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Even though I was in the passenger seat, my eyes were fixed on the rearview mirror. I glared at the driver when he gave me a knowing smirk.
Valeria barely nodded, her body freezing up. I frowned when her eyes widened, her lips moving, but no words came out.
I turned towards the backseat. “What happened?”
“S-Stop,” she whispered, her face leeching of color.
“Do you want to stop the car?” I asked, worried about her. “Hey, what happened, Valeria?”
Fuck, did I get too angry at her? Was she mad at me?
“Stop it!” she pleaded, the driver giving me a concerned look.
I told him to stop the car and watched in horror when her fingers fumbled with the latch of the car door. She opened the car door and rushed out.
I followed her, quickly rushing to her aid when she fell down on her knees and hands, sobbing, her eyes red. I knelt beside her, holding her hair back when she retched, tears streaming down her face. I soothed her, stroking her back as she wiped her mouth with my handkerchief, her breath heaving as she sat back on her heels.
“Are you okay?” I asked in a soft tone, not wanting to scare her any further.
Valeria nodded, her eyes swollen. She weakly mumbled, “I want to go back.”
I helped her up and noticed her tensing when I opened the car door.
Did something happen in the car? But I was with her the entire time. Maybe she panicked because I got angry at her?
“Please don’t turn on the radio,” she said, sitting on the backseat of the car.
Radio?
I sat with her and called her maid to ready her bath. As soon as we arrived to the manor of the oasis, I guided Valeria to Tamara, who was concerned about her, and took her to her room. I sighed as I leaned on one of the pillars in the hallway. I dismissed the staff, watching the sulking figure of Valeria fade upstairs.
What the hell happened in the car?
Valeria
The ringing in my ears had quieted down after the warm bath. Tamara had informed that Khalid wanted to dine alone. My heart shrank with guilt. It was supposed to be a prank. Hiding underneath the water, surprising him and having a small water fight to play with him. I didn’t mean to make him worry or scare him.
Finishing my dinner in my bed, I wished Tamara good night and promised to call for her if I needed her help.
The song in the car played in my head and I tried to shake it out. It washisvoice.Hissong. The same one that played that early morning when he drove me back home, assuring me I was safe.
What a bunch of lies.
Soft silk of the small nightgown felt cool over my skin as I breathed in the fresh air from the balcony. It embarrassed me that Khalid, of all people, had to witness all of that. Even though he was mad at me, he made sure I was cared for. My heart melted for his concern for me.
I wouldn’t be able to sleep without talking to him.
Swallowing a glass of cold water, I braced myself to talk to him and apologize for what had happened.
I knocked on his door, my hands fumbling with the silk of my nightgown.Oh, no. I can’t believe I forgot to wear something else before meeting him.
Stupid Valeria.
Should I quickly grab a robe and cover up my nightgown?
I would have, but Khalid was already opening his door.
“Valeria.” I heard his deep voice say, huskier than before.
“Khalid,” I replied, and cleared my throat. “I… I wanted to talk to you about before.”
He didn’t reply for a few moments. I shivered, feeling his gaze rake over my face, my chest, my stomach, my bare legs. I heard the door open wider.
“Come inside,” Khalid said, inviting me to his room.