Page 31

twenty-seven

*NOEL*

I lean my head against the wall of the shower. “That was good,” I sigh.

“The shower or our little ‘gymnastics’ downstairs.”

“Both,” I chuckle. “But I was talking about the latter, obviously.

Second shower this morning, but I can’t even complain because I asked for this.

My legs do feel slightly wobbly, though, probably thanks to the long evening I had yesterday with the job applications, then the run-in with my mom, and my breakdown.

I guess this is why Aden insisted on taking a shower together.

Part of me thought–or hoped–he might have wanted some additional fun, but Aden wouldn’t be Aden if he gave in to all of my whims.

I mean, somehow, he does, but not when he thinks it’s doing me any harm.

“I am fine,” I reassure him when we step out of the shower, and he towels me dry.

He looks me over with a frown. “Are you sure?”

When he looks that worried, I can only wrap my arms around him. “I promise, I am. I am going to get dressed and then come downstairs.”

“Fine, I will go ahead and prepare our breakfast. Any wishes?”

“Pancakes with maple syrup and berries, and I need coffee.”

“Alright.” Aden kisses the side of my head before leaving the bathroom. It gives me a moment to unwind and realize how much has happened yesterday and today, and during the last weeks.

Maybe my relationship with Aden is a whirlwind romance. I know everyone else would tell me to take it slower, but I don’t care for anyone’s opinion. Being with Aden feels so right.

About time I didn’t give a flying fuck what others think of me. I know that Mateo and Ster support me, and Aden does too. Everything else doesn’t matter.

The scent of pancakes startles me from my thoughts and makes me hurry to get dressed. I thought I was equal parts tired and hungry, but after catching this heavenly smell, it’s obvious hunger wins oversleep for now!

Once back in the kitchen, I notice that Aden has indeed fulfilled my wish. “You really are spoiling me,” I say while sitting down at the counter.

Aden cups the back of my head and kisses me. “Maybe I like spoiling you.”

“What if I feel bad about it?”

“Do you?” he asks.

“Not really,” I admit. “But I feel like I should.”

Aden blinks. “Who says that? I like spoiling you with little things. You are not taking advantage of me.”

“Then… when you come to the bar, I will make sure to mix you my best cocktails.”

He chuckles. “Deal.” When he brings us our coffee, he also has some paper in his hands. “Here.”

“My contract?”

“Yes, you left it out on the dining table,” Aden says. “I took the liberty to look at it earlier this morning.”

I eye him anxiously. “And?”

“It looks good,” he smiles. “Congrats, Noel.”

I jump down from my seat to grab the contract and put it away safely, when my legs suddenly buckle under me, making me drop onto the floor like a sack of potatoes.

“Noel!” Aden is instantly next to me, helping me up again. “Are you okay?”

I didn’t even realize how nervous I was until he said the words Congrats, Noel.

“I am fine, just overwhelmed.” Aden takes me to the living room and makes me sit on the sofa, before bringing my plate of pancakes to me.

I notice he has added some more to it. “And you think I can eat all that?” I laugh.

Aden doesn’t laugh, though, he just looks deeply worried. “I feel like I overstrained you.”

“No, you didn’t!”

“You barely had any sleep, the fallout with your mother and then I jumped your bones.” He shakes his head. “Your blood pressure is probably down. I should have been more responsible.”

I grab his arm, pulling him down to sit next to me. “It’s not that,” I tell him. “It’s more like the stress has finally subsided. I thought it wouldn’t work out.”

“You mean the job or getting rid of the debt?”

“Both,” I admit. “It just all felt too easy, you know? And when it’s easy and things are going well, I always wait for something bad to happen, for the second shoe to drop. And this here, in particular, it feels like I achieved it way too easily.”

Aden looks at me thoughtfully. “You need to stop saying that.”

“Huh?”

“Saying that it’s all coming to you easily.

It didn’t. It never was easy. You fought for this, and you are winning now because of your hard work.

True, maybe some small portion of luck is part of it too like with everything, but you worked your ass off.

You got this job opportunity because DeeDee thought you would be great.

And you aced the interview, because you are just that good.

DeeDee didn’t hand you the job; you just took the chance, proved yourself, and made it work.

And I didn’t free you from your debt magically.

I am not above the law. It was possible because you were completely innocent in this. ”

“It shows how much it helps to have someone in your corner,” I say quietly. “Maybe all of what you just said is true, but without you, and without Ster and Mateo, I don’t think I would have found the strength. It shows how far even a little kindness can go.”

“That’s true,” he says. “It’s depressing to know how many people suffer without anyone reaching out a hand to them.”

“Right,” I exclaim, relieved he sees it the same way. “That’s why I want to be thankful for my opportunities, and make the best out of it.”

Aden chuckles. “And that’s exactly what makes you so strong.”

“Don’t tease me!”

“I am not teasing you. Don’t forget it took you coming to my family, for me to finally have some peaceful interaction with my brothers. Let alone when we bumped into each other years ago.”

His words pique my interest. “You never told me why you were in such a bleak spot back then.”

“I will,” he promises. “But not today. You need some sleep. Besides, Lynn is coming over at any time.”

“Right, for decluttering the attic!”

“Yes, but I promise I will tell you. Let’s make sure to grab a glass of wine tomorrow and relax on our free day. I will answer all your questions.”

I stir awake to the sound of voices coming from the entrance door. For a moment, I feel completely disoriented. I am at Aden’s place, as much is obvious, but what even happened? When did I fall asleep?

There is a cup of tea in front of me, but the plates from breakfast are gone, and I am wrapped in a warm blanket.

Struggling free from the blanket and forcing my mind back into a waking state, I finally stumble off the couch.

I have never coped well with taking a nap during the day.

It just always pulls me down into some sort of dark pit, where my limbs get heavy and my mind drowsy.

It’s hard to wake up from it, even when I put on an alarm.

“Aden?” I trot through the living room, still fighting the drowsiness, when I bump into my boyfriend.

“You are awake?” He sneaks an arm around me and pulls me closer. “Lynn just arrived. I didn’t want to wake you, I am sorry.”

“Nah, it’s fine! How long have I been gone for?”

“Two hours. It’s noon,” he says.

I furrow my brows. Wow, I wasted a lot of time. Talking to Aden helps wake me up fully, though, and I finally see Lynn in front of me. “Hi Lynn! Sorry, I am still not quite all here.”

“Don’t worry,” she grins. “I figured.”

She is dressed in jeans and a comfy sweater. It’s the first time I have seen her like that, so casual and relaxed. I guess I have become a full part of Aden’s life by now.

“Are you sure Mateo doesn’t want to come in?” Aden asks.

“Mateo is here too?” I ask.

Lynn chuckles, first facing Aden. “Yes,” she says, before turning towards me. “Was. He brought me but has some work to do with Sterling.”

“When he picks you up again, we’ll make sure to invite him in,” Aden says.

I can’t believe Mateo brought her to Aden’s place.

It means things have to be going really well!

I don’t comment on it so as not to embarrass Lynn or Mateo, but I am unbelievably happy for him.

He only had on-off relationships for a while, and I don’t know why.

It seems like he always wanted more than his exes.

He is the type of guy who wants to commit, but apparently, many thought he just wanted to fool around.

Seems like he and Lynn share the same values, though.

“So, what’s the plan?” Lynn asks. “You mentioned the attic.”

“Yes, I want to declutter it,” Aden says.

“Are you really ready to do it?”

“Yes,” he says. “Time to move on. I want to turn it back into my atelier.”

“What exactly is in the attic?” I ask curiously.

Lynn stays quiet at my question, just glancing at Aden briefly. “Well,” Aden starts. “I have put all my paintings there, and all my painting utensils. The plan is to go through everything and turn the attic into a small atelier again.”

“You are going to paint again?” I ask carefully, finally realizing why Lynn sounded so enthusiastic.

“In private,” Aden says. “I don’t think I am ready to return to the public with my art. But I want to return to creating something again. I have only picked up drawing again recently.”

“Ever since he met a certain someone,” Lynn comments and winks at me.

I feel my cheeks heat up in both embarrassment and joy. “Why did you stop in the first place?”

At that, silence surrounds us long enough to feel uncomfortable. Eventually, Lynn clears her throat, tossing Aden a gaze I can’t quite read, before walking towards the kitchen. “I will prepare us some coffee,” she says.

She closes the door behind her, leaving us enwrapped in silence. “You don’t need to talk about it when you aren’t ready,” I say.

“My boyfriend back then,” Aden suddenly says. “His name was Emil. He died. And it was all so horrible it sucked all my creativity out of me.”

“My god,” I mutter. “Aden, I am so sorry.”

“There is more to this story, Noel,” he says. “A lot more than just his death. I was caught in a very toxic relationship with Emil. I will tell you the whole story when we are on our own. I promise.”

I determine to be understanding, and not the pushy boyfriend who needs to get what he wants immediately. If Aden promised to tell me everything when we are on our own, then I will take him at face value.

“Alright!” I stretch slightly. “So, what’s the plan for now? Should we go right to the attic?”

Aden smiles. “Yes, take Lynn with you, will you? Meanwhile, I will clean out the work desk in the living room.”

I gaze at said desk, wiggling my eyebrows at Aden. “So, what do you usually do with that desk when you don’t use me to have fun with it?”

Aden raises an eyebrow, a smirk curling his lips. “If only we’d be alone.” He pauses. “When I don’t fuck you over it, I usually use it for research.”

Yeah, should have known my teasing would backfire, like it always does. That guy is just never embarrassed by anything! I sigh dramatically. “You won, okay?”

“No, really. I like its new purpose.”

I glare, covering his mouth with my hand. Aden chuckles softly, taking my hand and placing a kiss against it.

“You started it.”

“I know.”

Aden reaches out his hand, brushing over my neck. “Like I said, I used it for research, for my art.”

“You researched when you were painting?”

“Sometimes,” he says. “I tried to learn a lot about different styles. Whenever I tried a new method or new material, I’d research beforehand. I also love everything concerning the history of art and would use it for personal research too.”

“That’s great,” I point out. “Why not keep the desk here?”

“I don’t think it fits anymore. I want to have my research place in the attic as well.”

“And what do you want to put here instead?” I ask. “There’d be an empty space.”

“How about a small bar?” he asks.

It takes a minute or more for me to grasp what he just said. “No way,” I exclaim. “You… for me? I can’t possibly accept that.”

“Why just for you?” he says dryly. “My boyfriend is a professional bartender. Why not create a place where he can mix cocktails for me?”

For a moment, I see it in front of me: Aden sitting at a bar stool, while I mix a cocktail or try a new recipe to have him test it for me. “That would actually be nice,” I admit.

“See.” Aden squeezes my arm. “Don’t always say no immediately when I suggest something.”

I know he is right. I have a tendency of shooting him down when he offers something that looks like it benefits me more than him.

It was the same when he offered to hire a lawyer for me.

It’s hard for me to accept help, even from those I love, but I am starting to understand that it doesn’t mean I am weak when I accept help.

I don’t need to do everything on my own, and sometimes people want to do things for me because they love me.

Ster and Mateo always tried to help, as well. They both wanted me to move in with them instead of staying at my crappy apartment, but I was too stubborn and too prideful to accept their help. Good thing they never grew tired of me because damn, I sound exhausting as fuck.