You drafted my heart - Nika Mühl (Eng. version)

Chapter 29 - New Year

Hi, my loves. Sorry for the delay in updating this story; I had to move... again. I needed some time to get things organized and to get myself organized too. But everything is getting back to normal, and the updates will resume soon. I hope you enjoy this chapter!!

XOXO

POV - NIKA MUHL

The sun had barely risen when I opened my eyes, the room still wrapped in the soft twilight of the morning. I could feel the warmth of Livie's body next to mine, breathing calmly, lost in a dream that I imagined was about the perfect basketball game or maybe about the two of us on some adventure around the world. The sound of the ocean echoed distantly, a serene reminder that we were far from everything, just the two of us in a bubble of peace at her grandparents' beach house in the Hamptons.

I slipped out of bed without making a sound, trying not to wake Livie. The wooden floor was cold under my feet, a pleasant contrast to the warm air filling the room. I grabbed the first sweatshirt I saw in the closet, an oversized one that probably belonged to Livie. It fell on me like a dress, but the scent of lavender and a hint of mothballs made me smile.

The kitchen was downstairs, an open and well-lit space, even at that hour of the day. The walls were covered in light wood panels, giving the room a cozy and familiar feel. Large glass windows allowed the natural light of the rising sun to flood the space, reflecting off the white tiles and marble countertops. The stainless steel refrigerator occupied one corner, always stocked with the essentials and then some. In the center, the kitchen island, large enough to fit an entire family, was covered with fresh fruits, homemade bread, and a variety of cheeses that I knew Livie loved.

It was there, in the middle of this picture-perfect scene, that I found Olivia's grandfather. He was standing by the stove, stirring a pan. The aroma was strong and comforting, the kind of smell that made you feel at home instantly. He heard me enter and turned, a gentle smile lighting up his wrinkled face.

"Good morning, Nika," he said, his voice low so as not to disturb the soft morning silence. "You're up early."

"Good morning, Mr. Harryson," I replied, trying to sound as awake as possible. "I wanted to make something special for Livie."

"Ah, of course. A morning surprise for my granddaughter, and please, call me Harry," he commented, winking at me. "Can I help?"

I hesitated for a second. I had woken up with the idea of preparing breakfast on my own, but his company was welcome. "Sure, I'd love that."

He handed me a mug for coffee. As the dark liquid poured, steaming, he watched me with a look of quiet curiosity. "So, how's the team doing this year?"

Talking about basketball always made my eyes light up. "We're doing well. The start of the season has been intense, but we're holding strong. Livie and I are really syncing on the court. I think this could be our year."

He nodded, satisfied. "That's great to hear. Livie has always had talent, but since she transferred to UConn, she seems more... confident."

A smile escaped me. "She's amazing. I think that's why we work so well together. She makes me want to be better."

"That's what the best partners do," he commented, his tone full of meaning. He knew about us, about what Livie meant to me. It was good to know that he understood, and more importantly, that he accepted.

After a comfortable silence, he asked, "And you, Muhl? What do you plan to do after college?"

The question hung in the air for a moment, but I already knew the answer. "I plan to apply for the 2024 Draft. I know it's going to be competitive, but I'm ready to try."