•Leiara•
My feet get rooted in place, body unable to move, and even a proper breath, I am too scared to draw.
Those brown eyes of his, a color reminiscent of the sky when it's dusk. A shade that feels should only radiate warmth, actually only does the opposite.
At least toward me.
I've always wondered how those eyes would look when they weren't oozing out a cold glare. How beautiful they would seem.
And I never thought I'd get to see it one day. But… should I thank Willa? For letting me finally witness this moment?
His eyes remain piercing toward me. So cold it seems to release snowflakes that sting my bare skin.
I tremble at this, my muscles feeling like they are seizing, causing my hands and legs to quiver.
I don't want to look this pathetic. Not in front of him or Willa. But it seems my body itself is out of my control.
It always is in his presence.
I hear footsteps approaching from the outside. Slowly, I lift my gaze, just halfway up else I risk provoking another cold glare full of loathing.
It is Tate, Colson's assistant.
I know my grandmother in-law must've asked him not to go pick up Colson from the airport, because she wants me to go, so we'll have a chance to give the media a little lovely scene from our seemingly happy marriage.
Since I didn't show up, Colson must've been stranded in front of the media. And knowing him, it must've hurt his pride to call his assistant to come pick him up.
Sigh! I've never screwed things up this bad.
Tate rolls in Colson's luggage and steps back.
"Then, I'll take my leave now," he says politely.
Before he turns and leaves, he glances toward me briefly.
"Did you receive my text?" I hear Willa ask.
Her tone is lively. She doesn't even wait for Colson to reply, she continues.
"I was so happy when your grandma allowed me to come live here, hehe. You must've approved of it as well, right?" She goes into his arms and rubs her head on his broad chest.
Colson quietly rubs her hair, his gaze warm. But he doesn't say anything.
He has just gotten back from a tiring trip, yet she won't even let him rest first.
"You must be very tired," I hear her say.
She pulls away and caresses his cheek gently.
"You should rest. Have a bath and get some sleep if you can.I'll have the gateman bring up your bag."
She side eyes me quietly as she says this, as if purposely being so gentle and loving toward him to upset me.
I don't say anything. I remain on the steps.
Colson rubs her hand gently. Then he turns, and starts walking toward me.
He doesn't say anything when he reaches me, he simply continues to walk past.
But I couldn't afford to let him go without explaining my side of the matter. I don't want him believing I purposely stood him up.
"Wait," I say after him, my voice soft.
I intended for it to come out loud, but I chickened out.
Colson stops, and I flinch.
I'm the one who called and wanted him to stop but when he did, my heart lurched. Every little action of his makes my heart pound.
He turns, and again, his eyes bear down coldly on me. They appear so oppressive that I instinctively draw back.
Those eyes aren't indicating anything else other than a strict message that I shouldn't even dare open my mouth in front of him.
He turns back and moves to continue walking. But for some reason, I am desperate. I want him to listen, at least this time.
I lunge forward.
"No, wait!" I squeal, my hand finding a small hold at the bottom of the arm of his suit to hold him back.
Colson flinches instantly like I am a disease. He snaps and yanks away his hand. The forceful impact throws me off balance and I fall backward.
I roll down the steps and land painfully on the flat floor.
"Oh my!" Willa gasps from where she stands.
I groan lowly.
My eyes squint as I squirm softly in pain, raising my body up to a sit on the floor.
I can feel several aches all over my body. My elbows and knees are bruised, and I can feel that I lightly twisted my left ankle.
But more than the pains chiding my body, I take priority in seeing I get to explain things to Colson.
I lift my gaze to meet his but a pain worse than the one in my body chokes me in an instant.
My throat tightens up and my chest feels constricted when I see the eyes with which he regards me.
His brows are wrinkled in anger, his face is contorted tightly. And his eyes, full with disgust, bear down at me as though I'm a mere roach.
A suffocating sense of dread fills me up as my body feels like it's drowning in an ocean full of dirt.
If there was a crowd here, from those eyes of his, they'd all think he was staring at a worthless scum.
It's as if his eyes are reflecting a woman with no dignity. Looking into them, I see not myself in its worth but a worthless piece of garbage.
The overwhelming feeling of dread starts to drown me, but I hear his voice.
"Is this the new trick now?" He asks sternly.
I don't get it.
I look to him with confusion, but that alone seems to even irritate him more.
"Is this your new found trick to be the center of attention? Throwing yourself off the stairs. Hurting yourself, is this your new way to get what you want?"
My eyes simply stare widely at him, silent.
"You think by doing this, I will be forced to give you attention and talk to you even if I don't want to?"
His voice is cold. And his tone is harsh.
"But listen here Leiara. Even if you throw yourself into a fire, or jump down a sky scraper, I will never regard you more than you are; a roach."