Forgiveness

"Is there something going on between you and Xander?" Norah asked when they just finished their lunch.

Everyday, Norah would visit her here, the door was never locked anymore, maybe Xander didn't want Norah to get suspicious. He kept his distance since she made him erupted in the car, orrr… in her mouth.

"Nope. We're fine." Clara flipped the page on her new novel.

The book she asked Noah about stockholm syndrome never arrived at her door, so Xander knew about her little request. That bastard. Everything was in his control.

"Really? Because I love him and I don't want to come between you guys." Norah said but her fingers tapping on her phone.

Clara never got to use her phone anymore, she didn't even know where it is. "You don't need to worry, Norah. He care for you, he even threatened me if I make you cry. Remember?"

Norah looked at her. "Yes, I'm sorry, Clara. Sometimes I feel he hate you and want you at the same time. My brother could only cry if Xander steal you away from him."

She laughed, "What are you talking about Norah? The only woman he asked to accompany him to dine out is you." Clara held her hands, "You have to believe in yourself. If you really love him why don't you try to say it?"

Clara knew she pushed this young woman, but she couldn't help it. She wanted her freedom. She needed her plan to sail smoothly. She was afraid, really afraid of her own feeling if Xander didn't reciprocating Norah's love.

She was afraid she would feel relieved.

Norah looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, Clara was a beauty. She had that aura that made men want to protect her. Everything she did, even the flick of her long fingers on that page, she'd done it gracefully.

Norah tried to mimic her movement, how she sat straight on that white armchair, how she walked with the right sway of hips, how she ate, she talked, she blinked, everything!

Norah was nearly bursting with madness because her body couldn't do it. Because she wanted Xander to watch her like he watched Clara.

It was true, Xander threatened Clara if she made her cry, he said rude things to her, sometimes he ignored her so Norah was confused by his behaviour.

"You have to believe in yourself. If you really love him why don't you try to say it?" She said with soft voice.

Clara encouraged her to be with Xander, so why Norah hesitated? She should've grasp the chance. Xander was kind, compassionate, polite and patient with her. Even her own brother couldn't be patient with her.

Noah always controlled everything in her life, where she'd go, what she did, even the school was his choice. He was literally a parent, so when the crush of her life treated her like a normal women, she was fallen head over heels once again.

Clara was right. She had to try.

Norah gripped her hand, "Thank you, Clara. You're right. I have to try maybe he is just being polite and hesitating because our age gap. Hell, we're thirteen years apart, I'm 18 and he is 31." She chuckled.

"So, he is 31.. I don't even know his age and you think there is something going on between us?" Clara laughed and smoothed Norah's blonde hair.

"I pray for you and Xander."

They were hugging each other there, her heart was beating rapidly, in hope it was not an unrequited love.

***

Xander cancelled their dinner, he said he had something urgent came up and won't be home until late at night. She was already in a pretty white dress and make up on her face when she got his message.

She wanted to cry, she had prepare the best for tonight, for her confession. Norah walked to her room. Too embarrased to go back upstairs, she might cry her heart out if she saw Clara.

Her eyes were on the floor so she bumped on someone when she was about to turn the corner. "Oh, sorry."

When she lifted her head, her heart skipped a beat because she thought it was Xander.

But it was Liam!

She blushed furiously, ever since he helped her from the penthouse, Norah never saw him again. She knew Liam lived at the mansion, but he rarely showed his face. Norah haven't thank him properly because how could she?

This man used her too!

She was mad at him, so she brushed past him without acknowledge him.

"Wait, Norah." Liam held her hand and she was struggling to get away.

Liam cursed. "Sorry, Norah.. But I have to say this.. I'm in agony ever since I came back. It's taking a toll on me. I had to do it or I couldn't rescue you in time. Please forgive me, will you?"

Norah watched his desperate face with tears gathering on her eyes, "I don't blame you.. But why it had to be that way?" She started to punch him, clawing his hands away.

Liam just let her punched him, he deserved it. "I'm sorry, just let your anger out on me and forgive me, okay? Because I can't sleep, the guilt.. It haunts me."

And the other thing that haunted Liam was her gorgeous young body under him, taking him inside that tight heat, the moan she made when she got her pleasure. He tried to forget, he tried not to think about that depraved act.

If there was a device to wash brain, he would gladly wash away the memories of her. Because he came to care for Norah and wanting for more. Even now, with her smacking him furiously, he scanned that white dress she wore. He imagined he peel off that dress from her white skin and…

She was panting, sobbing, tired and Liam pushed her head on his chest.

"Just cry your heart out.. I'm sorry, Norah."

He kept saying that again and again.

"I never say thanks to you, Liam. Thank you for rescuing me but no thanks for 'that'." Norah wiped her tears from her cheeks.

Liam helped her with his big fingers, then cupped her face. "So, you're not mad at me anymore? You forgive me?"

Norah was taken aback by that gorgeous smile on his face, he was a handsome man. No, his appearance was similar to Xander, that must be why her heart was racing by a single smile.

"I forgive you.. But I have a little trouble.." Norah said in hushed tones.

Liam desperately wanting her forgiveness, "What is it? Just say it to me."

Norah averted her gaze shyly, "The.. The piercing down there.. I want to take it out."