Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Eight - Queen of the South

I jerked upright when I felt fingers raking through my hair with a tickling sensation, looking up to see Adian grinning, happy and whole but he couldn't hide the weariness in his eyes.

"You're awake," smiling in happiness, I crawled closer to him, pouting at my stupid comment. "Of course you're awake " my eyes quickly reverting to the digital clock at his bedside.

Three forty eight!

"How are you feeling?" I asked, knitting my brows in a deep frown, remembering the last time I checked the time was at two.. something, then I must have fallen asleep.

"Hungry, I haven't eaten since breakfast, yesterday" Adain says, with a lopsided grin.

"Right!" I yawned involuntarily, climbing off the bed to freshen up before going to the kitchen.

I did my regular morning routine in less than twenty minutes tops, since I was already in the bathroom. Wrapped in a towel, my wet hair cascading down my back, dripping water along the way.

Adian was now lying flat on his stomach, his arms stretched out to the sides of him, his back muscles flexed, emphasising his tattoo covered shoulders and arms, adding to his bad boy image.

Why does he suddenly appear more appealing to me or as my roommates at college would say, horney. I just stood there, suddenly hungry for my husband.

F**k!

"I hope you're not gawking at your hungry husband," Adian mutters softly but clear enough for me to hear and understand.

Double f**k!

I bolted for the changing room to dress for the lazy morning since it's the weekend.

Half drying myself, dabbing body lotion halfway on my body, I pulled on my trademark shorts but this time, it's an army green color and a armless vest to match, without combing my hair, I tied it in a messy bun on top my head, leaving the loose strands that fell all around, because I have to fed my hungry husband.

"I'll be back in a bit," kissing my sexy husband's shoulder before I left for the kitchen.

I did a quick check on Emmy to see her still fast asleep, leaving the door halfway open for her before entering downstairs, slowly throwing the fear and ghosts on the stairs behind my back to prepare breakfast.

Stopping short when I saw a tired Ryan already sitting at the kitchen table clenching a coffee mug in front of him.

Lifting his head when he heard my soft stomps entering the kitchen, surprised.

"Morning," I greeted him softly, walking further into the kitchen. "You're up early or" I searched his face for signs, "or not," I smiled sadly, indicating I'm aware that he hasn't slept a wink.

Ignoring my comment, "I can say the same to you," he chuckles dryly. "How's the boy?" He asked when I stood peering inside the refrigerator, wondering what I should prepare for him.

"Actually he just woke up, hungry," I laugh softly, "so I'm trying to figure out what to make for him." I responded, shifting the bread but my mind felt blank or maybe I'm sleepy.

"Cereal and milk" Ryan suggested, "then I suggest you have some and get a little sleep, since you were awake all night," Ryan said standing up and walked towards the stove with his mug to refill his coffee.

"Right back at you," I shot back at him, taking out the milk to put on the kitchen counter.

"Did I really keep you guys awake all night?" Adian comments, strolling into the kitchen, bright and rested.

Surprised, I smiled at him, "that's an exaggeration," I glared at Ryan, "and I'm fine." Pushing the milk forward, "your father recommended milk and cereal," I tell him, "would it work for you?" I asked.

Unsmiling, Adian nods before taking a seat at the kitchen table, only to cradle his head again.

I exchanged a quick glance with Ryan then pour the milk in a bowl for him, "here eat this while I make something heavier," I said hoping he's not upset with me.

"Nah, this is enough," he responded, pulling the bowl of milk forward and the cereal that I placed beside the bowl,

Lifting his eyes, he smiles at me, "what I want now is for you to take some rest," he tells me, emptying lucky charms cereals into the bowl of milk.

Glaring at Ryan once again, "are you really going to listen to Ryan?" I asked because resting is the last thing on my mind.

What I need is answers!

"Weren't I asleep when you woke up?" I reminded him, determined to remain downstairs with him.

Mrs. Harris should be here soon but I decided to start breakfast instead, Maybe, bacon and eggs while Emmy will have her cereal.

"Hailey," Adian already starts to complain but I interrupted him.

"Adian" I mocked him lightly, a bright smile lingering on my lips. "Let me start on breakfast," I was saying to him but again he objected.

"Hailey," he says again, ignoring his cereal and milk.

Because I didn't want to create a problem in front of Ryan, I took out an extra bowl, and a cartoon of milk and placed it in front of him, taking the refrigerated one, I took the box of lucky charms and placed a box of frosted flakes beside the cartoon of milk and stormed off.

"Hailey," I heard Adian calling from the kitchen but I ignored him and went into the entertainment room to have breakfast and turned on Netflix to select a TV Series to binge on.

Clicking on a recommended action series, with a strong woman lead, Queen of the South!

Adian must still be in the kitchen, I thought and opened the first episode since it's a Saturday and Mrs. Harris will be coming in this morning, I can do what Adian suggested and rest.

I got so engrossed in the series that I ended up locking out everyone and everything on the outside, including Emmy.

"in here,"