wildest dreams- 198nights

27. Welcome to New York

1989's POV

I walked out of the bathroom that was connected to the guest room, which was as spacious and elegant but cozy as the rest of the house. Cream walls were adorned with wallpaper featuring delicate gold inserts in a floral motif that shimmered subtly in the warm light of the crystal chandelier.

I had decided to take a bath to relax a bit, but the thought of what Lucy might want to tell Midnights kept swirling in my mind. The idea of the two of them having some serious conversation made me a little nervous. I hated to judge people, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Midnights' grandmother didn't really like me. Maybe I was doing something wrong? Maybe I wasn't fitting into the dynamic the way I should?

"Can I come in?" a soft knock on the door broke through my anxious thoughts.

"One second!" I quickly threw on a robe and opened the door, finding Delilah standing there with a smile on her face. She still had on the black skirt and burgundy turtleneck she'd worn earlier to dinner, and she looked as effortlessly elegant as ever.

"Everything's okay?" she asked, her voice light, with a note of curiosity mixed with concern.

"Yes, Mrs. Haze" I nodded quickly, adjusting the robe around me.

"Just Delilah, titles make everyone look scary" I smiled slightly, feeling a little more at ease.

Delilah stepped into the room, her heels clicking softly on the hardwood floor. She looked around, her blue eyes lingering on the elegant decor for a moment before settling back on me.

"You know" she started smoothing the sheets and sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes never leaving mine. "I saw you with my mother durning dinner and I want you to know that she's a bit of a of a tough nut to crack, strong personality" I felt a tightness in my chest at her words.

"I don't know... I just feel like she doesn't really like me, I mean I don't know what I am doing wrong"

"Look, my mother is not the 'open arms' type and she's just got this whole... I'm the boss of everything vibe going on" she said with a funny tone and I giggled gently. "Trust me, I've spent years trying to decode her, you're not the first one to feel that way" Delilah looked at me with a slight smirk on her lips.

"I just want to get along with everyone...I don't want to cause any problems" I began to nervously play with the gold necklace around my neck, my gaze wandered around the room.

"Hey! Don't think like that, I'm sure everyone will like you sooner or later, but they will" Delilah stood up and put her hand on my shoulder, giving me a comforting smile. I smiled too and felt warmth spread in my chest at her words.

"Thank you" I felt such gratitude for this woman, she was so warm and understanding. Shyly, somehow automatically, I just hugged her, and before I started to think about it, she immediately hugged me back.

"You're welcome, Nine" Delilah said when I break away from the hug. "If you need anything anytime, tell me" she smiled gently, her eyes sparkled with concern. I nodded, thanking her again. She wished me goodnight and left, closing the door gently behind her.

I lay in bed feeling much calmer and lighter. I grabbed my phone and started reply to all messages from my friends and parents. Speak Now was obviously fueled by this whole situation and even though I never told anyone about my 'relationship' with Midnights, she of course suspected it and stood by it.

When I finished, I realized how tired and sleepy I was. The bed feels so comfortable that I literally sank into it. I turned off the light and settled into a comfortable position. When I felt like I was on the verge of falling asleep, I heard the knob turn and door creak open. I frowned and with my eyes still barely open, blindly reached for the bedside lamp switch.