Alina's POV
The door behind me clicked softly as Princess Phina left the bathroom. I was all alone, but I had this feeling like I was being watched.
I wasn't able to move, breathing suddenly became hard as my heart hammered against my ribcage. I grabbed my left hand with my right, allowing my newly manicured nails to dig into my skin.
I couldn't feel the pain; my whole body felt numb as I looked up at my reflection. The color in my face had drained, and I bit on my lower lip in nothing but fear.
Why would she do that to me? We had never met each other personally.
I couldn't let anyone find out about what happened. Taking a deep breath, I splashed some water on my face and took slow steps toward the door.
If Charmaine knew this was what happened, she'd definitely get more paranoid.
I, who had asked her to stay back, got cornered and probably even assaulted by someone who was against my father.
Pathetic. I could literally imagine the mocking smile that would form on her lips if she was told. I shuddered as I pushed the door open, finally stepping out of the toilet.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" The bodyguard immediately reached out to touch my arm, but I moved back slowly, glaring at him from under my lashes.
Aurelius had sent a bodyguard to go with me. Even with his intimidating presence and starched-up suit, I didn't feel safe.
"I'm fine, let's go." I moved past him, my steps careful and controlled. If I got him suspicious, then Aurelius would surely find out.
We went back to the dining area, and I sat in front of Aurelius. He motioned to the bill that was beside his plate.
"You spent an awful amount of time using the bathroom," Aurelius said, tearing his eyes off his phone as he stared at me. His eyes were blank and held a slight hint of suspicion.
I gulped and smiled at him. "It's… uhm… I suddenly got my period."
I lied to him, and I saw his eyes go wide before his cheeks slowly turned pink. Aurelius rarely got embarrassed, but seeing him blushing like this made me chuckle slightly.
"Okay, since I've settled the bill. Let's go." Aurelius stood up, grabbing his things. I couldn't even argue with him anymore—I was tired and scared. I didn't want something else to happen while Charmaine was at home.
The ride back to the Villa felt suffocating and stiff. Aurelius didn't try to start up any conversation with me, and I wasn't ready to speak to anyone for fear of being discovered.
I gulped as I turned to look at the window, slowly winding it down. A rush of cold breeze hit my face, and I found myself slowly calming down.
The smirk Princess Phina had given earlier made me shudder, but not from the cold—from an emotion everybody already knew. I closed my eyes and slowly shook my head.
If I kept behaving like this, our dear Charmaine would be able to see right through my little act. I was so immersed in my thoughts I had no idea we had pulled up in the Villa's garage.
"Alina—" I heard Aurelius's voice break the silence. I shook my head, reaching for the handle of the car door, but a warm hand was suddenly placed on mine, making me flinch.
Aurelius chuckled darkly. His voice was low, and it made me close my eyes out of instinct. "Alina, what are you not telling me?"
He asked, and I gulped, turning to look at him through all the darkness. "Can we get out of the car first?"
He grunted but still agreed to my request. We stood beside each other under one of the light bulbs, and I suddenly felt butterflies in my stomach. I kept my head low, avoiding his eyes.
"Are you speaking, or do you want to have a call with your father?" Aurelius said. I wasn't scared of Dad. He had done too much in my life; whatever he would do would not affect me too much. "Or would you rather I get Charmaine down here?"
I flinched at that name and slowly raised my head to look at him. His eyes softened on meeting mine, and I was shocked when he pulled me into his arms.
His arms wrapped around my waist as he bent to my level. The tears I had been holding for a while slowly formed in my eyes, but I didn't want to be defeated so easily.
"I'm not hiding anything, let me go." I pushed against his chest stubbornly, but Aurelius was in fact stronger than me. He didn't respond, but his silence was comforting, and the tears I had been holding slowly rolled down my cheeks.
"Let it all out, darling." He rubbed my back softly, and I held onto his shirt as though I was fighting for my life.
"P-Princess Phina… we met in the bathroom, and she said something about Dad. She touched me, and I couldn't do anything." I sobbed. I felt so weak as I listened to myself, but Aurelius didn't care—he pulled me even closer to him.
"Phina? You let her touch you?" He yelled at me, making me flinch, and my sobs got louder. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. You should've told me instead of keeping it to yourself."
"I know." I sniffed, pulling away from him. My mascara was probably smudged all over my face, but I didn't care. "Can you not tell Dad… and Charmaine?"
I asked, and I saw him frown, but soon he nodded with a sigh, walking closer to me. "You don't need to be scared of me. I'd never do anything to hurt you." He reached closer, wiping my tears with his fingers.
His fingers were soft and warm. I moved closer to him, wrapping my arms around his neck as I leaned in to kiss him.
Reject me! Push me away! my mind screamed. I shouldn't be doing this, but why did it seem so right?
Aurelius pulled me closer by my waist. As his lips touched mine, I felt my knees immediately go weak.