Burn the light

Chapter 17

I apologize for the long wait. I started a new job a month ago and I was going through a bit of a transitional period. I promise to post more starting now. Another chapter will be posted at the end of the week. 𖹭

☆☆☆

I have waited for Matthew's call but it never arrived. In a sense, I was relieved. It allowed me to not make a decision between staying at Eiran's house or moving to Matthew's apartment.

The memory of Alessio and I playing a video game together felt haunted. Our interactions went back to distant necessary talks. Sometimes, before sleep I could recall his laugh, echoing through a blurry memory as if taunting me of what could have been but will never be.

"Where is Eiran?" I ask Hayes one afternoon, as we make cupcakes.

"At work." He repeats the same answer he told me every time I have asked.

I kept asking, wondering maybe if the answer would change but it didn't. It has now been more than twenty-four hours since Eiran came home.

"He has accumulated a bit of work so he wanted to get it done."

I wonder if it is my fault. I have been at their house for a few days now and Eiran has made sure to spend a few hours everyday with me. Yesterday and today being the exceptions.

I didn't know he accumulated work. How could I when I saw him spending his evenings working?

"When is he coming back?" I ask, forgetting about the cupcakes I was helping with and instead sitting on one of the stools.

Hayes sends me a conflicted look.

"I don't know sweetheart." He says, stopping what he is doing.

"Do you always work that much?"

"It depends."

I should not be surprised. They live in a beautiful house, have a library I would have envied if I didn't have unlimited access to, and don't seem to have anxious thoughts about shortage of money.

Hayes looks at my face for a few seconds, his gaze unfocusing as he seems to deep dive in his thoughts. His eyes change from concern to affection and then to despair.

He shakes his hand as if to make the thoughts go away.

"He will be back soon." He says, looking away and deriving his attention to the cupcakes.

I stand from the stool deciding to continue helping him but as I do so, my hand touches the bag of flour and makes it fall on the table. As a result, his black shirt instantly becomes white.

His eyes widen slightly in surprise as he looks at his shirt and I can't help but to laugh at his expression.

His eyes go from my eyes to my mouth which is laughing at him. I can see the exact moment the look in his eyes changes. Surprise disappears as mischief suddenly shines in them.

"No" I warn, still laughing.

His hand takes some flour and throws it on me before I have a chance to react. I close my eyes as I can feel some particles entering them.

"Are you ok?" He asks, the tone of his voice anxious. I can feel him come quickly to my side.

I open my eyes and blink. Hayes' face is near mine, his expression one of concern. My eyes look down to my body covered in flour. I swallow with difficulty as I taste flour. And then a giggle leaves my lips. Quickly joined by his laugh.

"You're definitely in for it." I say as I grab a handle of flour and throw it on him on his tan face.

A battle of flour continues, our laughs resonating in the house.