11

11

I was utterly perplexed.

Exhausted, I eventually drifted off into a hazy slumber, not even noticing when Henry Smith finished his shower.

All I knew was that when I woke up the next morning, his arm was tightly wrapped around my waist, as if afraid I might sneak out in the middle of the night for a secret rendezvous.

I didn't want to get up, so I kept pretending to be asleep.

The arm he'd lent me as a pillow shifted slightly, his hand gently stroking the back of my head as he placed a feather-light kiss on the corner of my mouth.

It was as if he was protecting his most precious treasure.

My mind nearly short-circuited, unable to comprehend this sudden change in his behavior.

I must be dreaming.

And the next second proved that thought correct.

He suddenly spoke, his tone laced with cruelty: "Are you hoping I'll treat you like this every day?"

Uh oh.

He knew I was faking sleep?

"Awake but not getting up? You're making my arm go numb, Estrella."