Page 174 of Taeja

Cassedi’s trembling hands settled on Taeja’s back as she released a short sigh. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be a better mother for you, baby girl.”

Taeja squeezed Cassedi, not knowing how to speak without crying.

They stayed there for a long moment. Possibly making up for the many years spent without each other. Then finally, they pulled apart. They fell into an easy conversation, laughing and getting to know each other until they decided to head back inside.

“Mi sad yu apple tree naa bear,” Taeja said as they entered the living room.

Cassedi hummed. “I can pick some off Mass John tree so you can have some to eat when you go back to college.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Taeja smiled, looking at Damon, who was tapping away on his laptop. “Where’s Zain?”

“In the room,” Damon answered as his brows knitted further.

“Are you having connection issues?” Cassedi asked. “Sister Pansy has Wi-Fi. I can go ask her for the password.”

“No worries.” Damon smirked as he leaned back. “I’m not having any issues connecting to her Wi-Fi.”

Taeja rolled her eyes as she sat beside him. She laid her head on his shoulder and elbowed him in the side. “Really, Damon?”

“I didn’t do anything.” Damon innocently smiled and kissed her forehead.

Cassedi smiled at them. “Damon, if you aren’t busy, can you follow me to the church? The router has been giving problems. Maybe you can look at it.”

“Sure.” Damon set his laptop aside, then stood. “Are you coming?”

Taeja looked toward the room. “You guys go ahead.”

“We’ll be back soon,” Cassedi said.

Damon stepped toward the door, then paused. He walked toward Taeja, stooped to her level, and kissed her. She was a blushing mess as her mother glanced between the two. Damon smirked and pulled away completely. He walked out the door and closed it behind him.

Taeja went to the room. Zain was shirtless while pacing the room.

“I don’t give a fuck—” Zain hissed, grabbing Taeja’s hand, and pulling her toward him.

A yelp escaped her mouth and her heart rate skyrocketed. “Leggo mi and nuh mek mi get dark!” Taeja said, struggling against him.

“Shh,” he whispered gently before hissing, “I was not fucking talking toyou.”

Taeja’s brows furrowed as she looked at him. Seeing an earbud in his ear, she relaxed. Zain pulled her toward the bed and sat on the edge of it, making her straddle him. He groped her ass, caressing it like it was his last string of sanity.

Head laid on his chest while she tried making sense of Zain’s cryptic and harsh words to whomsoever, Taeja became concerned. Why was Zain this angry? Was it a good idea to be this close to him?

“Respect haseverythingto do with PNG. Fix it,” Zain hissed. He removed the earbud, tossing it onto his pile of blankets on the floor.

Taeja looked at Zain’s brooding face. She hadn’t seen him this way in a long while. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.

“No.”

“What’s wrong?”

Zain’s brows creased further as he looked toward a corner. “A lot.”

“Can I make you feel better?”

He looked at her. “Yes.”

Taeja smiled. “What do you want me to do?”

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