Zenon's Game Chapter 81

I am a girl knocking on a guy's door to speak about our date. There couldn't be a date after Zenon and I kissed last night, but I needed to tell Jake in a respectful and apologetic way. I haven't handled this well so far, but I need to make amends.

I didn't plan for this, but Heidi's an emotional hurricane in my living room and I didn't want to set her off. So here I am, in a green dress, outside the Albert family house.

The front door opened, and a fresh smell of lavender wafted through the air.

Mrs Albert welcomed me with a warm smile. "Hello Candace. Jake mentioned you would be coming over."

She was a beautiful woman, with glossy locks of black hair and chestnut colored eyes. Her skin was silky smooth, and her makeup was natural and almost professionally applied.

"Would you care for some tea? I have a pot of chamomile brewing on the stove."

She invited me inside. Fresh flowers were in a glass vase by a golden framed mirror. The cream-colored carpet felt plush under my shoes and I thought how different this home was to my own.

"Thank you, Mrs Albert. Should I take my shoes off?" I asked, feeling insecure about my presence.

This was a perfect home for the perfect family. I felt like a bug on a landscape screensaver.

"No need, my dear. Please have a seat in the living room. Jake will be down shortly."

She headed towards the kitchen, and when she disappeared, I noticed someone leaning against the wall behind her. He had been listening this entire time.

Arms folded across his broad chest, blue eyes ablaze. Zenon.

The last person I expected to see. The boy whose kiss had me fantasizing...

He spoke in his deep voice, "This date still happening?" 

I couldn't tell what he was thinking. His handsome face was like a mask, hiding emotion.

Zenon folded his arms across his strong chest. My eyes were distracted by his moving biceps. It's hard to look at him without reliving last night. When those arms were wrapped around me and when his lips were-

"Where is Jake?" I asked.

Of course, I needed to tell Jake about our kiss last night. But I also couldn't do it by call or text. This conversation needed to be respectful and it needed to be face-to-face.  I owe Jake that.

What an absolute mess.  I agreed to this date over a wee ago and now...

My head was locked in an internal battle with my heart. I tried to concentrate but I had only one thought on my mind. That kiss.

Now that I've gotten a taste, I want more.

"Candace?" Zenon repeated, staring at me funny.

I was drooling.

"Sorry!" I apologized, hastily wiping my mouth, "What did you say?"

He smirked and pushed himself off the door, "Distracted?"

"Can you please stay five feet away from me?" I asked, stepping back with every step he took.

He lips curled into that confident, charismatic smirk. He had a presence that took over the room. I wanted to wipe it off his face.

"I'll cancel this date for you," he offered.

"No need."

"Why are you doing this, Candace?"

"Because he's nice."

"Our kiss was nicer," he stepped forward, "I can remind you."

The kitchen doors swung open and Mrs Albert emerged with chamomile tea. She almost dropped her tray at the sight of us. I jumped further away from Zenon, as far away from him as possible. He raised an eyebrow at that.

"Let's have a seat in the living room," she said, giving Zenon a sharp look.

We followed her into a well-lit room. A piano was positioned by the window and the seating area surrounded a marble fireplace. Family photos were placed on the sill. I noticed that most of them excluded Jake.

"Candace's here."

Charlotte and Mr Albert were in the living room. She was busy convincing her dad to buy a TV for her dorm room. When they saw us, their conversation died.

I nervously took a seat on the couch. Zenon stayed standing and Mrs Albert set the tray of tea on the coffee table.

Charlotte waved at me and stood up to leave, "Nice to see you again, Candace. Enjoy your date with Zenon."

Awkward.

"The date's with me," another voice sounded from the living room entrance.

Jake had entered the room and found his family surrounding me. Charlotte's eyes darted from me, to Zenon, to Jake and then she said:

"Oh I'm staying now. There's no way I'm missing this."

Mr Albert adjusted the cufflinks on his shirt. No one said a word as we waited for his reaction. He had forbidden anyone from leaving the room until we 'had a chat.'

Jake sat beside me on the sleek modern couch. He gave my hand a comforting squeeze.

"Tell us about yourself, Candace," Mr Albert said.

I looked at his perfectly combed hair and shaved jaw. Behind him, there was a framed photo of Zenon holding a basketball trophy.

I looked at the real-life Zenon, who stood taller and older than the photo. Still picture perfect though.

"My name is Candace Turner," I said with a nervous smile, "But you knew that already. I'm a junior at Preston Oakes and I live next door."

I was so nervous.  I came here to talk to Jake, to tell him that this couldn't go further, that I had kissed his brother...

Zenon entered the situation, confidently, despite not needing to be there. He took a seat to my left. I scooted over a bit, since he took up more space than me. Jake was on my right.

Mr Albert picked up on that. "You were here the other day, I remember. You were looking for Zenon. Now you're here for Jake?"

Jake glanced at his brother with a dark, questioning look. "She was looking for you?"

Zenon shrugged, "She found me."

I blushed.

"You-" Jake controlled himself, clenching his hands into fists.

I elbowed Zenon to get him to shut up.

So there I was, sitting awkwardly between two greek gods. Jake was on one side, Zenon by my other.

I wanted to tell Jake about what happened the night Zenon and I kissed. It wasn't fair that we were about to go on a date, while my secret with Zenon was un-aired.

I was careful where to put my hands. Every inch of me was conscious of the boys sitting on either side. I looked over at Zenon who concealed his smirk. I then realized Jake was staring at me. I stared ahead.

Mr and Mrs Albert watched us.

We smiled back.