JUST A LITTLE COMFORT

C H A P T E R T W E L V E

James said he missed me because all the people he was getting in my position were not interested in what they were doing. They would just do the bare minimum and mess up his files, so he said he'd take me back in a heartbeat. I was relieved, but he needed to give the current person some notice. That was going to be an issue because I needed cash and didn't want Cole to pay for more things. I couldn't stay here for much longer either because the sleeping arrangement was going to be a problem. Julia, Amir and I cramped into one room. 

Plus being in communal areas with Cole and Ariel felt weird. This was terrible because Aarav's family just abandoned me with nothing, and I had no access to any finances in the last few years. I wouldn't be able to just sit around, using them. I told them I'd take care of their apartment again. They really didn't want me to. Cole told me I've been through a tough few years and to just take a break. He still insisted on therapy for me, but I refused. 

I would also need to leave Amir in a daycare, which the thought of was making me sick. Cole said the hospital had a daycare. That would be my first option because he'd be right there. I just felt so defeated and useless at this point. I just kept myself busy with cooking and cleaning. I was not used to the level of affection Ariel displayed with Cole. Julia was hardly around and once I was in her room; I'd try to stay there but sometimes I'd go out to get something to drink from the kitchen and I'd retreat quickly back to the room as quietly as I could because Cole and Ariel would be kissing or cuddling. He would be at his study desk working on something and she'd be sitting on his lap, and they'd be sharing really romantic moments together. Even if they were just cuddling with each other, it was so foreign to me.

Amir was in the process of being potty trained, so he really needed the bathroom one night and Jules was busy in her bathroom. I didn't want to disturb Cole and Ariel because their room door was closed but Amir was panicking. I reluctantly knocked and I heard Ariel's voice telling me to 'Come in'. She was lying on the bed, playing with her phone while Cole was fast asleep next to her, sleeping on his tummy.

"I am so so sorry about this. Amir needs the bathroom." I said.

"Sure, no problem." Ariel said and I rushed him into Cole's bathroom. While I was washing my hands after washing his, he ran towards Cole's bed and hopped on.

"AMIR" I whispered loudly.

"Angewow!" He yelled, climbing on Cole's back. Cole moved and looked at him, sleepily and smiled.

"Hi Amir..." He said, sounding a little energyless. I grabbed Amir off his back and apologised to them.

"Cole has the flu so rather keep Amir away." Ariel said to me. She had her hand on Cole's head, playing with his hair. She seemed a little territorial. I nodded and left with Amir as fast as I could. She looked a little annoyed. I wasn't sure. I didn't blame her though. I sighed. This was so awkward. 

After a couple of weeks of me staying there, Cole told me that he was going to move in with Ariel so I could have some space of my own since Julia would tend to lock Amir and I out when she'd be on calls. I didn't blame her. I felt so bad. He told me to use his room and not feel guilty.

"Thank you, Cole. I feel so bad for this..." I said, while he was packing his clothes in his bag. They'd keep clothes at each other's apartments and spontaneously stay over wherever they were. I felt like I was ruining the excitement of not knowing where they'd be each night, but Ariel was happy with this new arrangement. She's hoping he might like the consistency and move in with her until the wedding.

"It's okay SYDNEY! You're doing us a favour. I want him to stay with me permanently, so I have all my things around me. I told him to give away these books so we could put more cupboards for my clothes, but he doesn't want to."  Ariel, who was sitting on his bed, said.