Chapter 38: Chapter 38: SILLA

“Silla, I’m going out for a minute.” He stood in the doorway to the bedroom where I was hanging out with Chantal watching stuff on YouTube on her phone. As soon as I saw him, I remembered yesterday afternoon, and my face grew hot. I’d been spared last night because Gabriel left the house and didn’t come back until I was in bed, and I’d done my best to forget the whole incident.

Of all the times to fall back into old habits, and of all the habits to have. At least I didn’t twirl my hair around my finger like a toddler. Still, I’d rather gnaw off my thumb than do that in front of him again. “Look at me when I’m talking to you, Silla.” His voice wasn’t quite commanding, but it was authoritative all the same.

“Okay!” I finally answered him, trying to make my voice sound as strong as I could as I sat up and tried to force myself to face him. He sighed when all I did was look down at my folded hands on my lap after one quick peep at him from beneath my lashes.