Memories

(Fiona’s POV)

“Fiona?” I froze, my eyes widened as I turned to the voice. His voice shot through the hallway like a spark.

My breath held itself hostage. My heart leapt as I watched Jalen step out of the shadows behind me. His tall figure blocked part of the faint security light gliding in through the glass.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his tone low and cold, his expression unreadable, but curious enough to make me feel like a child caught sneaking around late in the night.

I placed a hand over my chest. “Gosh…You scared me,” I whispered.

“That wasn’t an answer,” he replied, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

I exhaled softly. “I was going to get some water.”

He stepped closer, his eyes scanning my face as though checking if I was telling the truth. Whatever he saw made his expression soften.

“That doesn't seem like the way to the kitchen,” he said quietly. “You could have called me or ask earlier.”

“I didn’t think I would need it.”

“Hmmm,” he groaned, his brow twisted with intrigue.

For a moment, the silence wrapping around us felt awkward. It felt like something warm trying to pull us closer.

“Come on,” he said, tilting his head toward the stairs. “I’ll get you water from the kitchen.”

I nodded and followed him down like a zombie.

He clicked the kitchen light on, it was soft and warm, unlike the cool shadows of the hallway. It painted his skin gold as he walked toward the fridge. He handed me a bottle of cold water, but instead of leaving, he leaned against the counter like he wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere.

“I was coming to check on you initially, apparently a bored princess like you was trying to sneak out of the palace,” he teased, and I chuckled—looking away so he doesn't notice my flushed face.

“Why are you still up?” he asked.

I shrugged. “I just couldn’t sleep,” I answered.

“You also don't sleep off in strangers home for the first night hun?,” he asked.

I blinked, surprised he said that. “You notice that too fast?”

He grabbed two glasses from the cabinet, then a bottle of wine from the rack.

“You forgot I've known you since you were a kid—Let’s have a drink,” he said. “Just a small might help you sleep.”

I hesitated only for a second before nodding. My experience with the one i drank at the ball still lingered in my mind like it was yesterday.

We sat on a long stool—opposite each other at the kitchen island near the windows. The night breeze slipped into the kitchen, making the curtains sway. There was something oddly comforting about sitting there with him, his eyes glued to mine like i was going to sneak out again.

“You’re unusually quiet today,” he said after a moment.

“I’m thinking,” I replied.

“That much is obvious.” His smile deepened. “About what?”

“About everything. School… you… Marian…” The last name slipped out before I could stop it and I felt disgusted.

His eyes cooled instantly.

“You don’t like talking about her,” I whispered.

“No,” he said honestly. “But you can ask.” His voice came out draggy and calm.

I swallowed. “How did you meet her?”

He stared at the wine in his glass for a moment before answering.

“It was an arranger marriage by my mum before she passed, she wanted me to at least have a wife and she made me promise her not to divorce her but i guess she's had feelings for me before she met me, my mum told me about how eager she was to meet me before she does. ” He paused, searching for the right words. “But I found her attractive at the time, I thought her confidence was attractive.”

“And now?” I asked softly.

He looked up, and the truth in his eyes was sharp enough for me to understand.

“Now I know the difference between confidence and manipulation.”

I nodded slowly. That was enough of an answer. More than enough, actually.

The conversation drifted to lighter topics after that—school memories, art, the ridiculous things I did when I was younger, and how he still remembered every one of them. We laughed softly, almost like friends.

Time slipped away without either of us noticing until Jalen finally stood.

“You should go to sleep,” he said gently. “It’s late.”

“Yes, I answered, yarwning.”

We walked half way through the hallway and he suddenly picked me up swiftly. I felt like his child as i melt into his body, my ears glued to his chest and his heartbeat pulsed in my head.

I didn’t remember sleeping off but I did. I wasn’t deep into sleep, I could tell he laid me softly and covered me up. I felt his lips planting a kiss on my forehead

“Goodnight fiona,” he whispered before the door clicked.

⸻

The next morning, I woke up earlier than I expected, drawn out of bed by a delicious aroma drifting through the house. Something warm, buttery, and inviting. My stomach grumbled immediately.

Curious, I walked out of my room and followed the aroma down the stairs.

Halfway into the kitchen, I stopped, intrigued.

Jalen stood by the stove wearing a loose short-sleeved shirt and sweatpants. The fabric stretched effortlessly around his arms, flexing around the muscles of his shoulders and back as he lifted a pan to flip the pancake. His hair was slightly messy just as I like it.

He looked… normal and Casual—Almost boyish, and somehow that made him even more breathtaking.

“You’re up early,” he said without turning, clearly hearing my steps.

“You’re cooking?” I whispered, surprised.

He chuckled. “I know. Hard to believe. But I’m actually not terrible at it.”

I walked closer. “It smells amazing.”

“Good.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Sit. Breakfast will be ready soon.”

I sat at the table, watching his but wiggle slightly as a move around the kitchen effortlessly with a calm confidence that didn’t match the strict aura image everyone feared in school. This version of him was softer, and warmer. I leaned against the kitchen island in a sexy position that doesn't give me away as looking sexy, brushing my teeth against my index fingers as my eyes remained fixed on him as thoughts went through my mind.

“Good morning.” Marian’s voice cracked the air like glass. And i flinched.

“Shit!” i said silently, startled.

“That's right—you should be scared of me,” she mocked, walking towards Jalen who already looked tepid as she approached. She planted a kiss on his cheek and stole a glance at me like she was passing a message across.

Jalen remained stiff, ignoring her gestures as he continued to cook. She smiled,

Her outfit was another expensive outfit one that screamed superiority. Her eyes flicked from Jalen to me as she took her seat at the far end of the island, and the air instantly grew cold.

“Breakfast?” she asked, glancing at the food he was preparing.

Jalen’s jaw tightened. “Yes.”

For several minutes, we ate in heavy silence. Every polite comment from Marian sounded rehearsed. Every time she looked at me, I felt something sharp tracing my spine.

Eventually, she stood and grabbed her handbag.

“I have a meeting,” she announced. “I’ll be out until evening.”

“Alright,” Jalen said without emotion.

She kissed him on the cheek again but he didn’t move—and then left.

The house drew breath again.

Jalen looked at me. “You want to get out for a bit?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Out? Where?”

“There’s a park nearby,” he said. “We could get ice cream.”

My heart skipped.

“Ice cream? Park?” I snapped.

His brow arced and I just smiled back.

Memories flashed within me. Me holding his hand, laughing, playing, trusting him without question, feeling alive. Back then, he felt like a safe place, a warm light.

Maybe he still was.

“I’d like that,” I said quietly.

⸻

Soon, we arrived at the park and the sun was soft and bright as we walked along the pathways. Families laughed around us, children played, the world felt peaceful. Jalen bought us ice cream, while i sat on a bench near the swings waiting for him until he joined me.

“Do you remember when you used to drag me to the park every weekend?” he asked, teasing.

I laughed. “You make it sound like torture.”

“It was. I had to chase you around for hours.”

I nudged him with my elbow. “You loved it.”

He didn’t deny it.

His eyes lingered on me a bit longer than necessary.

After a few scoops into the mouth, we walked again, this time toward the small playground area. I didn’t expect to climb onto anything, but Jalen nudged me gently.

“Go on,” he said. “Have fun.”

“I’m not a child anymore.”

“Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself.”

I hesitated… then smiled and stepped onto the swing. The moment my feet left the ground and the air brushed my face, an old joy filled my chest.

Jalen stood nearby, watching me the way someone watches cheerfully as I laughed freely—as the swing moved higher.

I felt… light, I knew I needed that, I haven't laughed that hard in a long while.