chapter 8

I pushed my chair back slightly, just enough to stop the movements beneath the table.

My heart was pounding so loudly, I could barely hear my own thoughts.

there were two feet from two different men touching me under the table, And not a single word from either of them.

I didn’t dare look at them, my eyes were fixed on the half-eaten food on my plate.

My appetite was gone, and it was replaced by a swirling storm of confusion, fear, and something else I didn’t want to name.

What kind of game is this?

Just in that moment, Mr. Grey’s voice broke through the silence, " Amara, is everything okay?.

he sounded calm and collected like nothing was happening beneath the table.

I looked up, startled. His gaze was steady and piercing.

" yess sir," I managed to reply, with my voice being strained.

Adam didn’t say a word, he just kept chewing. His jaw was tight, he didn’t even look in my direction.

"You seem tense," Mr. Grey said, with his fork pausing mid-air. " is it stLong day?"

"Something like that," I said, trying to smile, but my lips felt stiff.

why was he asking me that kind of question when he knows what he was doing to me under the table.

He nodded, then resumed eating. I forced myself to take another bite, though it tasted like sand.

The rest of the dinner dragged, Minutes felt like hours. And every movement beneath the table made my stomach twist.

I couldn’t tell who was doing what anymore. I hated Hated the confusion, the silence, the way my body reacted to the wrong things.

When it was finally over, I stood up and gathered the dishes quickly.

"I’ll take care of this," I said, not waiting for permission.

I carried the dishes to the kitchen like they were my lifeline. As soon as I was out of sight, I leaned against the counter and exhaled shakily.

What the hell was going on with them?

I rinsed the plates on autopilot, trying to focus on the simple motions: wash, rinse, dry, and stack.

But my mind kept flashing back to those touches. To Adam’s eyes, and to Mr. Grey’s voice.

I still wondered why Adam acted somehow cold and still touched me under the table.

Was this some kind of twisted test? Or were they both just... predators?

I didn’t know, I couldn’t tell anymore. The lines were blurring and confusing

I stared at the soap bubbles swirling in the sink. My hands were shaking slightly, but I forced myself to stay steady.

"Just breathe, Amara. You’re okay. You’re still standing." I said to myself.

I dried the last plate and placed it gently on the rack, wiping my hands on the edge of my apron. The silence around me felt too thick, like it was watching me and Waiting.

I turned off the tap and walked slowly to the pantry to put away the leftovers.

That was when I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen.

I stiffened immediately, I didn't know who was coming. It must either be Mr grey or Adam and I don't think I'm ready for anybody's touch or anything.

Then, Mr. Grey appeared at the doorway. His tall frame was casting a shadow on the tiled floor. His sleeves were rolled up now, and his hands were in his pockets.

“You handled dinner well,” he said in a low voice.

I gave a small nod, without meeting his eyes and said . “Thank you.”

A pause stretched between us, it was heavy with something unspoken.

He took a few steps closer, his shoes was silent on the floor. “But you looked... unsettled.” he added.

immediately, my fingers curled into fists at my sides. “I’m fine.” I said.

“Are you?” His gaze pinned me. “Because your reaction earlier under the table was very... telling.”

With this, I felt my cheeks burn. My skin itched with embarrassment and something else I couldn’t name.

Was his confident for me, he just told me what he did to me in the dinning.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I whispered and pretended like I never understood him.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was a puzzle he already knew how to solve. “You’re not a very good liar, Amara.”

immediately, I swallowed hard.

Before I could respond, his walked up to me and touch my hair, "you don't need to say much to get me"

He stroked my hair again, slower, like he was savoring it. then His hand slid down to my waist, pulling me slightly closer.

“Amara,” he said in that deep and calm voice, “you have a way about you... and I want to know you.”

I swallowed, wirh my chest rising and falling quickly.

then his breath warmed my skin.

“You can lie,” he continued, “pretend you didn’t know it was me under the table... but I wanted you to feel it. I wanted to know how your body responds to mine.”

A strange ache curled in my stomach. My skin burned shame and something deeper.

But something in his voice made me freeze.

Did he think he was the only one touching me under the table?

His son had touched me too. At the same time.

Did Mr. Grey know?

He leaned in. Our breaths mixed. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

“Yes, sir,” I whispered, not knowing what I was agreeing to.

“Amara,” he said gently, “I want to know more about you.”

I softened.

Then he asked, “How are you coping with my son?”

My heart skipped, and my mind raced.

Did he know what Adam has been doing to me? or he was saying something else.

At that moment, his voice boomed out again. " I know my son can be really somehow."

hearing that, i felt frozen, to me things weren't just right.

Because what did he mean by that?