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.

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

Aiden looks at the third plate, frowning for a second before he looks at me. "Did

I nod.

his frown deepens. I

waiting a

loudly in the silence, and

As we eat, he clears, his throat,

me to talk to him," he says, his voice low

chew my food slowly, watching him

I needed to

"Really?" The tense silence all day

1. it.

carrying so much anger. At

It was just pain."

him, my

lifts his eyes to me, the corners of his lips lifting into a soft smile.

I hadn't

respond, the sound of footsteps on the stairs

black sweatpants hanging low on his hips, a white t-shirt clinging to

2/5

Lunch

of bed,

at him,

doesn't smile back. His gaze

as

clear my throat,

of us, the wheels in his head

his

bite.

to start planning for Christmas. It's only four

freeze, their sandwiches pausing

tone cautious. "Dad

a restaurant

my head. "On

my gaze. Zaid finally speaks,

can

"I'll do

again, their eyes snapping toward me. Aiden

plate, and he swallows the bite he'd just

expression darkens, his jaw

I ask, looking between

his voice barely audible, "We haven't

mom

passed."