Capítulo 272: Forty
Shortly after, Laira sort of passed out and I decided that maybe this story should be told incrementally. Although, it was a bit strange that Laira chose to drink. It is a bit out of character for her, but then again I've been out of her life for more than a year. People change.
Once I've tucked her into bed, I give her a kiss on the forehead and say good night.
She mumbles something in her comatose state, and then clear as day, she says" I've slept with David, " Sweet mother....
Still kneeling on the small bed I look at her, really look at her, and under that sweet girl's innocent face, I see hidden a rebel in the making. Leaving aside the shocking revelation, I can't help but wonder how did it even happen. On the surface, Laira is the most level-headed person I've ever met. A very cleverly crafted career path planned out, and no desire to marry or have children. So this strikes me at a different level.
Things change. People change.
And Laira has every right to change her mind, even though it's David who we are speaking of. Another solid person who has not strayed from his goals in life.
Her brother, even though not by blood but still. Shit.
Millie and her father are no longer together, but Holly shit on a stick.
" Sleep tight, my naughty girl," I give her another kiss on the forehead feeling a little bit better about myself.
It's one of those things, where a series of unfortunate events-more often than not-poorly made decisions, you find yourself in a certain club. And boy, it feels good to have company.
At the end of the day, it's none of my business, who she chooses. As long as she is happy, I guess it doesn't really matter.
It's still early afternoon, and I plan to take this time to formulate a plan. A good plan, on how to tackle my newest challenge.
Firstly, I need to speak with Mason. It is a roadblock that has always been there, now we just need to figure out how to overcome it.
Until then, some other things require my immediate attention. I still have quite a bit of material to work my way through. Since I've spent the allotted time for reading, prancing around the districts.
Once I'm in my room, I get on it. If I'm going to move to the next stage, I need to chew my way through those books like my lifehood depends on it. And strangely enough, it kind of does.
Hours pass by, the sun slowly drifting towards the horizon. It has been a beautiful winter day. Dulled only by the fact that Eric has me put in the corner. For now, I can only wait until Mason comes back.
When night settles in, I take out the leftovers from the fridge, pop it in the small oven attached to the stove and do some more reading while I wait.
With dinner out of the way, I stretch my limbs and crack my bones. Sitting down for so many hours, you're bound for something to get numb.
I take a quick, hot shower to ease the tension in my muscles and slowly get ready for bed. Hopefully, by now the nosey people have gone to bed and the coast is clear.
When I open the bathroom door, I'm greeted by a large bunch of purple flowers, that make me take a quick step back.
Lowering the bouquet, Mason's smiling face comes into view, " Hi beautiful," He softly says giving me a long look from head to toe.
" Hi," I say breathlessly, my heart picking up a stupidly insane speed in my chest. If I keep going at this rate, it won't be long before the ticker gives. In a matter of seconds, my body blazes under his appreciative intense gaze, his eyes roving shamelessly pausing for a brief second when it reaches my chest, and it quickly snaps up to my face. And I love every second of his attention. The way his lips tug at the corner into a slanted smirk, when he notices the deep red shade I've turned. I'm pretty sure there is steam rising out of my body as we stand there in the doorway. Although the day has taken its toll on him, he still looks every bit debonair with his tousled mousy hair, a few locks gently grazing his eyebrow, the light in his unmistakably celestial eyes, and those beautifully plump lips that kiss me with such searing fervour.
He leans in, squishing the flowers between us, his lips caressing mine with soft languid strokes that speak of longing and adoration, while his arms wrap around my waist to pull me closer to him. No complaint there but we are ruining those lovely flowers.
" We are squishing these beautiful flowers," I whisper breathlessly against his lips, as he slowly pulls away. His adoring eyes search mine, his hand on the small of my back pressing me into his sturdy frame. I'm still, taken aback of how aware I am of each point of contact between us. The way my body melts into his, each curve fitting perfectly against his. I grab the lapels of his suit jacket, to ground myself before my thoughts go astray. We need to talk.
He smiles, broadly full of mischief " None compare to you," He curls his bottom lip between his teeth, practically undressing me with his eyes. Not that he has to put much effort, I'm naked under the bathrobe.
" Tell me more," Heat creeps up in my cheeks when he chuckles. I'm not one for fishing for compliments but it feels nice when they are coming off his lips.
And the delivery is exceptional, especially when his voice drops to a low gravelly pitch, it makes me shiver with excitement. I feel the words resonating through me all the way to the marrow of my bones. His charm is undeniably irresistible. Proof of that is the many women who strolled the corridor of Northenhay for years. And now, he has chosen me to be the keeper of his heart. And he is the keeper of mine for however long the heavens allow us.
Grabbing my hand he leads me to the table, and drops the flowers on it, next to a box. One that I'm all too familiar with," You brought me cake," I whisper, a little shocked that he's even taken the time to think of me during his day. Even though he doesn't perform grand gestures, it's the small things that he does to show me that he loves me.
" Why are so surprised? Of course, I did. I also got some other things. Although, there is a good chance that the cake is a bit smushed, " He pulls a chair for me to sit down while he goes to grab our plates.
Tearing through the packaging like a savage-only to reveal- indeed a very lopsided, slightly smushed chocolate cake. My favourite. All gooey, and delicious.
" Yum," I rub my hands together, eyeing the cake with ravenous eyes. I wipe my mouth just in case any drool has dribbled down my chin. Mason chuckles, cuts me a slice and passes to me.
" If I'd known that cake makes you so happy, I'd have bought the damn bakery," He says amused while I take my first bite, feeling the soft buttery, bitter-sweet taste wash away my woes. It has been a pretty shitty first day. We are only two weeks into the new year, and I can confidently say that I'm ready for it to be over.
" I'd love you eternally if you could do that," I say and wolf down another generous bite.
" You're so easy to bribe," He chuckles, and I pause.
" Why? What did you do?" I instantly panic, and Mason gives me a sly grin.
" Nothing. It's just for future reference when I will do something," That sort of brings my heart back in my chest from it dropped on the floor.
" How was your day?" I decide to choose something less controversial to speak about.
He sighs, his shoulders slump and takes a bite of his cake. Not good. Not safe territory.
" It was challenging. I missed you," He smiles but it lacks the usual enthusiasm and warmth.
" The mayor dropped by to remind me of our little agreement and then Ava came to discuss wedding-related matters," Sometimes, lying doesn't sound so bad. I wish this was one of those times. I don't think I've ever lost my appetite this quickly. My love for chocolate will hold an eternal place in my heart but right now it tastes like mud mixed with cyanide. Poisonous, just like Ava's intrusion into our lives.
" I'm sorry," He slides his hand in mine, concern lining his beautiful features " I shouldn't have said anything," He says softly, gently swiping his thumb over my knuckles. He is worried about my feelings, and he has no idea how endearing that is; to see him care for me first when he is the one to bear the brunt of it all. My first line of defence, and he is taking it all in stride.
" It's alright," I squeeze his hand and try to put my feelings aside for a moment, " I'm glad you did. Not all days will be good, and I don't mind hearing about it. We will celebrate good days together, and sulk over the bad ones together," Look at me trying to put a positive spin on a horrendous situation. Never thought I'd see the day when I'd be able to put my cynicism aside.
He gives me a wan smile, and brings my hand to his lips, " You are a better person than I am," He kisses my hand and gently drops it back on the table. I don't know about that, but I try to be as sympathetic as I can, but some people make it really difficult for me.
This one of those moments where anger and frustration rears its ugly head. The call of vengeance gets stronger with each passing day. Admittedly, this is not as bad as having to deal with Micah but, still, it's difficult to ignore the simmering rage festering underneath my skin.
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