29 Unveiling Masks and Manipulations -1

"I I can do it myself," Ziana snapped stubbornly, her hands tightly gripping the first aid kit in her hand. But Zayden was quick to snatch it from her. She glared at him hearing his grumble.

"I am afraid you will spill the things and ruin my high-end car." Dipping the cotton swab in the antiseptic solution, Zayden continued, "And I can't charge a penniless person for its cleaning expenses."

Ziana scoffed at his rudeness. But before she could retort, he lifted her chin again with his index finger and her body stiffened.

"I don't need your help!" She grabbed his hand and tried to move his annoying finger away from her chin but his sharp glare stopped her. His looming red eyes slightly scared her, and she unconsciously released his hand.

"Open that mouth again and I will throw you out of this car." He warned lifting her chin again and she reluctantly obeyed. She hated to admit it but his intimidating look put her off and shut her mouth.

Zayden shifted his gaze back to her neck. The marks were quite large and healing from a demon's bite was painful and time-consuming. And he highly doubted whether this wild raccoon could tolerate the process.

Ziana winced as he placed the cotton swab over her wound. As he cleaned her wound, a sharp sting shot through her, causing her to flinch involuntarily. Zayden paused at her reaction, his eyes meeting hers briefly before focusing on the wound.

"Can't you heal it?" Ziana asked as the pain was soon replaced by a cooling sensation. His brother, Yael had healed her completely from the wolf's attack so he must also possess such powers, right?

"That's Yael's forte," Zayden replied, his hands gently brushing against her neck as he treated her wounds.

"What about Xavier?"

"He can heal small wounds."

"Hmm. So I was right!" Ziana nodded and looking down at him, she taunted, "You are only good at bickering."

"I am also good at torturing." Zayden pressed the swab harder making Ziana flinch in pain. A sly smirk appeared on his lips and she glared at him. This cunning fox!

Once he was done thoroughly cleaning her wounds, he took out the antibiotic ointment which the pharmacist suggested was effective at preventing infection and promoting healing. He took another swab and applied it to her neck.

Ziana observed him carefully as he continued tending her wounds. His hands were quick yet gentle, unlike those of her clumsy hands. He took out a bandage from the kit and carefully removed the sticker before placing it over her neck.

Her body stiffened again when his fingers pressed against her neck. Her breath hitched as he gently brushed away her hair, pushing them back. He merely wanted to avoid it sticking to the bandit but her body's response was embarrassing her. Why the hell was his touch making her nervous?

Zayden nodded satisfactorily looking at the bandit before turning his attention to her lips. He paused noticing the slight change in her expression and his eyes beamed with a hint of mischief. And instead of the cotton swab, he applied the ointment to his index finger.

Ziana frowned but froze as he suddenly touched her lips. Heat radiated to her cheeks, leaving her flushed when his finger brushed her lower lip and gently applied the cream to her bruised corner. His warm touch sent tingles through her body and made her heart flutter again.

Zayden enjoyed her reaction with a smile. He could hear a change in her heartbeat and it was pleasing to his ears.

"Why?" Caressing her lip, he looked up at her and met her nervous eyes. "Is it giving you butterflies?"

Ziana blushed, her cheek turning red feeling her heart rampage at his question. His gleaming red eyes stared into her brown ones, trying to read her expression and she felt her soul opening up to him. No, she couldn't let his charms deceive her.

"No," She shook her head and smiled sweetly, "It's making me cringe."

Zayden's eyes widened and he scoffed at her humiliation. She really didn't deserve even a pinch of his kindness.

Retracting his hand, he shoved the kit into her hands and mumbled, "Do it yourself."

"Thank you!" Ziana snapped and breathed inwardly as he started the car. Taking out a bandit, she made a mental note to stay away from this man. He was insanely infuriating and toxic to her health.

Zayden scowled as she turned the mirror and applied the bandit. She met his eyes and returned his icy glare. They both stared at each other for a brief second, eager to pull each other's hair and snap their throats.

Zayden was the first to break their stare down as he needed to concentrate on the road. Ziana smiled smugly in victory and took out her phone to check the bandits.

Her only wish was that her mother would not kill her for getting involved in another fight with her. Even she was worried about entering jail before her results but couldn't avoid trouble. But this time, it was all this jerk's fault and she just helped him out of humanity.

They soon reached her house and she got down immediately. And to her distress, even Zayden stepped out of the car instead of driving away.

"Don't you have any other business than tailing me?" She furiously asked crossing her arms. Zayden ignored her and collected the bags from the back seat.

"No! I love clinging to you." Zayden replied sweetly, earning a foul expression from her. Yes, making her cringe was his new tool for having fun.

Taking the bags, he walked towards her home and Ziana followed him. No, she had enough of his scandal today!

"What are you doing here?" A displeased boy glowered standing up from the couch. He glared at Zayden before his eyes landed on Ziana and they became wary.

"Did you hurt her?" Ivan asked noticing the bandages on his sister. Norah walked out of the kitchen at his loud voice and stopped at the sight of Zayden. Her eyes fell on Ziana's neck before glaring at the annoying reaper. Did he dare to touch her daughter?!

"No, but it's all my fault," Zayden answered, his voice so filled with sadness that Ziana frowned. He was up to something shady again!

"I was attacked by a bunch of men at the club." His eyes shifted to Ziana, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "But Ziana appeared and saved me tonight."

Ziana almost spat out her own saliva at his words. Was he trying to please his family now?

Norah and Ivan blinked in confusion. They stared at Ziana who was busy staring at the sly fox standing beside her.

"If not for her, I would have been seriously injured." He added. His face beaming with gratitude, so genuine that even Ziana almost fell for it.

"I also realized I had crossed the line earlier this morning. I had no clue that she was in a serious relationship so I decided to joke about it but ended up hurting you all."

"I am truly ashamed of my actions and I hope you forgive me." He added, slightly raising his hands and Ivan's eyes fell on the PlayStation. His puppy eyes sparkled, and an amused smile itched his lips but he controlled his desire and continued glaring at Zayden.

This prick had played with his sister's feelings and rubbed salt on her healing wounds which he couldn't ignore just for a mere toy.

"Ziana has forgiven me and I hope you both can consider it too." Zayden ended his act with a 90-degree bow and Ziana wanted to clap for his performance.

He wasn't a narcissistic, obnoxious rat but rather a shameless brute, capable of manipulating emotions and situations. He had a way with words but her mother wasn't someone to fall for. She would surely rather throw him away!

A moment of silence followed as the siblings waited for Norah to speak. Zayden maintained a calm expression, his sweet smile irking Ziana to tear away his lips. She hated it more and more!

"We are about to have dinner. Come join us if you are free." Norah said leaving her daughter speechless. Wait, did her headstrong mother soften to this rat's words?

"I would love to. Thank you." Zyaden smiled and shoved the bags into Ziana's hands before following Norah.

"Are there any more bags in the car?" Ivan asked walking up to his sister. He checked the bags and they all were from their earlier shopping.

"Oh my god! Zia, look!" Taking out the video games from one of the bags, Ivan excitedly grinned. "He brought all the newly released editions."

Ziana glared at her brother. Shoving all the bags into his hand, she stormed to her room. She had lost her appetite and had no mood to entertain him.