Always You || Simon Minter (miniminter)

Chapter 43

A short filler chapter sorry!!

"So, what are we doing for Halloween?" I ask, stuffing about five fries into my mouth at once.

Simon glances over at me from the other couch and chuckles. "I was thinking... Corpse Bride."

I stop mid-chew and turn to him dramatically. "You are a genius!" I throw my hands in the air and cheer, almost knocking my drink over.

He laughs, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous."

"We have a week to sort a costume," I say, pacing the living room. "Which sounds easy... except I have to get a wedding dress and be painted fully blue. Yeah, not exactly a five-minute job."

"I'll help," Simon offers, leaning back casually. "I can make sure you don't accidentally turn into a smurf instead."

I mock-gasp. "I take offense to that!" I point a finger at him, grinning. "This year, we are going to truly outdo ourselves!"

I sprint to his office to hop on his PC, already imagining every detail of my dress and makeup. Behind me, I can hear him laughing.

I turn on the PC, and just as the screen lights up, the chair spins around sharply. Simon leans over me, looking slightly dramatic, and closes whatever was open. "Uh... that was super suspicious, Simon."

He grins down at me. "Just a little project I've been working on that you can't know about yet. That's all." He leans down and kisses my head softly before spinning the chair back around and flopping onto a beanbag behind me.

We spend the next couple of hours scrolling through costume ideas, buying props, and debating whether my dress should be tattered or elegantly ethereal. I can't help but feel like a kid at Christmas, showing him every ridiculous option I find online. "No, Simon, I will be wearing glitter," I insist, holding up a sequined veil.

"And I'll be the brooding Victor Van Dort," he smirks, crossing his arms. I giggle at his deadpan enthusiasm. "Maybe we should get matching rings too. You know, for the full effect."

As we shop, I can't shake the nagging thought: what did Simon close on the computer just now? My brain starts ping-ponging between "he's definitely cheating" and "he's just planning a surprise." I try to calm myself. Simon has been a little distant in the past months, sure, but lately, he's been... attentive. Protective, even. Cheating doesn't fit.

"Hey..." I'm pulled out of my daydream by two firm hands shaking my shoulders lightly. I swivel in the chair to face him. "Are you okay?" He looks genuinely concerned.

I nod and smile. "I'm fine," I say softly, brushing it off. But even as I speak, my brain whispers doubts.

"I'm gonna go to bed," I mumble, leaning in to leave a kiss on his lips. His hands reach out to help me up. "Let's go."

We head to the bathroom together, brushing our teeth side by side. I watch him in the mirror, trying to read him, wondering if he's still carrying some weight on his mind.

"Oh, are you coming to the shoot tomorrow?" Simon mumbles, brushing vigorously.

"I'm actually having breakfast with Freya in the morning, but I'll come along after," I say with a mouthful of toothpaste, making him laugh. He shakes his head at me like I'm hopeless, but I grin anyway.

Back in the bedroom, we strip down and flop into bed, the exhaustion of the day hitting us both. I feel the familiar warmth of Simon's body next to mine. His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me close. His head nuzzles into my neck, and I breathe in the comforting scent of him.

"Goodnight, Millie," he murmurs.

"Goodnight, Simon," I hum, feeling the tension of the day slowly melt away. My mind drifts briefly—still worried about his strange behavior lately—but seeing him like this, so vulnerable and close, reassures me.

I think, with a small smirk, about how often I wake up alone these days. Maybe tomorrow I'll joke about the "recurring theme" of Simon disappearing first. But tonight... tonight is just us, and I let myself drift into sleep wrapped safely in his arms.

—

My alarm goes off, dragging me out of a delusional dream. I was dreaming about Simon with another girl, locked in a soundproof box while I could only watch—horrible, twisting, endless. I'd been tossing and turning all night, every time I went back to sleep the dream continued. Not the best start to the day.

I sit up and reach for my phone to turn off the alarm, heart still racing. But then I feel him—warm, heavy, arms sliding around me, pulling me back against his chest. "Too early," he mumbles, his voice rough with sleep.

"Si, I need to get up. I have a long day..." I lean up and press a soft kiss to his temple.

He groans softly, nuzzling into my neck. "Five more minutes."

I can't resist smiling. His presence is comforting, grounding. But reality is calling, and I carefully wriggle out of his grasp, trying not to wake him fully.

With much effort, I manage a quick shower, washing my face and throwing on minimal makeup. Freya always looks effortlessly amazing, so I need to at least try. Black tights, boots, a leather skirt, a cozy knit jumper, and a few curls at the ends of my hair. Feeling slightly more put together, I glance back at the bedroom door—and there he is. Simon. Still awake, watching me quietly, his dark eyes soft but intense.

"I love you," I whisper, closing the door gently so as not to disturb him. His gaze lingers on me a moment longer, and I feel that familiar flutter in my stomach, even amidst my lingering anxiety.

I grab my bag, tossing my camera in for later, and slip on my coat and shoes. Simon rises silently, slipping beside me as I move toward the door.

"You're actually up?" His voice is low, teasing, but with a subtle edge of concern.

"I am. I've got to get going." I glance up at him, and I see a hint of a frown, the shadow of last night's tension still lingering.

He steps closer, closing the distance between us. "Be careful today, okay?" His thumb brushes over the back of my hand, possessive, almost protective.

"I always am," I reply lightly, though I can feel his intensity warming my chest. There's that simmering protectiveness in him again, the subtle jealousy that makes my heart skip. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Simon's eyes flicker toward mine, darkening for just a second, before the usual warmth returns. His lips twitch into a guilty grin. "Yeah, maybe. But I like making sure you're safe... and mine."

I wrap my arms around him, resting my head against his chest for a second. "You're mine too, Simon. Always."

After a beat, I slip out of his embrace, grabbing my keys and bag again. He lingers in the doorway a moment, watching me leave, his presence still heavy in my chest as I step out into the chilly morning.