Shadows of the Heart (Slow Update)

Chapter 3 — Entranced by His Beauty

Hope’s POV

As I approached home, the weight of my backpack pushed on my shoulders, causing a relieved sigh to escape my lips. The impact of the bag striking the ground echoed throughout the house, drawing my mother’s attention. She grabbed my focus when she emerged from the kitchen, and I hoped she hadn’t gotten a call from school.

I couldn’t help but smile as I greeted her. “Are you home, Mom?” I inquired, my voice brimming with hope and curiosity.

She lifted an eyebrow, surprised. “Yes, I was able to leave work early today. But I’m not alone; your brother is in his room, and…” Her speech ended abruptly, leaving me on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

“Is Conway at home?” My eyebrows shot up in surprise as I exclaimed. I ran up the stairs into his room without hesitation, driven by the desire to beg for a favor. I caught a glimpse of him standing by the window, absentmindedly taking a pack of smokes from his pocket through his slightly ajar door.

As I examined the repercussions of smoking, my panic mounted. Did he not see the fatal consequences? I snuck up to his bed, clutching a pillow quietly, ready to hit. I flung my arm, hitting the back of his skull with an unexpected burst of strength. His grip on the pack of cigarettes slipped, leading him to lose his balance and collide with the windowpane.

I couldn’t stop chuckling as he stumbled into the window; I guess I’ve grown stronger than him. I expected him to be annoyed when he turned around, but his annoyance faded as he turned to face me. When our gazes connected, something changed, and my laughter fade as I wondered if this was truly my brother or if I had entered the wrong house, but I was confident I hadn’t.

I know it’s been a while since I’ve seen my brother, but he can’t have changed that much, can he? “Conway?” My speech faltering and unclear. He arched his brow, his gaze riveted on me.

“You look different,” I whispered, trying to make sense of the changes that had occurred. He smirked and reached down to recover his discarded pack of cigarettes, adding to his intriguing aura.

Curiosity gripped me, and I began to pay closer attention to him. As I had witnessed from countless hours of scrolling t****k, many people nowadays undergo plastic surgery or embark on personal transformation trips. Could my brother be one of those looking for a change? The notion escaped before I could stop it. “Did you get plastic surgery, like everyone else?”

A voice interrupted my thoughts, prompting me to spin around in astonishment. My own brother was cleaning his face with a towel behind me. I quickly turned back to face the strange man in the room, his smirk aimed at my slip of judgment.

How could I have been so stupid? I felt humiliated and silly after mistaking a stranger for my own brother.

“What are you doing in my room, you mischievous little rascal?” My brother’s voice was irritated, and his face distorted like a brother who has a sister that follows them about. He yanked on my nicely pressed school uniform, his fingers clenched like a vice around the collar, and tried to drag me out.

“Let go of me,” I cried, striving to wrench his hands away, but my efforts were hopeless. I mustered all my might and took a big stride forward, throwing all my energy towards breaking free from his hold. However, it appeared to be in vain, as with each stride, I found myself drawing closer to the door, and my prospects of escape his hands reduced once more.

I was frightened of my parents finding out about what happened at school today, so I knew I had to act quickly and firmly. “Mommmm!” I screamed, my voice shattering the air as I begged for aid. Our mother raced into the room as the door flew open unexpectedly, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the chaotic scene before her. Concern etched deep lines on her face as she assessed the tense situation.

Without giving me a chance to respond, my brother abruptly released his grip on my hand, catching me off guard and nearly knocking me over. Before I could fully recover, his friend moved in and gripped me roughly with his muscular hands. As I regained my composure and stood up straight, our eyes locked, and a tremendous and emotional moment passed between us. It seemed as if time had stood still.

A flood of memories rushed through my mind, bringing me back to when I was five years old and first saw those wonderful, dazzling sapphires. This boy, now a man, was Zane, all grown up. My heart skipped a beat as I realized how much he had changed while still looking stunning.

A wave of sorrow poured over me as I mentally sighed at my previous foolish deed of smacking my crush with a pillow.

“What exactly did you do to your sister?” Mom’s voice was angry and disappointed as she waved her finger in front of my brother’s face. Her piercing gaze demanded an explanation for his behavior.

“Mom, I didn’t do anything! It was all her fault,” my brother said, his voice defensive.

“I saw what I saw,” Mom stated seriously, leaving no room for debate. Her eyes were filled with determination as she stretched out and firmly seized my brother’s ears. After the disagreement, she assumed control and led him out of the room, leaving Zane and I by ourselves.

The only sound in the room was the echoes of their footsteps as they left. The room felt deserted, a gap left by their absence. My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of relief and apprehension churning within me.

I switched my glance to Zane, a flood of emotions coursing through me. Zane stood there, his face filled with amusement and wonder. His dark hair was unkempt, framing his sculpted face and enhancing his gorgeous sapphire eyes, which seemed to have a hint of mischief. His lips curled into a seductive smile, adding to his innate allure. He oozed confidence and charisma while dressed casually yet effortlessly stylishly.

I couldn’t help but be captivated by his magnetic presence as the air crackled with palpable tension. His gaze lingered on me, and I couldn’t deny my feelings for Zane at the time. His confidence and his ability to effortlessly capture those around him were obviously alluring. I was flattered and a little flustered by the way he carried himself and looked at me.

“So, you thought I was your brother?” he smirked, smoothly sliding the window open. A light breeze blew in, carrying the seductive scent of his perfume with it, which overwhelmed my senses as he sank elegantly into the window ledge.

“In my defense,” I murmured, my gaze fixed on his, “I had no idea there was anyone else here.” His presence was extremely mesmerizing, like a captivating symphony that fully enthralled me. I couldn’t help but notice the stunning attractiveness of the man in front of me. His eyes twinkled like distant stars, his dark hair fluttered gracefully in the mild breeze, and the delicate blush of emotion on his cheeks just added to his allure.

As I continued to watch him, subtle waves of emotions flowed through me—curiosity mixed with anxiety, adoration tempered with nervousness.

The silence stretched, and I took a long breath, attempting to gather myself and shake off the trance his presence had created on me. Finally, I collected the confidence to speak, my voice trembling with uncertainty and interest, but I managed a tentative smile. “So, Zane, what brings you here? Apart from witnessing that embarrassing sibling episode.”

Zane’s grin broadened, his eyes twinkling with delight. He moved away from the window and took a step closer, narrowing the gap between us. “Well, let’s just say fate had a hand in getting me here. And now that I’ve witnessed your incredible pillow-wielding abilities, I think I need to know more about the girl who can hold her own against her own brother.”

His words sent shivers down my spine, and a flush rose across my cheeks. I couldn’t help but be captivated by his playful demeanor.