Zenon's Game Chapter 216

He pulled a hand towel from a rail beside the sink and ran the tap water, wetting the towel. His warm fingers gently touched my chin and tilted my head towards him. My puffy eyes stared up at him.

The bathroom felt so small with just the two of us inside. He smiled comfortingly and dabbed the wet towel under my eyes. The feeling of his fingers and the damp towel was a relaxing pressure. The strokes calmed me and reduced the blotchiness around my eyes.

"Thank you," I exhaled.

The pent-up tension inside me gently released. Like a flowing spring, it rolled over me. He lowered his hand and left the towel over the sink. Then he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me.

It was a soft kiss; a tentative kiss that carried emotion behind it but not overstepping the moment. It felt so sensual, like I could taste the longing and restraint.

We returned to dinner and Zenon pulled my chair out for me to sit down. He then took a seat himself. I tried not to face the prying eyes of our friends along the table and followed Zenon's lead.

"This looks great," Zenon said of the main course, "Sorry for holding everyone up."

The chef was standing beside Sir Chadwick Senior and repeated the dish description for us. "Thank you, sir. It's a lamb machboos and we have a legume dish for the lady with vegetarian preferences."

We thanked the chef, who returned to the kitchen to prepare the next dish. Then, we dug in and the sound of cutlery clinking against plates followed suite. I enjoyed the silence as everyone focused on the delicious food in front of us.

Sir Chadwick Senior asked me, "I hope you're ok, Candace. Axel mentioned you were feeling unwell."

Bianca laughed and quickly stopped after Oma nudged her under the table.

"I'm feeling better thank you. It's a bit of jet lag," I answered.

The last thing I needed was for Bryce's dad to be up-to-speed with my personal life. Bryce Senior nodded and poured another glass of red wine for himself and his friend.

But beside me, Zenon called Bianca out. "Did you have something to add, Bianca?"

She looked towards him and tried to read his masked expression. "No, no I think jet lag covers it."

Zenon did not let it go. "Funny that you have an opinion on how Candace feels."

Several people on the table bristled at that comment. Zenon was so direct sometimes it made it awkward to be a bystander.

"This lamb machboos is delicious," Axel commented, scooping another spoonful, "Cooked to perfection."

"I agree," I added, trying to dissolve the tension in the air.

We didn't need to show this side of us to Roland Chadwick Senior. I've caused enough turmoil on this trip.

Bianca made the smart choice to not comment back and we all continued to eat our food.

"This group's vibe is messed up," Bryce muttered, "I don't know if going out is going to fix it."

"How about we ask Candace and Cynthia what they want?" Axel suggested, "The rest of us have all been here before."

"Why wouldn't they want to go out?" Bryce asked, looking at us for backup.

"So why don't you ask them?" Axel glared at Bryce.

"Is there something I'm missing here?" Bryce asked, before looking at me, "Are you still feeling jet lagged?"

A cheese platter and dessert were carted out as the final courses. Mint tea was served to those who wanted it and Bryce was still fixated on hearing what he's been missing out on.

As usual, he felt out of the loop.

"What is it?" Bryce asked Zenon and Axel quietly, "Are you still mad that Bianca's here? I haven't seen her do anything wrong."

Cynthia overheard that and raised her eyebrows at me. I mirrored her expression, glad to hear our boys had at least tried to make this trip more peaceful for us.

"It's nothing," Axel answered, skimming over the whole ordeal, "Zenon and Candace had a mixed experience last night but they're over it."

"I'm not over it," Zenon answered, eating his cheese. He had given me his dessert, because he didn't have a sweet tooth.

I put his spoon down. He's not over it?

"Over what?" Bryce asked casually, chewing a cracker.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure you two can fix it tonight," Cynthia said, not wanting to turn this into a whole ordeal all over again.

"We'll have fun tonight," Axel repeated to calm everyone down.

"So you're going to get my girlfriend drunk again?" Zenon asked.

"What?" Axel asked back, "You're angry at me?"

"We're just going to pretend like you had nothing to do with last night?" Zenon responded, "You got her wasted trying to keep up with you."

So that's what he's not over.

I defended Axel, "We were having fun together. He spent time making me feel a part of the group."

"By drinking," Zenon repeated.

"It's my choice," I answered.

"Yeah, but he should know better," Zenon said and stared directly at Axel.

From the way Axel reacted, I could tell that this wasn't the first time they've had this conversation. Axel didn't say anything. He didn't try to defend his actions.

Even Bryce, who usually has such a loud personality, was quiet. He looked at me and muttered, "Don't try to keep up with Axel."

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"Nothing," Axel replied and cleared the record, "We were having fun last night. No one needs to chastise us about that. If you're so concerned, Zenon, you should've been there."

I put my elbow on the table and covered my hand over my mouth. I didn't want Zenon to see me smiling but go Axel. That has been my point this entire time.

"I wasn't there for her? Since when did that become the narrative?" Zenon asked, raising his voice.