(Orion Ligh)
It's been a week since I heard from Colton. Did he change his mind after learning that I'm a package deal? Yes, perhaps, considering that he is currently occupied with his sister and finalizing the proposal for the building we are working on.
Why am I spiraling? I could call him, or even text him. But why can't he text me after what he whispered to me at the hospital?
"Well, isn't this being too dramatic, little brother?"
Shit, I forgot I was on call with my sister, Maxine.
"Sorry about that, sis. It's just that he would have texted by now. What if something happened to him?"
"Whoa, stop overthinking it. Maybe he doesn't know how to approach you yet. Give him some time and he'll come around."
"Easy for you to say."
"Hey, you think it's easy being me, try it for one day, it's tiring. Anyway, I have to go either call him or text him or just suffer alone with your thoughts."
Did she just hang up on me? Seriously, so much for 'being here when you need to talk to someone'.
Maybe I should just call him. Picking up my phone, I scroll to the last chat we had with each other and start typing, but stop midway and delete the text, afraid that I might sound clingy or come off as desperate.
My little princess, Eira, has already left for school. I hope she gets along with Colton. Sighing. That would have to mean that Colton comes around and doesn't put a stop to our relationship. Is it even a relationship? I mean, we still haven't talked about that kiss, let alone anything. I'm just assuming and building castles in the air about our supposed relationship that might not be in existence at all. This is the worst feeling ever.
A knock on the door jolts me up. That's unexpected. No one ever knocks at my door. Everyone always calls before coming over. This is new. Please don't tell me it's salespeople or Jehovah's witnesses. I'll have to pretend I'm not in the house. Luckily, there's no noise in my house to show that someone is in the house.
I walk slowly to the window and peep through it.
"Shit!"
That was scary.
I didn't expect to find eyes staring directly at me through the window. The surprise fades when I take in the face in front of my window.
I don't waste any time letting him in. He's carrying a lot of bags. His presence is supposed to make me happy, but I'm just angry at him. One week, he goes radio silent, and then he just ambushes me at my house with no texts or calls or heads up or anything. And now he shows up with shopping bags. I'm tempted to shut the door in his face. I can't do it, even if I lied to myself, I've missed that face.
"Aren't you going to let me in?"
I stare at Colton for a long time, contemplating whether I should let him in or just make him wait at the door like he made me wait for him for a whole week.
"Need any help with that?" Gesturing towards the bags he has with him.
"I didn't think you noticed, Kitten."
I stare at him, the retort begging to spill out of my mouth.
"Please?" He adds, okay, he's polite. That makes me cave in, fuck, I can't be mad at him. More importantly, what are all these bags he's carrying for?
"What is all this for?"
Gesturing towards the bags after I've helped him into my very cozy home, yes, it's cozy.
"I've been okay, too. I've missed you too. You know, most people would do that after seeing someone, right?"
"Well, most people wouldn't just ghost for a whole week without checking in, with your phone like normal people."
"You do realise calling or texting goes both ways, right?"
That shuts me up, which makes him gleam with joy. Great, now I'm mad at him.
"Is this our first quarrel as..."
I give him a look that shuts him up and instead makes him break into a wide grin. His eyes were sparking with contempt.
He steps closer and hugs me tightly, making me feel warm and safe. In that moment, I relax against him, enjoying the familiar feeling. I've missed this connection, his presence pulls me in. His gentle touch gives me chills, and I breathe in the light scent of his cologne, a blend of cedarwood and something that is just him. It's enchanting. When did I become so eager for every moment spent in his arms?
"You didn't call me or text, just left me alone."
My words come out strained with so much emotion that it surprises even me. I promised myself I wouldn't become a fool when in love, but it surprises me how many of my resolutions have crumbled because of him.
"I'm sorry, baby."
I looked up at him, surprised by how he called me endearing. It could make a grown-up swoon over.
"What? You are my little kitten. My baby."
He held my face gently in his hands and kissed my temple softly. I instinctively moved closer to his chest, enjoying the steady beat of his heart. I whispered a soft acknowledgment, which made him let out one of his famous laughs, a deep and contagious sound.
"So what are the gifts for?"
I asked, still nestled in his embrace.
"It's for the little princess."
I could tell that he had a lot of questions to ask, but I don't think I'll be ready to tell him just yet. It might take some time. I hope he understands.
"That's a lot of gifts for a little girl, don't you think? And you didn't even ask me about it."
"Well, I wanted to bring something for her, that's why I have been busy this last week. I don't know what kids like, especially a girl, so I bought anything I could get my hands on."
It's sweet that he thought about my daughter, but that little girl is going to take advantage of him. I just hope he can survive. He is going to be her next victim after my whole family. She got that spark from me. Why am I proud of that?
"She's still in school. She should be in the afternoon."
Everyone who knows her knows she's ruling those children in her class. I wonder where she got that from.
Unbeknownst to me, the culprit was always closer than I thought.