Beautiful Soul

Flight-or-Fight

You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope...I have loved none but you.”
― Jane Austen


Antonio

I pulled up to her building and parked, getting out I headed up the steps to the building’s entrance once inside I went over to the mailboxes to see which apartment was hers my eyes quickly scanned until scanned until I landed on her last name Jennings apartment 3C bingo, he headed down the hallway past the elevator he went straight for the stairs with a quick burst of speed he reached the third floor he barely noticed his surroundings he was so intent on reaching her once he reached her door he glanced around light blue walls and cream carpets it was nice and serene he could see why she chose it. He knocked gently on her door he waited a moment, but she didn’t come to the door she was home he could hear her heart beat he knocked harder if she didn’t answer he was going to open it he’d pay to have it fixed he had to see her and make sure she was okay ,he heard the click of her locks being turned the door swung open her face was pure irritation for a split second before it changed and she stared up at him blankly for a moment before she stepped back to let him inside he came in pausing he turned to shut and lock the door, he turned back to face her and saw she already started back down the hallway he followed after her she went straight to her bedroom and got back in bed she pulled the covers back over herself her eyes drifted closed her breathing turned deep she wouldn’t be waking up anytime soon especially since he took blood from her seeing the dark circles under her eyes made him wish he hadn’t she looked exhausted, damn he could tell things were going to be unsteady for a little while as he tried to get back into her life and get past the walls she built in his absence they would have to learn to trust and lean on each other again that would take time which he had plenty of and would give it all to her. He brushed a curl out of her face. It was moments like these that he wished he could sleep so he could curl up with her and drift off into a deep slumber. Slipping his shoes off he climbed into bed with her, he leaned back against the headboard and crossed his legs, he pulled out his phone he’d take care of the documents and shipment request his uncle had asked him to take care of, he would handle all this while she slept to pass the time and keep him from overthinking everything besides being near her eased his anxiety some, she shifted in her sleep and rolled over so she was pressed against him. He ran a hand through the thick silky tresses of her hair for a few minutes enjoying the feel against it always calmed him and relaxed her especially when she would have an episode she told him it helped ground her in a way by focusing on the repetitive motion of his hand through her hair he did whatever he could to help her during those rough patches, Okay time to get to work he had to pull his focus back and get this done.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
― Lao Tzu

Jane

I felt a smile form on my lips. I was so happy and content as my mom gently brushed my hair, being extra gentle as she combed any knots she came across. “Soon you’ll be hanging your hair out the window for your prince, your hair is getting so long” I looked back and smiled up at my mom. “I love you mommy” I said giving her a kiss on the cheek, she smiled and kissed the tip of my nose, “I love you too, little star” my eyes snapped open I blinked a couple of times trying to bring reality into focus and as everything caught up with me and the dream replayed  through my mind the grief I tried hard to repress came to the surface causing my eyes to well up and a few tears to escape, before I could reach up and wipe them away Antonio was suddenly in front of me using his thumb he gently wiped my tears away.

“Are you okay?” he asked as he gently took my face in his hands. His eyes were intense as they searched my face.

“Yes, I just had a dream about my mom that’s all” I gave him as much of a casual shrug as I could I didn’t want to talk about her right now or I’d  start crying some more, from the moment he’s come back I’ve been a mess I had to get it together, he gazed at me for another moment then smiled, my heart skipped a beat I had missed that smile.

“Come on I ordered you some breakfast, blueberry pancakes” he held a hand out to me I put my hand in his and let him pull me to my feet I couldn’t help the blush that spread across my face as we walked hand in hand to my kitchen area at the table there was a plate with a stack of pancakes, a cup of orange juice and a cup of coffee mmm perfect it was just what I needed. He released my hand to pull my chair out for me smiling up at him I sat down picking up the cup of coffee I took a sip perfect nice and sweet, Antonio sat across from me his eyes watched my every move it use to make me feel so awkward and self-conscious when he watched me but not as much as it use I loved how he paid so much attention to me and looked at me like I was his whole world.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” I glanced over at the clock under my television. It was one in the afternoon, so we had a whole day to do whatever, I didn’t have to work until Friday. It was only Tuesday. I didn’t have to work. I was well off, my father saw that, and I did some modeling when I was younger now, I taught piano in the city at places that had low funding we had a recital coming up for Christmas and another one for New years. I was as excited as the kids if not more, I was able to get a lot more donations this year for both centers I worked at from clothes, shoes, toys and over five million dollars, which was split between both centers which helped out the faculty along with the kids and even the parents who were struggling I loved the warmth that washed over me like waves when we gave the announcement it was moments like that where I loved my powers.

“I have to return my uncles car to him and get mines other than that we can see where the day takes us” he said pouring some syrup on my pancakes for me smiling I picked up my fork and knife and cut them up I took a big bite humming with pleasure they were so good.

“Okay when did you need to take him his car?” I asked around a mouth full of pancakes, smiling he reached out and wiped some syrup from the corner of my lip with his thumb holding my gaze he licked the syrup from his thumb, my heart kick started while my lower anatomy began to throb making me clench my thighs together sheesh all he did was lick his thumb calm down Jane.

“How about when you're done eating also.” he paused. I took a sip of my coffee, and he put the perfect amount of Italian sweet cream in it.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“I wanted a tour of your home for one, and I wanted to know if you wanted to stay here or my place?”

I couldn’t help the grin that lifted my lips into a full-blown smile. Why this simple request made me so happy I didn’t know maybe it was because he was giving me a choice when he usually liked to decide for me. Although he left out the option of us being apart, although I doubt he considered that an option, I would still consider this a win.

“I would love to give you a tour of my humble home” I said gracefully, sweeping a hand through the air and bowing slightly he laughed aloud it was deep and melodious I missed his laugh. I cleared my throat to alleviate the sudden tight feeling.

“I would also love to stay at your place just let me pack a bag and I’ll be set” I finished my pancakes, getting up I gathered my dishes to take to the kitchen he scooped up my glasses and followed behind me.

“No need to pack anything you don’t really need” he said, setting the cups in the sink along with my plates. I looked up at him in confusion.

“I want to take you shopping” he said, gently pulling a hand through mu hair he pulled my curls and then let them go they bounced lightly, making him smile.

“Really!?” I did a little hop in my place yes I was the type of girl who loved to shop but not just for clothes for cooking utensils, art supplies , décor I loved shopping when I was younger before my parents had the wealth we had today we didn’t have a lot so when we did become wealthy we appreciated it all even more.

“Yes, shopping then lunch and perhaps a movie?” He turned the water on and began washing the dishes he handed them to dry.

“That sounds perfect I’m so excited!”

“Good, go ahead and get ready” he gave my butt a little smack making me giggle I skipped off down the hall to my room to get ready I hadn’t felt this happy in a while.