50 Shades of Drake 1 and 2

50SOD II: Chapter Fifty-One

    It was easy to lose track of time while talking to Carlos. He provided much needed comic relief at a time when Destiny really needed it. Between her involvement with Aubrey and the drama going on with Graham Enterprises, everything else in her life seemed so intense and overwhelming. Whenever she was around Carlos, she felt like she could relax. Unwind. She didn't realize it until tonight, but whenever she was around Aubrey, she always felt wound up. On edge.

    A part of that would be because I never know what to expect with him, she thought as she made her way back to his condo. One minute we're cuddling and the next minute, we're walking into a sex club and I don't know what the hell is going on. There was a part of her that liked the thrill of spontaneity, but there was also a part of her that would prefer to know what to expect.

    A million different thoughts tumbled over each other in her mind as she opened the door to the condo. She and Carlos had talked about pretty much everything. After pouring her own heart out about Aubrey, Brian, and work, Carlos told her about the few dates he'd gone on since he had been in town. She had expressed to him how bad she felt for not being able to spend more time with him, but he had waved off her guilt.

    "Don't feel bad. I love it here and I'm enjoying myself. And you're right. Maybe I should have waited before coming. Maybe I should have given you more time, more notice rather than randomly pop up at the Toronto airport demanding a ride."

    The first thing that hit her when she opened the door to Aubrey's condo was the most delectable scent. Whatever he had cooked smelled absolutely phenomenal. The second thing that hit her when she opened the door to Aubrey's condo was the most magical sound. Her heart stopped in her chest, and her hand remained on the edge of the door as she listened.

    There was a timeless beauty in the sound of a piano. She had always respected the piano as an instrument, but there was something about the way Aubrey played. He was able to convey emotion through the music, seduce sounds from the piano that she hadn't heard anywhere else. There was something heartbreaking in the music he tended to play, something haunting in the notes he chose. Careful not to make any unnecessary noise, she closed the door and pressed her back against it, closing her eyes and soaking in the music.

"You make me want to be better..."

    She melted at the sound of his voice. Deep, smooth, and melodic. Filled with earnest and yearning.

"I write you this letter,

Because I want to be better...

For you, yeah...

I know that I am not perfect.

Give me time and I'll be worth it."

    The piano served as the perfect backdrop to the vow he sang. Destiny continued to lean against the door, lost in the sound of the music and the meaning behind it. It's as if he overheard the conversation I had with Carlos and he's asking for me to give him a little more time. It's as if he knows that I have doubts about whether or not we can make it as a real couple. Then again, why wouldn't he be able to sense it? He seemed to have a knack for knowing the true thoughts, feelings, and intentions of the people around him. He'd already proved that on more than one occasion.

    Walking on the tips of her toes, she moved forward until he came into view. He was seated at the piano, shirtless with only a pair of gray sweatpants on. Occasionally glancing down at the keys he was pressing, and occasionally tilting his head back and shutting his eyes.

    She stood watching him, trying to picture a life with him. Trying to picture living a life with him that didn't include children in it, a life that included kink and surprises like the one he'd sprung on her last night. Is that something she could continue to do? Or was it possible that what he wanted in life could possibly change, since his views on love had shifted? I assumed that because he believes in love now, that would make him more open to the idea of being married and having children, more open to settling down one day...but maybe I shouldn't have made that assumption.

    The timing of it all, of wanting to have a serious conversation with him when he had other things to worry about, namely the future of his company... not ideal. Because the last thing she wanted to do was add to the mountain of stress that already plagued him. So, what is a girl to do when she has pressing questions that she wants to ask her boyfriend, but knows that it's not the best time to ask those questions?

    He opened his eyes, turned his head, and looked over at her. His hands never stopped caressing the ivory keys at his fingertips. He continued playing while looking at her. And the verse that he'd sung earlier, he sang it again. While looking her in the eyes.

    Taking a deep breath, she approached him and joined him on the piano bench. She leaned her head on his shoulder. When a girl wants to have a serious conversation with her boyfriend and knows it's the worst time to have that conversation, she swallows her pride and displays patience. She supports her boyfriend throughout his hardship, and brings up her concerns once the waters are a little more calm. At least...that's what I'm telling myself. Because it would kill me to add more stress for him right now. So she wordlessly listened to him play the rest of the song, listened to the flawlessness of his voice as he sang to her.

    She settled for sitting beside him, hoping and praying that once she finally did approach him with her concerns, he gave her a response that would allow them to continue making each other happy. Because if she had it her way, he would be the man she would marry. And he would be the man who fathered her children.