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Chapter 112
~Snow’s POV~
Surprise? I glanced at Aira, barely masking my surprise, but she only raised an eyebrow, her expression daring me to improvise.
A quick mental nudge from Glacier echoed, "Take her out. Show her something different, like... movies or an outing that ladies like."
Clearing my throat, I forced a calm smile. "I thought it’d be good for you to get some fresh air, maybe see a movie, go to the park, a resort, a vacation... name it. You deserve a break."
"You just proved to her you were improvising. Snow, you should have settled on one," Glacier scolded.
I could mentally feel him facepalming but ignored him.
"So?"
Zara’s face lit up, a small, hesitant smile playing on her lips. "A movie sounds nice," she said, almost shyly. "It’s been a while since I’ve done anything like that."
"Perfect," I said, gaining confidence. "Why don’t you get ready, and I’ll be back in about an hour?"
I turned to Aira with a look that clearly said, ’thanks for the sudden announcement’. She only grinned, barely containing a chuckle as she led me out of the room.
"You need to give the lady time to change."
"You guys aren’t coming?" Zara’s voice stopped Aira and she turned. Both Ella and Aira exchanged knowing glances before shaking their heads.
"I still have some unfinished business at home to do," Ella suddenly brought up.
"Me too. Storm and I..."
"We could all go together," Zara chimed in before Aira could pull out.
"We already made reservations at this anime festival for Storm and he is eager to see it. I’m sorry, some other time. Besides, you do not need little Storm bugging your date..." I coughed loudly, and Aira gave an apologetic smile. "I mean, your relaxing time."
Ella couldn’t hold in her laughter and she too joined Aira. She moved over to where Zara was, hugged her friend, and pecked her on the cheeks.
"Enjoy your time, okay? Once we help you pick an outfit, we’ll be out of your hair."
"Just say you want to go see Styles," Zara muttered but I heard every word.
Seeing as they didn’t need my help and Zara couldn’t sweet talk them into coming along, I left the room but as soon as I closed the door, Ella giggled softly.
"Make sure you two do what couples do in theatres. Ride him."
I almost choked on my spit and immediately walked off before my ears bled. Glacier, on the other hand, was giddy inside.
"I like Zara’s friend Ella. She speaks the truth."
"Yeah. Only because it satisfies your desires. We both know Zara wouldn’t do that."
"Then make her," Glacier shot back. "You can use allure on her and..."
My mood changed immediately, the air around me turning tense as I suppressed Glacier in my mind. "Using allure is not an option. Do not bring it up again."
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~Zara’s POV~
A movie date with Snow? It felt strange, but a good strange. I hadn’t expected him to suggest something so... normal. After everything that had happened, something as simple as a movie felt like a breath of fresh air.
The girls helped me pick out a simple but classy and sexy outfit that showed my curves, left a bit little to the imagination, was easy enough for me to breathe in and added a light jacket.
As Ella brushed through my hair, I caught myself smiling in the mirror, excitement bubbling up.
It was hard to admit, even to myself, but I was looking forward to spending time with him outside the mansion in a way that didn’t involve all the heavy responsibilities hanging over us.
"There, you’re ready," Ella announced.
"Not quite," Aira cooed from where she stood near my vanity, glancing down at my makeup kit. "We need a bit of light make-up to go and Ella check her closest. There’s a silver heel I saw there."
"Sure."
With Ella going about to carry out the errand, Aira focused on me with that grin that told me I was in trouble.
Fast forward to fifteen minutes later, I stood by the mirror, admiring my reflection and appreciating their handwork.
"Thanks a lot, girls," I beamed.
"For you, anytime," Aira said with a smile as she pinched my cheeks.
"You’re stunning, girl," Ella commented, making do a twirl for her. "Snow’s not going to know what hit him."
"True," Aira chimed. "Make my baby brother fall head over heels with you and let him ravish you like he did that mating night when you guys were so loud the entire pack probably heard."
Her cheeks flushed as she mentally recalled that day and said all those words but while Aira was lost in her world, Ella had the look of complete and utter shock in her eyes.
"Y-Y-Y-yooouuu what?!"
Aurora turned just in time to see Ella’s jaw drop, following her initial reaction.
"Oops, she didn’t know?" I rolled my eyes at Aira. Of course, Ella didn’t. We haven’t had time to discuss. "Sorry."
"Zara," we both looked at Ella and I gulped, "you mean to tell me you and Snow did..." I signalled her with my eyes to cut it out, as none of Snow’s family members knew we were in a contract marriage.
Ella gave me that deathly stare glare, already telling how much of a goner I was. "We’ll talk later."
Right now I was glad they weren’t coming along. I couldn’t guarantee Aira not spilling any important details and Ella not wanting to kill me for it.
Knock! Knock!
A rasp on the door broke the tension in the room and we whipped our heads in the direction. A few seconds later, the doorknob turned and Snow walked in looking even more breathtaking.
Snow stepped into the room, and for a moment, all three of us just stared.
He wore a simple, fitted white shirt that hinted at the strength underneath; sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off his forearms.
His dark jeans complemented the shirt, and somehow he looked both effortless and refined.
His slightly tousled hair framed his face in a way that made him look like he’d just walked off the cover of a fashion magazine.
His gaze drifted over to me, and I swore a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes before his usual calm demeanour took over. "You look... perfect."