Beautiful Sin [ ON HOLD ]

Chapter 30.

My chapped lips met with the cool brim of the glass as I forced huge gulps of icy water down my sore throat . Each sip was punctuated with a breathe of relief yet the urge to throw up wasn't dismissed. My brain seemed to rattle around the emptiness of my skull, knocking against my temples like a pendulum clock.

A damp cloth is pressed onto my forehead, a slight chill shooting down my skin at the contrasting temperature. The air was intoxicated with Gemma's perfume and a lilac scented candle as I filled my lungs with as much of it as possible. I wanted to ground myself , bring myself back to what was happening instead of floating in a cloud of confusion and what ifs.

Another gulp of water.

The silence that lingered between us was too loud, too uncomfortable as I tried to rake my mind for any conversation topics we could engage in. But looking at the current events, this wasn't a good time to seat and chat. I mean, Gemma had just walked in on me crying at her doorstep,a mess, red swollen eyes, splotchy cheeks and a wet nose. I couldn't look past that. The eerie dripping of her kitchen faucet was the tune of the night.

Leaning back on the couch, I pinched my eyes shut, hoping to alleviate the throbbing headache and possibly summon some slumber. This day was already fucked up and I was fucking tired.

" Levi?" Her voice, barely a whisper, beckoned to me. That was proceeded by a gentle squeeze on my upper arm.

I groaned in response.

"Are you...sure you're okay?" The way she asked that made me shoot my eyelids open and gazed at her , bloodshot eyes. Her face softened into a concerned look, like the way a mother would look at her child when they're sick. That concerned maternal look. My heart clenched at this.

Lifting my weak, trembly hand, I reached out to cup her cheek, a watery smile tugged at the corners of my dry lips. " I'm fine, Gemma. Don't you worry about me."

Her eyebrow arched, seemingly unconvinced by my revelation.

" You're not okay, Levi. Come on, why don't you just tell me already!"

" Gemma...." No plausible explanation was sought inside my exhausted mind but still, I tried to placate her raging curiosity. "It's.... It's a family matter, don't sweat it."

And thus an excuse was formulated.

From a furious expression to an understanding one, Gemma slowly nodded, eyes glancing at the carpeted floor.

" Um.... I didn't know,"Her voice felt quiet, almost like a hushed whisper before her eyes met mine, those soft pleading eyes glinting under the lamp light.

" It's okay nonetheless," I tried to straighten my back from its hunched  position, feeling a slight twinge against the knot on my back, prompting me to grimace at its painful aftermath.

"Oo...why don't you lay down for a while and let me take care of that," Her voice held a kind of seduction that had me surrendering at her words. Having lain me down, face down, those delicate fingers found their way on my shoulder blades before kneading gently.

All the while, the storm inside my head gradually faded into a blur of fuzzy flashbacks. My nose buried deep into the marshmallow-like pillows on Gemma's couch, I tried to weed out all unnecessary thoughts centered on Teresa. I wanted to let go, to let her go. I wanted to take control of my emotions, the stress was cancerous.

"Where do you carry all your stress?" The sultry sound of Gemma's voice redirected my attention back to her.

"My lower back," I mumbled against the pillow. And she obliged by shifting her massaging over to my lower back. My once rigidly tensed body begun to mould into a flexible and relaxed one. My eyelids grew heavier with each pressure applied against my skin in the name of massaging. A beautiful langour suffocated me as I submitted my consciousness into the world of slumber.

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The brisk air danced with the aromatic smell of waffles which succeeded in reeling me back from my heavy sleep. Rubbing the sleep off my eyelids, I registered my surrounding, a yawn pushing past my mouth before bringing myself to seat.

My back didn't hurt at all as I stretched out my limbs. Gemma's couch wasn't as uncomfortable as I'd imagined it to be and the blanket she offered felt like luscious sheep's wool that caressed my skin in a haunting embrace.

"Morning, Sexy," The chirpy voice of Gemma emerged from the kitchenette, a plate stacked with waffles in her hand.

" Morning..." I replied, groggily attempting to smile with the little energy that pumped inside my blood stream.

"Here you go," My eyes widened at the syrup soaked waffles and back at Gemma. She was wearing this infectious smile, flashing me those perfectly aligned teeth of hers.

" I don't know what to say," I remarked in the same groggy voice as before, only this time, I'd spiced it up with a lazy smirk.

"How about a thank you so much Gemma,? " Sarcasm dripped from her voice .

I chuckled quietly. Then;

"Thank you so much Gemma," it was from the bottom of my heart. I actually appreciate her being there for me. She was like a blessing in disguise.

She didn't have to say anything in regards to my response , her smile was gratitude enough before sauntering away to the kitchenette.

"Does this by any chance come with some orange juice to wash down?" I called out in an attempt to lighten the mood. And hearing the joyous giggling of her laughter inside the kitchenette, I knew I'd succeeded in that.

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Sorry this chapter is abit shorter than I had intended.
Hopefully you'll enjoy.
Hugs and kisses 😘