Seraphina's POV
We got home that night, and without exchanging a single word to each other, Roman and I quietly retreated to our rooms. The air between us was heavy with different emotions, all from everything that had just happened.
I got iinto my pajamas, pulled the sheet over me, and closed my eyes, hoping to get some rest.
But sleep didn't come.
No matter how many times I turned on the bed, no matter how tight I held the pillow close to me, my thoughts wouldn't stop spiraling.
I kept seeing it. I kept seeing everything.
The loud screeching tires. The way Roman yelled. The anger in my father's eyes. Beatrice gasping for air, falling, begging for air. And me, rushing to save her, even while Mr. Charles still rained curses on me.
And then those final words.
"A war."
The moment Roman smiled and accepted the challenge, I knew something neither of them couldn't reverse had started.
Two men, once friends. Now enemies. Because of me.
I bit down on my lip hard, trying not to burst into tears.
I couldn't sleep, atleast not with all these feelings filling up my mind.
Frustrated about not being able to sleep, I kicked off the sheet that covered me and brought my legs down from the bed, slding into my flops. Maybe getting something to eat or just a change of space, getting away from this room would help.
I stepped out of my room quietly, trying not wake anyone up, I waked down the hallway which was dim and silent. My footsteps echoed lightly as I head toward the kitchen, hoping the food or distraction would take over my thoughts.
But then I saw him.
Roman.
Roman was sitting alone in the living room, his back partially face to mee, a cup in his hand. He was drinking from it slowly, his other arm was resting on the top of the couch.
The faint glow of the dim light and bright moon light casted shadows all over his face, but I could see the worry in his eyes, the same kind I had.
Roman turned slowly, as if he had already sensed I was in the room before I even stepped closer to him.
"Seraphina," he called out softly, his voice calm and a bit low. "Why aren't you sleeping? Come here."
He gestured gently to his side and without saying a word, I walked toward him and sat beside him on the couch.
I didn't look at him. My eyes gaze went far. Far from where we sat, far from this night. It went back to that road.
"I started a war between two friends...
I didn't mean to do that," I started, my voice barrely louder than a whisper.
"No, no, Seraphina…." Roman tried to cut in, but my emotions went on and outweighed his words.
"I didn't mean to," I continued, the whole thing I had been feeling in my mind, the whole issue bothering me, started spilling out through me words. "What's going to happen now? I don't want anyone getting hurt...not because of me."
Tears began gathering at the corners of my eyes, it blurred my vision as everything I had been carrying in my chest began spilling out. Everything I had tried to keep myself all this while began pouring out.
"Seraphina," Roman said gently, as he drawed me closer and he pulled himself closer to me before then pulling me into a tight hug.
His arms went around me like a warm shelter I didn't know I needed at that moment. I closed my eyes, letting myself feel that warmth feeling.
After a while, he pulled back just enough and then looked into my eyes and his gaze locked on mine, unshaken.
"Nothing will go wrong," he said softly, firmly. "Nothing will happen to anyone. Nothing will happen....to you, especially. I'll keep you safe."
His words felt like a warm shield, like I was a the last soldier on a battlefield and he was the only defense I had, like he was standing strong between me and everything that was trying to get close to me.
His voice carried a weight of safety and assurance, one that I couldn't deny, and for the first time that night...I felt at ease.
He held my hands a little longer, neither of us making any move.
Our eyes still remained locked, not blinking, not wavering.
He didn't reach for his cup, didn't even shift in his seat. He just stared at me and so did I.
The soft, dim light from the different sources shined on his face, it highlighted the sharp lines of his jaw and that intensity look in his eyes. Eyes that felt like they were reading me, searching for what I was going to do next, waiting for a sign.
And I couldn't look away.
My hands were still in his hands, it felt warm and steady, locking me in place.
Or maybe I was just imagining things.
Because almost as if Roman suddenly realized himself, he gently removed his hands from mine. And then reached for his cup, he lifted it with silently with precision, then stood to his feet.
"Excuse me... I'll be heading into my room. Goodnight, Seraphina," he said, his voice calm but far from being his normal voice.
And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the room.
What's wrong with me? I began questioning myself
Why did I feel all of this...and towards him?
What was this growing feeling I couldn't shake off my mind?
Why did his touch make me feel warm, safe… as far as being seen?
The questions filled my head all at once, pushing out every other thought I had in mind.
I had felt something like this before, not too long ago. But I buried it deep, forced it to the back of my mind where it wouldn't disturb me again.
But now....here it was again, trying to bring itself to the surface.
And this time, it felt different and stronger.
I didn't understand it all.
No… I did understand it. I understood it all.
But the real question that was building inside me was…..
Why do I feel this sudden pull towards him?