Chapter 250: A Kiss [Edited]
The afternoon heat vanished quickly as dark, heavy clouds rolled in from the open ocean.
Within an hour, the blue sky turned charcoal gray. The wind picked up, bending the tall palm trees along the cove, and thick sheets of tropical rain began slamming against the villa’s large glass windows.
A low hum echoed through the walls, followed by a soft click. The main lights flickered twice and died, plunging the living room into darkness.
"Power’s out," Nectron said, looking up from the sofa.
"The backup battery just kicked in," Vixen replied, pointing to the soft, warm floor lamps that glowed to life along the baseboards. "It looks like we’re stuck inside until this storm passes."
A loud chime sounded from the satellite terminal on the kitchen counter. Julie hopped off her chair to check the glowing screen.
"Ooh, an incoming message from Dana!" Julie tapped the interface, and a digital board game app popped up with a cheerful chime. "She says, ’Since you are all trapped inside, play this. It’s the new Hero Guild strategy game. Winner gets bragging rights, losers take a shot of whatever fruit wine is in the pantry.’"
"A drinking game?" Marina came out of the kitchen holding a bowl of seasoned potato chips and a couple of glass bottles. "Katie is having grape juice, but the rest of us can play. We need something to do anyway."
Ten minutes later, the entire group was sitting on the floor around the low wooden coffee table.
The digital board projected a colorful map in the center, full of tiny monster icons, gold mines, and hero towers. Outside, the rain roared against the glass, but inside, the room was warm, lit by yellow ambient lamps and the glow of the game screen.
"I deploy my iron knight to the central mountain!" Katie cheered, tapping her corner of the screen. "Give me all the gold coins!"
"That’s my mine, Katie," Nectron groaned, watching his territory turn blue. "You just bankrupted my entire army."
"That’s what happens when you underestimate the boss," Katie said with a proud grin. "Drink, sir Nectron!"
Nectron took a small sip from his cup, laughing as he passed the turn, "Katie will become a tyrant if she continues like this"
Selena sat cross-legged next to Nicholas, holding a glass of sweet island plum wine. Her hair was loose, and she wore a soft gray sweater that made her look completely different from the strict supervisor who ran briefings at the hero association.
She tapped the screen with a bit too much force. "Nicholas, stop hoarding the grain tiles. I need them to build my fortress."
𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
"Trade me two steel cards," Nicholas said calmly, leaning back against the couch. "Otherwise, the supply stays locked."
"You are so stubborn," Selena humbled, taking a long drink from her glass. The sweet wine was going down easily, and a rosy flush had already spread across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. "Even in a silly game with your sisters, you play like a wall of bricks. Do you ever just let someone win?"
"Losing on purpose is a waste of time," Nicholas replied. He casually took the glass from her hand, set it on a coaster out of her reach, and slid a glass of cold water in front of her. "That was your fourth glass."
"Hey! Give that back," Selena protested, leaning over to reach for the wine, her shoulder bumping hard against his arm. "I’m the supervisor. I decide my intake."
"You get emotional after five glasses," Nicholas noted smoothly. "I remember the hero convention hotel room. We can’t have you sleep walking again."
Julie burst out laughing, nearly spilling her drink on Vixen. "Wait, she did what?!"
"I did not fight a coat rack!" Selena’s voice rose, her eyes wide as she pointed an accusing finger at Nicholas’s chest. "It was dark, and the coat had wide shoulders! And you! You just stood there watching me with that flat, annoying face! You never show any emotion! You never complain, you never panic, you never even say what you’re actually thinking!"
Marina chuckled softly into her cup, exchanging a knowing glance with Julie.
"I think the wine is doing its job," Marina whispered.
"I am completely sober!" Selena declared, though she leaned heavily into Nicholas’s side, resting her head against his shoulder without realizing it. Her words started slurring just a tiny bit.
"You’re always so quiet. ’Yes, Supervisor.’ ’No, Supervisor.’ ’That costs extra.’ You drive me crazy, you know that? But then... you go and do something nice, and you don’t even brag about it. It’s infuriating."
Nicholas didn’t push her away. He simply picked up his water glass with his free hand, letting her lean against him while the storm raged outside.
"You’re rambling," Nicholas said quietly, though his voice was noticeably gentle.
"I’m not rambling, I’m giving you a performance review," Selena mumbled, her eyelids drooping as the warmth of the room and the wine caught up to her. Her head slid further down, nestling comfortably in the crook of his neck.
Within two minutes, her soft, steady breathing told everyone that the supervisor was officially out for the count.
Katie giggled, covering her mouth with both hands. "Selena fell asleep on big brother."
"The game is paused," Marina said, smiling as she started clearing the empty glasses. "Nicholas, take her to her room before her neck gets stiff from sleeping on the floor."
Nicholas set his glass down. He carefully slipped one arm under Selena’s knees and the other behind her back, lifting her off the carpet in a smooth, effortless motion.
She barely weighed anything, her head rolling back against his chest as she let out a soft sigh.
He walked down the quiet hallway, away from the laughter in the living room. The sound of the rain was softer here, a steady drumming against the cedar walls.
He carried her into the master suite, where the large canopy bed was covered in soft, clean blankets.
He gently laid her down, taking off her sandals and pulling the thick quilt up over her shoulders to keep out the chill from the storm.
As he turned to step away and let her sleep, a warm hand reached out from under the blanket.
Selena’s fingers curled around his wrist, her grip surprisingly firm despite her sleepiness.
She didn’t open her eyes, but the frown on her face had melted away into something soft and peaceful.
"Don’t go yet..." she murmured into the pillow, her voice faint against the sound of the rain. "...Nicholas."
She turned her face slightly, out the pillow and looking into his eyes. Her hand pulling him closer and he wasn’t pulling back, until he was close enough to memorise every single detail of her face.
And something unexpected happened to him. Something he never thought possible. Just heart was drumming in his chest.
Her hand moved up until it found the hook of his shirt and she pulled him down until their lips met, just for a second before she pushed back slightly and whispered. "Please don’t die on me too."
Nicholas stood beside the bed in the dim room, looking down at her hand holding onto his wrist.
He didn’t pull away.
He sat quietly on the edge of the mattress, letting the storm outside wash over the island, waiting until her breathing settled into a deep, peaceful rhythm before gently letting go.