Novel Xo
It was Him
Tristin
She looks at peace when she is asleep. I stare up at her face, filling my heart with the sight of her.
I didn't realize that I was that into her until she left and I had to spend all this time without meeting her or hearing her voice.
My hand reaches for her cheek, caressing her skin. She shudders in her sleep, shifting her head on the headrest.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, grabbing my attention. Sighing, I sit and pick up Luca's call.
It felt good to place my head in her lap and pretend that the world is not on fire but I must go back to that nightmare now.
"Boss, you were right. That girl didn't approach Ms. Whitlock by chance." Luca reveals.
He's been investigating this new girl who has appeared by Grace's side, pretending to be her soulmate, best friend. Grace is too innocent to understand that nothing of that sort exists in this world. "It was him? "I rise from the couch and walk towards the glass wall in her apartment.
The rain has stopped but the temperature has dropped. Worry crosses my mind when I recall that she didn't change her clothes.
"Yes, Boss. It was Mr. Calder. He was smart enough to not directly engage with Celine but this man named Noah has contacted that girl recently. He works for Mr. Calder now...as his assistant."
I shoot Grace a look over my shoulder and sigh. That fucker tricked her again and made her believe that he left her alone, but he is a leech. He won't let her rest until he has where he wants her. "What's the order, Boss? Do I make her disappear? " Luca asks.
I open my mouth, ready to tell him to go ahead but no words come out of my mouth. Turning around, I fix my gaze on Grace's lolling head, and pouting lips.
She finally found someone she could call a friend...
How hurt will she feel if she knows that it was all a scheme and none of it was real with her so-called friend?
"Don't do anything to her. "I run my fingers through my hair, uttering the words with an edge to my voice." Just keep an eye on her. If she disappears, Grace will be worried and will think something happened to her because of her." "Yes, Boss." Luca replies right away.
First, I will have to tell Grace about Celine and then she can decide what she wants to do with her. I don't want to steal that right away from her. I want to do things right now.
"There is something else... "Luca sighs.
"The apartments that were bought consecutively." I nod to myself." He did it too."
"Yes, Boss. We have two men stationed in Ms. Whitlock's apartment building but...Mr. Calder has bought half the building to accommodate his people." Luca sounds angry as if he finds it as infuriating as I do.
I tap the back of my phone with my forefinger as my eyes narrow." Make them all disappear. Not all at once but slowly."
"Yes, Boss. They will be gone by the next month." Luca replies.
"Good. And one more thing... "I take my eyes off Grace and look down at my bare feet. " Make the arrangements. I am returning home in an hour."
Luca goes silent. He must have expected me to stay here for a few days, but I can not afford that.
I need to see Ania and Mom, to tell them that everything will be fine.
Besides, I feel much better than before. It must be Grace's presence. It has some strange, soothing effect on me.
"Yes, Boss." He murmurs.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
I hang up and walk towards the couch. She smacks her lips in her sleep cutely and tries to find a comfortable position. Sighing, I push my arms under her body and pick her up. Instantly, her sleepy eyes snap open and land on me.
"Tristin!" She squeals, her arms clinging to my neck.
"Don't worry. I am just putting you to bed. "I whisper, leaning close to press my lips to her temples.
She nods and puts her head on my shoulder. Then, she is sleeping again.
I admire her face from close, silently deciding to tell her everything once I have dealt with Carlos. I will return to her and make sure she is safe after she knows the truth.
I carry her to her bedroom and place her on the bed. Her sweater has dried, but it's still cold.
Walking towards the closet, I pull it open and stare at it for some time. What does...she wear at night?
I steal a glance at her sleeping form
and settle for the first sweater with a heart in the middle and a pair of sweatpants. They are mismatched, but it shouldn't matter when she is sleeping.
Grumbling, I return to her side and softly make her sit in the bed. Her face rolls in the crook of my neck.
"What are you doing?" She mumbles groggily.
"Helping you change. "I state, as a matter of fact, hooking my fingers in the hem of her sweater.
The heat of her skin makes my fingers tingle. My thoughts drift to a memory, to the feel of her body against mine as I...
I am not going there.
I release another sigh and pull the sweater up her arms before I start losing my mind. She helps me by lifting her arms and then dropping them in her lap.
Her droopy gaze collides with my eyes and I barely stop myself from glancing down, at her red bra or her soft skin.
"I am just going to change your clothes and tuck you in. "I repeat, my blood heating in my veins.
Right away, I push the new sweater down her head and help her wear it. A sigh of relief escapes my mouth when she is covered.
She drops on the bed and pulls the blankets up.
"What about the pants? They must be- "
"I am sleepy. I don't care." She grumbles sulkily and turns to her side.
Good idea. If she doesn't care, then I shouldn't push her. Her pants are fine. Besides, I can not risk baring her legs or I might lose control.
I nod to myself and sit there, by her side, watching her sleeping face for as long as I can.
Letting her go was the right
decision. The color has returned to her cheeks and she looks healthier and happier than before. My lips curl into a smile, as I brush her bangs away. ,
"I will come back in a few days. "I whisper, planting another kiss on her forehead. " Take care of yourself until then. "
Maybe, she won't want to see me,
but I want to. I can't stay away from her. I will accept it even if she wants
to befriends, but not if she doesn't want to be anything to me.