Page 82 of Darkest Deception

The living room is grand; there is no need to sit on the sofa. But everyone wants to sit close together. That means sitting in front of the four-seater sofa facing the TV mounted on the wall. There are pillows and blankets on the floor, and a blanket on the sofa with throw pillows all around.

“I will take the ground.” Kamari places herself in front of the sofa on the ground, while Remo and Helia grab the coffee table and place it on the far end of the living room on the right.

I am sitting on the sofa, a little out of place as everyone takes their seats as if they already have done this multiple times. I haven’t.

“Do you want me to sit next to you, Ambrose?”

I look up to see Aurora holding out a bowl of popcorn for me. My eyes fall to the empty space next to me and to the people on the floor. I don’t want her to feel left out or to not sit with her friends just because of me.

“Sit with Remo or Kamari. It’s okay, I’ll have the whole sofa to myself.” I lift my cheeks into a smile, hoping she believes it and agrees.

She opens her mouth to say something, her eyes narrowing, only to stop short a heavy arm falls on my shoulder.

“I’ll keep her accompanied,” the velvet voice drawls.

Aurora’s eyes light up, and she nods. “Perfect. You don’t mind Helia sitting with you, right? If he does anything, you tell me. I know exactly what kind of mischief he is always up to.” She narrows her eyes at him with a pointed finger.

To see her care for me, trying to keep me company, helping me settle in, so I don’t feel lonely or left out, warms my heart. I truly feel like she is getting closer to forgiving me. I hope she does. It’s not easy to forgive someone who tormented you.

But I am grateful for it. I will take whatever crumbs she gives me.

A laugh vibrates in Helia’s chest, raising goosebumps all over me.

“You have so little faith in me. I just want to keep Ambrose company. She doesn’t talk to me in the office much. It will be great to get to know each other, right?”

I sigh, shaking my head.

“It’s okay, Aurora. Go sit down. I will be fine.” I hit Helia in the ribs with my elbow.

“Ow!”

Aurora narrows her eyes in warning once more, making me grin.

“Remo, reel in your misses. She’s out for blood today.”

Remo looks up from my right where he is seated in front of Helia, his build so big that his shoulders sit higher than the sofa. Aurora settles into his arms and looks so small.

Remo’s one look, his jaw ticking just once, has Helia raising his hands.

He doesn’t need to say anything for everyone in the room to tremble. Quite like Helia. They truly do suit each other. No wonder they are friends.

“You both are so alike yet so different,” I murmur, watching the opening scene of the murder mystery Venezia chose.

Kamari is next to Aurora, then Ruel, then Venezia, who is sitting in the corner on the left, a whole blanket to herself. She’s got an excited smile on her face as she watches with intrigue. It’s her movie, after all.

“You guys are going to love it,” she tells us.

“Sure, because we love watching murder and gore,” Kamari grumbles, making Aurora laugh.

“I’ll protect you, sweetheart.” Ruel wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her to him.

“Get away from me.” She scrunches her nose at him.

Ruel grins in return, as if he knows something she doesn’t.

“I hope not. I wouldn’t want to see Remo look at you the way I do,” Helia answers quietly and softly in my ear.

I thought he hadn’t heard me, but I catch him settle in next to me, his thigh pressed right to mine.

---