I felt the intoxicating weight of lips on mine, a rush of sweetness that tasted like ripe berries intertwined with the forbidden thrill of red barriers. My mind was a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts, overwhelmed by the reality that I was experiencing my first kiss—Damon wasn't the one I wanted to push away, yet my hands felt frozen, unable to break free from this unexpected moment.
As he pulled away, the world came crashing back, and I watched in horror as a punch landed squarely on his cheek. A scream tore from my throat, echoing through the tense air, and Damon retaliated with two quick strikes that followed, his fury palpable.
"Get off my sister!"
The words rang out like a clarion call, filled with rage and protectiveness.
I had never seen Damon so furious before; he resembled a ravenous wolf—fierce and wild. A shiver of fear coursed through me at the sight.
Humph…
"I can touch and kiss whoever I want, Damon. You can't dictate that, or are you afraid she might choose me instead?
Oh, I forgot—she's your sister.
His words dripped with a teasing smirk, a wicked smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Damon groaned, frustration etched across his features, and firmly took my hand, guiding me out of the room.
As we settled into the quiet atmosphere of dinner, I could feel my mind racing, a whirlwind of thoughts spiralling within me. After the earlier incident, Damon had simply led me to my room and left me there, the silence echoing around me. I attempted to distract myself with videos, but nothing could calm the storm of questions swirling in my head. Was Jared really lying about the engagement? I longed to ask Mum, but she had firmly stated no questions until after dinner. Eventually, I was reluctantly summoned by my second brother to join the family at the table.
I focused on my plate, doing my best to eat while avoiding Damon's gaze. The way he had reacted stirred something within me, leaving me to wonder if perhaps he really did harbour feelings for me.
"Everyone, I have good news,"
My mum announced, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he looked around the table.
"Everyone, I have some wonderful news!"
My dad's eyes sparkled as he exchanged a warm smile with my mum. She beamed back at him, her delight palpable in the air. A swirl of thoughts rushed through my mind.
"Our sweet Elara is engaged!"
My mother's voice rang with joy, and it felt like the ground beneath me shifted. I stood there, utterly shocked, while Damon, in a sudden fit of frustration, struck his spoon against his plate and stormed out of the room.
"What's with him?"
Daniel asked, confusion etched on his face.
"Mum! You can't just marry me off to someone I don't know!"
My voice trembled, urgency laced within it.
"I don't know him! I don't have feelings for
him! Mum!!"
"I know, my dear,"
She replied soothingly,
"But you two will surely get to know each other. He's coming over tomorrow for a talk, maybe even a date—just like all those things young people do."
I quietly sank into a chair, a wave of unease washing over me. It wasn't that I hated Jared Medhurst. In fact, he was undeniably cool, and the kiss we shared was intoxicating. I could still feel the warmth of it, lingering on my lips, and the flutter in my chest stirred with the thought of trying it again. Maybe if we went out together and eventually married, I could manage to erase Damon from my heart entirely. Perhaps that was the best course of action…?
I clutched my pounding heart, a tear threatening to spill from my eyes. I wanted to shout a definitive "no," yet deep down, an unsettling realization echoed: we were never meant to be.