Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 101

A Secret

My heart hammers in my chest as I hear the click of the doorknob. It only takes a second before Zaid's door swings open.

I can feel my breath hitch in my throat and he just stands there, staring at me like

I'm at ghost. His dark eyes flick over me, from my face to my toes.

It's slow, deliberate, hot. His jaw tightens, and I lick my lips as it draws my attention.

"Can I..." I hesitate, my voice quieter than I intended. "Can I spend the night with you?"

He doesn't answer immediately, and I press my lips together, wrapping my arms around myself, suddenly unsure. Should I just walk away?

His frown is slight, but it's there, barely noticeable if I weren't so attuned to him. He watches me for a long second, those dark eyes melting my insides. Then he exhales through his nose and steps aside, pushing the door open wider.

I walk in, feeling the heat of his presence behind me as the door clicks shut. The silence

settles around us is almost too much to bear. He walks around me, toward his bed, where he begins to pick up the books he has scattered across it.

I take in his appearance. His damp hair, the way his grey sweatpants sit low on his hips, the faint sheen of water still clinging to his skin. My gaze drifts lower, tracing the jagged

scars that stretch from his abdomen to his back and over his shoulder blades.

I swallow hard and finally break the silence. "You're upset."

Zaid shrugs, shaking his head.

"You are."

"Why would I be upset?" His voice is flat, carefully neutral.

I hesitate before whispering, "I'm sorry I pulled away from you."

He stiffens, keeping his gaze locked onto the floor.

My fingers tighten around the fabric of my shirt. "I just... I'm not sure I want your father

1/5

A Secret

to know."

me and something flickers in his eyes. He huffs out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "Why?" he

am I supposed to answer that? I don't want Jake to know because he has

good enough for you?" His jaw tightens

at him.

afraid of tarnishing your reputation by being with

sharply. "No, Zaid.

is it?" His voice is quiet, but there's an

insecurity in his eyes and my chest aches. I want to

it away;

to reassure him that I don't feel like that at all. The pain

I'm standing, it feels like you're willing to

Aiden out

tighten. "No, Zaid. No. It's

heaving, his nostrils flaring, but he says

in a relationship like this before, with two people. And I don't know how to handle the judging. I don't

darken. "And what? You think keeping me a secret

with the both of us out in public.

at him. This is so much more complicated than he

2/5

spill everything.

his damp hair before looking at me again. "You think

4 shake my head.

voice is quieter now, but no less intense. "One

Tell everyone."

he's right. Jake will have to know eventually, and Aiden and Zaid will have to know

fear in my eyes because he

Only be with me in secret while you

because I don't want that.

I want Aiden.

I want Jake.

all too

eyes, and that has him

rubbing

lips tremble. "I don't- I don't want to

eyes scanning my

you think people won't talk? That they won't treat us differently? This isn't exactly a normal relationship.” The words come out of me and I

can't stop them, my love. We can only choose what we do. Either you will have to choose one of

judgement of being with both

the chance to tell him