(Arata)
Camilla proceeded downstairs while leaving with Karsten.
"Do you need to change first? I can help with that," he said, pointing to the closet. His expression remained passive.
Yeah! As if I were getting naked in front of him again.
"No, I am fine like this." I was being lazy, but if I was going to be lying down, I might well be comfortable
"Co, I will take you downstairs." Karsten lood over ; his hulking presence was supposed to make feel infuriated, but it didn’t.
Picking up in his huge arms, he ensured that my ankle wouldn’t bump into anything.
I held my breath, not wanting to be soaked in his scent and warmth.
His body still comforted in ways I didn’t want to accept. A part of still craved him and loved him, even though he had hurt in the worst possible ways.
Tilting my head away from him, I tried not to feel the heat of his body seeping into . The comfort it brought was overwhelming.
"I need my phone," I said without looking at him, and he bent slightly down to grab it from the table.
"Got it." I snatched it from his hand as he steered us out of the room.
The call to Baba was needed; I had to inform him that I wouldn’t be able to co yet. My heart beca restless at the thought of not going to my family.
Karsten was carefully descending the stairs now. My left breast was squashed against his flat chest, and I tried not to be affected by the feelings that refused to die in my chest.
But my treacherous breath hitched as I felt every contact point between us...
His hard arms were under my back and knees. The ruggedness of his chest and the grasp of his fingers against my arm and leg.
This man had developed such a grasp on that no matter how I tried to harden my heart, it still propelled itself towards him.
I could only pretend to be indifferent, but I couldn’t in reality.
’Let this journey from the upper floor to the lower floor be over soon,’ I prayed all the while making the mistake of tilting my head and observing his face.
Like the cocky male he was, he observed my reactions to his proximity. He knew how his closeness affected .
And I wanted to openly curse him.
"Here!" Camilla’s voice disrupted our staring. My eyes found a comfortable reclining chaise lounge placed near the fireplace with a pillow.
Karsten gently laid down and adjusted my legs, taking extra care not to touch my ankle.
Camilla adjusted the pillow behind while Asbela covered with a soft blanket.
I was being treated like a princess; if only I were a princess of his heart, too.
"Are you comfortable?" Karsten asked, still looming over , and I gave him a small nod.
The chaise lounge lded against my body; it wasn’t too soft or hard, providing just the right amount of cushioning. My ankle had ceased to pain, now that the effects of painkillers had kicked in.
The breakfast was eaten around with Asbela placing a small portable table on the chaise lounger.
She served my breakfast of strawberry yoghurt, cheese olette and toast, along with plenty of fresh fruits.
My stomach was full of soup, but I still tried to make an effort and eat a bit as the hawk-eyed predator sat right opposite , observing every morsel I took.
After breakfast, it was ti to decorate the Christmas Tree. Asbela and Olphi brought boxes of Christmas decorations.
The crisp scent of pine was heavy in the living room. The fresh but bare Christmas tree stood tall in the corner, waiting to be decorated.
We didn’t celebrate Christmas back in Angel City, but here in Marica, it was very traditional, and I was all into enjoying this new experience.
Camilla’s eyes sparkled with excitent as she leaned down and observed a box filled with delicate glass baubles.
"So where should we begin?" She asked, turning to her son who stood near the tree, eyeing it as if he wished he could freeze it too.
"We can begin with fairy lights," he unenthusiastically said, seeming like he was being forced to take part in this activity. His face didn’t mirror his mother’s enthusiasm.
"Co on, Karsten. I know you are not really fond of Christmas, but do it for Arata’s sake. It’s her first ti with us." Camilla knew of her son’s distaste for the celebration, and I wondered what the story was.
His dark eyes wandered off to , and I silently watched him.
"Right," he absent-mindedly answered, lost in so distant thoughts.
"Arata, would you like to weave these garlands and fasten them with ribbons? If you are feeling like it?" Camilla carefully asked. She sounded such a different woman from the one I had t in Sparia.
Either she had a change of heart, or she was too good at pretending.
"Yes, please." I could still use my hands and put them to good use.
Camilla brought the box of threads with gaudy paper flowers and red ribbons. She placed it on the table I had previously used for breakfast.
"Here, let know if you need help." She flashed a smile, and I returned it before picking up a thread and needle.
Camilla returned to Karsten’s side. They took a string of golden lights and both of them began to weave it through the branches. Karsten worked towards the top since he was tall, while Camilla secured it around the base of the tree.
They worked in perfect harmony, and I knew this wasn’t their first ti.
After the lights, they worked on tinsels, stars, baubles and other decorations. Glass snowflakes seed extrely delicate and srising as Karsten brought them out and hung them up.
His arms stretched, and I could see the bulging muscles of his biceps. His black shirt lifted slightly while he reached towards the top to hang a snowflake, making my treacherous eyes latch onto the revealed sculpted skin under.
Why was he built to perfection?
"All done?" Camilla’s voice brought back to reality, and I snatched my gaze away from the icy devil and focused on his mother.
"Yes, yes. Here." I handed her the garlands I had made, and my phone began to ring.
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