The Maestri Amour (Wattys 2015) - ON HIATUS

TMA || 11

>>>ARETHA'S OUTFIT

I couldn't sleep, and for the life of me, I couldn't breathe either, but that was only because of Raphael's heavy self sleeping on my chest. Even that couldn't distract me from my thoughts though. I was too far gone.

He loves me!

I still couldn't wrap my head around this fact. I've been worried that things were moving too fast between us, and his admission honestly caught me completely off-guard. I mean, he couldn't possibly be in love with me already.

Right?

Ag! This is so frustrating. I mean, I care deeply about Raphael, no doubt about it, and I'd already admitted to myself that I am falling in love with him, but something was stopping me from saying it out loud. I had an uneasy feeling about something, and unfortunately, the something has nothing to do with Raphael.

It has everything to do with my past.

I know that there's a chance that Raphael might leave me when he finds out my secrets, and quite frankly, I'm not ready to deal with that, but at the same time, is it right and fair for us to get married before knowing each other's secrets?

Am I having second thoughts?

I freed myself from him before heading downstairs to the kitchen. It was only 03:21, which meant that everyone in the house was still asleep. Because of the distance of the rooms from the kitchen, I knew that none of them would hear me as I decided to bake.

I decided to just freestyle and let my mind and hands do what they feel, but I was unaware of the fact that I was baking multiple things at once. Only when everything had been mixed and was ready to be put into the oven, did I realize. I had mixed batter for a chocolate cake, a vanilla cake, red velvet cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies.

I put the cakes in one oven, and the cupcakes and cookies in another. Yes, Raphael actually has two ovens. I was actually delighted to learn that. Once everything was in the oven, the clock on the wall alerted me that it was 04:43.

I cleaned up the mess I made and washed the dirty dishes, before setting out the ingredients I would need for breakfast. I was feeling particularly creative as I giggled to myself, and I decided to have fun with the breakfast. I almost jumped out of my skin when cool arms wrapped around me.

"What are you so deep in thought about?" he murmured in my ear.

"I- I don't know what you're talking about," I lied.

"Ari, I've been staring at you since you came downstairs and you didn't even realize," he informed.

"What? You've been watching me this entire time?" I asked in shock, turning to face him. His golden eyes were looking down at me in concern.

"I wasn't asleep. I couldn't sleep because you couldn't, and when you left the bedroom, I followed you. I actually thought you were sleep walking, until I realized that you were just in deep thought. Now, what's bothering you so much?" he questioned again.

"It's nothing," I looked down.

"Ari..." he trailed off, but I refused to look up at him.

"Is it because of what I said? I didn't me-" he started before I stopped him.

"No! This isn't at all about what you said," I argued as I looked back into his concerned orbs.

"Not even a little bit?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Well maybe, but it's not what you think either," I bit my lip.

"Then what is it? You're driving me crazy with this sudden change in you. I wouldn't have said anything if I had known I'd freak you out like this," he sighed, letting go of me. I immediately missed the feeling of his arms.