Mom was in multiple chains and power suppressants, and when she saw me, she sneered and sat down, saying,
"Oh, if it isn't my greatest disappointment. You're alive, huh? Thought that teacher you were screwing killed you."
"I wasn't screwing him!" I yelled defensively, and she clicked her tongue,
"Doesn't really matter what you say. They found your DNA on his couch and evidence that you'd been living with him. You don't need to try convincing me of your lies. I'm locked up, so I really don't care."
"Mom! I'm not lying! I only lived with him because you kicked me out! It had only been a couple of days." She rolled her eyes but stayed silent. "Is that really all you had to say to me?"
"You... have always been good at getting whatever you wanted with that pretty face of yours. Since you're alive, I figure you're living well," she remarked coldly.
That felt more like an insult than an inquiry, but I nodded.
"I'm okay... how are you?" I said, forcing a polite tone. Then my voice lowered as I asked, "And why did you kill Dad?"
Mom sighed sadly,
"Oh... of course that's why you're here... Not to just see me, but to interview me like everyone else. Get into the head of a psychopath."
"Mom... you're not a psycho," I reasoned.
She feels things; she's just crazy and selfish. Her eyes changed from dark blue to pale, and she exhaled gently.
"I... was fed up... he had been cheating for a while, pretending to be gone to work... apparently, he had only been coming home because of you, and once you were set to graduate, he moved out without a word. He was planning to show up at your graduation with the other woman and have you move in with them until you had a home of your own... that's how I found him. He was upset to see you weren't at the ceremony and made a big fuss, but no one knew where you were," she explained.
I guess Qon wasn't arrested right away...
"That fuss led to the investigation that got your teacher friend put in jail," she remarked casually.
So... my dad really was only sticking around for me. Because everyone else feared her, my dad was my mom's only friend, which is why she clung to him for dear life; he was her world. Some took notice of her for her beauty, but only the bold stayed once they realized she was the Glass Sorceress.
She continued,
"I followed him back to their house. It was bigger than the one he and I made together, and they had 2 other children. The wife seemed sweet, and they looked happy, so happy that... I hated them. I just wanted to hurt him a little by killing her, but he jumped in front of my attack, using wind to force me away, but that wasn't enough to stop the momentum of my glass spear. I didn't want to kill him... before that moment...But after that, I was so pissed off that I kept stabbing them both until I could no longer recognize either's face. I made sure my glass avoided their vitals until I felt at peace, and that's when I let them die, that's it... nothing deep."
I thought I wouldn't cry.
I'm such a crybaby that I shouldn't be shocked by the tears streaming down my face.
"I thought you loved him," I muttered, between sniffles.
"Of course I loved Caem... I still love him... But... I couldn't stand letting him love someone other than me... You'll understand one day, sweetie... when you fall in love," Crystal, my mother, stated while patting my hand in an attempt to comfort me, but I snatched it away and stood up.
"It's boring here in jail... Oh, I know! Maybe you could sing a little song for me, sweetie?" she requested at my back.
"I'm ready to leave now," I announced to the guard.
Another guard led my mom away back to her cell, then the door to the exit was unlocked, and I was allowed to leave.
One step outside the prison gate, I called Zai. It took him a little longer to answer this time.
"Hey..?"
He didn't say anything else; he must be pausing to let me speak.
"I'm... coming back home."
"That's great... should I come to get you?" he inquired.
With this passport, I also received a license, allowing me to fly, but...
"Yes... I need a ride."
Instead of admitting that, I lied to Zai.
Heading back to Earth was just as smooth as coming to Infaniya. In other words, it was slow, tedious, and took hours.
I think the excitement I was feeling made the time drag on even longer.
Upon my return, I saw Zai waiting outside without a care in the world. I wanted to chastise him, but that would make it obvious that he didn't belong. He waved at me, then led me to where he had parked.
I like riding in a car; it takes so little effort from me, and this gives me extra time to be alone with Zai...
"It's late... we should get a room for the night," Zai suggested while looking up hotels on his phone. A night in a hotel with Zai??... Thank God I'm powered down right now, or my eyes would be blazing red.
I'd better get my head out of the gutter; he definitely doesn't have any of those kinds of intentions towards me.
"Oh, found one... It's not far," he assured me, sweetly.
Then he held my hand and said,
"This is okay with you, right? If not, I'll drive us home right now."
I nodded so hard I felt like my neck might snap.
He smirked, and I felt his usual persona waver for just a moment.
Or maybe I imagined it.
We were only on the road for 20 minutes when Zai parked the car in a parking garage. He only let go of my hand to let me get out of the car, then we were latched together again. The inside of the hotel was filled with fresh flowers and guests who were so dressed up that I felt like an eyesore.
Zai didn't seem as self-conscious as I was and confidently walked ahead to the front desk.
"How may I help you?" The male receptionist asked. There was a hint of condescension in his voice. Zai was unfazed.
"I have a reservation. Zaikel Walker."
The man looked at his computer and scrolled a bit, then his expression changed completely.
"Oh, of course! Your room is ready, sir."
When did he make reservations, and why is this snobby guy suddenly kissing his ass?! How did he plan this stop ahead of time? Maybe Zai is more calculating than he appears.
We were handed a card key, and another worker led us to the elevator and then to a room on the 12th floor. Zai handed the worker some money, and he left with a big smile on his face. Once we were alone, I whispered,
"Who are you?"
"I'm Zai... you know me."
He then opened the door, while releasing my hand and putting his arm around my waist.
"Are you ready to get some sleep?" I tensed up, allowing him to lead me inside,
"I'm not tired yet," I argued.
Zai closed the door behind me and whispered,
"Neither am I..."
He leaned his face closer to mine, and I closed my eyes in anticipation. When nothing happened, I opened my eyes to see his face still inches from mine.
"What are you doing, Zai??" I asked nervously.
"I was going to kiss you... But you closed your eyes," he murmured.
It feels like my heart is doing cartwheels.
"Look at me, because I need to be sure you want me to kiss you," he added silently, then he pressed his lips against mine.
I held him and gripped onto his shirt, keeping my eyes open to meet his demand, even though he had his closed. Once he finally pulled away, he covered his mouth with his hand and smiled, making his dimples clearly visible.
"Thank you," I chimed.
Why am I thanking him?! What's going on in my head?
Zai chuckled lightly.
This is the first time we've been truly alone together... and he kisses me.
Seeming to sense how nervous I was, Zai changed the topic.
"You said... you were training to be a singer... can I hear you sing something?" he asked while walking away and sitting on the bed, facing toward me.
"Don't worry, the room is soundproof," Zai assured.
Why does that fact make me more nervous?
When Mom asked me to sing, I felt insulted. Like I was reduced to a doll that plays songs for her entertainment. Yet, with Zai, I can't even imagine refusing him.
"Okay... if you really want to hear it."
I took a deep breath, then built up my courage to sing, this time singing a love song I had memorized.
Zai listened without his face changing at all, but when I finished the song, he whispered,
"Beautiful..."
He then used his finger to gesture me closer. I walked slowly, and he smiled, saying,
"The lyrics are so... interesting, very romantic. Why did you choose that song?"
He really wants to put me on the spot... but he already confessed to me with that kiss... the least I can do is be a little honest.
"It's called flirting, Zai," I said, using humor to ease some of my tension.
He laughed at my response.
"Oh... So you're making moves on me now?" he teased.
I looked away from him and fiddled with my fingers.
"Well..." I cleared my throat, "You kissed me, so you made the first move," I muttered defensively.
I could feel his eyes on my cheek, then he slowly lifted his hands and held my hips.
"I did that because I missed you so much. I would have waited longer before trying anything, but I guess I got caught up because we've been apart so long," he admitted quietly.
My body felt hot, especially where his hands were, and I hesitated for a moment before saying,
"I feel the same way."
Zai pulled me down onto the bed.
"I can flirt too," he murmured sweetly while crawling over me and lifting my leg up against his waist. He laid me down so suddenly that I was feeling disoriented. But once that passed, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and said,
"Show me..."
He apparently took that as a challenge. His eyes flickered. I wonder if Afarions have the same tells as Infaniyans... After all, our people were once the same. A flicker would mean he was struggling to repress something strong and passionate.
"How should I show you?" he asked. His voice sounded seductive... but I didn't feel nervous because of who I was with.
"Any way you want. I..." I took a deep breath before continuing, "I just want to be with you, Zai," I admitted, and as soon as I said that, his eyes glowed like bright silver lights in the dimly lit room.
Part of me was afraid that being with Zai in this way would remind me of Qon, but everything was different.
The way he touched me sent tingles through my whole body, and he made sure to pleasure me before he pleasured himself. Each time our bodies pressed together, I was overcome with the desire to continue.
Afarions are known to be promiscuous and alluring. Maybe I, too, have fallen under his spell.
I clung to him until I was too exhausted to continue, but even then, I found myself begging him not to stop.
It wasn't until later that it finally hit me.
Wait... this feels like a few steps further than flirting!