ELIZA

CHAPTER EIGHT: BONDING

I found out that he had killed a man who wanted to rob him. The attacker took Cosmo by surprise, putting a knife to his throat and demanding money. Cosmo, however, managed to free himself and a fight ensued. Eventually he struck his opponent. Unfortunately, the witnesses who saw the end of the fight testified against someone wearing boots and leather. Against Cosmo. As it turned out, the criminal was also the son of someone powerful, so Cosmo was sent to prison not as a person acting in self-defense - he had been charged with assault and murder.

Cosmo was only cleared of charges thanks to monitoring that showed actual course of events. Of course, money was also crucial, because he could afford a good lawyer, who had already dealt with similar cases. Otherwise, the family of the murdered would probably demand a life sentence, and even a compensation.

"As you can see, I have no secrets from you," he said finally, and smiled innocently as if to confirm his words.

"Only you know that," I replied with a shrug.

I was a bit worried about the story. It suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't known much about a man yet, and I'd really rather have him lead a boring, ordinary life like most people I know, rather than being in jail or going abroad.

"Are you planning to stay permanently in the country?" I asked him because I couldn't imagine my life somewhere else. I didn't want to get involved and then be miserable when it turns out that one day he will leave our country. I didn't believe in long-distance relationships.

"I don't know," he replied sincerely, "that depends."

His right eyebrow shot up high on his forehead. He looked very predatory now.

"On what?" I asked. 

"On whom," he corrected me, clearly letting me know he was referring to me. He grinned mischievously and went into the kitchen to make dinner for us.

I went to the bathroom. Maybe I should have helped him, but I had to wash myself and think. I made sure that I locked the bathroom door (I wanted to shave, so I couldn't allow to leave it open) and I jumped into the shower.

I didn't know what was happening to me. On the one hand, I liked Cosmo, and he treated me well. He wasn't intrusive, he was independent, appealing and a very macho guy at the same time. On the other hand, just the information about the end of Tom and Barb's relationship seemed to stir me up. Although I didn't want it to affect my relationship with Cosmo, I couldn't help it - my thoughts kept coming back to Tom, and to our goodbye.

"Are you alive?" Cosmo's voice, muffled by the flowing water, reached me. Fortunately, he didn't even try to go inside.

"Yes, I'm almost done!" I shouted back.

We had dinner and then I washed the plates, though Cosmo insisted on putting them in the dishwasher. I disagreed with him because it took me less than three minutes to do it. Then we went to bed. Somehow we enjoyed talking so much that we didn't even think about doing anything other than chatting and hugging.

We fell asleep almost simultaneously, and when I woke up in the morning he wasn't by my side. Well, in the whole apartment. I went to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat, and I opened the fridge. I rubbed my eyes seeing it all filled with food.

When did he have time to buy all of it? I thought, reaching for the milk in the carton.

I wanted a hot breakfast so I found my favorite cereal in the cupboard and the pot in the other. Then I warmed up the milk on the hob. I could also make scrambled eggs and bacon with the ingredients in the fridge, and a simple thought of it made me drool, but I didn't know how to do it - I was a terrible cook.

While I was cleaning up after myself, I heard the door open.

"You're up," Cosmo greeted me, entering the apartment as if surprised him the fact that I hadn't slept at nine o'clock. He was dressed in a tracksuit, and he had boxes and bags in his hands. He must have been shopping.

"When did you leave?" I asked him. Usually I was a light sleeper, so hearing even the slightest rustle I could wake up right away. I was amazed how much he tried to quietly slip out from under the covers.

"Just before seven," he replied. "Have you eaten yet?"

I nodded, which he thought was great news because it allowed him to show me what he had bought.

Clothes. Ranging from blouses, dresses to shoes and accessories. My mouth fell open, speechless. How did he know my size and how did he know fashion? At first glance, all these clothes were a combination of elegant style and modern trends.

"How..." I started, but he interrupted me.

"I was in my favorite boutique, I hope you like them."

Yes, I did, but I couldn't accept them.

"They're beautiful," I said, looking at the white lace-trimmed blouse or the loose polka-dot dress. "Just... I can't afford these clothes," I muttered softly.

I was honest, but still blushed as if I had done something wrong. I was an ordinary student who earned some extra money by working as a bartender.

"It's a gift," he waved his hand, suggesting that I should try something on.

I chose what I thought was the cheapest - denim shorts and a cream T-shirt.

In this outfit, I went with Cosmo to explore the city, thanking him by giving a peck on his mouth.

We started with visiting the ship that was converted into a museum, we entered the castle and then we took a photo at the Neptune Fountain in the old Market Square. We had sushi for dinner (it was my first time) and for dessert I invited Cosmo for waffles with fruit. I paid for them, even though he objected.

Before the evening we took a walk in the park where I told Cosmo that we would have to come back tomorrow because of my exam. To my surprise, he wasn't angry. He stated that since we only had one evening left, we would go to the party.

We came back to the apartment, changed clothes (I was wearing a sequin dress) and went to the seaside. There we got to a cozy restaurant where we drank a bottle of red wine and then went to the club.

We didn't want to be apart even for a second. We danced all night.