CHAPTE 24

"Mel" he called still hugging me

"Hum" I answered

"Let's start a new part of our lives together"

I froze

He broke up apart and looked at me straight in the eye holding my shoulders. I was still frozen so the only thing I could do was to look at him back

"I don't mean that we should get married or something, at least not now" he whispered the last part but, I still heard him

"What I mean is that.. I... I.." he paused and signed

"I more than like you, Mel. So much that I think I might go crazy if I can't see you. Since when I saw you in the bus, you were always in my head. At first it was because I find your irritated reactions funny but, gradually, it was because I wanted to see you. For the first time in ten years, I actually considered having a life, I considered relying on you and, trust me, that has never happened to me. I tried so hard to fight any hope and attraction I felt towards you but, at a time I couldn't stop. You may consider me to be an annoying, irritating, unbearable monkey but to me, you are far from that. To me, Mel, you are one woman I would do anything for. A woman I would lay down my life for. A woman I am ready to give up everything for. A woman I would gladly love for the rest of my life. A woman that occupies my every second. A woman..."

Without think about my actions, I leaned forward and put my lips on his. Realizing what I was doing, I jerked back and covered my mouth with my hands. He looked stunned

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I mean that, I just.."

"You didn't mean it?" he asked

"No, that wasn't what I meant. I just did it.."

"You just did it?" he asked

"No, I didn't. I.. I.."

I hid my face in my hands. I groaned when I heard his chuckle

"Mel" he called but I couldn't dare to look up

He removed my hands from my face, caressed my cheek and started to lean in. Before I could register what was going on, I felt his lips on mine. For some seconds, I didn't know what was happening then I started to kiss him back. It wasn't one of pressure or desire but rather, it was calm and soothing, as if he poured all his feeling in to the kiss. After a while, we broke apart but, his hand were still on my cheek

"I'll take that as my confession being accepted and retaliated. Good night and sweet dreams" he said giving me on last kiss before he left. Still in a daze, I lay down on my bed waiting for sleep to knock if it was coming with just a single thought in my head

I've definitely changed

I guess it actually came but, it didn't stay for a long time

I read the time of the clock, 4:30

Knowing full well that there was no way I could or was going back to sleep, I reluctantly stepped out of the bed. I stepped into the magnificent bathroom and cleaned up. Not sure if I was doing the right thing, I went into the room Jace went into and took some of his clothes to wear. I couldn't stay in the room so, I step out and decided to check out the third floor and what I found there reminded me of who Jace was again; it was a game room or rather, a game floor. Familiar and unfamiliar games were on display; all sorts of games. Bowling, Snooker, PS, a Dart board, Table tennis and other ones. There were also different game boards; Chess, Monopoly, Puzzles, Scrabble, Yahtzee and so on.

It might be fascinating for some people but since I am not a game person, I just went back down

Where is the balcony?

After a few getting lost and going to the same place for some time, I finally found it on the second floor and the first thing I said was

"Wow"

There were stairs that left to the back on the house and the back of the house was a pool. There were two white pool chairs with cushions on them. There was a pool but, there was also a Jacuzzi beside it. All in all, it was extraordinary. I stayed for a bit enjoying the air then I went back inside.

I went into the kitchen, checked what he had, made a list of options on what to make and picked Smoked Sausage and Spaghetti Skillet, who knows when next he will get to get normal food according to human, definitely not to him. Fortunately and as usual, it looks better than intended

"Good morning" I heard Jace from behind

"Morning. I made breakfast" I told him

"I'm well aware. It wonderful smell was what woke me up today"

"Sit" I told him ignoring the 'today'. I served us both then sat in front of him

"It look delicious and tastes delicious" he said after the first bite

"Of course, I made it" I bragged and smiled

He laughed back

"When did you wake up?" he asked

"Around 4:30"

"That long? What have you been doing?"

"Nothing much. Just finding out how silly you could be"

He raised an eyebrow

"How could you have a whole floor, equivalent to a house, full of games?" I asked him

"Oh, you've been there"

"Yes, I couldn't stay in my room forever"

"My? I like that" he looked at me and winked

"Well, I stayed there so I guessed I was mine temporarily" I said casually sipping water

"It could be permanent"

I chocked on the water I was drinking while laughing, he came to pat my back

"Are you okay?" he asked still laughed

I removed his hands and glared at him. He just smiled and raised his hands

"Just wanted to help"

With me in between, he leaned over to reach his plates leaving me with hitched breath

I know he is doing this on purpose but, I still can't help but to react

"Are you done?" he asked

"Huh?" I asked

I couldn't fathom what he was saying

"Your food? Are you done?" he repeated

"Yes" I nodded my head

He then took my plates and stood up straight while I tried to even back my breathing, I could imagined the look he had on his face right now

I stood up and left, I couldn't be near him right now. I needed some fresh air so, I went back to the pool area

"I guess you've discovered this place" Jace said as he sat beside me on the pool chair

"Yeah, I was also one of my discovery this morning" I replied calmly

I have already calmed down

"Why did you build all this?" I asked him

"What do you mean?"

"Since this is your private house and you didn't intend on bringing anyone here. It also reminded you of some painful memories, why..?"

"Do I have things that might be in a normal wealthy setting?" he completed the question for me. I nodded

"I wanted apart of me to be normal. I, sometimes, wanted to forget my problems and just wanted to flaunt my riches like some rich people do but, at the end, I haven't even touched any of these things" he answered

"You mean you have never played any of those games and haven't been in this water?" I asked him

He smiled

"I thing the best thing to say is that I haven't been to the third floor and the back of my house"

"Wow"

"I know, right? All this for nothing"

"It was for nothing. Not anymore" I corrected him

He smiled at me and I smiled back. My gaze went back to the water while he held my hand. After a while, I closed my eyes and just enjoyed what I was feeling, Jace's hand on mine along with the breeze that refreshed my skin