It was now eleven. Both lovebirds were still snuggling with each other under the warm blanket. Lucy didn't go to work. She called to let them know she was having flu.
She tangled her legs with Aubrey's and hugged him. It became her habit to doing so. Aubrey moved slightly and he returned the hug. He moved his head under her chin, this too had become his newfound habit when sleeping with Lucy.
They slept comfortably in each other's arms but were woken up by a certain disturbance downstairs. Lucy frowned deeply. She sat on the bed slowly. Her back was hurting less now, thank goodness.
"Who the hell is in my house? I don't remember telling anybody-", she meant to say 'my passcode', but stopped when she remembered Olivia.
Aubrey woke up beside her. He stared at her face. Lucy turned to her boyfriend. She was forced to remember their lovemaking session last night.. her face reddened instantly. Ahhhhh!!!
"Don't look!", she covered her face. Her ears were red too.
'Damn Lucy! You're the one who started the session! Why are you embarrassed?!!', she cursed herself.
She then realized, she was naked. Ahhhh!!! She immediately covered her upper body with the blanket. Her neck had hickeys. She was going to dig a hole later.
Aubrey sat up beside Lucy. He smiled and his hand brushed over her soft cheek.
"Why is my girlfriend shy?", he said. He looked new and gentle. Like a man she hadn't known.
".. Aubrey?", Lucy looked at him intensely.
"Hm?"
"You've changed.", she said. Her smile big and she felt like bragging to the whole world.
Aubrey just smiled, he didn't try to say anything. Yes he changed. Lucy changed him for the better.
When they were busy in their own loving and gazing, the door opened with quick force, it almost broke the door.
"You again- Olivia!", Lucy turned towards the door, but before she could see Olivia, she saw Gary.
Huh???
"What are you doing, Lucy?", Gary asked her, his face hurt.
"Gary..?", her throat felt dry. What was he doing here?
Olivia was hiding behind Gary, she didn't dare to show her face.
"What is the meaning of this, Lucy?", Gary asked her again. This time, he sounded stern.
His tone lighted up some annoyance within Lucy. How could he question her like that in her own house? When he was the one who barged in without a thought. Lucy became angry.
"What are you doing here, Gary? You barged in my house like you own the place and asked me what I'm doing? Where are your manners? Get out.", her voice cold. Gary was stunned. She had never used this tone whenever she was talking with him before.
Olivia knew when to heed to Lucy, she quietly pulled Gary's sleeve outside.
Aubrey became silent. An unknown feeling tugged his chest when he saw the look of Gary. That Gary guy was in love with Lucy..
"I'm very sorry for this to happen twice.", Lucy sighed. She also didn't have any idea. She faced Aubrey, but he didn't respond.
".. Aubrey?", she started worrying.
"I'm fine.", he said. He smiled towards Lucy. His gesture warmed her heart.
Lucy was happy and relieved, he wasn't that wary of people anymore. He started to change, positively.
"I'll take a shower first and settle it downstairs.", she stood up, meaning to get to the bathroom.
Lucy halted suddenly and walked back to Aubrey. She gave him a peck and went away quicky. Her face was slightly red.
Aubrey chuckled softly. He was certain now. He loved Lucy, so very much.
•••
Lucy went downstairs but she didn't see Gary anywhere. It was just Olivia sitting on the sofa, fidgeting.
"Where is he?", Lucy went over to Olivia.
"He went home.", Olivia couldn't raise her head up. She knew her end was near.
Lucy took a seat across Olivia, she crossed her arms. Her eyes meant death.
"I'm sorry! I told my parents at the ball!", Olivia confessed.
Lucy was quiet. She was waiting for Olivia to tell the whole story.
"My parents wanted to pair you up with Liam when they saw you danced. And.. and I told them you already has a boyfriend!", she said. Invisible sweat running down her face.
Lucy didn't say a word. She stood up.
"Uh.. my mom might have called your mom or aunt Annie to ask for details.. I guess that's how Gary got to find out.", Olivia gulped. She was going to die today.
Lucy closed her eyes and she took a deep breath. She took her phone out and saw twenty misscalls from her mother, twelve misscalls from aunt Annie and Gary. One message from her father.
"Damn you Olivia...!!!", Lucy shouted. It was in high pitch and the glass almost break. It was so loud.
"Please forgive me my friend! I didn't mean it! It just slipped my mouth! I swear!", Olivia was now begging with her knees on the floor. Lucy was rarely mad, and if she was, it was not going to end well.
Now her parents knew, what should she do?? Gary saw Aubrey in her room. The secret about them staying together was out! Her parents wouldn't allow it.
Lucy turned to her phone again. Ignoring the pleading Olivia. A message from her father aroused her attention. She opened it.
"Break up with him if you still want to be my daughter. Don't disappoint me anymore.", Lucy could hear her father's cold threat from the message.
She felt like throwing the phone away. But she held it inside. She gave the phone to Olivia.
"Look at what you've done, Olivia.", Lucy took her seat again. Her father's words cut deeper than she thought.
Olivia read it, then she put the phone away. What a problem she had created..
"Lucy.. I'm sorry. I didn't know it would be this serious.", she went to her best friend.
"Stop it. Don't apologize.", Lucy shook her head. Her mind was a little clearer now.
It was not Olivia's fault. She knew someday her parents would know. She was serious about Aubrey, of course she would one day introduce him to her family.
But now was not the right time. Her relationship with Aubrey was still new. They still had a long way to go. His problems and trauma were her main concern. She wanted to heal him first.
Lucy sighed.
"My parents are strict, Olivia. They won't listen to me. They don't care about what I want."
"But that isn't going to stop me..", her eyes flickered in flames. Lucy's feelings were genuine.
Olivia was surprised. This was the first time she saw Lucy in great spirit. She could see that Lucy was serious about her relationship. It made her wonder who this man really was..
".. Lucy.", a voice of a man was heard.
Both Lucy and Olivia turned to the voice. Aubrey was standing near them. He heard everything. He was happy when she said she wasn't going to give up. He felt like he was the happiest man alive.
Lucy went to Aubrey without wasting a second.
"What's wrong?", she asked.
"I'm moving out.", he said, smiling a little. He didn't want to trouble her anymore.
But Lucy didn't want that.. she wanted him near her. He wasn't stable enough to live alone.
"No.. you can't.", she said. Her eyes desperate but also definite.
Aubrey knew of her reasons. But he couldn't stay any longer. He was sure that everything was going to be alright, if Lucy was by his side.
He patted Lucy in the head, warmth spread over him very quickly. His love for her grew for every second. He was beyond help now. She was all he could think of. Her kindness got through his walls. Her love got through his soul.
"I'll be alright.", he said. His voice sweet and kind.
Lucy was still reluctant to let him go. She insisted to go with him first to see where he was going to stay. Aubrey had to listen since she was so worried about it.
Olivia saw them talking, and she had to admit that Lucy's boyfriend was damn hot. His black hair and natural purple eyes were out of grasp. He was born a hottie. Where did Lucy landed herself such a guy?