Page 114 of Eternal
He laughs again. “Is that so? Thought you’d be out training again like you did the last three days. Or maybe you’re still recovering?”
“Doesn’t concern you.” I take another sip of my tea, trying to ignore the shiver running through me. There’s a brief silence on the other end, and for a moment, I think he’s done. But then… A knock and I freeze.
I place the phone down on the table, pushing myself up slowly. The knock comes again, louder this time, insistent. I move toward the door, glance down at the phone still lying on the table, the screen flashing with Damir’s name.
The door creaks open.
He’s standing there, leaning casually against the frame, his lips curling into a smirk.
Is that a dream? A nightmare I mean.
“Well, I thought you said you were busy,” he says, raising an eyebrow.
I stare at him for a moment, pulse racing, my breath caught somewhere between annoyance and relief. “Guess I lied.”
“Good thing I didn’t believe you and came to see it by myself,” Damir says, holding up two pints of ice cream.
I look at it, then back at him, and I can’t help but smile despite myself. How can I even find the will to smile after killing so many people tonight. “Fine, you win. I need one,” I mutter, stepping aside to let him in.
It’s strange, though. I’m letting him in,reallyletting him in, and I don't know why. Maybe it’s because it’s almost 4am and I’m too tired to do anything else other than that, or maybe it's the fact that his presence is somehow, not uncomfortable?
“Knew you’d cave,” he grins, and I hate that he’s right.
“Take off your shoes first,” I mutter, the words coming out without thinking. Old habits I got from my mother, I guess.
He glances at me over his shoulder, his grin widening. “Is that a command?”
“If I have to tell you twice, I’ll throw a knife.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he says after a low chuckle.
I watch as he slips his shoes off and heads into the living room, but I feel a strange urge to tidy up. I’m not even sure what needs tidying; it’s not like I ever have guests. Apart from Vik and Kat, no one ever comes here. But his presence is making me... self-conscious.
For the first time in a long time, I feel a little vulnerable.
Is that normal? I always thought having people in your house was casual. But why does it feel like I’m showing him a place where I’ve cried and screamed so many times, like he could see the ghosts of me in those moments? Of course, he can’t.
That’s okay, Azra.
“Got a spoon?” he asks, breaking the silence. “Maybe two? Or we can share one if you’re feeling flirty.”
I roll my eyes, already walking toward the kitchen. “You’re lucky I don’t have much dignity left tonight,” I mutter under my breath, pulling open a drawer for spoons.
When I come back into the living room, I hand him one, and then I plop down onto the couch. He’s already settled in, the icecream pint resting comfortably in his lap, like he’s been here a thousand times before. And mine on the small table.
“You’re too comfortable. I’m almost scared,” I joke, popping the lid off my ice cream and digging in.
He shrugs, smirking. “I like the decor. It suits you.” His eyes flicker to mine, and I can tell he’s waiting for my reaction to this compliment. Was that even a compliment? My apartment is simple with no decor. Apart from some books, a lot of DVDs and vinyls and some artworks that I liked and picked with Kat. How does this suit me? “Honestly, though, I thought you’d throw a knife at me when you saw me. Guess you're too tired for that.”
I take a spoonful of ice cream, slowly licking it off the edge. My gaze meets his for a beat too long before I glance away, trying to shake off that feeling gnawing at the pit of my stomach.
“Guess I was in the mood for something relaxing tonight,” I tease, my voice more drained than I intended. I really am tired; I can feel it. And when someone is tired, they’re too weak to keep the mask on.
Maybe that’s why I let him in tonight. Maybe I wanted to feel like a normal girl, even if I knew I’d be too worn down to hide everything I keep to myself.
Damir scoffs, amused, but there’s something softer in the way he looks at me. It’s different from what I’ve been used to by now. “You look like you need some comfort today.”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “Maybe I do. Doesn’t mean you can stay too long.”
