The Lake House.

(KAIRA'S POV)

Slade was torturing me with silence. Simply leading the way.

I followed him closely like a pupil behind a headmaster, past the house doors, to the hedged pathways, to the garden gates, past chrysanthemums, a variety of roses, orchids, daisies… and then carefully past the stepping stones to the serene lake house.

I tried to stay calm. I've always hated lakes. The way they swallow light. The way they hold things down.

But I found myself captivated by the scenery, the water, the glass lake house reflecting the brilliant sunset, when Slade's voice pierced the silence.

"Did you do this? Obsess yourself into making me your stepbrother?" He demanded lowly, sternly.

My mouth fell open and I only glanced at him for a second before turning my attention away.

"Or is this a gold-digging plan by your mum?" He accused.

My calm snapped instantly and our gazes collided.

"My mum is not a gold digger and you know it." My chin was raised.

A flash passed his eyes and his face hardened.

"So you knew."

He sounded soft yet dangerous as he walked towards me, pinning me to place with his focus. "You knew your mother, Miss Shanice was my nanny."

My throat burned. His gaze were heavy but I didn't blink.

"Was that how you tracked me down years ago?" He continued, now closer. "Stalked your way into my life and destroyed the most important thing in my life." The look on his face was the same as four years ago and the pain in his voice was so raw that it took me back to that day.

The day it all began.

Guilt wrapped me and I felt my body tremble before him. He was now less than a foot from me. We were so close that if his head bent a few inches more, his dark strands would touch my forehead.

"I said I was sorry. You don’t have to forgive me but stop acting like I did it on purpose.” I defended in a weak whisper, keeping eye contact.

My neck was craned, like his hand was around it. But no parts of us touched. Yet, my limbs felt immovable.

Slade scoffed, his face barely moving. His eyes weren't flashing anymore. They looked bored. Irritated. The normal Slade Horton look. But he didn't move away.

"Of course you're sorry. What else can you give? Your whole life can't afford what you fucked up."

The gut-wrenching words broke my heart and I hate that it did. I staggered back but he came closer again, this time hostility flashed in his eyes.

"You've made a mistake by accepting to join this family. My family." He growled.

I gasped softly to hold in the tears. But I could tell I was about to lose, and so I turned around and quickly headed back in the same direction Slade had led me.

I tried to hold in my tears as I walked quickly. I could feel Slade's eyes boring into the back of my head and I hate that even though I knew he would never call me back, I wanted him to. Or to catch up to me and apologize for those hurtful words.

But those were foolish dreams.

The dam collapsed and tears blurred my vision. I wiped my eyes angrily. My foot landed on slick moss instead of a stepping stone and the world disappeared beneath me. I swayed sideways and landed into the lake in a huge splash and with a loud scream.

Jolts of panic infiltrated my veins.

One moment I was gasping for air and the next, I felt strong protective arms hold me as I emerged from the water. Slade.

My hands hung around his neck as he scooped me in to his arms. I could feel us moving in water and then he was walking.

"Is this you trying to manipulate me?" His voice tried to infiltrate my thoughts.

I didn't answer him. My face remained pressed to his chest; I clung to him like I was seconds away from death.

“Stop shaking!” His voice sounded frustrated. More at himself than at me.

But I couldn’t stop myself. My heart slammed against my chest impatiently as my body rocked violently. I could still feel the water splashing around me as I struggled to breathe.

“Open your eyes !” He ordered through gritted teeth, this time more frustrated than before.

Then, I felt his touch. His hand, surprisingly warm and gentle, rubbing my back in consistent circles.

"Calm down, okay? Breathe."

I fought to create stillness in my mind but my eyes remained shut and my breath still came out in short rasps.

"Breathe. It's alright now. You're okay now." His cool but immersive voice came again and again and ceased when I stopped breathing noisily. The back rubs continued though, for some time before he asked,

"Are you alright?"

My eyes opened slowly. I wanted to reply him, to thank him. But I realized how close we were and I forgot how to breathe.

His voice replayed in my head, telling me to calm down, telling me to breathe, asking me if I'm alright.

Never had I felt so breathless. Never had my body felt so alive. Every sense and nerve tingling, calling out for contact even though I was still in his arms.

My heart stomped with raw excitement and I could hear myself breathing, as we drank each other in.

Slade stared at me. Like he was looking at me for the first time.

“Why do you always cry?”

He still sounded frustrated, voice lower.

Not cruel.

Frustrated.

Like it bothered him when I cry.

His eyes were locked on mine for what felt like eternity before they moved lower, to my lips. My throat dried when he licked his lips while staring at mine. Then he cursed under his breath, like he was fighting something, before he leaned over and kissed me.

His lips brushed mine once, like he was tasting, savoring—and that sent all the energy points in my body screaming. His lips brushed mine again, twice this time, and then I sighed in content as I kissed him back. His hold on me tightened just before it disappeared.

I kissed him back. My bully. The boy who hates me. Who humilies me. His lips were on mine. And I kissed him back.

In a short span—less than five seconds— the fireworks was like it had never been there. Slade had withdrawn his lips from mine like he remembered who I was.

Our eyes met.

The clear regret in his eyes felt like a kick to my stomach.

I felt a rush of hate instantly.

I hated him.

I hated that his touch felt safe.

Most of I hated that I yearned for him to keep holding me.

Just as I wanted to disappear into thin air, the sound of footsteps broke the silence. Heavy and purposeful coming from the garden path.