Chapter 45
Moonlight
***
“You sounded like this conversation won’t turn out good.” Hunter commented as he walked near her.
She looked at him, amused especially when he looked like he was already going to pout.
But he looked away causing my left brow to move upwards.
It seemed like he was too embarrassed of his sudden childishness.
However, that only made Leila’s smile grow wider.
For a second, she felt like the wall built between them vanished into thin air.
But the kiss suddenly flashed in her mind causing her cheek to blush profusely.
Hunter sat on the stairs just beside her.
She felt his presence. But when he sat beside her, she felt his warmth making her shiver in a good way. It was as if he was such a human jacket although it was only his presence.
‘How much more if he hugs you…’ A teasing part of her mind commented.
Her cheeks flustered more.
She was just thankful that it was already nighttime. Hunter won’t be able to see her face as red as tomato. She let out an inaudible sigh.
For a while, Leila felt the silence comforting making her realize that maybe it wasn’t the silence or the atmosphere that was making her comfortable. It is Hunter’s presence.
In fact, she felt at ease. She felt like she was always safe being around him. And in the end, she realized that no matter how much she tried to deny her feelings, she couldn’t repudiate the fact that Hunter had already crept into her system… into her heart.
“Can’t sleep?” Hunter broke the silence all of a sudden.
If they were in a different situation, she would have teased him because of his strange question he asked her.
It was the most obvious thing to ask given that she was there, but it seemed like Hunter also didn’t know how to break the silence between them.
Leila simply nodded her head.
Even she didn’t know how to reply.
She didn’t know what else to say or to even react. And it was the very same reason why she couldn’t tease him scared that it would bounce back at her. She knew that she wasn’t prepared at all.
But who is, anyway?
Hunter let out a deep sigh.
“Why? Are thinking about the kiss a while ago?” He asked directly and there was a slight sense of playfulness in his voice causing her eyes to widen in shock because of his straightforwardness.
She looked at him unable to utter a word.
Leila knew that they had to talk about it but she couldn’t believe that he would instantly bring it up.
“Or is it about your confession of love?” Hunter teasingly continued.
She knew that her face was as red as the beet already.
‘Damn it! Leila Mercado, say something for your goodness’ sake! Don’t let this man tease you without a fight!’ A naughty part of her commented inside her head.
Leila swallowed hard then she squinted her eyes into thin slits as she looked at him.
“And who initiated the kiss? Did you do that because I confessed to you?” She fired back.
This time, her left brow shot upwards as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Yes.
When you are already embarrassed and almost lost in a conversation you have to act smartly and turn the tables instantly. Use the act of intimidation or annoyance well, just pretend to be one.
And it seemed like it was effective since Hunter was caught off guard.
She chuckled inwardly.
“T-That… T-That’s not it…” Hunter blurted out stammering.
Leila smirked at him challenging him.
Hunter let out a deep sigh.
“Then, what? Are you telling me that the kiss is nothing to you? Is it just spur of the moment?” Leila pushed him into the words that she wanted to hear.
Even though it looked like Hunter was already lost for words.
“Or is it because you already knew that I love you, so you want to play with my feelings.” She continued.
With all of those words uttered, Leila felt the weight and pain that was slowly dawning on her because there was a slight chance that it might be true.
Her words might be true.
And it was scaring her.
Especially when Hunter kept his silence. She was anticipating that he would disagree with the words that she was telling him. She was trying to hope that she was wrong.
“That is not it, Leila.” Hunter’s words seemed to be like a redemption to her.
And for the first time, hope started to swing into her heart hoping that her feelings to be reciprocated.
‘Damn, girl! Don’t assume yet… Or you can be disappointed in the end…’ Leila castigated herself inside her head.
She bit her lower lip as she waited for Hunter’s words to come.
“To be honest… I am also confused. You are not my type.” Hunter suddenly blurted out causing her to glare at him.
“I know. You like Myrtle.” She retorted back without thinking bitterness dripping in her every word.
Her eyes widened in shock as she covered her mouth with her both hands while looking at him.
She was uttering curses inside her head. She could really be talkative if she wanted to. And it was something that she wasn’t proud of especially at time like this.
“I… I mean… I have no grudge or anything to Myrtle. She is kind and so… I can’t hate her because you like her.” She tried to explain using her low tone of voice until it had already become a whisper.
She bowed her head at that.
Embarrassment filled her.
And it was not just because of the slip of the tongue but because of how bitter she said those words were.
Hunter chuckled.
She pouted like a kid.
“Myrtle is just a friend… And I just discovered it lately.” Hunter suddenly stated causing her to look at him.
He was looking at the darkness in front of them.
“I am just confused because this is the very first time, I felt all of this. Not even to Myrtle which I thought I loved.” He explained carefully before looking at her, straight in the eyes.
Leila swallowed hard.
“This is the very first time I felt all of these roller coaster rides of emotions. And it is because of you, Leila. Maybe it is one of the reasons why I dislike you. To cover up my real feelings.” Hunter continued trying to tell her everything.
Her heart was beating so loudly inside her chest already.
It was as if she was frozen right there and then.
“And when your childhood friend appeared it was as if everything resurfaced… Even the emotions that I am trying to stop and hide.” He confessed as he clenched his jaw like he was remembering something that he shouldn’t be.
Leila bit her lower lip.
In fact, she wanted to look away avoid his intense gazes.
But she couldn’t.
She wanted to face him and hear everything from him while looking into his eyes. She wanted to know everything and connect with him. And besides, he looked so cute. He looked like a jealous guy as he told her those words.
“So, yeah… I am scared really. To accept those emotions inside me. But…” Hunter’s eyes turned a darker shade as he held her hands.
He swallowed hard.
“I discover that I will be more scared if I lose you without telling you how I feel…” He said slowly as he gently pressed her hands.
Leila felt like she was slowly melting especially under those deep ocean blue eyes.
Her breathing was becoming heavier as she anticipated his next words.
“I love you, too, Leila-”
And before he could even finish his sentence she already closed the distance between them and claimed his lips.
She kissed him!
Yes.
Finally.
Under the moonlight the only witness they had that night, Hunter confessed to her.
And it was such a bliss.
Shyness flew outside her being.