eleven years later
Zoe lies on the bed reading a book. the door opens and Arabella walks in with two cups of coffee and hands one to her..."What are you reading?" she questions taking a seat by her bedside..." Nothing important...just a book" Zoe closed the book and placed it by the side, adjusting herself to sit upright..." thought as much..." she said and drank her coffee...Zoe was quiet, she seemed to be thinking about something..."What is disturbing you, Zoe?" her soft voice pulled Zoe back to the present as she stared back at her..."Nothing," Zoe said but Arabella wasn't convinced..." I am no fool to know that something is disturbing you...come on, tell me..." she urges." I am scared, Rabella...what if I don't get chosen for the audition, what if I am not as good as they think?" she asked, opening up to all her fears. Zoe is studying music and there is a contest coming up and so many people and Schools are allowed to participate...she is good at singing but she has this self-doubt, always underestimating herself. feeling like people do it better than her..." it doesn't matter if you are better than them or the best, what matters most is you believing in yourself...I Believe in you, the school believes in you and even Mrs Patricia does...that's why they choose you to stand in and represent our school" Arabella was one big source of encouragement to her, always making her want to be the best version of herself and in everything she does..." But, what if I don't reach the expectations of the school? what if I..." Zoe was scared of not being qualified to represent her school..." stop Zoe...stop thinking less about yourself...listen to me, it's not a must for you to win but rather, the most important thing is the lesson learned... belief in what you have learned, have faith in yourself 'cause the more you keep on degrading yourself, the more you inflict fear and doubt in your heart and mind..." Arabella encouraged and it was all Zoe needed to be herself again..."thank you, Rabella...Um, why are you back this early?" Since the time Arabella enters the room, it's only now Zoe realizes she came back earlier than she was supposed to..." thought you won't ask...the class was cancelled for reasons I don't want to know but I am happy it was..." Arabella told her seemingly uninterested..." Why are you always reluctant when it comes to this course?" Zoe questions not understanding why..." It's not the course, Zoe...it is the lecturer" she corrected and this got Zoe to stare at her questioningly..." What about him?" she picks on her coffee and sips it..." he is so boring...maybe I might be the only one feeling bored in his class during lectures but I can't help...the course is good but the method at which he teaches is just so old fashioned" She complains pouting her lips and this got Zoe shaking her head smiling, it was quite funny to her..." So how are you going to learn since you don't want to attend the just so old-fashioned class?" Zoe taunts..." I will study the course myself, it isn't that hard anyways...but should In case it is, Rowan will help me out" She brags smiling ever so brightly. She never misses out on Rowan's name in any of their conversations and this was something Zoe has been trying to stop but to no avail...it hurts her to hear Arabella calls out his name every single time...She smiles at her lightly and steps down from the bed, walks to the closet, and pulls on her towel..." Can I join you?" Arabella's voice rings from behind making her stiffen on her spot, how can she say such? If only she knew how Zoe has been trying so hard to act normal every single time when she is with her and now, she wants to do the one thing Zoe has never thought would ever be possible...not like it was impossible but because they have never bathed together even when they were young..." What?" Zoe was more than shocked as she stared at her with wide eyes..." You heard me," Arabella said as she started removing her dress...Zoe whose eyes were already wide as if they would fall off her eye socket..." But, you already had your bath before leaving" she informs, not knowing what to say..." It isn't a bad thing to get a proper bath with my best friend, is it?" Arabella asked and Zoe swallowed hard, staring at her now exposed chest ..." well...you might catch a cold...it's quite cold you know" Zoe tries to make her change her mind but she doesn't bother and just keeps on removing her clothes and when she is done, she walks into the bath..." I won't be getting sick anytime from now...stop worrying too much," Arabella said from inside the bath, little did she know that it was something different Zoe was worried about...Zoe stood there, gazing at the closed door not knowing whether she should go in or not, how was she supposed to face her, to see her naked before her...her thoughts got her shivering in anticipation yet, the courage to move was nowhere to be found...It's like seeing your favourite candy that will make you salivate but you know you can never have it...and that feeling is what she will always feel for god knows how long..."Zoe?...come on, it's like you are taking a lifetime to undress" Arabella complains, she has been in the bath for so long, and yet, no sign of Zoe..." my panties don't seem to want to come out," Zoe tells her as she pulls on it, and Arabella walks out of the bath with a towel, her chocolate cherry hair was damp and her lips were as plum as ever...she stares at Zoe with her brown eyes under her long perfect lashes..." told you to always put on shirts or gowns which are simple wears but you always hang behind your trousers now look" She grumbles as she crunches to the ground, and pulls on her trousers..."There won't be any excuse next time..." she warns and Zoe smiles at her, ``Only God knows how these trousers just saved her..." thanks" Zoe happily walks to the bath and closes the doorZoe walks out of the bath with a towel wrapped around her chest as she dries on her soft black hair. Arabella sat on her bed, humming as she writes in a book...She was humming the song "Stay" by Rihanna ever so happily and Zoe who enjoys her melodic sound silently listens to her..."if not for your love for business, I would have dragged you to study music with me" Zoe walked to her bed and climbed on it, they had their separate beds..."Guess there's always an afterlife" She jokes..." you better be ready then, won't be sparing you, not even for a sec" they both laugh at Zoe's words..." Where to?" Arabella, who saw Zoe all dressed up in a pair of blue jeans and a shirt with her hair tied in a messy bun, was confused as to where she was going..."Ms. Patricia asked me to come over for a little discussion..." she puts on her shoes, ready to go..." don't be late, I will be waiting for you" Zoe smiles at her..." sure...see you" She takes her in for a hug before leaving. On her way to
Coming back from Ms. Patricia's house, Zoe was happy knowing she will get to spend time with Arabella. She always spent her free time with Rowan, at his place while Zoe, gets to be left behind...And every single time she tries to make her stay, Rowan always comes up with something to change her mind...She knew he was doing it on purpose, it has been like that since childhood, always fighting for her love and attention but no matter how hard she tried, he still won...He's got her love, and now he's trying to get all of her attention to himself and it seems like it is working..." What a greedy bastard" she cursed under her breath feeling irritated at the thought of Rowan...One thing she didn't understand was, why he got to be the one she chooses to love. among all the guys, why him? Why not her? She has been with her since the very beginning but she didn't choose her, she never saw her as anything older than her best friend...it saddens her but knowing she is happy, she had no choice
It's been three days now and Zoe has been avoiding Arabella for reasons unknown to Arabella and it made her sad and worried, to see her best friend not talking to her as she used to..."I don't know what is wrong... I know something is eating her up but I just can't tell what it is exactly" she has been saying quite, hoping she will come around and open things up but it seems like it's just her hopes and nothing more..." Stop stressing yourself over nothing, Zoe is old enough to handle her problems" Rowan's lazy voice rings from behind her. She is in Rowan's apartment, sitting by his bedside..." How can you say such a thing? you know how close I am with Zoe and knowing she is disturbed with no idea what's wrong makes me more frustrated, and you are telling me not to stress myself?... I mean, what's even your issue with Zoe? 'cause I don't understand anymore" She wasn't a fool not to notice the difference in his behavior every time she made mention of Zoe's name..." Nothing...I am j
Arabella walks through the school corridor heading to the hall Zoe always has her rehearsal. Taking the second door on her left, she stood by the door and watched her sing...the lyrics of the song made her eyes teary. For some reason, she could tell that something was going on but she didn't want to tell her... I tried my best to never let you in to see the truth... And I've never opened up... I have never truly loved... Till you put your arms around me and I believe... that it's easier for you to let me go...For those listening to the song, she sang it perfectly, putting all the emotions and playing with her keys but for Arabella, she could tell something was off...The crowd cheered happily. It was the first part of the competition where she had to compete with people in her school. Though she has been chosen to represent her school, Ms. Patricia wants her to be more than prepared so organizing a school competition was necessary...Gazing at the cro
" What is happening Zoe? you are not singing like you used to" Ms. Patricia complained not liking the outcome of her performance..." I am sorry Ms. Patricia...I will try again..." she apologized and started playing on the piano again but was stopped by her..." you don't have to when your mind is in a mess," she tells her..." No...I can do it...it just needed me to try more" she plays on the piano trying to prove her point..." You see, I am doing it," she said with a smile on her face..." I am ok" she continues but Ms. Patricia holds on to her hand, stopping her ..." You can't fool me, child, I will know one when I see one"..." it's good to take a day off sometimes...I know you might be tired..." she said in a decisive tone and walked to her seat. Zoe opens her mouth only to close them again, there is nothing she will tell her that will be able to change her mind..." go rest out your brain for today...tomorrow is another day" she waves her hand at her but Zoe had no intention of
The person she bumps into was no other than Rowan. He turns back in confusion and stares at her leaving...He wonders what might have transpired between them to turn Zoe into a complete mess, it's his first time seeing Zoe cry and somehow, it feels weird...He knocks on the door but there was no response..." Arabella, it's me...Rowan, open up" he said, and only then did she open the door, letting him get in..." What's disturbing you? you don't look alright" he touches her neck feeling her temperature..." you've been crying" he stated the fact and Arabella wipes her face, trying hard not to cry more..." I bump into Zoe, but I don't think she noticed. It was me...what's up with you two?" He was concerned and wanted to know what I'd do with the girls in the hospital if she had to leave Zoe. It was unlike Arabella to do such..." It's nothing big, we just had a little quarrel " she tries to make it not look too obvious..." it can't be that little when your eyes are red and swollen fr
"Tell me what you want me to do to you" he presses on her nipple making her cry out..."Please Rowan touch me...no...no...pleasure me please, suck, press and nipple on my breast, please" she begs. A victorious smile appears on his lips as he stares down at her ..." as easy as it is..." he lowers his head and takes her left breast in his mouth, as he sucks and nipples on. With his right hand, massages her right breast, giving both breasts equal attention, he sucks and bites her breast until she could no longer take the torture, she was needy...very needy down there...in need of his touch...She rubs herself against him, trying t feel him but the jeans she was putting on didn't let her get what she wanted..."take off my jeans please...and touch me, down there" she begs again and the man did what she wants without teasing her...in no time, she was left naked before him, with only her panties preventing him from seeing her full treasure....he pulls on the side of her pants and slides his
Chapter 14 He pulls off in front of a restaurant and leads her inside. Arabella's steps slowed down upon entering the door..." What is she doing here?" she asked Rowan who just stroked off his shoulder in denial..."let's go" she pulls on him, intending to leave the restaurant but he stops her..." I brought you here because I want us, me, and you to have a good time...and that's going to happen even if she is here or not" his voice was stern like he was passing her an order...She stares at him with wide eyes, this was the very first time he has ever talked to her that way...seeing the look on her face, Rowan then realizes his mistake..." I mean... don't let her get to you...I want to be the only person you should be thinking of" he tries to make it more reasonable. A sweet smile spreads on her lips and she lands a soft peck on his lips and holds on to his hands as they both walk to their table for two...A grin was plastered on Rowan's face as he stared at Zoe whose face was pale.