Burn the light

Chapter 7

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Cooking dinner with Hayes is more fun than when I do it by myself, in my small kitchen which is also my living room and my bedroom.

A knife in my hand, I slowly chop different vegetables. Hayes hums as he is making mashed potatoes. We work mostly in a comfortable silence.

At first glance, he looked intimidating with his muscular arms but he is actually so nice. Being in his presence makes me feel comfortable, as if he is not a perfect stranger. As if I have known him forever. It's like being around an old friend. It's the sensation that they are a part of yourself, quite like family I guess.

"Done." I say as I put down the knife. "Do you need any help with the rest?"

"No thank you, sweetheart."

I bite the inside of my cheek to not melt and awkwardly smile at the word of endearment.

I sit down as I watch Hayes put the vegetables in a pan.

My brown eyes meet black eyes and I look away instantly. Eiran's gaze has rested on me for a few moments now.

"Dinner is ready." Hayes announced after Eiran put cutlery on the kitchen island.

They wanted to treat me as a guest and proposed that we sit at the long table near the entrance but I preferred to eat in the kitchen. It would have seemed too formal otherwise.

"Is it not good? It seems like you don't like it." Says Hayes.

"It is excellent. Thank you." I say forcing a smile.

It is excellent, as good as food from a restaurant but Alessio's gaze is unsettling. He looks at me intensely, sitting just in front of me. His jaw is clenched. His hair is held back in a bun but a few strands of light hair hang in front of his face. His eyes look darker than the last time I saw him. Is he mad that I am here?

"Alessio." Eiran's deep voice reprimand.

Alessio finally looks away from me to look at Eiran.

"What?"

"Stop looking at her."

"And who is she? I thought we agreed to not bring call girls here."

I choke on my water and Hayes stands up immediately to get closer to me. He taps on my back and refills my glass with water.

Heat burns my cheeks because of what Alessio insinuated.

"Stop it." Hayes harshly tells Alessio.

"Am I not allowed to ask questions?"

"You can. No need to be a jerk while doing so."

Hayes sits back next to Alessio when my coughs stop.

Should I go? I don't feel welcome at all, especially not after being called a prostitute.

I look nervously at Eiran. His gaze, hard, is on Alessio..

"Aether is my guest. Be nice to her." He says firmly.

Alessio holds his gaze a few seconds before eating.

"Fine." He replies.

A hand rests for a few seconds on my closed knee, long enough to make my attention snap to Eiran, sitting next to me.

"Eat." It sounds like a command, though his voice is soft. "Please." He adds.

I feel tingles on the place his hand has rested.