CHAPTER 12: WHAT A SWEET VICTORY

Draymond scoffed, crossing his arms defiantly. "I don't know your game, Zarina, but I'm not falling for it. But if you insist that I begged you to stay last night, you can just say no and leave me alone. Unless you like to sleep with me." He paused a bit and took a deep breath," Whatever your reasons are, I want you to leave. Now!" he said dominantly.

Zarina shook her head, and her voice was firm. "I'm not going anywhere until we figure this out. I won't let you twist the truth and make me look like the bad guy here. How dare you throw me out of my own room!" she snapped, then shifted her gaze to the ceiling, crossing her arms.

'Ahh! This little witch really wants to make me feel embarrassed this time, well, I won't give a damn,' he murmured. He then stood up from the bed and walked to the side where Zarina was lying. 

Zarina's brows knitted in confusion, and she curiously looked at Draymond, who was standing next to her. Suddenly, he started to undress himself in front of her.

Zarina gasped and immediately covered her eyes, "What are you doing?!" she panicked.

"What do you think? Do you feel embarrassed?" He teased, and a wide grin appeared on his lips.

Zarina clenched her fists and got up from the bed, "Damn you!" she growled, carrying the blanket and threw it towards Draymond. Then she stomped away, leaving the room and slamming the door behind.

Draymond victoriously smiled while holding the blanket that Zarina threw on his face. 

"Yes! What a sweet victory!" he exclaimed. And throw himself onto the bed.

****

The kitchen was bustling with noise. Bacon sizzled in a pan, and the kettle whistled when the water boiled. Grandma was setting up the table while outside, people jogged under the morning sun.

"Good morning, Grandma," Zarina said, rubbing her slightly closed eyes when she entered the kitchen. She had been sleeping on the sofa, curling her body like a stray kitten on the streets after Draymond kicked her out of her room.

Grandma put the bacon on a plate and looked at Zarina. "You're up. Go, call Draymond to go downstairs so we can have breakfast together," she said, moving around the kitchen, getting everything ready to eat.

Zarina held back a sigh and mumbled, "Oh no, not again. Here comes another suffering," She pouted, feeling frustrated.

Grandma looked at her with furrowing brows, "Did you say something, honey?" she asked, switching off the stove and pouring hot water into a cup.

Zarina forced a smile. "No, Grandma. I'll go get Draymond now." 

She turned away and headed to her room, trying to shake off her morning grumpiness.

Grandma shook her head and continued her work. She began to put the plate she used for cooking in the kitchen sink and then brought the cup of coffee and glass of milk to the wooden table. 

Meanwhile, Zarina stood in front of her room, glaring at the closed oak door. She silently prayed that her death glare would pass through the door and hit Draymond. Taking a deep breath, she knocked forcefully three times, her impatience obvious in her loud knocks. 

"Hey, it's time for breakfast!" Zarina called out, her irritation obvious in her voice. She waited for a few moments, hoping for a response, but there was only silence. Frustrated, she pounded on the door again, the sound echoing through the hallway like a hammer striking the door.

Running out of patience, Zarina's irritation reached its maximum. Without hesitation, she pushed the door open. The heavy door creaked on its hinges. She was about to yell at him, but her words caught in her throat when she saw Draymond.

"Hey, what are you…." Her voice trailed off as she saw Draymond wearing nothing but a bath towel wrapped around his waist. His damp hair smelled of men's shampoo that she had chosen for him, welcoming her nostrils.

"Ahh!" Zarina shrieked, covering her eyes instinctively. "Can't you get dressed?" she yelled, shock and exasperation filling the room.

Draymond jumped in surprise, holding the bath towel tightly around his waist. He had just finished his shower a minute ago when Zarina barged in. His frustration boiled over, and he threw a dagger stare at her. 

'Is it really that hard for her to knock?' he thought, and his irritation was clear.

"I am about to get dressed when you come in and yell at me! Did you come in just to do that?" Draymond shot back, his voice full of annoyance, his patience running thin. 

Zarina's face turned bright red as she quickly ran to the doorway and slammed the door. 

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to... I'll wait outside. Please, just hurry," she said loudly, her voice filled with embarrassment. She leaned against the door, her heart racing while she was trying to calm herself down. 

"Calm down, Zarina," she muttered. 'You've seen scarier things in fashion magazines several times.'

Draymond let out an exasperated sigh. "Alright, fine, I'm almost done. Just give me a minute," he replied in a flat tone.

After he wore black pants and a khaki sweater, he couldn't resist checking himself in the mirror. His eyes scanned over his reflection, striking a few handsome poses. 

"Great! Still good-looking as ever," he mumbled, nodding in self-approval as he looked at his reflection in the full-length mirror by the window.

Zarina's impatient voice filtered through the door. "Aren't you done yet, Draymond? Faster, I'm hungry!"

He rolled his eyes and replied, "Coming," and he finally stole one glance of his aura before finally opening the door to join them for breakfast.

Soon after, they gathered around the wooden table for breakfast. Draymond's fingers started his usual tapping against the table's polished surface, a melody playing with his racing thoughts.

Grandma Martha noticed Draymond's anxious habit immediately. A weary smile painted on her wrinkled face, then she asked, "Draymond, are you alright? You seem a bit anxious."

Zarina's attention was fully focused on the food, and she didn't mind what was happening around her. She darted on the bacon with her lips slightly parted, and her mouth started to water. The bacon seemed to say, "Common, eat me first" to her.

Draymond looked up, his fingers halting his repeated tapping. "Oh, um… I'm okay, Grandma," he stammered. "Just thinking about some things, you know."