Queen of my Heart

21

I CAN STILL SMELL GRANNY'S PERFUME.

The airport was buzzing with energy as people shuffled about restlessly. Children cried for their parents, teenagers rolled their eyes, old people read the morning paper, and clerical workers gripped their briefcases.

Me? Well, I was sniffing my sleeves like an idiot.

Bryan was eyeing me with amusement, his eyes sparkling even under his facade—a baseball cap I didn't know the team of.

“Are you done yet?” he asked, draping an arm over the back of my chair.

I straightened up, tapping my feet against the shiny floor. “Shut up. I just realized I'm going to miss Granny. So much.”

“You were the one who didn't want her to accompany you here.”

Focusing on my bitten fingernails, I sighed. “It's easier that way.”

“How so?” He sounded tentative, and I was glad he could tell this was a sensitive topic for me.

“We won't let go of each other.” I met his gaze. “For years, she's the only one I have and I don't even know how I'm going to survive a day without her.”

“Then don't go.” I stared at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking. He linked his fingers with mine. “Just stay here.”

A sad smile grazed my lips. “I wish I could, but I need to live on my own. I need to learn to think about my life choices.” I squeezed his hand. “I can't live like this anymore, Bryan. I want a fresh start.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but the announcer was already calling for the next flight.

I stood up, pulling him with me. We began to walk.

“I'll miss you,” he murmured against my hair, tightening his hold on my hand.

I chuckled. “You'll be with me for a week, so shut your mouth.” I looked down on our intertwined fingers. “But I'll miss you, too.”

I was about to take it back as I realized what I just said but when I saw a flicker of joy in his eyes, I just smiled.

It was worth it.

• • •

“I didn't know the flat is yours,” I said accusingly.

He looked so smug. “Now you know.”

I massaged my temples, leaning away from him and almost blending with the window. “But I can't accept this, Bryan. I can't keep on receiving free things and—”

“I didn't say it was free.”

I was dumbfounded. “Huh?”

He raised an eyebrow, a pleased smile on his lips. That git. “I said the flat's not for free.”

Heat crept up to my cheeks. “Oh, yeah. Right.”

A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll like my proposition.”

“Which is?”

The glint in his eyes was too mischievous for his face. “In exchange for the flat, I want us to sleep on the same bed every time I'll stay with you.”

• • •

“This is such a cliché request, even for you,” I said as I stared at the king-sized bed in front of me.

Bryan was peeling off his layers of clothing. “Come on, this is little payment compared to how much I helped you.” He looked up, saw my expression, and his eyes immediately softened. “I'm kidding, Juliet. You know I'll help you over and over again without so much as a blink.”

My back sank into the mattress, my fingers unclasping my jacket. “You can leave, you know. You can walk away from me anytime you want.” My voice dropped in a whisper. “You don't have to be part of this.”

Heaviness weighed on my chest as I realized how much I depended on other people, how much I incapacitated them just to fulfill my needs.

I've been so selfish—so irrational. I moved here in London without so much as a plan just to run away from my problems. I practically disappeared off Ireland, not even bothering to say goodbye to the lads.

I was so, so, so selfish.

His breath was warm against my temple. “I want to do this, baby. I choose to be with you—flaws and all.” His arms snaked around me, enveloping me in a gentle embrace.

I didn't speak—I didn't know what to say. I blinked back my tears, refusing to be emotional tonight. Bryan has always seen me through my vulnerability. I think it was time he saw my strength.

Slightly pulling away, I wrapped an arm around his neck, smiling at him. His hold on my waist burned. “Thank you,” I whispered, my eyes involuntarily drooping.

His lips curved in a lovely grin. “Anything for you, my queen.”

I nuzzled his neck, felt him stiffen but I didn't care. I inhaled his masculine scent and everything that was him, calming the anxieties plaguing my mind.

Sleep was overpowering my consciousness, but I didn't fail to hear him say the next words.

“Anything for my love.”

____________________________________

We're halfway through the book (Yay!) and I really do hope that I improved with my writing even a little bit.

So if you're a rereader (which I doubt), you must have noticed the complete change in the events. Yes, you're very right. The original flow of the story was so childish and, well, amateur-ish and I never intended to be such a big suck-y cliché before.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Question: what do you want to see in the next chapters?

~G