The Four Kings & Me

Chapter 12

New York
Nvy's POV...

For the first time in my life, I experienced the bliss of a tranquil night's rest. It was as if I was cocooned in the embrace of an unknown presence, their arms enveloping me like a snug and comforting blanket. Despite the ambiguity of their gender, a profound sense of security washed over me, as if we shared an unspoken bond forged over time.

Such was the depth of my comfort that I found myself reluctant to part from the solace of my bed and face the demands of the day. With a lazy stretch, I sat up and directed my gaze toward the two magnificent paintings leaning against the wall, basking in the soft glow of the morning sun filtering through the bay windows. Curiously, as my eyes lingered on the artwork, an unfamiliar absence washed over me - the absence of the usual urge to shed tears and the weight of sorrow that habitually plagued my spirit.

"I have a feeling today will be a good day," I exclaimed, my words dissipating into the open air as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and rose to my feet. Contemplating my outfit for the day, I approached the two paintings, half-jokingly posing the question as if they held the secret to my sartorial choices.

Lost in the gaze of the captivating man depicted in one of the paintings, it felt as if his eyes peered into the depths of my soul. "If only I could encounter someone like you, even just once in my lifetime," I whispered, my fingers tracing the delicate contours of his exquisitely drawn face. Shaking off the daydream and the longing for the impossible, I reminded myself of the practicality of the moment. "No time for wishful thinking," I muttered, redirecting my attention toward the task of selecting an outfit from my closet for the day ahead.

After carefully selecting my ensemble for the day, I gracefully entered the bathroom, indulging in a brisk shower, meticulously brushing my teeth, and elegantly styling my hair into a sleek ponytail. With a touch of cocoa butter caressing my skin, I dialed Becca's number, eagerly awaiting her response. As I patiently waited, I effortlessly slipped into my black stilettos, pairing them with a vibrant turquoise blazer draped over my pristine white silk blouse.

"Good morning," Becca's voice resonated with an infectious cheerfulness. It was no surprise, as she had always been a morning person, radiating an exuberant energy that used to irk me during our time as roommates. Her relentless enthusiasm and early-bird tendencies would often clash with my desire for a slower start to the day. But it wasn't just her cheerful personality that tested my patience. I also had to contend with being abruptly awakened from peaceful slumber on those precious weekends when I longed to catch up on the much-needed rest I had missed out on during the busy weekdays of classes and work.

"Hello Nvy, are you still there?" she asked, interrupting my train of thought.

"Yeah, I'm here. I just got lost in my thoughts for a moment, reminiscing about the past," I replied.

"What about the past captured your attention so much that you forgot you had called me?" she inquired, breaking the silence.

"I was just reminiscing about how you used to drag me out of bed on the weekends, only to sit in my room and listen to you recount all the wild adventures you had at the club the night before," I replied with a hint of amusement.

"Yeah, those were the good old days, weren't they?" she chuckled.

"For you, maybe. Not so much for me," I retorted, joining in on the laughter.