Gianna's POV:
It was a normal day when I woke up. I planned to catch the bus uptown so I could buy a new flower from the florist. I have to hurry so Phillip doesn't realize I left the house on my own.
When I stepped off the bus, my day changed. HE was standing steps away from the bus stop, staring at the Florist shop that I had intended to visit. His head was half-shaven, and the other half had long, luscious curls and sharp, stunning silver eyes. Only his middle fingers were painted black, and he wore a bright red Jacket as if he wanted to stand out even more than he does naturally.
"Are you going to the florist too?" I asked. At that moment, he glanced my way; his skin was so flawless, it made me envious, aside from a mole under his right eye.
"Yeah," Then he looked away from me and walked inside without another word. I walked in after him; he should know I'm not following him, right? Instead of looking around like me, he went straight to where Rira, the shop owner, was.
He smiled while talking to her. Her face lit up so brightly that she joked her wife would be jealous if she saw.
After speaking for a short time, she led him around, explaining the significance of each flower. He listened attentively.
"I'm always amazed by the depth of your knowledge," he complimented.
She began playing with her hair absent-mindedly.
"I am just glad to help."
They continued talking for approximately 10 minutes before he finally left, and I approached the counter with the potted plant I had chosen.
"Who was that? What does he want?"
She frowned at me.
"You're nosy today, Gianna," she remarked.
I scowled at her,
"Well, he didn't buy anything, so I'm curious!"
She sighed and looked at the door before replying,
"He did pay... he commissioned a big job from me... for a party and was just giving me some extra information."
Then she sighed sadly as she remembered something.
"That's it?" I asked to pry for more details out of her.
"It's private!" she declared sternly, then she rang up my plant and said,
"That'll be 21.95."
I paid, then left. I noticed him through the crowded sidewalk as soon as I got outside, waiting at a nearby crosswalk. I had to run to catch up to him.
"Hey!" I shouted from his side.
This time, he didn't even turn to look at me, and only started walking once the light turned green.
"We met by the flower shop," I stated while walking at his side, which elicited this reply from him,
"Oh."
It's something.
"I know the area really well, so I can help you get wherever you need to go! I can tell you're new around here."
Because there's no way I wouldn't have noticed someone who looks like him earlier.
"I don't need help," he answered coolly, continuing his pace assuredly down the sidewalk.
"My name is Gianna, by the way."
He didn't reply, but he started taking longer strides. I was having trouble keeping up.
"You must be lonely, at least. I can keep you company," I made sure to sound as seductive as possible. So he'd catch the hint.
I am very confident in my looks; there's no one I can't win over.
At that moment, he stopped walking and paused to really look at me for the first time. His face moved closer till it was inches from mine,
"Tell me..." His breath smelled like peppermint, and his hair fell across his face, the contrast of light highlighting his cheek dimples as he spoke.
"What do I need to do to make you leave me alone?"
His question, coupled with how close we were, stunned me so badly that I momentarily lost my voice.
That's when he groaned and began walking away again. I silently trailed after him, and soon we ended up in a high-class shopping area.
Most people couldn't even afford to eat here. The man in front of me kept walking as if he knew where he was going.
I wanted to ask him if he was sure he knew where he was going, but I kept my mouth shut. Then I watched as he went into a bridal shop. He was only inside for 30 minutes, but was escorted out by a man who looked like the owner,
"We'll see you again in a week, Mr. Walker."
Walker smiled and replied,
"I look forward to what you come up with, William."
That's when he turned to me and sneered,
"Why are you still here?"
"I... lied, I mean I am willing to be your guide, but I, really, just think you're... interesting... and was hoping we could get drinks together?" There's no way he can misunderstand me now. I'm being as straightforward as I can...
"No." He answered so quickly and bluntly that my pride was crushed.
"Why not?! Are you gay? Give me something!"
"Do you have brain damage, or do you just lack common sense?" He asked this hurtful question instead of just answering me, and then he turned and walked away. This time when I looked for him, it was as if he vanished.
How did he get away so fast?! I looked left and right, but couldn't catch a glimpse of him in either direction. It's not like I'm in love or something, but... he's exactly my type, and I'm not the type to give up on anything.
"Gianna! We've been looking all over for you!" My agent, Phillip, yelled, rushing up to me.
"How did you find me?!"
"I tracked your phone... We have an appointment to get to now, come on!"
Then he grabbed my wrist and dragged me away before I could figure out where the mystery man went.
-END
CHAPTER 29 (Snowe's POV)
Zai locked the door to his room as soon as we were both inside. He never locks the door, no matter what we're doing.
"What's going on?" I asked, starting to feel a little anxious.
"You're too young to have memory loss," Zai replied, circling from behind till he came in front of me.
"I know it's not our anniversary yet..." I replied, dumbfounded.
He snickered, then I blinked, and he was gone.
I heard a loud thunderous noise, and a gust of wind, and then I felt him wrap his arms around me from behind.
"Do you want to keep guessing, or should I just tell you?"
His breath tickled my neck as he spoke.
"... Tell me, please," I answered.
I felt my arms tied behind my back, and Zai threw me over his shoulder as he walked towards the bed.
"Eep!" I exclaimed while kicking my feet.
"I held back because you had to work... so now it's time for payback."
I remember now! I began flailing in his arms to no avail.
I could feel the energy draining from my body, and my connection to water was fading...
This is the same rope he wore during training!
Do humans feel this way all the time?
He threw me down onto my back and pulled off his shirt, which killed my urge to escape my fate.
I had to pause and stare at him. I was practically drooling.
Then I shook my head rapidly so I could regain my senses.
"Wait! I only had you tied for five minutes, and Valin interrupted before I did anything!" I pleaded.
Zai tapped his chin and then tilted his head.
"I remember being tied up for 2 hours and 17 minutes."
"You asked me to tie you up! I only teased you for five minutes! Really!" I argued.
He laughed and leaned down to kiss me, weakening my defenses even more.
"Irrelevant. I had been restrained for over two hours, I asked for your help, and I warned you." His eyes gleamed, and then he brushed his hair back.
At the touch of his fingers, his hair changed from black to silver, his tattoos faded away, and his skin seemed to glow.
"So today, I'm not holding back."
"You... you... you, you." I was blushing, and my head felt so fuzzy that I forgot what I wanted to say.
"You're beautiful..."
Was all that left my lips.
His hands pressed against the comforter around my head,
"So are you," he replied, in a teasing voice, as if mocking me for earlier.
I was too awestruck to be upset. He's still Zai, but now he's even more dazzling than I could ever imagine.
Even his eyes sparkled like they were filled with stars. His face was inching closer to mine, and when our mouths touched, I felt a jolt of electricity run through my whole body.
There was no pain, but an overpowering sense of pleasure coursed through every inch of me.
It was so intense that it brought me to tears, and I began trembling.
Zai pulled away just enough to get a clear view of my face, and then he stroked my cheek with an amused expression,
"Why are you crying already? We haven't even started."
I got close to passing out several times before the time together ended.
I thought he was bluffing to scare me when he said he'd been holding back!
He had a timer set, and as soon as it went off, he unbound my hands and tossed the ropes aside.
Though his hands stayed on my hips and lips against my neck, as if he was considering not letting me go.
"Transform... I want to see your eyes," he demanded.
It was hard to stay focused; everywhere that our skin touched was so sensitive that I wanted to scream, but I was too tired to make a sound.
"Snowe?" He sat up and said my name with worry, which helped me relax enough to do as he requested.
Zai sighed with relief and laid his forehead against mine.
"You're a monster," I blurted.
Zai pouted,
"Why would you say that?" he said in a sad tone.
I know he's only pretending to be hurt, but part of me still felt bad.
Thankfully, transforming into my true energized form was rapidly regenerating my stamina.
"Did you learn your lesson?" he inquired.
I gave him a defiant look and said,
"... I'd do it again if given the chance."
Zai's laughter filled the room.
"I love you so much," he exclaimed before kissing me passionately, and I, happy to finally have my arms free, threw those arms over his shoulders and held him close.
When I woke up the next day, I checked my phone, surprised to see a text from Valin,
"Parallel lines have so much in common, it's a shame they'll never meet!" He must have found more math jokes online. The next text read "What's going on in there? Are you still alive?" I felt my temperature rising, and I sat up in bed.
Is the comforter green? Zai must have changed it while I was sleeping...
Wait, that's not important right now! I forgot that other people live with us. Did RJ hear that too?!
How am I going to face them? I know they heard things before, but yesterday... was different. I shook Zai's shoulder, and he grumbled but sat up regardless.
"What's going on?" he mumbled, with a yawn.
"I ... don't want to go downstairs alone."
I won't tell him my reasoning, it'll just make me feel more flustered.
Zai leaned forward and gazed up at me affectionately,
"Your eyes are my favorite color right now."
"What color is that?" I asked, going off track and following his pace in conversation.
"Crimson red."
Again?!
He then reached under the bed to pull his phone out of his jeans pocket and aim it in my direction.
"Are you taking my picture?!" I asked, covering my face.
"I want to remember how you looked at me before you power down... consider it payment for me getting up so early."
I reluctantly lowered my hands, allowing him to capture my photo. He presented his phone to me right after; he wasn't exaggerating.
This eye color is rare because it's caused by feelings bordering on obsession, and I know what I'm feeling right now is what I always feel whenever I look at him... That means I've lost my mind.
Love this strong can be dangerous.