Chapter 35: An Affectionate Confession
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
It was written all over his face–the yearning, the hesitation. Anyone who caught a glimpse of Aldrich’s endearing yet pitiful expression would immediately know what he wanted. He wanted to kiss me. And truth be told, it was what I wanted too.
Somewhere along the way, I had come to realize that my feelings for him ran far deeper than mere friendship or camaraderie. What I felt was something profound, a fierce and consuming love that scared me with its intensity. Yet, it also thrilled me, leaving me breathless with anticipation.
When our lips finally met, it was as if the entire world fell away. The kiss was wild, passionate, and unrelenting, leaving me feeling feverish. My breath came in short, rapid gasps, as though I couldn’t get enough air. Heat coursed through my body, igniting a fire that consumed every part of me. In that moment, it felt as if our hearts beat as one, and there was nothing in the
universe but the two of us.
I could feel the depth of his emotions–unbridled, raw, and honest. There was no pretense, no barriers between us. We existed only for each other, immersed in the intensity of the moment. He was my partner, my equal, my other half.
As we finally pulled away, gasping for air, I felt like I was melting–melting into the embrace of the man who had become my entire world. His forehead rested gently against mine, our eyes locking in a shared gaze filled with unspoken words. A smile crept onto both our faces, a silent acknowledgment of what we had just shared.
In that fleeting moment, everything became clear to me. This was the man I was meant to spend my life with. Aldrich wasn’t just someone I cared about–he was the person who made my soul come alive. No longer would I allow myself to be haunted by the pain of unrequited feelings or the wounds inflicted by those who didn’t value me.
Benard pulled me close, his arms a fortress of warmth and security. His voice, low and tender, sent shivers down my spine. “Thelma, my girl.”
Hearing him call me that filled my heart with an indescribable joy. He cared for me, deeply and truly, and I could see it reflected in the way he looked at me. His gray eyes held my flushed reflection, a picture of someone who had just tumbled out of an emotional whirlwind. My cheeks were red, my breathing uneven, and my hair undoubtedly disheveled. Yet, in his eyes, I
saw admiration, even reverence.
I had fallen hopelessly in love with this man. Why hadn’t I seen it sooner? All those times he had smiled at me, his expression so full of warmth and charm, had been signs. Signs I had been too blind to interpret.
Dorothy’s words echoed in my mind. I didn’t fully understand what she had meant in her
Tupper)-35 An Affectionate Confession
cryptic note, but now I realized she had been right. Sometimes, the most important truths hide in plain sight, waiting for us to notice them
Aldrich leaned in for another kiss, but this time it was softer, more reverent. His lips brushed against mine with the gentleness of a summer breeze. It was a touch that carried a world of meaning. My forehead rested against his, and his strong arms enveloped me, making me feel like nothing could harm me while I was in his embrace.
Suddenly, a wave of self–consciousness hit me wasn’t dressed for this moment. My outfit was far from flattering, my shoes had a small stain I hadn’t bothered to clean, and I hadn’t even put on makeup. But Aldrich didn’t seem to care. He looked at me as if I were the most beautiful thing in the world, and for once, I allowed myself to believe it.
He was impossibly handsome. It wasn’t just my biased opinion–every girl who had ever crossed paths with him would agree. But his appeal wasn’t superficial. Aldrich was thoughtful, funny, and considerate, though he had a knack for teasing me at the most inopportune times. His smile was the kind that could light up a room, and his presence had a way of making my
heart race.
Gathering my courage, I tightened my arms around him and asked, “Aldrich… now can I know who the girl you liked before was?”
His gray eyes sparkled with mischief as he looked down at me, his lips curving into a smile. ” You already know who she is.”
I narrowed my eyes and tugged at his arm. “Don’t play games. Tell me.”
“It’s you, Thelma,” he confessed, his tone filled with sincerity. “I’ve liked you from the very beginning. You’re special, interesting, and so unique that I couldn’t help but fall for you.
Hearing those words felt like the culmination of every unspoken hope I had carried in my heart. Yet, his teasing streak surfaced, and I couldn’t help but pout.
“Sometimes, you’re impossible,” I muttered, earning a hearty laugh from him. He ruffled my hair affectionately, his laughter filling the air around us.
“Because you’re adorable,” he said, his voice brimming with affection. “Everything about you. is adorable, Thelma. Your expressions, your quirks–they make you who you are, and I love every bit of it.”
I couldn’t hold back a smile. “Really? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
“I’m serious,” he said, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. “I love you. I know you’ve been hurt before, and I’ll understand if you’re not ready to start something new. But I want you to know that I’m willing to wait for you–for as long as it takes.”
His words were like a balm to every wound I had ever carried. I felt a laugh bubbling up, not from humor, but from sheer relief and joy. “We’re such fools,” I said, burying my face in his
chest.
“We are,” he agreed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “But I don’t mind being a fool if it means. being with you.”
“If I’m a little fool, then you’re the biggest fool of all,” I teased, glancing up at him.
He didn’t deny it, his smile soft and full of affection. His eyes seemed to hold the promise of a future–a future where we could heal, grow, and love together. In that moment, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them side by side. For now, that was more than enough.
