Page 58 of Fervency Love

I’m in shock. I enter the apartment and take a peek inside the living room. Grandma is watching TV. She looks immaculate, as usual, with curlers in her hair, and the entire room is filled withthe smell of bath foam and skin creams. I thank her for letting me go out, for trusting me. I kiss her on the cheek and go to my room.

I can’t sleep for the longest time. I keep thinking how to help him. Where to begin? Is the issue his friends? Or maybe a lack of willpower? Addiction? The need to impress? An attempt to mask emotions? That is what addiction is, right? What will I actually have to face? I don’t know! But I’ll do it. At this point, he’s the most important person in the world to me.

Chapter 27

Abby

I wake to the smell of eggs and bacon. I didn’t think I’d be this ravenous. Grandma bustles in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. I stay a while longer in bed, thinking. If someone had told me just five months ago that I’d be so much in love, that I’d meet the love of my life, I wouldn’t have believed them. But everything happens for a reason. Jesus, I love him so much! So much it hurts! Thank you for placing him in my way.

“Good morning, Granny! It smells delicious!”

“Good morning, sweetheart. Sleep well?”

Not really, to be honest. But I can’t tell her that, can I?

“Yes, pretty good,” I lie.

“How was the disco?” she asks without looking at me.

“I danced a lot but I wouldn’t like to return anytime soon.” She smiles at that.

We eat and she goes to her place, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I occupy myself with preparing an outfit for Kellan and Martin’s eighteenth birthday. They’re Ve’s buddies. I find my favorite tie-strap top that doesn’t cover my belly button and shoulders, and add a denim mini.

“You sure that’s what you want to go with?” Ve asks.

“Too revealing?” I was wondering about that too.

“I don’t know. I like it, but I’m not sure I’d like others to like it too.”

“Should I grab a sweater, too? It’s going to be cold in the evening.”

“Maybe get that denim shirt? I like it.”

“I thought about it. I have it prepared.”

I go to the dresser and reach for the garment, trying to free myself from the straps. Ve helps me out with a grin. He gets rid of the top, leaving me in the skirt.

“Those tits…” he mutters. “They’re perfect.”

His arms wrap around me at the level of my chest. His thumbs flick at my nipples. He shifts closer, puts a nipple between his lips, bites softly and sucks. I instantly feel hot. Ve walks to the sofa and hands me the second shirt. I put it on quickly.

“Better?”

“Better. Let’s go,” he says, grabbing my hand and leading me out.

We don’t talk about yesterday’s revelations. I know I need to start fixing Ve and help him get straight, but I need some more time to think it through.

Most guests are already there when we arrive. I scan through the crowd, looking for familiar faces. My eyes pause on Elsa, currently flirting with some guy. I hope it’s her boyfriend or at least today’s date. There’s an unpleasant knot in my stomach as I tighten my grip on Ve’s hand. He notices.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“I didn’t know she’d be here.”

Ve furrows his brow, searching for the source of my discomfort. He succeeds.

“Is she the one bugging you?”

“Yes,” I say and drop my head, a bit abashed at my own reaction, more fitting for a little girl than practically an adult.

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