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.

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

the third plate, frowning for a second before he looks at me. "Did you make some for Zaid,

I nod.

deepens. I ignore the panic that rises inside me

waiting

ticks loudly in the silence, and finally, I

nods. As we eat, he clears,

for pushing me to talk to him," he says,

chew my food slowly,

needed that. I needed to

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

1. it.

carrying so much anger. At him, at myself. But it wasn't

It was just pain."

him, my

of his lips lifting into a soft smile. “I've missed

hadn't realized how

the sound of footsteps on the stairs makes my heart leap. I turn toward the

him in. The messy dark hair, black sweatpants hanging low on his hips,

2/5

Lunch

just rolled out of bed, but his eyes

at him, unable

His gaze stays locked on mine, unchanging,

Aiden as he walks over and

my throat, forcing my

two of us, the wheels in

muscle in his jaw ticks as

bite.

need to start planning for Christmas.

their sandwiches pausing

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

a restaurant or

tilting my head.

my gaze. Zaid finally speaks, his voice

can really

at them. "I'll do

their eyes snapping toward me. Aiden drops

swallows the bite

darkens,

looking between

audible, "We haven't celebrated Christmas

mom

passed."