***
Holly's POV
***
I stand there pathetically, crying in front of my uncle who welcomes me with nothing but the same arms JJ offered me earlier. I take Deji's comfort and cry into his chest, feeling the bitter feeling of heartache settle itself into my chest comfortably as if it doesn't plan on leaving anytime soon. Deji rubs his hand up and down my back, his other one cupping the back of my head. I've never cried like this in front of Deji before, but he's a natural as he hushes me gently, his words soothing the choppy waves of anxiety bashing against my stomach.
"Let's go upstairs"
I notice Deji uses the same low tone of voice JJ uses when he speaks to me when I'm like this, and I can't lie, it freaks me out how similar the two are. Deji squeezes my shoulders gently and he opens the door of the building for me, letting me walk through first. The lobby of the building isn't quite how I imagined it. The front desk is made of polished wood, and the people behind the counter wear suits and ear pieces, looking like they work for the CIA. The floor feels expensive under my converse and the air smells like lilies, thanks to a massive vase with the most impressive flower display I've ever seen sat in the corner by the lifts. It actually smells amazing in here.
Deji's gentle touch on my lower back makes me snap back to reality, and I realize he's pushing me towards the lifts. I speed myself up and enter the lift with him, suddenly feeling worried that I've done the wrong thing and left home over something so minor.
"Don't worry, Holly. JJ knows where you are if he needs you, and I promise, I couldn't be happier that you decided to reach out to me"
It's like he can read my mind, and I smile at him gratefully.
"Thanks for this"
"You're my niece," he smiles warmly in return. "Of course"
***
We get to the eighth floor and exit the lift. I fall back behind Deji so he can lead the way to his apartment, and I follow happily. In one swift lift ride, he let me know that he's happy I'm here and that I can stay as long as I want. I thanked him probably three times, but he waved it off each time, saying that it was his responsibility as my uncle to make sure I'm alright.
"Aha," Deji says, producing his apartment key from his pocket. "Found it. Holly, I shit you not I lose my keys, like, three times a day and it sends me into a panic. The front desk is sick of making new ones for me"
His gentle chit chat is soothing, and when he laughs, it feels like the whole world laughs with him. I smile at the contagiousness of it all and follow him into the flat when he finally manages to unlock the door and push it open for us.
I stand in awe, looking around the flat. The windows are cool, dressed with navy blue curtains that are tied in the middle, letting the sunlight in on the polished wooden floors. The walls are far apart and connected, creating a spacious atmosphere that doesn't let me feel claustrophobic in any way. The kitchen is small and to the side, giving way to the three bedrooms in the back and a big living room with a massive flat screen. Okay, this flat is seriously cool.
"Your room is on the right," Deji says, walking down the hall. He pushes the door open and I peek inside, staring at how pretty the room is.
The walls have been painted a cute baby blue, and the bed is massive. It looks comfy, and sure enough, when I sit on the blue duvet, the mattress gives way under me and it feels like I'm being hugged. There's a TV on the wall in front of me, and there's also an ensuite bathroom to the left. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see a bathtub that has my name written all over it. I love baths.
I set my eyes on the bookshelves lining the walls. There's a few books on there about travel and I can tell no one's really read them, because the spines are still intact and they look shiny brand new. There's plenty of room for new books, and I'm glad I've brought a couple with me from home that I can put on the shelves to make it seem less bare.
