「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(285) Chess

Lynn's POV

For the umpteenth time today, a surge of tears threatened to spill down my face. I glared towards the smooth velvety curtains, hoping to let my disarrayed thoughts wander off into the sleek dark obscurity but nothing seemingly worked to distract me. Instead, I squeezed my eyes tight and clutched my glass dearly, inhaling deep breaths as I wrestled to hold back the storm so defiantly menacing.

"But it's alright, Lynn. I'm sure Jean knows someone who can help us," Charles consoled in a sincere tone that resonated with such close proximity, the warmth of his breath tickled the surface of my cheek.

I opened my eyes slowly, noticing him still sat on the edge of the mattress but shifted much nearer towards me. Our gazes met, and I stared at the blue for just a split second but the stupendous hurt beaming through them savagely crushed every barrier I tried to erect.

Hysterically, I broke down, bawling my heart out, and plopped my head weakly onto his shoulder, utterly exhausted. Delicately removing the contents of my lethargic grasp, Charles gently took my hand and tenderly stroked my back.

"Shush, Lynn. You're going to be just fine. We're all here to help you, alright," Charles coaxed softly.

"I... I don't know if I should be bothering anyone else with this..." I confessed intermittently in a wretched tone.

"This ordeal... It's been too much for all of us... And I've already burdened you... I really don't want them to woe over something they don't have to..." I confided miserably.

"Lynn, you need to stop thinking like this," Charles refuted kindly.

"We're family. All of us. And caring for each other is what a family does," he persuaded in a compassionate tone as he gingerly peeled me off his body.

"Listen to me, very carefully, my love," Charles asserted, staring at me with a solemn yet patient gaze as he wrapped his hands snugly around my drenched face, diligently pushing the tears away.

"You're not a burden to anyone," Charles assured confidently.

"I'm not-" I mumbled shamefully but Charles interrupted abruptly, clearly fathoming my choice of speech.

"You are worth my everything, Lynn," Charles emphasized genuinely and his wet eyes glistened with unwavering affection even when they were stern.

"I love you," Charles declared quietly.

"I love you too," I whispered, shakily raising my hand to his face and daintily brushed off the single droplet that gracefully trickled down his cheek.

Gradually leaning in, Charles elegantly lifted my chin and my heart galloped vigorously as he cautiously approached my trembling lips. I closed my eyes, consistently wishing I could earn a taste of him, but my instincts buckled to the stress at the very last minute.

Withdrawing my hand speedily, I clung my arm around my own torso and clawed my nails harshly into the fabric of my shirt.

"I really want to, but I can't, Charles. I'm sorry," I sputtered, awkwardly averting his gaze.

"It's fine, Lynn. It's not your fault. I was too eager," Charles admitted graciously.

"Just please, stop saying that already," Charles begged in a pleading tone and I seriously counted on the surroundings to be dark enough to shroud him from the likes of my aching heart as tears unceasingly poured down my face like a tenacious flood.