"Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form."
― Rumi
After breakfast, I showered and got out my laptop to check out the mail my boss sent me. I made myself coffee and I put on my glasses to start proofreading the new story he gave to me. Kiss and kill.
I breathe out sadly. Some of these authors don't even try anymore. They think writing a few hot steamy scenes in the bathroom makes a good book. A book is about capturing the readers mind.
I heard a knock on my door before Stephan came in, still half naked.
"Would you please put some clothes on?" I ask him. I was tired of seeing sexy abs staring at me reminding me of how utterly alone I was.
"I don't have clothes. Why? Is it bothering you?" he asks stepping closer.
"Oh of course it isn't", I stutter, I stand abruptly, "we need to go to the mall then"
He raises one of his dark eyebrows, "I'm quite capable of getting my own clothes; just give me some money" he held out his hands.
"You have to earn it" I reply back getting my keys.
"Earn it?" he asks
"Yes, from tomorrow you would start helping me to edit books"
"I do not know anything about editing or literature. Remember I don't recall events that happened on the past", he snaps his fingers in my face.
"Okay, what do you suggest you do, you can't just sit home doing nothing"
"You could enroll me into college?" He said smirking.
I gave him a you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me face.
"I can become an actor", he clears his throat.
"I spent over eight months in Hollywood watching people be something else. Enough to know their secrets too. It'd be too easy."
Stephan got dressed with the simple black t-shirt, leather jacket and ripped black jeans he came in with.
And you'll think Death would be more original. We got to the mall half an hour later.
Stephan I knew half a decade ago always looked good; his style of clothing was basic but also hot on him. I just didn't know hot was also expensive.
"You are going to pay me back", I whine after spending 350 dollars on clothes and shoes alone.
"I won't owe you a dime", he smirks at me and carries the bags, on our way out, picks up a lip balm and smiles at me. Blast him.
We got to the food section and had a quick bite, Stephan ate little. Then we went grocery shopping before, I called it a day and we drove back home.
I collapsed on the couch, thankful for the soft comfort. Sniffles jumped on me purring slightly.
"I need hair products too"
I raise my head to scream at him but the look in his eyes made me stop.
"I used to take care of my hair? A lot. Yeah I do that. I cut my hair myself too"
I swallow. "Yeah well back in high school you always had the best hair"
The glint in his eyes disappears, "Thanks for today, I'd be going for a nap now"
I scoff and pet Sniffles, "Who says that?"
I put my cat down and focus on my work. After two hours of intense editing (it's like no one knows the pain book editors go through, editing a piece of work!) I text Hailey and Noah to meet me up for lunch at our usual place to eat.
Picking up my car keys I hopped downstairs. Stephan was lying on the couch, shirtless... again
"I'm going to go out now, to see some friends". He grunted and I take it that he didn't care. The cafe we usually meet up is just an eight minutes drive, but I am a bit worried that leaving Stephan behind was a bad idea.
"Are you sure-"
"Just go already", dismissing me with the wave of his hand.
I purse my lips and left him alone.
************************************
Hails and Noah were waiting for me when I got to our table.
"Hey guys", I smile apologetically to Noah.
"I got your message", Noah raises his phone.
"Yeah I'm so sorry I got you worried"
"You aren't sorry for getting me worried", Hails spoke up looking at me with jealously.
"No", I stuck my tongue out, "you already ate PBJ's at my house"
"Speaking of sandwiches, how's Mr. Tall, brooding and hot?"
Noah cleared his throat and looked over at me, "what did Hailey just say?"
I glare at the annoying ginger haired girl I call my best friend.
"I have a house guest", I shrug.
"I thought you said he was a colleague", Hails interjected, trying to force the truth out of me.
"He is kind of in between jobs right now, so..."
"So why can't he get his own apartment or stay at a hotel", Noah asks before slurping his milkshake.
"He is only staying for a month, By late October, he'll move out"
"Is he single?"
"Hailey, you have a boyfriend. Why do you care if he's single?", I felt like giving her a whack on the head.
Hails shrugs, smiling like a cashmere cat with a plan. "I'm not asking for me"
"Stop teasing her Hails"
"Not until she gets a boyfriend Noey"
"My love life isn't my priority right now"
"What's up with your dad and mom", Noah changes the subject.
I sigh picking up my burger. I've been doing a lot of that. Sighing.
"My dad is going through with the divorce. I'm guessing I'd be planning a wedding soon"
"How is Adrian taking it?", Hailey asks.
"Tough. Real tough", I reply. Adrian has not been himself ever since he heard his mom and my dad were going to have a divorce and now that it's finally been finalized, it'll break his heart even more. I really don't know how to feel at this point.
"Some part of me is nagging that it's kind of my fault that this is happening to our family"
Noah reaches out and squeezes my hand, "Beth, you know there was nothing you could have done. It's not your fault. I am right here. Anything you need, just say it. And I'll be right there"
I smile into Noah's warm green eyes, "Thanks Noey"
Hails coughed a bit, "And I'm a bag of potato chips too"
We all laughed.
"Very reassuring", I shove Hails.
We joked for over an hour before my phone chimed.
"Who's that?" Noah asks me as I pick my phone.
"Gabriella", I say in a sigh.
"Look, if you aren't ready to talk to her yet, don't, I know your dad is finalizing the divorce but your parents should limit you from certain things, you shouldn't be forced to go through this with them."
I stare at my phone for some time.
When my dad first married Gabriella, I was so angry and sad. I felt betrayed and I wasn't okay for a long while. My mom had to take me to see a therapist, something she hid from my dad for so long. It took a while before I agreed to see my dad again, but at the end I was fine, I even came to love the beautiful dark haired woman. She was very smart and sophisticated, since she came from a really rich home, but Gabriella was well grounded and down to earth, which was very surprising to me since she grew up with a diamond spoon in her mouth.
I had to go see if she was okay; it was my responsibility- as her step daughter.
"I'm sorry guys, but Gabby needs me now, I'll just have to be there for her and Adrian."
"It's okay, we understand", Hailey responds smiling.
"Call us and tell us how it goes "Noah chimes in.
I drive to one of Gabby's infamous jewelry shop where she was waiting for me and meet her in her office.
"Hey Gabby", I greet her smiling slightly. She looks up from her work and lights up seeing me.
"Eli"
We hugged for some seconds before we took a sit together on her couch.
"How's Adrian?", I ask nervously.
"Throwing a big tantrum, he won't talk to me or your father. I was even hoping you take him in for sometime"
I laugh nervously, "He hates me too Gabby"
"Not as much as he hates the three of us" Gabby exhaled, pursing her lips, "Je ne sais pas quoi faire", she whispers softly.
I see how stressed Gabby is and I feel burdened by this. Hugging her I reassure her, "It's going to be fine, I'll take care of Adrian for a while, you don't have to worry about him. Everything will be okay, ma crevette", I smile. When I was younger and still angry I wanted to make Gabriella feel stupid and when I found out she was French I looked up for a word to abuse her in French.
I ended up calling her a 'shrimp' which was suppose to offend her but it made her blush and hug me with tears in her eyes, thanking me for accepting her. It was at that moment I truly started to like her.
I left her house past six. In about eight days the divorce will be officially over. And then my dad will be proposing to my mom and for the second time in my life, I'll be attending a wedding.
Seeing a woman in front if my door jeered my mind to the present, Stephan was talking to some lady, when I came nearer; I saw that it was my almost invisible neighbor.
Parking my car I get out and walk towards the two.
"Hi", she smiles at me. I was a bit confused. Why is she even here, the last time I tried having a conversation with her she ignored me. Then I look back at a shirtless Stephan and immediately knew why.
"Hi", I respond back, glaring at Stephan who was openly checking out the beautiful Jasmine Salvador.
"Would you like to come in for, you know, a drink of anything?" Stephan smirks lazily as I blink in shock, does he not see me? How can he ask her that question while I'm in front of him? Before she could answer that question I immediately say, "Thank you for stopping by but that's a no, we had things to discuss. Goodbye." I shut the door, dragging Stephan with me.
"What are you doing?" I whisper-scream. "It was hot", Stephan shrugged.
"You were hitting on my neighbor"
"She was just welcoming me"
I look at Stephan and his icy gray eyes stares at me back.
He has to fall in love with you in a month. 30 days.
"Did you remember anything?" I ask him.
"No" he answered.
"You don't remember me at all" I ask again.
"Nothing. Did you get my apple juice?" he asks jumping into the couch, Sniffles climbing on top of his jeans purring contentedly.
"When did he start to like you?" I asked him.
"We had a lot of bonding to do while you were away."
"Okay", I stepped out of my shoes and kick them flimsily, sitting in the couch with him.
"My brother will be staying with us for a while"
He made a low grunt. We both were silent for a couple of minutes.
"We need to discuss sleeping arrangements. As you know this is a two bedroom apartment. And we will-"
"I'll sleep with you", he shrugged. My face turned beet red in two seconds flat.
"Oh I, I would... I am not. Well I'd never", I stammer
Stephan kept petting Sniffles, his face transforming into a manly simper.
"We would just sleep, Elizabeth, but if you are too prude to even think of sharing a bed. I could manage on the couch. Or maybe Jasmine would have a nice soft bed..."
My eyes widen, "There's no need for that, and Of course we can share the same bed. It's no big deal.
"Then it's settled, how do you feel about lasagna?"
I give him a shake smile while the smile he gave me seems to go into my stomach and explode into little caterpillars.
Its day One and I believe that I am beginning to like Stephan all over again.