The Firefly

34°

The door Declan opened, once we reached the end of that endless hallway, was right next to a large staircase leading upstairs.

When he closed it behind us I saw Jake's limbs relax. He slipped off his dark glasses then rubbed his eyes , devastated.

-I'm sorry.- He whispered without moving. -I shouldn't have brought you into it by saying that shit.- He added. I tortured a cuticle while observing the beautiful light-colored wooden floor.

-It's not your fault Jake...- I felt compelled to reassure him, it was time for my pride to step aside...at least for a while.

-I was the one who brought you here, I should have listened to you.- I admitted feeling my heart clench thinking back to how his father had treated him.

-You couldn't have known.- He only murmured.

-But you warned me, I was the one who insisted.- I placed myself in front of him, straining not to lose myself again in his eyes when he barely opened them.

-You did it with good intentions, Brat...- He whispered and a small smile bent his lips. -Don't blame yourself.- With his gaze he seemed to search for me in the void, I saw his expression quickly fade.

With a sigh he clutched the white stick. -Where is the bathroom?- He asked, clearing my throat I looked around.

The room was giant, about twice as big as the one at the San Francisco mansion.

 The huge four-poster bed filled with pillows was well made and the sheets clean and fragrant. There was a large soft carpet on the floor and a walk-in closet right next to a couch; I felt over the moon at the sight of the latter.

Not far away a small door was half-open, giving a glimpse of an imposing black marble bathtub. -This way.- Gracefully I guided him to the room. -I'll change here.- He decided, turning his face in my direction.

Our suitcases were at the foot of the large bed, still unopened. I ran to open them, pulling out each person's pajamas and handing him his own.

Closing the door I immediately ran to slip into my beige cotton pajamas.

Darkness had long since fallen when I closed my eyelids, lying starfish-like on that giant mattress.

It was the boy who awakened me from the state of drowsiness into which I had fallen. He came out of the bathroom wearing beautiful coral-colored silk pajamas that matched his pendants really well. I stayed a few moments staring at him.

-You can go wash.- He said slipping off his earrings with one hand while brandishing his cane with the other ready to approach the bed.

I got up, taking refuge in the bathroom.

When I re-entered the room, Jake was already lying in bed. Trying not to look at him I headed for the small couch seen earlier, he seemed to remain in strict attention, and as I set up my bed, I saw him furrow his brow.

 -What are you doing?-
-I'm making myself comfortable.- He was silent for a few moments.
-Is there a second bed?-
-Yes.- I lied without hesitation and, slipping under the warm blankets, settled down with my back to him; I didn't regret that decision.

I inhaled the sweet scent of the heavy sheets burying my face in them, relaxed my muscles.

-Why are you lying, Brat?-

His voice was barely audible; he did not move an inch.

I felt my limbs stiffen suddenly: he knew. He knew the house, he remembered every room and every hallway. -Do you think I'm that stupid?- he pronounced slowly.