Chapter 17 : After spending some time at Hazels office , I decided to head back to my apartment .
My body felt heavy with exhaustion , every muscle aching from the weight of the day I needed rest desperately !! When I arrived home , I found my car still parked in the basement , untouched .
I took the elevator up to the ninth floor , my thoughts drifting as the numbers blinked before me } ) The moment I stepped into the hallway , my gaze instinctively flickered toward Nathans unit .
His door was tightly shut , a stark contrast to the usual warmth that radiated from it Was he mad at me ? !! I hadnt done anything wrong at least , I didnt think so .
I had only told the truth .
That he was just my neighbor .
) But then , why did I feel this strange tug of guilt in my chest ? ) Okay , fine .
I admit it .
Nathan is nice really nice .
His presence has this inexplicable way of making me feel at ease , like the world isnt as heavy when hes around I hesitated in front of his door , my fingers hovering over the doorbell .
The floor was quiet , no paparazzi lurking around .
I could do this .
Before I could press the button , the door swung open .
) ! Nathan stood there , his expression unreadable .
There was no teasing gnn , no amused glint in his eyes .
Just nothing .
HI said , my voice laced with uncertainty What ? His tone was flat .
My heart clenched .
Where was the Nathan who always found a way to make me laugh ? The one who throw indiculous phrases at me just to get a reaction ? The one who never looked at me with anything less than warmth ? Something about his indifference shattered me in a way I wasnt prepared for : || Tears welled in my eyes before I could stop them I didnt know why , but I hated this tension between us .
I hated that he wasnt being himself with me Nathan let out a deep breath and , without a word , stepped aside silently inviting me in 3 But instead of moving , my tears fell harder The moment they did ; Nathans expression shifted .
In the next second , his arms were around me , his warmth seeping into my cold skin Hey , dont cry , he murmured , his large hand stroking my hair with a tendemess that made my heart ache Im sorry , Im really sorry I sobbed against his chest Tjust = Nathan shushed me softly pulling me closer I didnt even know what I was apologizing for .
Maybe for pushing him away , for creating this invisible distance between us .
Maybe because , deep down , I knew he didnt deserve it .

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He tilted my chin up , his gaze gentler now just as I had longed for My breath hitched when he leaned in , his lips mere inches from mine .
I could feel his breath against my damp skin , sending a shiver down my spine.X And then , without thinking , I closed my eyes.X His lips met mine , slow and soft , as if he were savoring the moment .
The kiss was warm , soothing , and yet , it sent fire through my veins .
My sobs faded , replaced by the rapid beat of my heart The world around me blurred , leaving only the intoxicating sensation of Nathans lips moving against mine , gentle yet firm , coaxing me into surrender When he pulled away , I found myself breathless , my fingers still curled against his shirt as if reluctant to let go .
Whats happening to me ?: Feel better ? Nathan asked , his voice low and husky Want hot chocolate ? Or milk ? His casual question made my heart stutter Yeah thanks , I murmured .
Nathan nodded , heading toward the kitchen .
But I remained frozen in the middle of the living room , my fingers brushing my lips in disbelief We just kissed .
And it wasnt just a kiss .
!! It was something more ! Nathan always had a way of pulling me back from the storm raging in my life .
With him , I wasnt drowning in the chaos of my reality -I was simply here , in this moment , feeling something I wasnt sure I was ready to name .
!! My gaze wandered to the couch , where a pile of clothes lay scattered .
Was he heading to work? He once told me he only went in when it was important Was I interrupting him ? Was I interrupting him ? I tried to brush the thought away , but my eyes landed on something else a lanyard sitting on the table .
Curious , I stepped closer , my fingers reaching for the ID card attached to it .
My breath caught the moment I read the name .
My body went rigid .
I knew this name ? I knew this face .
Nathan .
Cero X The realization crashed over er me , and when I turned around , Nathan was already there , watching me .
Sharon- Can you explain this , Nathan ? My voice trembled slightly as I held up the lanyard .
Nathan exhaled slowly , not rushing to snatch it from my hand .
Instead , he calmly handed me the glass of milk he had just prepared .
I took it but my gaze never left his .
His next words were quiet , almost resigned .
I think you already figured it out .
Youre .
Cero ? I barely recognized my own voice ..
Nathan nodded .
Yeah.7 My stomach twisted … The clothes on the couch the same ones he wore when we met at Hazels office .
The way he had been avoiding job .
The way he carried himself in both personas , so different yet so unmistakably him .
q questions about his It was all true … And then another realization hit me ..
Was it because of that awful news that you told me to stay away ? Nathans jaw clenched .
He took a step forward , his presence commanding , but his touch was gentle as he brushed a stray my cheek.X tear ar from I swear , he murmured , his voice dark with an edge of something dangerous .
Ill make them pay for making you feel like you had to push me away .
A shiver ran down my spine They ? I asked , my voice barely above a whisper !! He nodded .
Grace .
And her affair The air left my lungs .
! Grace .
She was behind the story that tarnished my name .
Nathan knew ! And I had no doubt he would do something about its Ill show you , he said , guiding me toward a room next to his bedroom .
The door opened , revealing an entire space filled with high end electronic equipment , screens displaying various feeds It was undeniable now .
Nathan wasnt just my neighbor He wasnt just the annoying , charming man who had somehow become my safe place.X He was Cero.i Nathan I called , making him turn to me with that soft gaze a again .
That gaze I had missed .
What ? he asked I hesitated , then blurted .
Do you have two personalities ? It was a ridiculous question , but I needed to ask .
The Nathan I knew was warm , lively , and annoyingly cheerful .
But Cero ? He was sharp , calculating , and dangerously mysterious ! Nathan laughed , a rich , amused sound that sent warmth through my chest Lets just say that , honey he teased , winking I rolled my eyes , but my heart wasnt fooled Because now , I knew ! Nathan and Cero were one and the same .