I blinked at Luca, and he gave me a sheepish smile. I could feel Gray's stare boring into us. I didn't want to hurt either of them, but with both of them here, it was apparent someone's feelings would get hurt.

Is it bad if I wish an earthquake happens right now? Anything to get the attention away from me.

Zyair walks over to us and slings his hand over Gray's shoulder. "What's going on here?"

No one replies, and he looks at Luca and me, our intertwined hands before flicking his attention to Gray.

"Can you please say something?" Luca asks me with a small frown.

"Hmm...I-"

I flinch and stop when Zyair holds the bench and jumps over it, flipping himself to sit between Luca and me. He wraps his arms around our shoulders, a grin on his face.

"What are we talking about, guys?" Zyair grins, looking between Luca and me.

Luca removes Zyair's hand away from his shoulders, a frustrated expression on his face.

"Can you leave? It's a private discussion," He replies.

Zyair frowns and places his hand on his chest. "Keeping secrets now, are we? And to think I invited you to my party, " he shakes his head.

I stifle a laugh at Zyair's dramatic nature. Aaron comes over and sits at the edge of the bench. "Who's keeping secrets?"

"Luca, " Zyair replies.

"tsk, tsk. I've always known guys with accents aren't to be trusted, " Aaron adds.

Everyone has an accent.

Usually, I'd be frustrated with Zyair, but I was glad he interrupted us. He disrupted me from answering Luca's question.

Luca runs a hand through his hair, frustratedly. "It's not a secret. It's just personal."

"I could be personal, too, " Zyair shrugs.

Luca shakes his head. "I'm convinced you guys aren't leaving, so I would."

He gets up and turns to look at me. "Can I call you later?"

I nod my head and shoot him an apologetic smile. As soon as he left, Zyair raises his fist to Gray behind us, who then bumps it with his.

Fawn comes out at the moment and rushes up to me. "Oh my God, Dove. I'm so sorry. Mr. Davis kept me back because I wrote my essay in ridiculously big letters, " she rolls her eyes, making hand quotes when she said big letters.

I grab my bag and get up. "It's fine."

~~~~~~~~~~

I fork my veggies and stare down at my plate. We are all having dinner, pretending to be one happy family. Dad and Shelia are asking Chloe how her day was with big smiles on their faces.

Gray was sitting opposite me, a scowl on his face as usual. My dad just came back from his 'office weekend trip' this evening.

He came back with gifts for us and placed a loving kiss on Shelia's lips. I plan to confront him about what I saw. Dad and I never kept secrets from each other. We were each other's best friend, and I trust him.

"So, how was Zyair's birthday party, " Dad turns to ask me.

Wow, Dad. It was going great until I saw you kissing another woman. Oh, and Gray also saw you cheating on his mum.

"Fine, " is all I say.

I'm more affected because Gray also cheated on me. But Gray was sixteen and handled his problems the way he saw best. My dad is a grown-ass man.

I remember telling my dad when Gray cheated, and he told me, a man that cheats isn't a man but a coward. Of course, he didn't know it was this Gray.

My dad raises an eyebrow at me but doesn't say anything. He turns to Harry, who's glued to his phone.

"How was baseball practice on Saturday?" Dad asks him.

Did I mention Harry was gifted academically?

Well, a few weeks ago, he told his mum he wanted to show an interest in sports because he would need it for college. He's THIRTEEN!!

When I was thirteen, I was in my room, pretending to be Hannah Montana. I didn't even have an idea about college.

Heck, I don't even think I'll get into college this year, but I'm optimistic.

"It was good. Coach says I need to practice my stance, but other than that, I think I'm fine."

Chloe looks up at dad, her eyes bright, waiting for him to say her name.

Dad nods understandingly and turns to Chloe. "How about you, little princess. How was your weekend?"

Chloe beams happily and drops her fork to give my dad her full attention. "Well, after school on Friday, mommy and I watched Boss Baby all night. The house was kinda empty because you, Gray, and Dove weren't here, and Harry was in his room all day. But it was okay because I had mommy all to myself."

"On Saturday, I woke up by, " She pauses for a while. "I think 10 am. Mommy, was it 10 am?" She turns to face her mother.

I smile, watching her tell my dad every single detail about her weekend. Dad listens with the utmost attention and even asked her questions.

It was almost like we were one big family, which would be weird considering the relationship between Gray and me. But I didn't want to think about that now.

Chloe still kept on talking after dinner was over. This time her conversation has shifted to her classmates, and people she didn't like.

Dad carries her on his laps, sitting on the sofa, while she held on to a bowl of grapes. I chuckle when I hear my dad say "no way, I can't believe she did that"

And Chloe nods in agreement.

Seeing them reminds me so much of when I was little. Dad used to listen to everything I had to say, he still did. It was only both of us, and we would take turns telling each other about our days.

As I help Shelia clear the table, I could see her beaming with joy at the sight of Dad and Chloe.

She was probably happy Chloe had someone like a father figure now. I don't know what happened to their dad, but I knew Gray never talked about his dad when we first met.

He only talked about his mum, making his dad seem non-existent. I always talked about my Dad too, but everyone knew my mother was dead. No one knew anything about Grays's Dad.

Sheila pats my back, pulling me from my thoughts. She had said something, but I didn't hear her.

"Yeah?"

"I asked if you were free on Friday?"

I shake my head. "After school? Probably, Why?"

"You always have such pretty nails, so I was hoping we could get our nails done. Together, " She says, a nervous tone to her voice.

Sheila always picks her words when around me, trying to make sure she doesn't say the wrong thing.

I smile brightly at her. "I would love that. "

Her face lits up. "Really. That would be great."

I nod, and we fall into an awkward silence as we placed the plates in the dishwasher.

I didn't know how to act around her. I've never had a mother figure in my life, and although I wanted one, I didn't want it to be Gray's mother.

We finish with the dishes, and she stops me from leaving again. "Hey, I know it's weird having people in the house, but I'm grateful to you for letting us into your space, " She says in an apologetic tone.

Did she think I was bitter because they were here?

"No, no, " I shake my hands. "Thank you. Really. I've never seen my dad this happy. You make him happy."

I bit down on my lower lips nervously. It wasn't totally a lie. Sheila does make my dad happy. I just couldn't comprehend why he would cheat if he likes her so much.

Shelia's face reddens at my words. "You think so? I like him too, " She whispers the last part in my ear.

I smile at her and decide to compliment her, so she'd know I was okay with her.

"I like your hair color, " I point at her blond locks. It looked very shiny and bouncy. It was the first thing I noticed about her.

"Thanks, " She smiled and bounced her curls. "Been catfishing men for years."

My eyes widen when I realize what she meant. "That's not your natural hair color?"

She nods her head proudly. "The volume is not real, either. "

"Extensions?" I ask, feeling her hair. It looks so real.

"Yes. I was born a scanty-haired brunette."

I laugh at her choice of words, and she laughs too. "I wish I had straight hair. My curls are too much work."

"And I wish I had curly hair. It's just how humans are. We are never satisfied."

"But your curls are beautiful, " She reassures me, rubbing my back softly.

I knew my curls are beautiful. I loved my curls. I just wish they were less stressful.

"To be honest, I'd like to get rid of the dye and extension altogether, but my hair is too damaged for that, " she runs a hand through her hair.

"Since when have you been dyeing your hair?"

"19. When I started college."

I smile and rub her back the way she rubbed mine. "I think you'd look good either way."

Harry and Gray come storming down. While Harry had a frustrated pout, Gray had a smug look on his face.

"Mom, I need to go to Jackie's house tomorrow, and Gray refuses to drive me, " Harry complains.

Sheila gives Gray a look, which he returns with a grimace as he leans on the wall.

God, he looks so good.

I did not just say that.

"Ask him why he's going to Jackie's house tomorrow, " Gray says when Shelia keeps glaring at him.

"It's none of your business, " Harry retorts, his face turning bright red.

Aww, he likes Jackie.

"I'm not driving you until you tell me why," Gray teases.

Harry's face turns bright red. He probably didn't want us to know he had a crush. Aww, he's shy.

Knowing the teasing devil Gray is, he'll probably taunt Harry till he confesses.

"Gray, can we go work on our school project, " I say, walking towards him.

"What proj-

He stops when I brush my hands against his lightly. "You know what, " I whisper, biting my lower lips in an attempt to stop myself from laughing.

I walk into my room and leave the door slightly open, knowing that Gray would walk in soon.

He walks in and shuts the door behind him, a smirk on his face. "You tricked me."

"That is correct, " I grimace, staring in the mirror as I tied my hair up. I cringe when I see the dark scar on my neck from the Hickey.

I feel a presence behind me. I see Gray standing behind me from the mirror. He takes the band from my hand and helps me tie my hair up.

"Thanks, " I say to his reflection. He tied it so well. I couldn't help but wonder how many girls he has helped tie their hair.

"I used to help Chloe tie her hair all the time, " He says and rests his head on mine, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

"Did I say anything?" I ask with a small smile.

He smiles back and swirls me to face him. "This is better, " He grins, staring at my face.

I reach out to touch his face, running my finger along his jawline. I trace his jaw and run my finger along his lips. He closes his eyes, his hands placed on my waist.

He takes a sharp breath when I play with his earlobes. He was sensitive around his earlobes. I lean towards him and tip my legs, placing soft kisses along his neckline.

"Dove, " he groans, gripping my waist tighter.

I tilt my head to stare at him. His eyes were a darker shade as he stares back at me. I raise my left leg, pressing my hips closer to his.

He holds my leg up, gripping my thighs. Just as we were about to kiss, I push him onto my bed.

I smirk, knowing I was in control as I sat on him, wrapping my legs around his waist. I lean in and continue placing kisses on his neck, biting and teasing his soft skin. His breathing increase and he runs a hand up and down my back.

He pulls my face away from his neck and stares at my face. The way he stares at me drives me crazy. He makes me feel like the most beautiful person with just his eyes.

He trails his hand down my neck, using only his fingertips, his touch sending lightning, no fireworks, through my veins.

I close my eyes, and Gray places a soft teasing kiss on my lips. I tangle my hand his hair and kiss him deeper. I bit his lower lips and press my body on his. He moans in reply.

Suddenly, my room door opens. "Shelia wanted you guys-

I hear a plate clatter, and I pull away from Gray as quickly as I could. But I wasn't quick enough.

I look up to see my Dad blazing with fury. That had to be the angriest I've ever seen him. He looks from Gray to me before his eyes finally land on Gray.

"Dad?"

"Quiet, " he commands.

He glares at Gray and his voice booms with anger. "Get out."

••••••••••

OOTD- who's your favorite actress?

Mine is Viola Davis. She is extremely talented, and she does the whole boss lady thing well.