47 Secret Lovers (1/2)
The early afternoon sun shined brightly through the numerous fabrics fluttering around the open balcony doors.The soft chirp of exotic birds filled the silence.The only other noise reverberation in Shelly's ear was the steady beat of Rin's heart.After they had eaten breakfast, she still hadn't felt like leaving the room.So Rin hand moved the small sofa over in front of the open balcony doors.Once he was satisfied with the view it's placement provided he pulled her over and flopped down.He turned sideways, throwing one leg over the cushion and dragging her down between his legs. Though caught by surprise, she hadn't fought him and instead leaned back against his chest.The gentle rhythm of his heart soothed her shredded nerves.
”Rin...” Shelly said, as something his mom had said earlier before the parts about... about him... came to mind.
”Hum?” his voice vibrated his chest beneath her head.
Shelly gazed out at the clear blue sky as she asked, ”Why did you never say anything?”
Rin's voice was a soft purr as he asked in a sleepy tone, ”About what?”
Shelly lifted her head and turned to place her hand down on either side of his hips so she could maintain eye contact with him as she asked the question that kept repeating in her mind. ”Why did you never tell me how you felt?” She tilted her head as she waited for an answer.When he only stared back at her in wide-eyed shock she continued. ”I... I liked you too... but Russ said you and Naru were secret lovers, that's why you live together... and the extra bedroom is to keep up appearances Naru's parents...”
Rin sat up straight careful not to hurt Shelly, ”Let me just stop you there!” He arched his brows and shook his head vigorously, ”You liked me???... You're a princess I'm just a... wait... You thought I was gay?!”
Shelly giggled, ”Well yeah, you never dated anyone. You're surrounded by mostly naked guys all day.You avoided me every time I tried to talk to you alone...What else was I supposed to think?”
Rin grabbed Shelly by the shoulders but quickly released her when she gasped in surprise.He turned his head away and ran his hands through his hair. ”Shelly YOU ARE A PRINCESS, I'm a Gen... a servant to a master. I didn't deserve your attention.”
Shelly looked around the room then back at Rin, ”Um... you're the one who lives in a palace.” She pointed her index finger up toward the ceiling, ”I live in a four-bedroom apartment at the edge of campus.”
Rin turned sad eyes back around to meet her smile, ”It doesn't make you any less of royalty and me any more than a slave.” He raised his arm and unclamped the bracelet he always wore.Beneath it was an unusual tattoo. He turned his wrist up to give her a better view.”See? This mark is my shackles...” He sighed as he lowered his hand to his lap and hung his head.”This place is nothing more than a beautifully decorated lamp.My family was trapped inside of it for hundreds of years before the late master released us left the place to us on his death bed.”
Shelly took his hand in one of hers and glided her fingers from the other and over the odd tattoo.”Rin, It's just a mark on your skin and just a useless title that someone else decided to rank in their hierarchy of social values.” His eyes came up slowly to meet hers, but he remained silent.Shelly gave him her largest smile, ”What you are means nothing to me... as what I am should mean nothing to you... If you truly... um... liked... me.”Shelly blushed slightly as she struggled over the last few words.It was now her turn to turn away from his intense gaze.
Rin's hand shot out and captured her jaw before she could get her head fully turned.He gently tugged her head back around toward him, ”Do you mean that?... What you just said?”
Her voice cracked with nervousness, ”Ye...yes...”