Chapter 7 Our starting point
Alexa's POV
The drive to Nora’s apartment took me twenty minutes through the streets. I barely registered the route, my mind spinning through possibilities.
Maybe she just needed space, and i was being clingy and everything Nora had once loved about me was becoming suffocating.
I parked across two spaces carelessly.
I quickly dashed out of my car, climbed the stairs and headed straight to her door. I barged in without knocking and the first thing i saw was Nora standing in the middle of the living room in nothing but a loose white shirt and black briefs, her hair messy, and foot bare, holding a mug of probably coffee.
“Nora.” I called worriedly.
Nora looked up, surprised for half a second, then smiled.
And just like that, i forgot everything, my panic flying out through the window.
I dropped my bag and crossed the space between us in three quick steps, wrapping my arms around Nora’s neck.
“I called you bitch,” i said, pressing my face into Nora’s shoulder.
“I called you like five times. Where is your phone?”
Nora laughed softly, settling her free hand on my waist.
“Hey, hey. Relax.” She pulled back just enough to look at me.
“My phone? I left it in the car yesterday.”
I frowned. “You left your phone in the car?”
“Yeah,” Nora said casually.
“Forgot it. Then when I remembered, I was already upstairs and I just… didn’t feel like going back down.”
I stared at her. “You’re insane.”
“I know.” she grinned. “It’s one of my charms.”
“You scared me, slut,” I said, quieter now.
Nora’s smile softened. “Why?”
I didn’t answer her with words. I leaned in instead, and landed my lips on hers, just enough to show her how much i care.
Nora kissed me back, like she’d been waiting for it.
She let my tongue in as our tougues fought against each other. We kissed for a long moment, the world narrowing to the space between us. When we finally pulled apart, Nora rested her forehead against mine.
“You’re here early,” She said.
“I needed to see you.” I answered honestly because i swear she scared me.
"That serious?”
I hesitated before answering. “Maybe.”
Nora stepped back and took another sip of her coffee, watching me over the rim. “Come in properly. You look like you ran here.”
“I kind of did.” I said grinning.
We moved to the couch. Nora sat lazily, one leg tucked under her, while i dropped beside her, close enough that our thighs touched.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Nora broke the silence.
“So. I got invited to a party.”
I glanced at her. “What kind of party?”
Her eyes lit up. “A house party, or rather, a pool party. My friend’s place. It’s going to be a blast.”
I smiled automatically. “That sounds…”
“Perfect,” Nora finished. “I was thinking we could go together.”
The smile on my face faltered.
“Tonight?” i asked.
“Yeah.”
I exhaled slowly. “I don't think I can go tonight.”
Nora frowned. “Why not?”
“I have somewhere to be.”
Nora tilted her head. “Where exactly?”
I shifted on the couch. I didn’t like this part, what i was about to say didn't sound right even to me.
"Leon said we’re going for an event tonight.”
There was an uncomfortable silence. Nora’s expression hardened so fast it almost scared me. She stared at me like she didn’t recognize me.
“Say that again,” she said slowly.
I sighed, repeating what i just said. “Leon said we’re going for an event tonight.”
The silence that followed was uncomfortable.
“You’re joking, right?" Nora said, a laugh forcing its way out. “This has to be a joke.”
“I’m not.”
Nora straightened. “Since when do you attend events with him?”
“This is obviously the first time Nora,” i said, rubbing my palms together. “This is the first time.”
“And you agreed. You just nodded and said yes?”
“What was I supposed to do?” I snapped. “Throw a tantrum?”
“Yes,” Nora shot back. “You should have.”
I stared at her. “You don’t understand.”
“No,” Nora said sharply. “You don’t understand. That man barely looks at you, barely acknowledges you exist, and suddenly he snaps his fingers and you’re ready to play wife?”
“That’s not what this is.”
“Then what is it?”
I opened my mouth, but then closed it again, because I don't have any convincing explanation.
Nora let out a breath, pacing the room. “I invite you to a party.Then suddenly you’re busy.”
“It’s not like I want to go with him," I said. “I don’t even know why he wants me there.”
“Then don’t go.”
“I can’t.”
“You keep saying that,” Nora said, spinning back to face me. “You keep saying you can’t, like you’re powerless.”
My voice shook. “You were there when our parents made the decision right. If i could stop it why would i cause this upon us."
“Oh...cut that crap Alexa,” Nora snapped. “Getting married to him was something, and going out with him is another thing. And you're not just going out with him, you are ditching me."
“Don't say that babe, it's just one night.”
“One night turns into another,” Nora said. “Then another, and suddenly I would be forgotten.”
“You’ve always been my choice,” i said desperately.
Nora laughed bitterly.
“Your choice? You’re standing in my house telling me you’re spending the night dressed up on another man’s arm.”
“but he's not just any man. He’s my husband.”
The words landed heavily, both of us feeling the weight.
Nora went still. Her face darkened, something unreadable flashing in her eyes.
“So that’s it,” she said quietly. “That’s the excuse now.”
"That’s not what I meant.”
“But that’s what you said.”
I took a step closer. “Nora—”
“No,” she cut in. “Answer me honestly.” She looked straight at me, for a moment, she looked nothing like the sweet Nora i know.
“Are you starting to develop feelings for your husband?”
