**The Amateur of Love**

9

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Morning came much faster than I expected. He was sleeping on the couch across from me. He couldn't have slept well, but what could I do? I got up slowly and went to get dressed. The house was in a beautiful silence for my ears. I went downstairs to make breakfast. Not that I was a skilled cook, but at least I knew how to make some basic things.

Everything was ready when I heard the noise he made while coming down the stairs.

⁃ How did you sleep? I asked.
⁃ Fine.
⁃ Really?
⁃ What have you done?
⁃ Breakfast.
⁃ Look, we are really married but neither of us wants it, so dear, don't act like the perfect wife.
⁃ Oh God, you're so selfish. I just cooked for myself and thought to fry an egg for you. It doesn't make me the perfect wife. Besides, if you see me that way, that's your problem, I said, with all the irony in the last sentence.
⁃ See you in the evening, he cut short.
⁃ But I don't have a car here. I need to go to the company.
⁃ Not today, maybe not tomorrow either, until those two get arrested.
⁃ But I can't stay alone.
⁃ Get used to it, he closed the door and left.

What a person. Really, I would stay here all day.

---

**Eljo's POV**

⁃ Damn, she married him.
⁃ Who?
⁃ Arber, do you understand? We can't do anything now.
⁃ Calm down.
⁃ Oh Ares, you really got hit. You don't get it at all. That fool knows it's us threatening his wife, and you think he'll leave us alone?
⁃ Yes.
⁃ How can you say yes?
⁃ He doesn't love her.
⁃ So what? Even if he doesn't love her, she's his wife. He'll do something whether he likes it or not, and you clearly don't know him well.
⁃ Is he some mafia or what?
⁃ No, but he doesn't get involved in illegal stuff. He's very proper, and he hates what we're doing.
⁃ So what?
⁃ Oh God, you're brainless.
⁃ Should we give up then, you're saying?
⁃ Yes.
⁃ But how will we manage without Leya?
⁃ I think like this...

---

**Arber's POV**

I left her alone at home. She needs to get over her fear. Not that it wasn't safe, but whether she went to work or anywhere else, she just needs to get over her fear. She's so fearful. I was at work when the postman called me.

⁃ Yes, how can I help? I said.
⁃ Sir, a sofa has been ordered in your name and sent to the given address, but payment has not been made.
⁃ Who ordered it?
⁃ A girl named Leya. I mean, she wanted to pay, but our company policy doesn't allow it as the order is in your name.
⁃ Okay, I'll pay now. Send me the link.
⁃ Thank you, sir. Have a good day.
⁃ You too, I said and hung up the phone.

A new sofa? Why would she need it? Maybe she didn't like the house, but that wasn't what her expression said when she saw it for the first time. At least she's not one of those girls who depend on a guy all their lives. Not that I would mind, but I've never encountered such girls until now. Besides, I'm married to an architect. Of course, she wouldn't like the house design.

After a long day at work, all I needed was a shower and to close my eyes in my bed.

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**Leya's POV**

⁃ You're back, I said.
⁃ Seems like I am, right?
⁃ Trying to pick up on my irony?
⁃ Oh, please. Where is it?
⁃ What?
⁃ The sofa.
⁃ Oh, sorry. They didn't let me pay. What could I do? But you can send the money to the card now.
⁃ It's not a problem.
⁃ No, it's my sofa, so don't argue with me.
⁃ As you wish, he said and went upstairs.
⁃ Where are you going?
⁃ A shower and sleep. The room is mine tonight.
⁃ Enjoy, I said while he still didn't know the surprise.

I also took a shower in the downstairs bathroom and headed to the room. He still hadn't arrived, but then the door opened.

⁃ Really? he said seriously.
⁃ Really, I replied.
⁃ Is this why you got it?
⁃ Of course. I can't sleep in the kitchen alone. I'm scared, and you can't sleep on the couch, so the sofa was the best solution. But don't worry, the bed is yours.
⁃ Didn't you think for a moment that your presence might bother me?
⁃ Oh no, I didn't think of that, I said with the utmost sincerity.
⁃ Well, think about it now.
⁃ Do I bother you?
⁃ Yes.
⁃ Okay, sorry. I only thought about myself, I said and went downstairs to sleep in the living room.

Oh God, how naive I am. Now I stay here like a fool, I thought.

---

**Arber's POV**

She just needed to get over her fear. One goal with this girl is that she has to learn not to be afraid, that's all, I thought, and lay down, exhausted.