Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 75

Lunch

The house feels a little too quiet. I cleaned my room, straightened everything in the kitchen and still, neither of the guys has come out of their room.

It makes it hard to breathe, the kind of silence that suffocates.

I stand in the kitchen, staring at the chicken sandwiches I've just finished making.

I set them on plates and place them on the dining table, grabbing some cups and water as well.

It's a simple meal, nothing fancy, but it's something. I'm trying to bridge the gap, to fix

what I feel like I've broken.

I write two small notes, folding them carefully. On Zaid's, I write, Join me for

lunch? On Aiden's, I keep it the same but add a little heart at the end. It feels silly, but I slip the notes under their doors, hoping it's enough to draw them out.

I feel like I'm back in middle school, blushing as I hand a note to my crush.

Back in the dining room, I finish setting everything up, arranging the plates and glasses

on the table.

Once I sit down, I cross my arms on my chest and a sour pain explodes in my chest. My

stomach churns and the anticipation is getting to me.

I don't know if this will work; I don't know if they will even get out of their rooms, but I

have to try.

I hear a door open, and my heart skips and it's Aiden who steps off the stairs and walks

1. in.

"Hey," he says softly, smiling at me.

"Hey." I try not to let my disappointment show, but it's there, a little pang in my chest. I was hoping for Zaid. My heart had been hoping for Zaid.

I don't know how that realization makes me feel.

Aiden walks over, his expression gentle. He cups my face with both hands, his touch warm and familiar, and presses a soft, tentative kiss to my lips.

1/5

Lunch

"Thanks for lunch," he murmurs, his thumbs brushing my cheeks.

grateful for the comfort of his embrace. For the moment, I let myself sink into the safety he offers, even as a part of me wishes for

the third plate, frowning for a second before he looks

I nod.

his frown deepens. I ignore the panic

waiting a few more

the silence, and finally, I sigh. "We

eat, he clears, his throat, breaking

me to talk to him," he says,

chew my food slowly, watching him

but I needed that. I

look at him, surprised. "Really?" The tense silence all day had

1. it.

I've been carrying so much anger. At him,

It was just pain."

blink at him, my heart

corners of his lips lifting into a soft smile.

hadn't realized how

I can respond, the sound of footsteps on the stairs makes my heart leap. I turn

messy dark hair, black sweatpants hanging low on his hips, a white t-shirt clinging to the lean, defined muscles of his

2/5

Lunch

moody, like he's just rolled out of bed, but his

smile at him, unable to help

gaze

even glance at Aiden as he walks over and takes a

clear my throat, forcing

the two of us, the wheels

at his sandwich and the muscle in his jaw ticks as he picks

bite.

say, "we need to start planning

freeze, their

is the first to speak, his tone cautious. "Dad will be home

reservations at a restaurant or

tilting my

Zaid finally speaks, his voice

can really

blink, staring at them. "I'll do it.

tense again, their eyes snapping toward me. Aiden drops

his plate, and he swallows the bite he'd

expression darkens, his

I ask, looking between

barely audible, "We haven't celebrated Christmas

mom

passed."