Christian
We sat on the sofa, her legs resting in my lap as I kneaded into the soles of her feet and she replied to work emails on her laptop. I would usually try to get out of masseur duty by whining, making jokes about her feet stinking or something, but today was different. She's been a little stressed after getting a phone call from her mom asking for money. With promises of a foot rub and pizza, I'd just gotten her to calm down after a very long, very loud rant.
She stops typing and looks to the ceiling holding her pointer finger in the air next to her head. "You know what's funny?" I'm pretty sure that's rhetorical so I keep my mouth shut and do my job. "Instead of raising me, like a real mother would, she made me raise myself and now expects me to take care of her. Unbelievable!"
She rolled her eyes throwing her head back as her hand came down slapping her thigh. I reach my arms up rubbing her legs as if it reassured her that I understood her frustration. A few seconds pass without her saying anything and I hear a sniffle before she starts speaking in a whispered tone.
"You know she didn't even ask how I was. I haven't seen or spoken to my mother in almost 7 years and the first thing she says is "I need $6000". I shouldn't be upset, I'm used to this version of Esther. It's not like she's been a mom. She gave up on that a long time ago. I woke myself up and made my own lunches for school, I sat by myself at parent/teacher meetings making excuses for her, I took up paper rounds to buy shit I needed. Hell, I put myself through college to start a career I'm proud of. Telling me I should be thankful for all she's done?! I'm nothing but a joke to her, so fucking stupid."
I closed the laptop and put it on the coffee table. Gripping under her knees, I pull her body down on the couch so she was on her back; a knee positioned between her legs, I leaned over her, burying my fists in the cushions next to her head.
"You aren't stupid. Wanting your mother to give a shit about you isn't stupid. If anything she's stupid. She ruined a relationship with the smartest, funniest, most caring person I've ever met. Now, I don't know how much that means seeing as all I meet are spoilt assholes, but you get what I'm saying."
Tears were still slipping from her eyes, but she held a small smile on her lips.
"I'll take it, but you forgot to mention hottest."
"I thought it went without saying, my bad. She missed out on a great relationship, with the hottest person I've ever met."
She broke into a chuckle, making me grin in return. I lived for this feeling. Anytime I made her smile it felt like I'd achieved something beyond greatness.
I settled my arms by her side hugging her torso. Resting my head on her chest, I listen to her heartbeat through the fabric of her sweater as she ran her fingers through my hair and gently raked her other hand up and down my back. Her usual sweet cocoa butter scent was mixed with lavender, making me relax into her even more.
"Could you ever see yourself just up and running away, never looking back?" she spoke breaking the silence we sat in.
"I mean it depends, who am I running with and where are we headed?"
Her chest vibrated with another chuckle. My God, this girl. I was savouring everything about right now.
"What about Europe? You told me you used to toy with the idea of backpacking when you were younger. Why didn't you ever go with your best friend?"
"If this is your way of asking me to travel around Europe with you, I'm down. As far as the 'backpacking' part, my knees just told me not to fuck with them." She broke out into more laughter making me chuckle, but I wasn't playing.
"You just gonna skip over Ethan like that huh? .. I'm just wondering what it would feel like to get away for a while."
"First of all, Ethan is the only one calling himself my best-friend, and that's probably cause of all the ass it gets him. Secondly, if you need to get away for a little while, nothing is stopping us from leaving right now. Anywhere you want."
Taking us out of our bubble, the door opens and in strolls Sebastian. What the fuck?! I jump up grabbing my gun and aiming for his head. I shoot but he disappears. Turning back to Alesha, she's covered in blood holding a dead Sebastian in my place on her chest. She's looking back at me frightened as if I'm gonna hurt her, but she knows I would never lay an unloving finger on her. Right?
Before I can say anything, the sound of thunder jolts me awake. These dreams/nightmares are all I've been having lately. Real memories of me and Alesha plagued by that night.
I've tried giving her some space since everything happened, even I'll admit, it was a lot. Seeing that switch from happy, kinda turned on to 20% psychotic must've been a little jarring. I don't blame her though that 20% hit her at 100mph.
It's been 3 and a half weeks, she hasn't spoken to me and refused to answer her door. No matter how pissed I got, the last thing I wanted to do was scare her even more by breaking it down, but this separation thing's had a good enough run.
I even stopped myself from beating this dude's ass when I heard he'd taken her to fucking Paris and was staying an extra week after they were done working. Guys don't do that shit unless they're trying to fuck and I'm stopping myself from paying him a visit letting him know she's taken. I don't know if ya'll can tell, but I'm really trying to be the bigger person.
The ringing of my cell took me out of my thoughts. Seeing the caller ID, I answer already irritated by my train of thought. "What?"
"I see you're in your feelings. I was only calling to tell you that Dani and I are heading out so you won't be able to get hold of me until we land." Rafael replied.
"Fine. Remember I need you back here in 2 weeks tops. Where are you taking her anyway?"
"Uhhhm... well she wanted to go somewhere in Europe and she was talking about croissants and how she hasn't seen Alesha in a while and missed her so we're on our way to Paris."
He spoke so quickly I almost didn't catch any of what he said. Probably what he was trying to do.
"So you guys are planning to see... Paris?"
I could hear his sigh as he replied. "Yup we're gonna see.. Paris."
"I just remembered, I'm thinking about buying Grams a villa over there. What better way to house-hunt than in person? Get here in 30 minutes, we'll take the jet."
I hung up not waiting for a response. I packed a small bag of clothes and would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous and excited at the thought of seeing.. Paris again.
***
The whole flight Dani sent me smirks and gestures suggesting I had other intentions for joining them on this trip.
Raf spent his time on the jet whispering warnings about fucking up his and Dani's trip. The way he was freaking out you'd think he's got something major planned.
As soon as we landed, Dani's phone was pinging repeatedly with text notifications. The last one being the time and place Alesha wanted to meet for dinner.
We had just enough time to get to the hotel, take a shower and change. I did just so, making sure I was wearing the suit and cologne she loved most on me. I hadn't had the energy or time to cut my hair since.. well you know, so it was a little longer than usual. She always did want to see my hair grown out, I didn't hate it.
-
I was all nerves in the 15 minute drive to the restaurant. Raf could see how anxious I was and told Dani to go ahead.
"You've come this far you stubborn bastard, don't pussy out now. We got really lucky with those two and I'm glad you're fighting for her. Remember what Gramps used to say: 'it's not enough to be just enough for the people we love, we need to be greater'. Seeing you put in all this work for her- I'm just glad something finally means so much to you. I'm proud you're being greater, Chris."
He turns walking into the restaurant and I follow his lead. Stepping through the doors, my eyes scope out the room for her face.
There she is. Beautiful. My everything.
What the fuck is he doing here?
JJ x