Page 14 of Mrs. & Mrs. Elahi ( INTERSEX GxG )
Lina’s POV
The next morning, I woke up feeling oddly restless. Last night’s kiss—the way Zara’s lips had brushed my cheek so softly, yet left a mark on my thoughts—lingered like an unanswered question.
I needed air. Grabbing a sweater, I stepped out onto the balcony, letting the cool breeze wake me up. To my surprise, Zara was already there, sitting on one of the chairs with a steaming cup of tea in her hands.
“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked, her voice breaking the quiet morning.
I shrugged. “Something like that. You?”
She glanced at me, her expression unreadable. “Just wanted some peace before the chaos starts again.”
I nodded, leaning against the railing. For a few moments, we just stood there in silence, the only sound the faint chirping of birds in the distance. It was… nice.
Then Zara spoke again, her tone lighter this time. “I was thinking about the gala. Do you think we’ll survive it?”
I snorted. “Barely.”
She laughed, and it was such a genuine sound that I couldn’t help but smile.
“Here,” she said, holding out her tea. “Try this. It’s better than the coffee you always drink.”
I hesitated but took the cup, my fingers brushing against hers. The warmth of the tea seeped into my hands as I took a sip. It was sweet and soothing—just like her, I realized with a start.
“You’re right,” I said, handing it back to her. “Not bad.”
“Not bad?” she repeated, raising an eyebrow. “That’s the best compliment I’ll get from you, isn’t it?”
“Don’t push your luck,” I replied, smirking.
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Zara’s POV
By mid-morning, the house was buzzing with activity. Our families were finalizing the last details for the gala, and the noise was enough to give anyone a headache.
In the middle of the chaos, I spotted Lina sitting on the floor of the library, a stack of books around her. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she had a focused look on her face as she flipped through pages.
“What are you doing?” I asked, leaning against the doorframe.
She looked up, surprised. “Escaping. What does it look like?”
I chuckled, walking over to sit beside her. “Mind if I join?”
She shrugged but didn’t protest.
For the next hour, we sat there, surrounded by books, occasionally sharing a passage or a joke. At one point, I noticed a smudge of ink on her cheek. Without thinking, I reached out and wiped it away with my thumb.
She froze, her eyes wide.
“There was ink,” I explained, my voice quieter than I intended.
“Oh,” she said, her cheeks turning pink.
Neither of us moved for a moment, and the air between us grew heavier. Then she smiled, breaking the tension. “Thanks, I guess.”
“Anytime,” I said, leaning back against the shelf, my heart inexplicably lighter.
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Lina’s POV
That evening, as the sun set and the mansion settled into a rare calm, Zara and I found ourselves in the garden. It was one of those unplanned moments—we’d both wandered out there without realizing the other had the same idea.
“I didn’t know you liked gardens,” I said, breaking the silence.
“I don’t,” she replied, glancing around. “But it’s quiet here.”
I smiled. “You’re full of surprises, Zara Elahi.”
She gave me a sideways look, her lips twitching into a faint smile. “You’re not exactly predictable yourself, Lina.”
We walked along the garden path, the soft glow of the lanterns casting long shadows. At one point, Zara stopped and picked a small white flower from a bush.
“What’s that for?” I asked, curious.
Instead of answering, she tucked the flower behind my ear, her fingers brushing my hair. “It suits you,” she said simply.
I blinked, caught off guard by the gesture. “Thanks,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
She stepped back, her hands slipping into her pockets. “You’re welcome.”
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Zara’s POV
As we headed back inside, Lina walked ahead of me, humming softly to herself. She seemed lighter, more relaxed, and it made me smile.
At the door, she turned back to face me, her expression soft.
“Goodnight, Zara,” she said, her voice warm.
“Goodnight,” I replied, stepping closer. On impulse, I leaned down and kissed her hand—a brief, light touch that surprised even me.
She stared at me, her eyes wide and unreadable. Then, slowly, a small, genuine smile spread across her face.
“Careful, Zara,” she teased, her voice teasing but her tone gentle. “You might make me think you’re a romantic.”
I smirked. “Maybe I am.”
As she walked away, I stood there for a moment, watching her go, a strange warmth spreading through my chest.
Whatever this was between us, it was becoming impossible to ignore.
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