An Invisible String

4. Alive

" My mother told me I should go and get some therapy, I asked the doctor, "Can you find out what is wrong with me? I don't know why I wanna be with every girl I meet I can't control it. Yeah, I know it's taking over me I'm going crazy. Can't contain it, So tell me just what I should do?" She said, "hey, it's alright. Does it make you feel alive? Don't look back. Live your life. Even if it's only for tonight "

ADAM

When I woke up this morning, I expected the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of my new home. But instead, I was met with the sight of hundreds of men bustling in and out. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I walked outside to see what was going on. Josh and Ben were deep in discussion in one corner, Hailey and Sophia were arguing, and Mia was running around, yelling at the workers not to break the door as they carried large ladders into my house.

I scanned the crowd, searching for the person behind this chaos. Among the sea of men in my garden, I spotted her on the phone, her voice raised as she held her iPad and notebook in a tight grip. My gaze lingered on her for a few moments. She was dressed in another suit set, this one a dark blue, and she'd swapped her usual high heels for sneakers. Her short hair was braided and pulled into a tight low bun, with baby hairs clinging to her forehead. Despite the chilly weather, she looked flushed, her cheeks a deep red from exertion.

As I approached her, I noticed her body stiffen, and her eyes widened slightly. "Good morning," I greeted her. "Whatever, I want those tables ready by the twenty-fifth, do you understand?" she yelled into the phone before hanging up. "Morning," she replied with a tight-lipped smile. "What's going on?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips and leaning in closer. She was a few inches shorter now without her heels.

"Work," she replied, frowning. "At 8 in the morning? And why are there so many people inside my house?" I rubbed my head, trying to block out the loud noises of the workers shouting. "I'm sorry. I thought you said I could do as I pleased. I went over everything with Mrs. Wembley, as per your instructions," she said with a shrug. 

"Oh god, what have I done?!" I muttered, rubbing my face in frustration. When I opened my eyes, I saw her smiling at me with a  warm sweet smile. My frustration, anger, and exhaustion melted away in an instant.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked, though I didn't really want her to stop. "I'm sorry," she said, covering her mouth and clearing her throat. "Don't," I said, immediately stopping myself as I noticed my arms moving to keep her from covering her mouth. "I mean, don't be sorry. There's nothing to apologize for. I just need some coffee to process all of this," I added, looking around.

"Coffee?" Her face brightened at the suggestion. "Would you like some?" I asked. "Yes, please! I've been craving it since this morning," she said eagerly. "Let's go then," I said, heading back into the house, and she followed close behind.

"What are all these people here for, anyway?" I asked as we entered the kitchen. She was focused on her iPad as we walked. "Some are here to take measurements so we can order the right size tables. Others are working on the garden decorations. Josh and Ben are here to coordinate the security plan, check the exits, windows, and other details," she explained, settling onto one of the stool chairs as I started the coffee machine.

"Black?" I asked. She nodded, still absorbed in her iPad. "Do you prefer Japanese or Italian cuisine?" she asked as I took two mugs out of the cabinet. "For what?" I asked, puzzled. "The event! Focus, Mr. Morretti!" she said, her eyes still glued to her iPad. "Italian, I guess," I replied, pouring coffee into the mugs and sliding one over to her.