Chapter 35

Brielle's POV

I heard the voice of my grandmother waking me up from my sleep. I opened my eyes to see her sitting on the bed looking at me.

" Wake up sleepy head. You have a guest waiting for you downstairs," she announces with a smile and looks as if she is excited. I sat up and rubbed the sleep off my eyes. I didn't understand what my grandmother meant by" guest ". I yawned and stretched my arms absent-mindedly, still feeling sleepy.

" Grandma. Why did you want me out? Is dinner ready?" I asked, my eyes searching for the clock. It was 7:30 pm.

" I said you had someone waiting for you downstairs. He is a nice young man by the name of Blake. Yes, Blake. That's why he said."

It took a second for my brain to register her words. Wait a minute. Did I hear her correctly? She said, Blake, right?

" What? Blake is here?" I asked my grandmother, feeling awake now. It felt like I got an energy boost shot and just the mention of his name.

" Yes. I didn't know you had such a handsome boy as a friend" she said, teasing me.

" Now tell me. Is he just a friend? Nothing else?" she asked me, looking genuinely curious. I blinked my eyes at her, not knowing what to tell her. I was still in shock to hear that Blake was here and in the house. He came here looking for me, and he had the courage to go inside.

Without answering my grandmother's question, I leaped off the bed, barely managing to slip my feet into my slippers.

" Hey! Be careful or you will fall!" Grandma warned, but it went to deaf ears because once my feet were secured I ran out of my room. It was like I lost control of my body and all I wanted to see was Blake. My heart started pounding with the need and anticipation to see him.

I ran to the living room and my eyes immediately spotted Blake's figure seated on the couch.

" Blake." His name rolled off my tongue.

He looked at me and I felt my breath hitch. It's him. It is really him. Looking at him somehow felt surreal. It has only been 2 to 3 days, but it almost felt like forever. I didn't realize that my heart ached when I couldn't see him and I missed him like crazy. I was crazy. What was this feeling?

I took slow breaths to try and calm myself down and get a grip when all I wanted was to run to him and jump in his arms. I clenched my fists tightly and suppressed the strong urge to do so.

" What are you doing?" My grandma's voice came from behind me and startled me. I didn't hear her come, as I was too engrossed in looking at Blake. " Why are you just standing here? Go and sit next to your friend. He came all the way to see you at this time. I am sure you have a lot to talk about," she said, pushing me forward.

" Honey, can you please come help me in the kitchen? I would really love that."

My grandfather stopped watching the TV and got up to leave. He walked by me but not before shagging my hair like I was a little kid.

" You kids be good. No kissing in this house," he warned, and walked away.

I felt embarrassed in front of Blake. He is already meeting the family. I was not ready for this. Once my grandparents were out of sight, I went and took my grandfather's spot.

I tried to think of what to say. Before, I knew what I wanted to say once I saw him, but it seemed like everything flew away and my brain couldn't function.

" It's good to see you, Brielle," he began, after a moment of silence.

" I missed you," he added while looking at me intensely, as if he wanted me to feel his words and his sincerity. My heart fluttered, and my cheeks turned red. I tried to cover my face with my hair, but it wouldn't help. It was obvious that I was blushing.

" I am sorry I ghosted you. I had my reasons...," he paused," I hope you are not upset with me." He said. I looked at him and said," I am not upset...I was really worried. I thought something happened to you."

A smile appears on his face. " Really?" He asks as if he didn't believe me.

" Yes. I was scared." I admitted.

He sighs and says," It wasn't my intention to make you feel like that. I am sorry. It's my fault. I should have been considerate."

" It doesn't matter. You came to see me. That makes up for everything," I said to him, and he smiled at me softly.

He stretched out his hand and I looked at him confused. He asked me to give him my hand. I was reluctant because we were in the house, but I decided to take advantage that they were in the kitchen. I put my hand in his. A current went through me as I clasped my hand with his warm hand.

" That was the last time I would do something like that. Thank you for understanding." He said to me, making me feel content. I really don't expect this much of him. A call to let me know that he was okay would have been alright. I am really surprised that he went this far to let me know he is okay, and I feel special and important.

The moment was interrupted by the clutter of dishes in the kitchen. I snatched back my hand from Blake's hand. Blake laughed at my innocence, but I couldn't afford my grandparents catching us holding hands. My grandmother would ask a lot of questions and this whole situation. I was still trying to get used to my eccentric relationship with Blake.

At that moment, my grandmother appeared from the kitchen threshold. " Blake. Would you like to join us for dinner?" she asks. Before I could decline on his behalf, thinking that he was busy and had to leave, he beat me to it and said," Of course. I would love to join you for dinner if you don't mind having me." He said, winking at me.

I didn't admit it but, I was happy he was going to stay for longer.