Chapter 55- Hekla

A few days later

My mother has been calling me an everyday and I answer her daily calls, if I don't just like last time she will show up here unexpected and cause a scene and she said the next time she will tell the leaders that I have been sneaking around at nights and to keep a good eye on me so I told her to not to do because she will cause a scene and ruin my internship.

I have decided that I will call Nelson a bit later and apologize for what I did to him and he shouldn't stay hung up over me and move on with his life. I hate myself for what I did to him, he was my best friend and I hope we still are at least friends. I know that I've really hurt him, I saw it in his eyes the day that he saw Hero and I kissing and I couldn't imagine if I were in his shoes and it was the other way around.

Hero and I have getting along really well over the last few days, I snuck out a few nights to be with him and the other nights he said he was busy with work and had a meeting in the evening with some people from his job. He texted me a few times throughout the day and my face lit up every time I saw a message from him.

The assignment is going on and they extended the deadline to next week. Hero and I still didn't dig up the box yet mainly because I forgot, he's so distracting every second I'm with him I forget about everything else in the world and it's just me and him, nothing else matters, I'm caught up in the moment with him, enjoying every second.

We had been hiking for almost 3 hours and I'm not that tired but it just seems really long. Mr. Brown said that we will reach the top of the mountain by next week then we will be coming back down which will take a month to hike back down and we will stay in the cabin for about a week then return back home. So much happened since I've got here that it's hard to believe that I've only been here almost three months, it feels longer, ever since I've met Hero so much has happened since he came into my life but I wouldn't take a moment back, even the times that we fight they bring us closer and we get to know each other more.

The leaders have been teaching us about some new artifacts that we've come across and the stories behind them are horrible and tragic. We even see some bloodstains on some trees that we passed that have been there ages ago. The higher up the mountain we go the creepier this place gets. It's a good thing that we're walking in groups and the leaders are experienced paranormal investigators who have witnessed these things several times because I couldn't imagine being out here alone, it's terrifying just thinking about it especially with this forests history and the legends of this place.

We finally settle on our spot for tonight and we eat dinner and hang out a bit with Easton and Kate. Both Easton and Kate know about Hero but they both don't know that the other person knows and I'd like to keep it that way. Easton heads back to his tent earlier than usual because the leaders told us that we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

Kate takes extremely long to fall asleep this time instead she just goes on her phone. Why can't she just sleep already? something tells me that she's testing me to see if I'm gonna sneak out tonight. I turn on my side and pretend to sleep hoping she would buy it and after a while, she turns on her side and tells me goodnight and finally sleeps after what feels like hours.

I hear a twig snap outside followed by other and I know Hero's calling me outside. He could've just texted me. I put on a dress and a jacket followed by my necklace and head outside. I see Hero staring right at me and he smiles awkwardly.

Is he okay? Out of nowhere he runs up to hug me tightly and a bit rough almost throwing me down but he holds me in place. I wrap my arms around his back and inhale his scent. He pulls away after some time and he looks different, his hair is messy and his nose is a bit red and he has a rag in his hand.

''Are you okay?'' I ask worriedly.

''Of course, I am'' he says and sniffles a few times. I bring my hand to his forehead and it feels normal but he doesn't look too well.

''Are you sick?'' I ask him.

''No, men don't get sick''

''Everyone gets sick'' I tell him and he says 'not me'.

''Alright let's go'' he says and takes my hand in his and leads the way.

''Where are we going?'' I ask and he sneezes three times in a row then sniffles before he answers.

''Gonna go play night golf''

''No we're not you're going straight to bed''

''No I'm fine, I'm not tired'' he lies. He clearly looks both sick and tired.

''No you're not, you're sick''

''No I'm not let's go''

''We can go play night golf some other time but not tonight. You're sick and you need to rest''

''I don't need to rest, I'm fine'' he says and rolls his eyes childishly.

''Please can't we just take tonight off and just go get some rest and we can go play night golf some other time. Please?'' I beg.

''Fine'' he says and he turns around and we start heading to his house but I interrupt.

''Wait I need to get something in the tent'' I tell him and he nods and we walk back.

He stands outside while I go in to get my emergency kit.

''You are such a dork, who brings those things?''

''I do and you never know when you will need it in a time like now'' I tell him and he rolls his eyes making me giggle and we walk off.

For the entire walk, I put my hand on Hero's back while his arm is around my shoulder and for the entire walk to his house he sneezes and sniffles. We reach inside and immediately Hero lies on the bed and puts his hand on his forehead.

''I have a serious headache'' he says.

''You need to rest and I will take care of you'' I say and move to the edge of the bed and open my emergency bag. I lay out everything on the bed while Hero watches me making me nervous.

''Did you bring the entire pharmacy in there?'' he says and I laugh nervously.

I hold his hand and gently pull him up so I can take his temperature. Hero refuses to put the thermometer in his mouth like a 4-year-old and I have to beg him and promise him that we will play night golf tomorrow night only if he feels better for him to put it in his mouth. His temperature is a bit higher than normal but he doesn't have a fever.

''Here's what, why don't you take a cool shower and I'll make you some soup then I'll rub some ointment on your chest and then you'll take some NyQuil then I massage your back until you fall asleep. How does that sound?'' I smile and so does he.

''That sounds amazing'' he breathes.

''But... I'll only do it if you're sick and since you keep saying that you're not then...'' I say trying to get him to admit that he's really sick.

''I'm sick, I'm really sick and I need you'' he confesses quickly and fakes a cough and I laugh and kiss him on his cheek.

He heads for the bathroom while I head to the kitchen.

''Wait, what kind of soup do you want?'' I ask

''Lobster'' he says and I look at him in confusion. Lobster soup? Eww. He likes that?

''I don't know how to make that, is there another kind that you want?''

''Meat soup''

''Would you like chicken soup?'' I ask.

''Sure baby anything'' he laughs and walks into the bathroom.

I head to the kitchen and lay out all the ingredients on the counter. As I go into the pantry I remember the last time I was here, it was the morning when Hero was still sleeping and I found the key in here that opened that scary door leading to those other mysterious doors further underground and that large door with the many locks and chains on it.

I look in the spot the last time I saw the key and to my surprise, it isn't there. He moved it.

Why did he move it?

He's keeping down there so hidden and it makes me wanna find out what's behind that door more than anything. He said it's just his personal stuff like when he moved in here but I have a feeling that there's more. I try to push those thoughts away and focus on making Hero my famous 'I hope you feel better' chicken soup.

I chop up the vegetables and throw them in the pot along with the rest of the ingredients. Just as I'm turning the pot I hear the front door open making me jump and I almost drop the spoon in the pot. I stare at a middle-aged woman with brown curly hair standing by the door.

''Who are you?'' I ask stepping back into the counter.

''I'm Hekla, Hero's maid'' She says and I let out a sigh of relief.

''Sorry I just got a little scared when I heard the door open''

''That's okay, and you are?'' she asks and I hear an Irish accent and it's thick but not as thick as Hero's.

''I'm Sia Hero's girlfriend'' I say. I feel so thrilled that this is the first time I've actually said I'm Hero's girlfriend aloud. Hero and I haven't confirmed that we're dating and I think it might be a bit awkward if we do but I think we are, I mean we spend a lot of time together and we've said that we've loved each other so I think we are.

''Oh I'm sorry to barge in on you guys like this but I forgot my purse in the bathroom''

''Oh well Hero's in the bathroom right now but he should be out soon so you can get it''

''Okay great, I'll wait here''' she says and sits on the couch.

''So what part of Ireland are you from?'' I ask and she says a word which I think is Irish but I can't even pronounce it.

''So are you making his favorite, lobster soup?'' she smiles. How does she know that lobster soup is his favorite?

''No actually I don't know how to make that but I'm making him chicken soup. How do you know he likes lobster soup?'' I ask.

''That was his favorite when he was little, his mom used to make it for him all the time and so did I'' She says and I'm thinking that this woman isn't only his maid.

''You've known him since he was little?'' I inquire curiously.

''Oh yes, we go a long way back'' she says and I have so many questions for her but I decide to not ask them because I don't want to seem like I'm prying too much.

''Oh'' Is all I can say.

''So how long have you guys been together?'' She smiles.

''Almost three months'' I tell her.

''Wow that's great, I so happy he found someone. Victoria would love you'' she says and it has me curious.

''Why do you say that?'' I ask.

''Well you know it's just after so much that has happened it really makes me happy to know that he's found someone after so much''

''After what?'' I ask and at the same time Hero comes outside and hugs me tightly by the counter and he almost throws me down again, he's so clingy sometimes. I hug him back and he's in a bathrobe and his hair is wet. I hope he likes my soup because I've worked really hard on it, the soup!

''Hero the soup'' I tell him and push him away a bit so I could check the pot. I haven't even been paying attention to the pot in the last ten minutes since Hekla came.

I check the pot and thank god the soup is still good and cooking. I move away from the pot and clean up the counter, I throw away some wrapping paper and other garbage while Hero stares at my every move. When I go to the counter Hero comes up behind me and hugs me from behind and puts his head in my neck then he starts kissing my cheek and the side of my face and I forgot that Hekla's still out here.

''Hero uhm Hekla forgot her purse in the bathroom and she needs it'' I tell him and he turns to Hekla.

''Hekla when did you get here?''

''Not too long'' she says and walks into the bathroom.

Hero continues to kiss me from behind making me blush and giggle. I turn to the side and I notice Hekla standing by the couch with her bag. I gently push him away and look at Hekla.

''I'm sorry he's just being really clingy today because he's sick'' I tell her and she smiles.

''It's okay. Hero your mom says to call her tomorrow and tell her how the meeting was and she asked me to tell you to tell Sia hi for her but since you're already here she said hi and she also said to tell you something'' she says.

''What?'' Hero asks annoyed.

''That she loves you'' She laughs and I laugh and Hero rolls his eyes and goes in the fridge.

''Bye Sia it was really great meeting you and Hero hope you feel better and don't forget to call your mom in the morning'' She says and walks out to the door.

''It was really nice meeting you too'' I tell her.

''And don't forget if you come to Iceland one day we can teach you to make lobster soup'' She smiles and heads out the door.

I turn around to see Hero eating some cold pizza from a box while staring at me by the counter by the sink.

''Stop eating that junk the soup's gonna be done just now'' I say and take the box from him.

He continues to hug me while I stir the soup in the pot and kiss my neck.

''Why don't you go wait for there and I'll bring you the soup just now'' I tell him and he walks over to the couch and puts on the tv.

The soup's done so I pour it in a bowl and wait for it to cool a bit. I walk over to Hero and hand him the bowl.

''Be careful it's hot'' I warn him.

He eats it and tells me it's really good and we hang out in the living room for a while before we make our way to the bedroom.

He opens the part of the robe covering his chest for me to rub the ointment. I rub it on his chest and he closes his eyes and sighs in relaxation, his chest feels hard and smooth, I think he shaved recently, it's so clean-shaven. I trace my finger on the outline of his chest then the muscles on his stomach, I touch the tattoo on his neck then the lion's face one on the left side of his chest. I touch the marking the tattoo made on his skin and I trace the outline of everyone with my finger. My finger then goes down on the scar he has on the left side of his stomach, the scar that looked liked it was badly wounded. I really wish one day he can tell me how he got that but whenever I ask him about it, he gets angry and changes the subject so I decide not to ask anymore. I hope that one day he can open up to me and tell me how he got it, he should know that he can tell me anything but I'm not gonna push him, when he's ready to tell me he will.

He keeps telling me that I've missed a spot when I know I haven't but he just wants me to keep rubbing his chest. He blow dries his hair then returns only in his boxers. I try not to stare at his erection but I catch myself staring then look in his eyes and he's smiling and winking at me and I giggle nervously and look on the bed. He lays on his back and I get on top of him and spread my legs around his waist.

''Take your clothes off'' He demands.

''We're not having sex baby you're sick, I'm just giving you a massage to help you feel better''

''I will feel much better if you're naked and giving me a massage'' he says and I roll my eyes. He continues to tell me how much sexier it would be with my clothes off and I finally take them off.

I'm now naked on top of him while he lays on his stomach. I can feel his behind on my area as I sit on top him. I take the calming body lotion and rub it along his back. He was right this is sexy.

''So Hekla seems really nice'' I say and he doesn't say anything.

''She said that she's known you for a long time'' I tell him.

''What else did she say?'' he asks his voice full of concern.

''Nothing really just that lobster soup is your favorite'' I say and continue to massage the middle of his back.

''Right after roasted lamb'' he says.

''How does it feel?'' I ask and massage his shoulders.

''So good'' he moans.

''How did you get sick anyway?'' I ask and he says he doesn't know.

''When you first moved here, what made you go to Detroit?''

''I just wanted too'' he says and I roll my eyes.

''Why did you decide to move here after?'' I ask him and he sighs.

''Why do you wanna know so much about my move all of a sudden?'' he asks suspiciously.

''I just wanted to know you don't have to be so mean about it'' I say.

We continue to talk for the rest of the night about ourselves while I massage his back. I tell him that today I was going to apologize to Nelson and how bad I feel for doing that to him. He says that I shouldn't feel bad because I didn't love him in the same way that he loves me and now that I've done it now I know what love feels like which is being with him.

I tell him about how annoying my mother has been and how she has been calling and checking in on me even more and he still says the woman's a lunatic which makes me laugh again.

He finally tells me that Hekla has known him a long time and she's a family friend and all that. I really wanted to know after so much that she claims has happened with Hero that he finally found someone, I really wanted to know what happened but I know I can't ask Hero because then he would get mad at Hekla for telling me that and he wouldn't even tell me.

We continue to talk and Hero makes some dirty sex comments about us and tells me that night golf is a lot of fun and I say that I've never gone and he says we'll go next time.

We continue to talk for a bit about Hero and he tells me a bit more about Iceland and his childhood but not much then I notice that his voice slows down then stops and when I look at him his eyes are closed and his mouth is parted slightly, he's asleep. I get off him and change into one of his t-shirts in the drawer then get back on the bed and cover the both of us. I lie next to him and move the hair from his forehead and kiss him on the cheek and tell him that I love him. I stare at his face for a while as he sleeps then I fall asleep myself.