Marigold — Chapter 12

Mari's POV

A soft grunt escaped on my lips at the continuous sound of the knocking on the door.

Who in their fucking right mind would knock at this unearthly hour?

My eyes squinted as I try to open my eyes. But my eyelids were too heavy to even cooperate so instead of bothering to wake up, I buried my face back on the pillow I was hugging before I was literally distressed by the annoying sound.

But it wasn't even a good ten seconds when the knocking had started again.

"Marigold, breakfast is ready. It's past nine,"

My eyes shot open the moment I heard my friend's voice and that's when I felt my pillow starting to move. In surprise, I quickly sat on my bed, eyes widened as I check my surroundings.

It was the same room I slept in when we arrive. But then I remember the pillow so I turned on my right and my lips automatically parted when my eyes landed on Z's sleeping form. He was sleeping soundly that I was too afraid to wake him up.

Just then my eyes caught his form.

Fuck, why isn't he wearing any shirt? Did something happen?

I was no longer thinking straight that the next thing I knew, I was already reaching for the blanket at the same time that his eyes started to flutter open. And when I started pulling it to check if he was naked underneath, that's when his eyes squinted, a look of confusion written all over his face.

When I saw him wearing pants underneath, a sigh of relief escaped my lips but though sleepy, that didn't get past Z's vision.

Soft chuckles escaped his lips as he slowly moves forward and pulled me by the arms so I can lay back on the bed.

"You know, a normal girl would check herself first if she's feeling any different, if she's wearing clothes or scream," I felt him wrap his arms around me and my lips puckered upon the realization.

"What if I was indeed naked underneath?" he pinched my cheek and I grunted. I can still smell his cologne and it made me feel warm for some reason. I felt him snuggle closer and I closed my eyes.

Yeah, why didn't I think of that?

Calming down a little, I tried to remember what happened last night.

Despite being so wasted, I can clearly remember Z arriving and sitting with us for a drink afterward.

"You still reek of alcohol Mari. Ge'ez," he teased and I tried squirming out of his arms and he just erupted into fits of laughter.

Eventually, he lets go of me and stood up heading straight to the restroom.

How did he end up sleeping in here by the way? Where's my roommate?

Shrugging my shoulders, I went out of bed too, and fixed the blanket. I shake my head a little as I realize that Z didn't even bother using the other bed and bunked in with me. I swear Z was just in denial that I am indeed his best friend but has accepted that fact wholeheartedly.

After fixing the bed, I head to my suitcase and grab a huge jumper. That's when Z went out of the restroom. He washed his face and cleaned up a bit.

"Here, why are you not wearing a shirt?" I snickered before throwing him a jumper he used to own. Of course, that's after I took it out of his closet.

His eyebrow raised at my words as if I said something funny. He caught the piece of garment though and started wearing it. I saw how his muscles flexed at his action.

Instead of avoiding my glance, I openly watched him changed before me, sporting a huge grin on my face.

"Is that a hickey?" I laughed as I saw a red mark just right underneath his collarbone.

Damn, what did Z do before coming here?

The moment his head puff out of the jumper, he looked at me so seriously that I smiled to make sure he doesn't get grumpy early in the morning.

"I was trying to at least wash your feet last night before you get to sleep but you forcefully took off my shirt, missy," he pointed his lips towards my direction and that's when I realized that I was wearing a different shirt now, his shirt from last night.

"Oh..."

I lifted my gaze and gave him a peace sign which he just brushed off.

"You can use my extra toothbrush on my bag," I told him before heading to the restroom to wash my face and do my business. His bags are probably still in the car.

Once done, I didn't even bother changing clothes as both Z and I went outside to have breakfast. And when we did, every one of them are already gathered in the backyard. My eyebrow raised when I saw Lennox looking at my direction, his gaze directed to the shirt I was wearing. I felt Z's arm wrapped around my shoulder so I just avoided his gaze.

I laughed as the girls stood up to hug me. That's when Z walked ahead and pulled a chair for both of us.

"Girl, you were totally wasted last night," Shiela grinned and I brushed my hair with my right hand before sitting beside Z, who, I realized have been putting in dishes on my plate while I talk with everyone else.

"I can't even remember half the shits that I did," I grimaced. I saw Z putting some pickles on my plate and I was about to grab some and eat but he was quick to tap my hand off of it before giving me a spoon.

"Thanks," I muttered then dive right in.

I was just busy eating and chatting with them with Z continuously putting in food on my plate. I saw a piece of a chicken leg and was about to grab it when someone else beat me into it.

My eyes widened when I realized it was Lennox. His eyebrow raised and looked at my direction, "Do you want it?" he asked. I shook my head in response. I was startled actually but I noticed Z putting another chicken leg on my plate. I turned my attention back to him.

"I was gonna give it to you," I whispered and he looked a little surprised but smiled nonetheless.

"I'm full," he answered so I just grinned.

We finished breakfast in no time. After helping out in cleaning, the girls and I went to the kitchen to start washing the dishes while the boys remained in the backyard to have a chat.

"We didn't know you guys are really tight like that, I mean, to the point of sharing rooms," Shiela smiled cheekily while looking at my direction. I was drying the utensils while they wash the others.

My brows furrowed at her words. "You mean Z and I?" I asked. She grinned even more and I laughed.

"Maybe because your parents are all close and that you guys grew up together. To be honest, we all thought the two of you were dating. You were clinging into him way too much!"

I raised an eyebrow at her words. I noticed how they were all exchanging meaningful glances too.

Were they all that curious?

I sigh for a moment and tilted my head. I knew a lot of people are curious about us, about know we all grew up. Besides, were children of the most powerful groups the world has ever had. Our parents gave a whole lot of different meanings to the world of music, fashion, and even other sectors.

"Well, we're all pretty much close. We always gather around especially since our parents wanted to stick together at most times too. But I guess I was the closest to Z. He is my best friend after all," I told them.

When I turned around, I saw Zara smiling. It was a different kind of smile that somehow, I have this feeling I wouldn't like what she's thinking.

"You don't like him more than that?"

I smiled weirdly at her.  "That's Z, okay!" I chuckle. What is she even saying?

Soft chuckles escaped my lips at the absurdity of her words. But in all honesty, this isn't the first time someone thought Z and I were dating.

"I mean, Mari, you two practically slept with each other. Like, you were hugging him last night, clinging into him. Don't you even feel anything for the guy?"

My lips puckered at her words. Weird, why are they even thinking that Z and I can be together?

"Z and I have been together since we were kids. I'm used to hugging him.  That's not something new to us. Besides, I'm sure Z sees me the same way that I see him,"

I lean on the kitchen counter and bite my lower lip. Z and I have been friends like forever. He treats like how he treats Elle. I'm sure of that. Why would he put up with my antics then?

"So..." Shiela started and I turned my attention to her direction, curious of what's she's about to say.

"It wouldn't be a problem if I ask Z out, right? I mean, I know I'm a girl but I like him, so that's okay with you, right?" she asked. Her eyes gleaming and I was off caught-guard.

Suddenly, my mood dampens and I wasn't sure what it is I am feeling. Why am I suddenly getting annoyed? I feel like I wanted to tell her to back off because Z is my best friend but I also remember what I just said last just a few moments ago.

I smiled awkwardly at her and nodded. "By all means hunn. I mean, I can help you set up a date with him,"

Fuck. What the hell are you doing?

She smiled at me in gratitude and I wanna scold myself for even saying that. What am I actually doing? It's not like I can really do that!

Z and I were best friends but anything dating is a boundary we never once crossed. Sure he never had problems with me dating because I was never in a relationship but I never tried meddling with his. It's his personal space and I respect that.

I was startled when I heard someone clearing his throat behind us. I turn around and saw Z's serious expression.

He looked at my direction and I bite my lower lip when I realized how my heart suddenly started hammering inside my chest.

Why do I suddenly feel so nervous? Is it because I am afraid Z will be mad at me?

"Your Dad called. You weren't answering your phone so he rang mine," he stated before leaving once again. He didn't even bother to wait for me or anything.

I turned to the girls and smiled awkwardly.

"Gotta talk to Dad. He can really be annoying if I don't answer his calls," I stated and they all smiled in understanding.

I half-jogged as I try to follow him and I was sure he knows I was struggling but he didn't even stop to wait for me.

Did he hear us?

"Dev," I called his name just right when he entered the room and I soon followed. He didn't answer and just headed straight to the restroom and shut the door.

Fuck. Did I finally cross the line?

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