4: Confession in the Dark

Arielle's POV 

A few days had gone by, and I was trying my very best to ignore and avoid Cassian. 

Raya was now usually coming home late, and her excuse was, "I'm doing two shifts since my bestie Kayla sometimes goes to take care of her sick mother." 

I understood her, but I also felt very uncomfortable being alone with Cassian, who, to me, was officially a freeloader. Yes, no matter his looks and handsome face, he had no job, and he was always at home. 

It was now clear as day to me why he married Evelyn. It was because of her money! She wasn't rich, but neither was she poor. I didn't know if Raya saw what I did. That's why I hoped she would have an off day when we could have a genuine chat.

"This sucks," I whispered as I stood up from my bed. The power had gone out, and it was dark outside as thunder rolled in the distance, rumbling like some warning, but inside the house, there was silence. 

The only light that came through came from the pale moon filtering through the bedroom window.

through the bedroom window.

"This truly sucks," I said again as I turned on my phone's torchlight and proceeded to go out of the room and walk downstairs.

Evelyn always kept some candles in the treasure box that was usually behind the living room couch. The candles were typically used for game night when the power was out, like today.

As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but look around carefully. I hated the dark, and my imagination ran wild when it came to imagining what could pop out of it.

Before I could walk into the living room, I took a sharp breath of fear. Right ahead, past the long shadows over the furniture, a man sat at the edge of the couch.

I stood frozen in the hallway, swallowing hard and slowly moving my phone's light to see his face.

"Damn it," Cassian groaned as I quickly lowered my phone.

I hadn’t expected him to be there. Not in the dark.

“Can’t sleep or have fun either?” His voice was a low hum in the dark, yet gentle.

Sleep?

How was I going to sleep when it was only 7 PM? Raya and Evelyn weren't even back yet!

Why was it that everything he said confused me and made me think about it more than I should?

I sighed softly and then stepped closer.

“The thunder. It’s loud. Lucky for you, the moonlight is a lot better here,” I whispered without thinking much about it.

He chuckled, rubbing a hand along his jaw.

"Are you scared of storms?" he asked simply.

“No, I am not, but most people don't notice that about me,” I answered softly.

He looked up.

“I notice too much,” he said quietly.

“Too often when it comes to you," he whispered as my heart began to pick up.

“You’re not supposed to say things like that,” I said, my voice cracking.

He tilted his head back, resting it against the couch.

“I know. Believe me… I know,” came his low response, which was followed by a heavy sigh.

One voice in my mind was screaming and telling me to turn back and run. But then there was also this voice that wanted me to ask what he meant, not only the words but the words that were said a few days ago.

I swallowed hard and then cleared my throat a little.

“Then why did you say it?” I asked as his eyes slid closed.

“Because it’s dark. And in the dark, I can forget that I’m supposed to be someone I’m not.”

He paused. Then:

“And you’re not a little girl anymore, Arielle. You’re… I can't believe I'm saying this. You’re beautiful. And sometimes, when I see you walking around this house like that—”

He paused as his eyes opened.

"I forget who I’m supposed to be to you.”

I stood glued to the floor in silence for a few minutes, speechless and breathing loudly.

No, absolutely no way.

He was obviously teasing me, or I was hearing things in my head that made no sense.

“You don't remember me, do you?” he whispered as he stood slowly.

The air between us snapped, and I felt like I would suffocate.

“I’m not a good man,” he said, his voice rough.

“And I should be a loving stepfather to you. But—Arielle—”

“Don't,” I whispered back, cutting him short.

Whatever he was about to say made me feel very scared. If he truly was teasing me, then he was wicked and sick to go this far.

He stepped forward, his breath brushing against my lips.

“Don't what?” he asked huskily.

I wanted to push him away and yell at him for being a jerk for teasing me, but I couldn't utter a word, and in that silence… Everything was very confusing for me.

My heartbeat was so loud that I was sure he could hear it. Every shallow breath.

His hand came up slowly as he brushed a knuckle down my cheek.

"I think I saw some candles in a box that's behind that couch," he calmly said as he pulled back.

I widened my eyes in disbelief and shock.

I didn't know what I was expecting, but I felt furious.

"Weren't you here for candles?" he asked as I bit my lower lip.

Before I could scream at him, I heard a car door slam outside.

"Fuck."

He cursed as he stepped back.

“She’s back,” he said, his voice low and cold.

“Raya,” I whispered, then quickly rushed into the hallway to open the door for her.

Before I could grab the doorknob, she opened the door.

"Crap, you startled me," she said loudly.

I smiled and quickly wrapped my arms around her.

I didn't know why, but I felt relieved.

"Jeez, did you miss me that much?" she asked after I had pulled back.

"A lot," I answered, then stepped aside.

"I'm here now," she replied while she walked into the living room, with me following behind, my heart pounding. I had no idea if Cassian was still there or not.

"I'm hungry," she said when she walked in.

I looked around, only to see that Cassian was not there.

“Sis, I am never covering for Kayla again. Last night's shift turned into a damn marathon. My feet feel like bricks,” she whined.

“I thought her mother was doing a lot better,” I said in a soft voice.

“She is,” she responded as she flopped down on the couch.

“But Kayla pulled some fake family emergency on me last minute. I didn’t want to leave her hanging—plus, I need the overtime,” she answered.

I nodded slowly as my eyes flickered to the hallway.

“Everything okay here?” she asked, eyeing me seriously.

"Yes, why?" I asked back.

“You look... weird,” she answered.

What? Did I really look weird?

“I missed you, that's all,” I blurted.

“Back then, we always had time to chat, but now you come home late, and we rarely have our own moments,” I said seriously.

It wasn't entirely a lie because I truly missed our time together.

“Damn. I’m sorry, little sis. It's just that I can't say no to Kayla, and when I'm not working, I'm usually napping to get my needed rest,” pShe answered softly.

My sister was never the kind of woman who wanted to be taken care of by men or our mother. She made that clear over and over again; that's why she worked hard at her job, despite knowing very well that Evelyn was more than capable of taking care of her needs.

“Mom’s not back yet?” she asked, glancing toward the hallway.

“Nope. Still at her conference, I suppose,” I answered simply.

“And Cassian?” she asked as my breath hitched.

“Probably asleep, if not in Mom's study,” I answered in a cracked voice.

“Are you sure you’re good?” she asked.

“Yeah. Just tired,” I lied.

"Okie dokie," she said, then stretched.

I hated pretending or hiding things from Raya. But then again, I feared what would happen if I dared to tell her the truth.