The Glossy Eyes

Chapter 28: Boss

Alannah sat next to Nathaniel, her concern evident in her voice as she asked, "Nathaniel, what happened to you? Did you have an accident?" Her voice carried a mix of curiosity and genuine worry, even though she couldn't see the physical evidence herself.

Nathaniel's expression tightened, his gaze directed towards Alannah's general direction as he wrestled with the dilemma of how to respond. He hesitated, unsure of how to convey the truth without visual cues. Taking a deep breath, he replied, "Yeah, I did have an accident, Alannah. It's nothing too serious, just a minor mishap."

Alannah listened intently, her heightened senses attuned to Nathaniel's voice and any subtle changes in his tone. She sensed the hesitance and nervousness underlying his words, and it piqued her curiosity further. She gently placed her hand on his, providing a sense of comfort and support. "Nathaniel, you can trust me. I may not see it, but I can feel what you're going through. If something's bothering you, I'm here to listen."

Nathaniel's tension eased slightly as he felt Alannah's reassuring touch. He appreciated her unwavering support, even in the face of his inability to visually express his emotions. "Thank you, Alannah," he murmured, his voice laced with gratitude. "I can't fully explain it right now, but please know that I value your presence and support."

Alannah nodded, her face turned towards Nathaniel's general direction. Her trust in him and their connection remained unshaken, despite the absence of visual cues. "I understand, Nathaniel," she replied softly. "Whenever you're ready to share, I'll be here to listen and support you. No matter what."

She continued, "are you feeling alright now?"

Nathaniel contemplated whether to share his life with Alannah, but her gentle interruption broke his train of thought. He turned his attention towards her voice and smiled, appreciating her concern.

"I'm feeling better now, Alannah," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude. "Your care and the soup you made for me have worked wonders. Thank you."

Alannah's face brightened at his response, her voice filled with genuine happiness. "I'm glad to hear that, Nathaniel. Taking care of you is the least I can do after all the times you've been there for me."

Nathaniel's heart swelled with affection as he realized the depth of Alannah's care and the significance of their bond. Despite his reservations about sharing his past, he couldn't deny the warmth he felt in her presence.

"Thank you, Alannah," he whispered softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "You've brought so much light into my life, and I appreciate you more than words can express."

Alannah chuckled mischievously, her playful spirit shining through. "You know, Nate, being the best blind knight in history definitely deserves a reward. Perhaps a lifetime supply of chocolate chip ice cream? Or maybe a personal serenade by a mariachi band every morning?"

Nathaniel laughed, appreciating her lightheartedness. "Those are some interesting rewards, Alannah. But how about this? I promise to be your loyal knight, always ready to assist you on your quests for icecream and adventure."

Alannah pretended to ponder for a moment, tapping her finger against her chin. "Hmm, a loyal knight, you say? That does sound tempting. But only if you can master the art of fetching the remote without disturbing my ice cream-eating sessions."

Nathaniel feigned a look of seriousness. "Consider it done. Remote control retrieval will be my top priority. Though, I must warn you, it may require some highly skilled ninja moves."

Alannah's eyes widened in alarm as Siri revealed the time. "Oh no, it's already 4:43 pm! I have a shift at the hotel!" Panic washed over her as she realized the impending responsibility awaiting her.

Nathaniel, noticing her distress, spoke up with a gentle tone. "You don't have to go, Alannah. Stay here with me. I'll take care of everything."

Alannah smiled appreciatively at his offer, touched by his willingness to support her. "As tempting as that sounds, Nate, I have bills to pay. I want to work and earn my own income. It's important to me to be self-reliant."

Nathaniel pondered for a moment, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, if you insist on paying your own bills, how about this? I'll be your personal cheering squad, motivating you from the sidelines with encouraging messages and silly dance routines."

Alannah burst into laughter at the playful image he painted. "Oh, I can only imagine the spectacle that would be. But I think I'll pass on that, thank you very much."

With a twinkle in his eyes, Nathaniel shrugged, feigning disappointment. "Your loss. But remember, if you ever need a spontaneous dance party to lighten your workday, I'm just a phone call away."

Alannah playfully rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "I'll keep that in mind. But for now, duty calls. I'll be off to the hotel to pay those bills and charm the guests with my impeccable service."

Nathaniel hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to convince Alannah. He looked at her with a mixture of concern and uncertainty. "Alannah, please, just trust me on this. I don't want you to go to work today."

Alannah crossed her arms, a hint of frustration evident in her voice. "And why exactly should I listen to you? It's my job, Nathaniel. I can't just skip my shift without a valid reason."

Nathaniel looked at her exasperatedly, "Because no body can fire you!!"

She furrowed her eyebrows, "How are you so sure, Nate?"

Nathaniel took a deep breath, bracing himself for her reaction. He realized that being straightforward was the only way to get through to her. "Alannah, I own the hotel."

Alannah started laughing hysterically while clutching her stomach. "You? Yeah, sure."

Nathaniel rolled his eyes, "I do own the hotel. I am serious."

Alannah's eyes widened, disbelief etched on her face. "You... you own the hotel? Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of sick joke?"

Nathaniel shook his head, his voice filled with sincerity. "No, Alannah, I'm not joking. I've been hesitant to tell you, but it's the truth. I own the hotel, and I don't want you to go to work today."

Alannah's initial shock turned into anger, and she raised her voice. "You have got to be kidding me! How could you keep something like this from me? I've been working there all this time, oblivious to the fact that you own the hotel!"

Nathaniel reached out to her, trying to calm the storm of emotions. "Alannah, I'm sorry. I didn't tell you sooner. I wanted to keep our personal and professional lives separate. But I can't bear the thought of you working when you don't have to."

Alannah took a step back, her eyes filled with a mix of hurt and anger. "Nathaniel, this is not how you handle things. You can't just make decisions for me without my consent. I deserve to know the truth, and I deserve to make my own choices."

Nathaniel looked down, realizing his mistake. "You're right, Alannah. I should have been honest with you from the beginning. I'm sorry for keeping this from you. Please forgive me."

Alannah sighed. "I need some time to process this, Nathaniel. It's a lot to take in. But right now, I need to go to work. I'll be back, and we can talk about this properly."

Nathaniel nodded, his expression filled with remorse. "I understand, Alannah. Take your time. I'll be here when you return."

With a mix of emotions lingering in the air, Alannah left the apartment, leaving Nathaniel to reflect on his actions. It was a pivotal moment in their relationship, one that required open communication and understanding to bridge the gap that had formed between them.