CHAPTER 14
**WINTER**
Sitting in Zion’s expensive car, I felt the tension wrap around us like a suffocating blanket. The sleek interior did nothing to ease the discomfort; every luxurious detail only heightened the chasm between us. Silence filled the space, thick and heavy. I could feel the anger radiating off him in waves, each one more intense than the last.
I locked my lips together, trying to steady my racing heart. Finally, I took a deep breath and gathered the courage to ask,
“Why do you hate me so much?”
Zion let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. “Oh, come on. You don’t know?” he said, his voice laced with bitter irony.
“I don’t,” I insisted, my voice barely above a whisper. “We used to be best friends. What happened?”
Zion’s face twisted in disgust. Rather than respond, he gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Through gritted teeth, he snapped,
“I don’t want you hanging around my friends, alright? The only reason you’re here is because Mom made me bring you. Once we’re at the party, you’re on your own. Don’t count on me to keep an eye on you. Got it?”
"Zion.."
Just as I was about to say more, he reached over and turned the radio on full blast, drowning out my words. The sudden blare of music filled the car, cutting off any chance of further conversation.
I turned to look out the window, the city lights blurring past us. The sense of loss and confusion weighed heavily on me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever had come between us was deeper and more painful than I realized.
As we arrived, Zion manoeuvred the car into the driveway with a swift, sharp turn. The tyres squealed slightly against the pavement as he deftly aligned the vehicle, its sleek body gliding smoothly into place. The headlights illuminated the front of the house, casting long shadows across the manicured lawn and setting the stage for the night ahead.
The massive home was already buzzing with activity, its windows glowing warmly against the night. He parked and immediately stepped out, leaving me alone in the car.
I watched him walk away, my heart sinking further. The silence in the car was now replaced by the distant thrum of music and the murmur of voices coming from inside the house. I sat there for a moment, gathering my thoughts and trying to calm my nerves.
Taking a deep breath, I finally opened the door and stepped out. The cool night air did little to soothe my anxiety as I made my way to the front door. I hesitated for a moment before pushing it open, bracing myself for what was inside.
As I entered, the music hit me full force, blasting from every corner of the house. Girls in skimpy outfits danced and mingled, the atmosphere pulsing with energy. I couldn’t help but sigh as I scanned the room.
Zion had complained about my dress, but compared to the barely-there outfits of some of the other girls, mine seemed almost modest. I felt a pang of resentment as I realized just how misplaced his criticism had been. I took a deep breath, trying to push aside my frustration and blend into the scene, hoping to navigate the party without further incident.
**ZION**
As I stepped into the party, I was immediately engulfed in the vibrant chaos of the scene. Girls surrounded me, hugging me enthusiastically, while the guys greeted me with hearty, manly embraces. Cherry, one of the more persistent ones, wrapped her arms around me and leaned in close.
“Zion, where have you been?” Cherry purred, her voice dripping with flirtation. She pressed her body closer to mine, her lips brushing against my ear as she continued, “I had so much fun last night. How about a repeat upstairs?”
As she spoke, her perfume—a sickly sweet blend of vanilla and floral notes—overwhelmed me. The scent was suddenly nauseating, starkly contrasting with the memory of Winter’s delicate, subtle fragrance from earlier. I had inhaled deeply during the drive, savouring every hint of her scent, and wishing for more.
Before I could respond, another girl, whose name I couldn’t quite place, slid into the conversation.
“Cherry, he’s not your boyfriend. Give me a chance,” she said, her hands trailing suggestively along my chest.
I had to grab her wrist to stop her from going any lower. Cherry’s face darkened with irritation as she watched.
“Later, girls,” I said, slipping past them with a practised ease.
Cherry pouted, but her voice was still playful. “Later, is that a promise.”
“No, he promised me,” the other girl insisted, her tone playful but firm.
I laughed lightly, trying to diffuse the situation. “Don’t worry, you’ll all get a piece of me tonight,” I said with a casual shrug.
As the girls continued to vie for my attention, I tried to focus on enjoying the party. I pushed the guilt of leaving Winter alone to the back of my mind and immersed myself in the festivities, determined to have a good time despite the nagging worry.
I made my way to the back garden, where the bulk of the crowd had gathered. Some people were swimming in the pool, while others were wrapped up in passionate embraces.
The noise and activity were overwhelming, but I found a brief moment of respite as I spotted Clark.
“Hey, Zion!” Clark called out, waving me over. “Where have you been? I was beginning to think you’d be MIA all night. I going to search for you in one of the bedrooms?”
I laughed at his remark as I joined him on the couch, letting out a sigh of relief. “What can I say? The girls seem to think I'm irresistible. As soon as I walked in, they were all over me, trying to drag me upstairs.”
Clark burst into laughter. “Sounds like business as usual for you!”
Clark grinned and gestured towards a group of girls in the pool.
“Check out the one in the red bikini,” he said with a leering chuckle. “Damn, she’s smoking hot. Look at that body—she's got curves for days. Bet she knows how to have a good time.”
I glanced over briefly. Sure, she was attractive, her figure drawing attention.
I nodded absently, my gaze drifting around the garden. My eyes kept searching for Winter, despite myself. I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling of worry. I knew she was probably feeling out of place and uncomfortable, and the thought of her alone amidst all this chaos made me uneasy.
I tried to focus on Clark’s words and the lively scene, but my attention kept slipping back to the house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her and make sure she was okay.
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