Our Safeguard

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

~Nolan~

       "So this is where I want the mural to be," Tamala said, gesturing to the bare wall in the recreational centre. "If I'm being honest, I don't know what I want the theme for it to be. So whatever you think will work."

       "Uh... I'm horrible at decisions," I said. I couldn't even decide where I wanted to eat sometimes, which was weird because I definitely had a favourite restaurant. You'd think I would just choose that every time, but nope. 

       "What about... some kind of scenic mural?" Jerome suggested. "Like of a mountain or a forest or something."

       Tamala nodded. "I like that idea." She looked at me. "What do you think?"

       "I love painting scenery," I said. "I think I'll be able to come up with something soon."

       Tamala smiled. "Perfect! Again, just like your other murals, I don't have a time limit of when I see the rough draft and when the mural is completed. I would like it to be completed as soon as possible so we can get to work on the rest of the recreational centre, but I don't want to rush you."

       "Don't worry, I'll make sure to put all of my focus into the mural," I said. "Thank you again for hiring me."

       "Of course," Tamala said. "Everyone loves your murals, as do I. I would love to see more of them around the city. Well, if that's all, I'll leave you to get started on the draft. Let me know as soon as you have one sketched up."

       I was glad Jerome came with me because otherwise, I didn't think I would be able to come up with a theme as fast. When I was just painting for myself, I didn't care about a theme. I could just paint whatever came to my mind. When I was painting for others, if I didn't have a direction, I feel like I would only fail.

       Jerome and I left the recreational centre and headed to his car. As soon as the two of us were in there, he asked, "Do you still want to get some wedding bands?"

       I smiled at him and nodded. Even though our marriage already felt official, having a wedding band would just be a constant reminder how I was able to marry the love of my life. Though we did agree to wear them on chains and not on our ring fingers, the two of us would still know what they symbolize.

       Jerome drove to his favourite jewellery store. I was starting to feel more excited the closer we got to the store. I almost was able to contain my excitement wen we actually got in the store and started to look at the rings. I just loved the idea of Jerome and I having something that symbolizes our marriage.

       It honestly didn't even take that long for the two of us to pick something out. We ended up eyeing the same ring, knowing that it was perfect. The rings were tungsten with turquoise circling around it. Our birthstone.

       We both agreed that it was the one we wanted, so those were the rings we got. We also bought some chains so we could wear them around our neck.

       After purchasing the rings and chains, we went back to Jerome's car. Instead of waiting until we got home, we put the rings on the chains and around our neck. I couldn't help but smile as I looked down at my ring.

       "You're happy," Jerome said.

       I looked at Jerome, still smiling. "I am. I really am."

       "I like seeing you happy." 

       I smiled even wider as Jerome leaned over and pressed his lips on mine for a soft kiss. When he pulled away, I said, "I love you."

       Jerome smiled back at me. "I love you too. And honestly, I was kind of expecting you to ask me for sex."

       "I would have, but we planned to get cake afterwards, and I really want cake."

       "Wow, there's actually something that you prioritize over sex. That's a shocker."

       "Oh, shush."

       By the time we got to the bakery, I wasn't really feeling like staying out any longer, especially since we went to the recreational centre right after school, so we got the cake to-go. Though that might not have been the best idea because as soon as we got home, Alan noticed the cake we had. "Uh, rude. You guys got cake and didn't get any for me."

       "When was the last time you bought me food?" I asked.

       "Uh..." Alan tried to think back to a time but he couldn't. Probably because he rarely bought me food.

       "Exactly," I said.

       Alan sighed before he picked up his phone. "That's okay. That's what Brandon is for."

       "I'm going to tell him you're only dating him so he could buy you food," Jerome said as he sat down at the dining table. I sat down beside him, eager to eat the red velvet cake I got.

       Alan shrugged. "Go ahead. I've once told him I'm only dating him because he's the first person to show interest in me. Granted, he ignored me for three days until I su--"

       "No," I interrupted. "No, please don't finish that. I don't want to hear it."

       Jerome snorted. "Says the person who asks for sex every day," he muttered low enough so only I heard it.

       "That's different," I said. "I don't say stuff like that around other people. You, on the other hand..."

       "Ah, you're right," Jerome said. "Oh well."

       Alan suddenly threw his phone on the couch. "I'm breaking up with Brandon."

       "Why?" I asked.

       "Because he said he won't bring me cake," Alan said.

       "Oh no. That is so tragic. What a horrible boyfriend he is to not bring you cake. I couldn't imagine ever dating someone like that."

       Alan glared at me. "I know you're being sarcastic."

       "What? Me? I would never."

       Alan stuck his tongue out at me before flopping down on the couch, claiming that his life was over. Honestly, I couldn't even judge him. Even I thought my life was over at times simply because I had no access to dessert.

       "You'll live," Jerome said.

       "No, I don't think I will," Alan said. "I'm going to just stay on this couch forever until Brandon brings me cake. Preferably the food and not just his a--"

       "Stop," I said. "Please. Stop."

        "Meh," was all Alan said in reply.

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i, too, think my life is over if i don't get dessert. i love dessert :(

i one time bought myself a whole cake from the grocery store because it was red velvet lmao