#Chapter 281: Apologies For The Delay

Steven agrees to stay with Mia for now. “Leave it to me to get this guard outside,” he adds. I have no idea how he is going to manage that without anyone noticing, but I trust Steven. If he says he’ll be able to do it, I trust him. I also notice him eyeing the window. “Okay,” I say. He looks at me critically then. He’s given up holding my face, but his hands have found my arms instead. He rests his palms on my upper arms and doesn’t seem keen on letting me go. “Be careful down there,” he says. “I will,” I say. I want to drown in the depths of his eyes, filled to the brim with concern for me. But I can feel Mom’s curious gaze burning a pair of holes on the back of my neck. I clear my throat and look away from Steven. “We should go.” Steven lets his hands fall away. He continues to watch me though, even as we walk through the door. I know because I glance back just before I disappear into the hallway and see him. I’m feeling a bit nervous. Mom must be too, because as we start