Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan) novel Chapter 360

I tugged at Hannah's hand, skipping down the front steps in a frenzied flight, and we ended up heading the wrong way.

The alley by the house offered no cover. There was no place to hide. By the time I realized our mistake, it was too late to double back—the footsteps from the courtyard were already alarmingly close, right at the front door.

Frozen in shock, a scream nearly escaped my lips as someone clutched my arm with his large hands. A hushed "Shh" sounded in my ear. It was Hannah who clamped a hand over my mouth. The person yanked me back a few steps, shoving me down behind a public trash bin.

Trying to make myself as small as possible, I peeked through the gap between two bins, desperate for a glimpse of what was happening.

The person moved swiftly, dragging Hannah across the street to the opposite side of my hiding spot, and pinned her against a wall. The person's body obscured our view...

Just around the corner from the courtyard gate, the person and Hannah were entangled in what seemed like a passionate embrace, perfectly mimicking a couple lost in a kiss under the cover of darkness.

It hit me then—they were a diversion. Anyone coming out of the courtyard would have their attention hijacked by the silhouettes, completely missing my presence.

Meanwhile, the courtyard gate creaked softly as it was gently pushed open, but Jaylan quickly retreated back inside.

It seemed he too was startled by the unexpected sight.

After a few eerily silent seconds, Jaylan asked carefully, "Who's there? What are you doing?"

The person outside turned toward Jaylan, snapping irritably, "Mind your own damn business!"

It was spot-on—the annoyed retort of a man whose romantic moment had been interrupted.

Jaylan, not daring to make another peep, directed his strides purposefully towards my family's back door.

A couple of minutes later, Gemma also came out from the courtyard. She almost looked our way when the man barked another warning, "What are you looking at?"

The man scurried back inside, shutting the door with a sense of urgency.

I slumped to the ground, gasping for air, a silent prayer of thanks escaping my heart. That was close!