckled as we walked past the large water fountain, towards the front stairs.

"You don't believe me!" I laughed in disbelief. "You know what? Just put me down!"

"So you can leave streaks across the floor?" He scoffed. "No thank you, hold on to your irritation for a few minutes and we'll be at your door soon."

I wanted to say so many things to him but my head seemed bombarded and blank at the same time!

Worse, my eyes had dropped to his lips,

I settled for a frustrated groan and kept my mouth shut.

Neither of us spoke again. Slade carried us up the stairs, he opened the door and went through the dark, large hallways.

"I'll get the light."

He shifted me higher in his arms. My forehead bumped softly against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat, racing faster than even mine now.

But then I thought I heard the sound of low voices.

"Shh." Slade warned just as I gripped him tighter.

I could hear movements now, and I was not sure from where exactly. My hands had turned cold already and I was just about to tell Slade to retreat when I heard a click and light flooded the room.

It took a second for my eyes to get accustomed to the light and when it did, I regretted it with my whole life.

I blinked.

Slade froze.

My stomach dropped.

At the foot of the staircase... Mum was sprawled over Tom. Then...

"What the fuck-"