Page 37 of Hidden Echoes

"Excuse me?"

“I saw you that day in the hospital and I liked you. So you’re mine.”

Zane snorts, but doesn’t argue with me. “I don’t even know what that means.”

“It means what I said. That you're mine. Like in the movies. They see each other and they make it happen.”

“I think in real life things work a little differently, we don’t go around shouting and calling people ours.”

“So real life sucks, let’s act like the movies,” I say convincingly.

“Mia I put you in a coma.”

“Yeah, I did some research and that’s a really bad thing,” I say. Since everyone keeps referring to the fact that I was in a coma I did some research, which I also found out from Zane when he introduced me to his computer.Apparently, what happened to me was extremely rare—not the coma part, but the fact that I was fine after being in it for so long.“But lucky for you I like you, so it’s okay.”

Paulina had one for my studies, when she took over after Katie, but I could never use it. I had no idea that you could search for anything you wanted there and not just things related to school.

It's impressive.

“You know, I thought you were repressed about sharing,” Zane comments.

“That’s when I’m with my father,” I answer honestly. “I don’t have to hold back when I’m with you, do I?”

“No Mia, you don’t have to,” he says with a smile. “Well, go get ready then. You can pick out an outfit Charlie packed in your suitcase. And then we’ll head out.”

I take my time with my bath—it’s easily my favorite part.

Back in captivity, I was never conscious during bath time. It only happened a few times a week, maybe once a week, and someone else had to clean me if my father needed me for… a service.

Being able to bathe alone when I want is a very nice thing.

I slowly turn on the shower, excited by the experience, but the water that comes out is not good, but rather hot steam.

“Ah!” I shout, drawing Zane’s presence.

“Mia?”

“Zane, help. This water is weird.”

Zane opens the shower door and turns off the water in one precise movement. I don't think, I just hold on to him, letting my heartbeat calm down.

“Hey, it’s just steam,” he says comfortingly, but I notice his body going rigid.

“Is something wrong?” I ask confused.

“Maybe I should get you a towel.”

“No, I’m not done.”

“Mia.” He calls out and I stare at him. There’s something in his green eyes that makes my heart race. Maybe it’s the way they’ve gone from light to dark. My body reacts in a strange way.

“I can’t hold you naked Mia,” he says almost as if it’s painful and I stare at him even more confused.

"Why not?"

"Because."

“There has to be a reason.”

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