Page 267 of Nemesync
In the elevator, he sensed that I was drowning back in my thoughts and cupped my face, “Hey, look at me, don’t go there alone.”
I looked back at him, “I’m sorry you had to buy a new house. I didn’t want to do that. I know how you loved the old one, it was yours, and I destroyed your memories there.”
He leaned in and kissed me, his thumb caressing my cheek, “Zanae, I would’ve burned it if it could make you feel better.”
My heart…
We arrived, the doors opened, and I saw our new home. The living room was beautiful, with large windows and a massive balcony. The walls were beige, giving the place that cozy atmosphere. The kitchen was larger, as was the dining room.The lights added a warm glow, and the air was filled with the scent of pumpkin and vanilla.
I loved it.
His hand found its way to my waist, and he kissed my neck before whispering, “I knew how much you loved the balcony; I thought you would love this one too.”
His smile warmed me up from the inside. He took me upstairs to our room, like the other one, very warm, with brown and beige tones and big bookshelves filled with so many editions.
My fingers traced them, and this time it felt like it might be the moment I had hoped for all my life, the time for happiness.
I turned toward him, overwhelmed by love.
“Thank you,hayat-” I stopped and didn’t finish my sentence.
It was the second time this word slipped out of my mouth.
“What does it mean?” He asked, curious about that nickname.
“It meansmy life,” I confessed, the heat creeping up my neck.
Elijah leaned against the wall, his head tilted, sadness and worry all over his face as he looked at me, “I’ve missed you so much, you have no idea.”
I jumped into his arms and hugged him, clinging to him like he was the oxygen my lungs desperately needed. I embraced him with the desperation of someone gasping for their last breath.
He was my last hope; if it doesn’t work with him, it won’t work with anyone else.
That night, we prepared dinner together. He did most of the work and kissed me while doing it. He smiled like he never smiled before. I never thought cooking could be so healing, but it was healing only because it was with him. Niko and Ben loved cooking too; I don’t know why they had this thing between them. Every time Niko invited us home, he would make dinner and be so happy about it, and even Ben did the same.
A few moments later, Niko walked in, cradling a bottle of my favorite red wine. His adorable grin told me he was here to lift my spirits, and it was the cutest thing he could do. I knew Niko was trying his best to make me feel good; I felt it. He was always there to make me laugh but turned serious as soon as I wanted to talk about what I felt.
I greeted him with a genuine smile.
“Thank you for this, Niko.”
“Of course, Princess,” he murmured, pulling me into a comforting hug, earning a dark glare from Elijah. “Oh, come on, Eli. Don’t give me that look, it’s not my fault that she loves my hugs more.”
Elijah just pulled me back in his arms and kissed my forehead.
We gathered around the dining table; and Niko poured the wine, saying, “To your new home.”
Elijah corrected him, “To our new home.”
And it was oddly comforting. My family was waiting for me to come back and live again, and it felt good.
Throughout dinner, Niko’s jokes and laughter made this house feel so much warmer and cozier. Elijah sat close, his touch always there.
He would leave his hand or his arm near me, like he wanted to make sure I was present and well.
For a moment, I was lost in my thoughts, my mind feeling empty. It felt like I was literally wandering within the confines of my own head, alone, savoring the respite I offered to my soul.
But then I sensed a brief silence between Niko and Elijah.
