Adam’s hands on my waist, before I could move away from him, sent a rush of conflicting emotions coursing through me.
I wanted to push him away, to scream at him for what he had done, but at the same time, I couldn’t deny the familiar warmth that spread through my body at his touch.
It had been so long since I had felt his hands on me, and a part of me had missed it, had craved it, despite everything.
At the party, I had been on drugs, a drug that had heightened my anger, and control over my emotions. But now, at this moment, when Adam’s explanations were contraindicating to mine, I was confused.
As his lips brushed against my neck in a soft kiss, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. It was like stepping back in time, to a time when things were simpler, when I still believed in us. But reality came crashing back as I remembered the pain and betrayal he had caused me.
Should I deny myself this moment of weakness? Should I deny the part of me that still longed for him, that still wanted him despite everything? The battle raged on in my mind, tearing me apart from the inside out.
But before I could make a decision, before I could push myself to shake him away, Adam turned me to face him, his eyes searching mine for any sign of resistance.
And then when he saw none, he kissed me, his lips meeting mine in a tender embrace.
Then he paused. It was as if he was seeking permission, seeking validation for what he was about to do.
And in that moment of my shocked silence, my lack of protest seemed to give him all the permission he needed.
And so with all intent which I could feel when his lips met mine for the second time, he kissed me passionately, his lips moving against mine with a hunger that took my breath away.
All thoughts fled from my mind as I surrendered myself to the intensity of his kiss. The battle within me died faster than it had begun, replaced by a sense of longing and desire that consumed me completely.
Adam kissed me like he was trying to erase all the pain and hurt he had caused me, like he was trying to make things right between us. Like I was Maya.
There and then, reality came crashing back as I remembered who and where I was.
Adam had hurt me, had broken my trust, and I couldn’t forget that no matter how much I wanted to.
I tried to break away, but then his fingers trailed from my waist to my breast region.
My breath and words caught in my throat.
I moaned his name in response when he touched the peak of the nipple that had hardened beneath the flimsy wear I had on, unable to resist the pleasure he was giving me.
His hands gained audacity then, and began roaming over my body, a sigh leaving his lips when he grabbed my ass, when I grabbed a fistful of his shirt.
“Maya…”
When he called me that, I instantly jerked away from him, my heart thudding unsteadily. Out of rhythm. I knew he could hear it.
He realized his mistake, when he felt me retreat, when he opened his lust filled eyes and beheld the annoyance I had managed to splatter on my face in a record time.
“Dora, I’m sorry. I just…”
“Get your head in the right, Adam, before approaching me again.” I managed to sputter, hoping that this little romance hadn’t given me away.
I turned around to go home, when he suddenly grabbed me back into his arms.
“You kiss like her. You smell like her..” His voice sounded like one who was high on something. And I think his eyes were too.
“I think you are crazy Adam. You should get your head checked. This was a mistake. Don’t touch me ever again.” I stated, wanting to get rid of his hands around my stomach region, but he didn’t budge.
“Adam!” I shouted, and this time he let me go, his eyes catching the hut whose door has sprung open at my shout. Peter stepped out, and began to head towards us.
“I am sorry, Dora. I just got carried away. You just remind me of her, a lot. I am sorry for this. I am not always like this. It’s just that I have missed…” He paused, then ruffled his hair, confusing me the more.
If he loved me this way, why had he beaten me to near death? Had his ego been that important? I wondered, giving him a last glance, before turning away, and walking to meet Peter.
When I got to the hut with Peter, I risked another backward glance. Adam was still there, right at the same position, watching me.
“Did he do anything stupid? I heard you shout.” Peter asked, right after he shut the door.
“Not at all. Everything is fine. Thank you for waiting.”
He nodded, before gesturing with a wave of his hand that I move to my room.
When I got there, Diana was awake. Of course. Like she would sleep without getting all the info from me.
Immediately she sighted me, she got down from the bed, and rushed at me, hugging me to herself.
I furrowed my eyebrows in surprise.
“When I heard the shout, I tried coming out to know why, but father asked me to stay in.”
“I am fine, Diana. He was just trying to get possessive, out of the delusion that I am Maya.”
Diana chuckled.
“That’s great. We might even scare him with your real face one time. Let’s see if he will shout like he has seen a ghost.”
I laughed with her, even though I believed that Adam would either hug me in love, or hack me to death for fear that I would expose what he and his brothers had done.
I had expected clarity from the meeting tonight, but all I got was more confusion, and a more romantic scene to stifle.
He still kissed the same way. I thought, feeling my lips tingle.
“I would like to head in now. I will tell you about what he said in detail after school tomorrow.”
Diana nodded, and returned to the bed, smiling when I covered her with the blanket.
“Goodnight Maya.”
“Good night Diana.”
I flicked off the lamp and then headed to my room.
Once I got there, I removed my clothes, and flung them to the sofa. I removed the mask, and kept it on the dressing table. I then took a stop by the mirror to take a look at myself.
“Hello Maya. Dora here. It is good to see you.”
I muttered, tracing the faint scar that ran from my forehead to my left eyebrow.