Episode:22

That word sent my heart to fluttering. I did not know why. Was it the tone in which he had said it? The way his eyes searched mine, holding a weight I could not quite define? My breath quickened as Robert leaned forward, his movements deliberate and slow, giving me time to stop him if I wanted to.

But I did not.

He leaned forward, his chest brushing against mine, and then laid me gently down on the bed. His body pressed against my side as he lay next to me. We were facing each other, so close that I felt his warmth, close enough that the faint scent of cologne from him filled the air between us.

Not saying a word to the other, for a moment, we merely looked at one another, with our breath mixing inside this tiny space. His eyes would shift from mine to my lips and back. The intensity caused my heart to beat fast in my chest.

"Shall we start the real one?" he asked his low murmur caused shivers inside my spine.

I couldn't hear my voice. My breath caught in my throat, my chest rising and falling with a cadence I could not command. I felt a warmth spreading across my cheeks, a nervous energy churning in my stomach.

Robert's lips curled into a soft, teasing smile. "You are nervous," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.

"I am not—" I started out to protest, but my voice betrayed me, shaking over the single word.

"It's okay," he said soothingly. His hand came to my head, his fingers combing through my hair as if to comfort me. "You don't need to say anything. I just want you to trust me," he said.

His head dropped closer, his eyes locking onto mine, and I felt the air shift around us. He was going to kiss me. My heart hammered against my ribcage, the anticipation almost unbearable. His lips were inches from mine, the warmth of his breath brushing against my skin, and I was drowning in the moment.

But then, the shrill ring of my phone pierced the tension like a knife. I winced, opening my eyes at the same time as the spell between us snapped.

Robert let out a heavy sigh, his forehead resting against mine for a fleeting second before he pulled back. "You should get that," he said softly.

I reached out for the phone on the nightstand, my fingers fumbling over each other in my haste. Emma's name lit up the screen.

"Hello?" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Amy," Emma's voice came through, tight with urgency. "I need your help. I had a small accident—just my knee—but I can't walk. Can you come to the hospital?" Emma said.

My stomach twisted with worry. "Of course! Are you okay? Is someone with you?" I asked Emma.

"No, I'm alone," she said, her voice cracking slightly. "Please come."

I'm on my way," I said, hanging up the phone and looking over at Robert, who sat up in bed and watched me worriedly.

"What happened?" he asked, his brows furrowed.

"Emma is in the hospital," I explained, grabbing a sweater. "She fell and twisted her knee; she needs me to be there."

Without even waiting for my question, Robert sat up. "I'll take you," he said.

I started to protest but was silenced by a very firm look from his eyes. "Okay," I murmured as I began pulling on my shoes.

The drive was quiet, but the air between us was charged. My brain was racing over how worried I was for Emma, but there was a part of me that couldn't just stop replaying the moment. The way he lingered over my hand, shifting gears while glancing to check on me from time to time, hurt my heart in ways I barely understood.

At one point, Robert touched out to me, his hand gently resting upon the back of my head. He stroked the hair on my head softly, a touch that grounded me in a way I didn't want to expect.

"It's going to be okay," he said, his voice stable and comforting.

I nodded, unable to find words to express my feelings.

When we reached the hospital, Emma sat in the emergency ward, her leg propped up on a chair. A sigh of relief was breathed out as the doctor told me that it was just a minor sprain and that she could go home with some rest and pain medication.

"Thank you for coming," Emma said as I helped her up. Her eyes widened when she noticed Robert standing behind me. "Wait… is that Robert? What's he doing here?"

Robert stepped forward, his smile disarming as always. "Just helping Amy out," he said casually.

Emma's gaze darted between us, a glint of curiosity in her eyes. "Hmm," she said, her tone heavy with implication.

"Let's get you home," I said quickly, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory.

Robert drove us back to my house, his presence a steadying force as Emma continued to throw curious glances our way. When we finally arrived, I helped her onto the couch while Robert carried her bag inside.

As he set the bag down, Emma turned to me with a smirk. "So… you and Robert, huh?"

"There's nothing to tell," I said hastily, turning away my head.

"Nothing?" she echoed, incredulity dripping off each word. "Amy, I may be wounded, but I'm not blind. The way he looks at you…"

" I don't know what you are referring to," I mumbled, heat rising into my cheeks.

Robert chuckled quietly and leaned on the doorway. "Emma, maybe you should get some rest. You've had a long day."

Emma raised an eyebrow but settled back against the couch. "Fine. But this conversation isn't over."

After making sure Emma was comfortable, Robert turned to me. "I should get going," he said softly.

I walked him to the door, my heart heavy with unspoken words. As he reached for the handle, he paused, his eyes meeting mine.

"Take care of her," he said, his voice low and sincere. "And yourself."

I will," I whispered, barely above a whisper.

He hesitated a moment, looking at me, as if to say something else. But he nodded and disappeared into the darkness, outside.

Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it, my heart still racing with everything that happened.

Back in the living room, Emma was gazing at me with curiosity. "Amy, you have a lot to explain," she said, grinning.

I let out a groan, covering my face with my palms. "Emma, not now."

And yet, even as I said that, I couldn't help but let a small smile tug at the corner of my mouth.