EMILY

The Storm (4)

Emily's POV

As soon as I heard Dad's voice, I pushed Justin away and stood up in hurry. My knees were still shaking due to what just happened but I braced myself and moved forwards.

"Emily! Sweetheart where are you?" his voice boomed in the lounge.

"What now?" I felt Justin stand up beside me.

"Stay here. Don't move." I said in hushed voice and rushed towards the source of light that was coming from the lounge. "Dad." I ran towards him and hugged him, he wrapped his arms around me.

"Were you afraid sweety?" he asked and I nodded. I was afraid, not because of the darkness but because of what I did.

"How's the weather outside?" I asked as the roars of thunder penetrated my ears.

"Stormy." he said. "My car broke down. Thank God I found a ride."

"That's great." I smiled, hiding my nervousness from him. "Would you like to change first?"

"Yeah. Keep this torch with you. I have a spare one in my bathroom." he said and left for his room. I sighed in relief and tiptoed towards the hallway. Justin clenched his eyes when I flashed him with the torch.

"Come on. You have to hide in my room." I told him and led him to my room, with his footsteps silently following me. My heart was hammering inside my chest due to the kiss but that was another issue. Right now, I had to hide Justin from Dad.

Once we were inside my room, the atmosphere charged with tension. I had no idea what to say and neither did he.

"Why didn't you tell your father about my presence?" he asked and I gulped the saliva down my throat.

"Um. He.. He doesn't like you. He won't appreciate your presence." I said, staring at the floor. When he was with Chloe, he never spared a chance of misbehaving with Dad. That explained why Dad despised his guts.

"And you?" he asked, stepping closer to me. I was already against the door so I had nowhere to back away.

"Me?" I blurted out. "What about me?"

He continued walking towards me until he was towering over my short height. "Do you like my presence?" his voice was thickened with hope.

My throat felt parched when he caged me between his arms. "Emily!" he leaned towards me and whispered in my ears, sending chills down my spine.

"Justin!" I murmured. "Don't.. Don't do this." My eyes closed on their own and I let out an exasperated groan. "Let me go."

A part of me didn't really want him to let me go, the part that longed for his touch but for once, he decided to give me some space and actually backed away.

I stared at him in surprise. "I'll be waiting for you." he said and retreated few steps. Nodding, I turned around and dashed out of the room, with tears welling in my eyes.

...

After having dinner with Dad in the light of a candle, I put some rice in a plate for Justin and brought it with me to my room. But when I entered inside, I found him sleeping on my bed, snoring lightly. A smile made its way to my lips as I stepped closer to him.

He looked so peaceful, almost like a kid. His lower lip was jutted out in a pout and his eyelashes were touching his high cheekbone. Putting the plate aside, I brought my hands to his cheeks and ran my fingers along his sharp jaw.

"How can someone be so beautiful?" I thought to myself.

I went back to the lounge to bring the blankets back and covered him with it. He snuggled deeper into it and heaved a small sigh.

Placing a small kiss on his forehead, I sat down on the chair beside the bed and rested my head back against the wall.

...

Justin's POV

I kept turning and tossing on the bed because it was much smaller than the one in my room, my legs were hanging down from it. At last, I gave up and shifted to a sitting position, stretching my arms over my head. A figure on the chair caught my attention and I turned towards it.

It was Emily, sleeping in a rather uncomfortable position on the chair. I had caused her trouble once again, this time unknowingly.

Walking towards her, I scooped her in my arms. She snuggled in my chest and wrapped her arms around me. I chuckled inwardly at the feeling of her warm body in my arms. Bringing her to bed, I laid her down and settled beside her. She was still clinged to me and if it was upto me, I'd never change that.

But I don't think she'd appreciate me taking advantage of her sleep. So I created a barrier of pillows between us and lay down beside her, propping my head up with the help of my elbow.

She looked angelic in the white shirt. Her skin looked so soft, like it would break under my touch. She was really beautiful, not just attractive but beautiful in literal sense. The kind of beauty which inspires singers and poet.

Wow. I sound really whipped.

Before I could embarass myself further, I decided to sleep, ignoring my uncomfortable position.

...

Emily's POV

"Ugh." I mumbled, scooting closer to the source of warmth. Two strong arms pulled me closer to a hard chest, making me feel protected of all the evil in the world.

"Emily! Emily!" Dad's voice reached my ears followed by a knock.

Lazily, I opened my eyes and gasped when my eyes fell on Justin's face inches away from mine.

"Shoot." I panicked and shook him hard. He woke up hurriedly and looked around in worry.

"Dad." I whispered and pulled him to sitting position. It wasn't easy, considering that he weighed tons.

The sky had cleared and sunlight was penetrating the glass windows. "Get out through the window." I said and he made a contorted face.

"I don't want to die." he said and I groaned.

"Em?" Dad's voice erupted once again.

"Just a minute Dad." I tried to keep my voice straight despite my trembling tongue.

"Please." I beseeched.

"But-"

"Please Justin." I gave him my puppy dog look which I didn't think would work on him.

"Fine." he said and stood up. He first observed the surroundings of my window and then leaped out, holding the edge of the window. My heart pounded against my ribs as I watched him hanging outside my room.

"Be safe." I said and he stared at me with a small smirk on his face.

"Go on a date with me." he said, jumping on a pipe.

"What?" I shrieked.

"Go on a date with me." he repeated.

"Now is not the time Justin." I said and closed the curtains.

"Say yes otherwise I'll jump." he threatened, looking amused.

"Justin." I whined.

Dad knocked at the door again.

"Please." he pouted his lips.

Another knock.

"No." I stated firmly.

"I'm jumping then." he warned.

Another knock.

Shoot. Fudge. Shoot.

"Fine." I agreed at last. "Now go."

He flashed me a toothy grin and then jumped down, giving me a mini heart attack. But he landed safely and rose to standing position in no time, opposite to what I had expected.

Letting out a relaxed sigh, I closed the window and rushed towards the door to open it.

_________________________