Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 224

Hard Already

1 Week Later

The box sits in the center of the kitchen island like some object that can tell us the future.

It's not wrapped in bright paper or topped with a bow, just a sleek black box with gold edging. It's paired with a white envelope and my name is written in calligraphy across the textured paper.

Zaid stands beside me, arms crossed, frowning at it like it personally insulted him. "You gonna open it?"

I tilt my head, studying it with a squint. "I don't even know what to open. It looks like it might just be for decor?"

He raises an eyebrow. "A box for decor?"

I shrug, lifting the thing gently. It's heavier than I expected. "She's rich. You should know

how rich people are. You are one."

Zaid lets out a short laugh. "There's money rich, like my dad. And then there's rich rich like your aunt. That's a whole other breed."

I grin at him, shaking my head. With a heavy sigh. I walk the box to our newly furnished living room and set it on the coffee table.

I'll open the envelope tomorrow, on my actual birthday.

When I walk back into the kitchen, Zaid already has ingredients out for dinner. His sleeves are pushed up, and he's chopping a zucchini and mushrooms, while the steaks sit out with salt and pepper.

I lean against the counter, watching him, taking in the way his forearms moves.

"What do you want to do tomorrow?" He glances at me, a small smile pulling at his lips.

I blink at him and then frown. "I don't know. But my aunt wants to take us out for dinner."

1/5

11:34 pm

Hard Already

His smile widens. "So I have all day tomorrow with you until then?"

I nod. "We could just get breakfast somewhere. Walk around. I don't care. I just

want to spend the whole day with you."

His smile fades, his expression pulling tight. Like the words hurt.

I frown. "What?"

chopping, slower

"Zaid."

knife down, hands braced on the edge of the counter. "I don't know how much

heart stutters. I move toward him. "Do

they're full of so much longing and frustration. "Stay away

you."

inches from him. "Then

tightening. "Alina, we've only been here two

to read the expression

therapy. You met your aunt. You're lighter.

whisper, wanting to show him that most of that is because

he mutters, looking at me in a way

feel my heart turn

don't want to be the reason that stops," he

reach for his hand, curling my fingers around his.

stop trying. I won't

a quiet, strangled sound, like

2/5

Hard Already

if we just take it slow?" I whisper.

together."

gonna be hard,"

I whisper, grinning

comes up, cupping my jaw gently. His

warmth of his touch, the safety

at first, like he's testing the waters. Then deeper,

back of my neck, and the whole world narrows down to this, to his mouth, his touch,

pull apart,

"I love you, Alina."

the smile that spreads across

forehead leans against mine, our breaths mingling, and for a moment I think that's it; we've finally

pulls back, just a little. His

his sides. There's a tightness

I ask quietly. "You look

softly,

brows knit.

we even know how things are gonna look now." He pulls back enough to really look at me, searching my

blink. "What do you

your aunt, this place,

the nerves. "You think

3/5

Hard Already

together?"