The whole ceremony and back to back events after the guests had left had taken up the entire day. Amidst many greetings from family and other close friends, Vance and Nicole took off from the venue and arrived at Vance's house. This one is different from the Cale family's place. It was his own house. The two walked in together.
At door the two stopped. "Well, welcome to my home." Vance was somehow energized after the drive.
The two stepped in and Vance showed Nicolette around his cozy flat. After walking around from room to room taking in all the details as Vance just sat by the couch watching her, she commented, "Prime location, calm surroundings, best interiors and just how big two persons would need; nice!"
"Of course."
"How much did it cost?"
"Um, around 13 millions. Why?" The question followed immediately. What an ambitious girl, he thought. It had taken him two whole years to buy this. He could have got bigger houses elsewhere but this one had caught his eye since long. He hadn't mentioned about the swimming pool that covered a part of the terrace yet. Though it was just an apartment on the fourth floor and the building was only five storeyed, there was a park two blocks ahead and there were villas which were at most three storeys high. Around that building, there were nothing higher for a considerable distance and the morning would be fresh with sunlight pouring in and a good breeze. He would have bought a villa as well, but he knew it would be too extravagant.
"Wow, that's expensive. But it seems to be worth it.." , she said, a little unsure. "The furniture included. And you haven't seen the terrace yet. I'll show you tomorrow."
"Hmm. What do we do now?" She asked as they were both lazing on the bed in the bedroom, which was Vance's exclusive previously. They had freshened up and were playing with their respective phones scrolling through the content.
"Dinner in an hour. First go and get changed," Vance told her. But she was feeling too good in the white fluffy dress.
"Are we going out?"
"No! Can't you cook?"
"Then I will keep my dress on." She said and she went into the kitchen to make food. Vance was bewildered and followed her. "Isn't it troublesome?" She had not even removed her veil off her head.
"It's not that heavy. And I feel nice in this."
"Oh, perhaps you wanted to take some more photos?" Vance did not get a reply and he understood the question was dumb. He had been slowly seeing the trend. Nicolette really would not talk unnecessarily. Even if the other person mocked her. That wasn't right now, was it?
"I'll chop them," he stated and the both cooked together. The dinner area was small and was a part of the kitchen. As they had lunch, Vance wanted to ask her if she would not counter back when she would be laughed at. Not that he intended to say she was laughed at or such situation may happen, but life was fair and everyone would face things like that. If she was calm then, it would mean that she accepted whatever. As much as he wanted to ask how she handled it, he knew they had to grow closer before asking such questions. It was not much, but Vance thought it was a bit personal.
After lunch, Nicolette seemed done with the dress. They both changed into casuals. Nicolette was tired and she soon fell asleep on the bed. Vance wanted to sleep too but who knew she was not at all shy to sleep in his bed like this. He would have discussed and made some arrangements to suit the two. They both were sprawled on the bed with their phones again after lunch. When he took a look at her casually, she was already sleeping in an awkward and uncomfortable position. Her legs were dangling off the bed and she clutched her phone lightly over her chest. She sure takes her liberties, Vance thought.
He walked around the room for a while not knowing what do to. He contemplating waking her up but it felt too awkward for him to do so. Would she feel embarrassed? He decided to gently pull the phone, shuffle her and place her legs on the bed.
He bent over her as he tried to take the phone. At that slightest tug on the phone however, Nicolette's eyes opened as she woke up. They were sleepy and red and she frowned.
Vance had a terror. He pulled his hands back so soon that someone watching his actions would think he had touched fire. Her confused eyes had already straightened his spine and he quickly stood up.
"Put you phone away and sleep properly," he said as he sent a silent thank you to the heavens above. She did not seem to notice where his hands were just then. He would have died from mere embarrassment had she accused him of something.
"Hmm," she turned to the other side and left her phone by the side and closed her eyes. Vance felt stupid. She had just woken up, he could as well reminded her that it was his bed. It was so much work to keep her with him without any difficulties.
There was a couch in the living room but he would never sleep on it. It was pretty uncomfortable. It would not even fit Nicolette. The only option left was the floor but he would think of think of it later. With nothing more to do for now, he finally sat on the edge of the bed. He placed to pillows beside Nicolette waking her up once again.
This time her mind was not as foggy as before. She understood what was going on. She thought that Vance was considerate enough not to throw her out of the bed. With just woken up red eyes she took a pillow that Vance put near her and walked out of the room.
"Where are you going?" Vance was vigilant. Nicolette murmured something he could not understand. He followed her and found her asleep on the couch hugging the pillow. He thought this was better. He could sleep peacefully without her just two feet from him.