Chapter 30: Chapter 30

CHAPTER 28

After our sexual rendezvous the night before, it is a cold Monday morning, and Luke had spent the night in my bedroom. I get up from the bed and wear my pajamas. It is about 6 AM, and Luke is still fast asleep.

A few minutes pass by as I sit on the couch opposite the bed, staring at him sleep. It was indeed, a beautiful sight to see. He looked so peaceful, his face, calm and not upset. His blue eyes, not watery or red, filled with rage. Whenever Luke was angry, his eyes were either watery or they turned red. How, I didn't know, but I was able to differentiate what both looks meant. His eyes being watery didn't mean he was crying or wanted to— it meant his rage had reached the height. He would not listen to anyone and definitely not reason with anyone. The night I want to forget, the night he had forced himself on me, he had that exact look— watery eyes. As for the red eyes, his anger could be satiated. The watery eyes scared and terrified me each time I saw it. On normal days when he was happy and not getting pissed off by anyone, his eyes remained blue.

"Hey." I hear, as I snap back into reality. I smile. "I was watching you sleep." I respond.

He gets up, already wearing his pajama pants. His hair was a mess. "Did you have a good sleep?"

I nod my head as I stretch out my hand for him to take. He takes it and comes to sit beside me. We cuddle. "Last night was amazing. Unexpected."I say.

"Yes, amazing. Unexpected?"

"I mean, I never thought we would ever try oral sex, you know? I read it in literature books in school, but experiencing it first hand was truly divine." I say, as I play with his hands.

"You never tri—"No, I never. We never went that far and we only had sex once, Luke."

"I'm sorry."

"It's nothing to be sorry about. I understand your feelings, but you need to know that all that happened in the past and will never happen again."

He places a kiss on my hair, "I don't know what would happen if I lost you, Natalie." There's a knock on the door. "Come in." I say. It's Emmanuele.

"Good morning, Luke, Mrs. Natalie." She says, excitement in her voice. She was blushing at the sight of us. I laugh and Luke chuckles.

"Is there a problem, Emmanuele? Why are you so happy?"

"Well, it's just—oh, never mind! I'm just so happy to see Luke so happy!" She says, her face filled with love. She was like the mother he didn't have.

I smile, "Well, some more good news, I would love if you could move Luke's things here. We will share a bedroom from now onwards." I say, making Emmanuele squeal in excitement.

"Really? Are you sure?" Luke asks as I turn to look at him. He has a mixture of shock, happiness and excitement written all over his face. This decision, tied the ribbon officially. We were truly a couple now.

"Of course, I'm sure. I want to spend 24/7 with you, every second of the day, I crave to be beside you, around you." I say as I caress his chin.

Emmanuele coughs. I giggle. "Breakfast at the patio, or breakfast here?"

"Breakfast here," I say to her. I continue, "Aren't you going to the office, Luke?" I ask.

"You forget I own the office. I make the rules and show up whenever I want to." He says.

"Oh, pardon me, boss." I say, acting dramatic. He laughs. "Did you just roll your eyes at me? Oh my God."I say, playfully.

"I did. What are you going to do about it, shorty?"

I gasp, playfully offended. "Shorty? I'm short? I am not short." I say, placing my hand on my heart.

"Yes, you are. Very tiny too."

I get up from the couch. I walk to the mirror and stare at him from the mirror. I take off my pajamas and I am completely naked. He gets up and as he attempts coming closer to me, I turn and walk up to him. We are dangerously close as I look up into his eyes. "You aren't touching me. Don't even think of it." I say as I give a mischievous smile.

"Do you want to kill me?" He asks, his lips parted. I'm about to give a response when I suddenly loose my balance. "Woah." I say, as Luke helps me sit on the bed. "Are you okay?" Luke asks, concerned.

"Yeah, I don't know, I keep getting a stomach upset frequently. My waist hurts too."

"Well, that's because you eat all the sugar there is in the world!" Luke says.

"No, I don't." I defend myself.

"It's nothing serious, probably your cycle informing you it's coming soon."

"I didn't even get it last month."  I say as I place my hands around his neck.

"Well, you need to reduce your sugar intake, okay?"

I nod my head, "I love you, Luke." I say as we hug.

*Four Days Later

We are in Croydon, ready for my mother's annual Richardson soirée. Something she really didn't need to throw, given the current situation we were facing.

I stretch my hand out to take a glass of wine, but my attention is drawn to an entry made. I am shocked.

"José?" I begin to approach him. I gasp, "Oh, my God. Heh, it's been forever!" I say as I engulf him in a hug.

"Natalie, how have you been? How's your married life treating you? How did you even end up getting—

"Married?" I sigh, "It all happened so fast, but I don't regret it though. I'm just surprised to find you here, I wasn't informed that you were invited." I say as I take his arm to lead him in.

"Well, your mother invited me. I'm just as shocked as you are."

"My mother?" I ask, puzzled and confused. "My mom invited you here?"

"That's what the invitation sent to me, read. I knew you'd be here though. I just wanted to see you."

"Natalie!" I hear a familiar voice call out. "That's-

"Lydia,"  José chimes in. I turn around for confirmation. It really was her. Lydia and I weren't really the best of friends, and we didn't talk as often as I did with my other friends, but Lydia and I had a special kind of relationship. We shared our deepest fears, worries and problems with one another.