Comfort Zone

Chapter 6

We get off the plane and go inside to find our luggage. As we we're walking, Derek tries to grab my hand.
"Don't touch me" I snap at him, quickening my pace so I can get my luggage and get out of here.
"Babe, don't be like this." He whispers to me once I've finally stopped. I don't say anything, I just stand there with my arms crossed.
"Seriously Haylee? We're playing the quiet game? I thought I told you to grow up." He says to me before walking away.
I pull out my phone and call a cab. This trip to Paris just got interesting.
******
I haven't seen Derek since the airport. We both called cabs and went our separate ways. I already have an apartment here, thanks to my dad. I didn't tell Derek yet so he's on his own.
*From: Derek
   Babe call me please*
*To: Derek
   No, I'm growing up. Being mature and getting my own apartment.*
*From: Derek
   Seriously Haylee, I was just tired. I didn't mean to be so cranky.*
I put my phone away and unlock the door to my apartment. My dad must have been trying to surprise Derek and I because the apartment is decorated and there's a banner hanging in the kitchen that says "Congratulations."  It hurts a little that Derek had to be so rude this morning.
My phone starts ringing and I look to see who it is. Of course, the one and only, Derek.
"What?" I answer, annoyed with him.
"Haylee unlock the apartment door." H e says.
How in the world did he know? " No. I don't want to see you right now."
"Baby come on, let me in. I won't try tot touch you or anything, but we need to talk about this."
I hang up and go over to the door. I take a deep breath before opening it. "What?"
"Haylee, please stop being mad at me. I love you."
"I'm not doing this Derek. I'd like you to leave." I really don't want him to leave, but I don't like it when we fight.
"Haylee, I'm not leaving. I love you and want to be with you. I'm sorry for being so overprotective." He's crying and I want to run over to him and hug him. He's gonna be the death of me.
******
"Okay, so now what am I supposed to do? You're gonna be gone all day! I'm gonna be so bored." Today is Derek's first day of training. We have no wifi or TV yet, and I don't know how much data I have left on my phone.
"You'll be fine baby, go shopping or something. Play on your phone. Don't worry about going over your data limit, I'll cover it." He says, kissing me on my forehead.
"Okay, but what money am I supposed to go shopping with? I have none."
"Here." He hands me a hundred dollar bill. "Buy yourself something nice."
"I'm not taking your money."
"Babe, we live together, it's now our money, not just mine."
"I don't want to use it though. I want to get a job and have my own money not depend on you to buy me things."I hate the idea of depending on a guy. I give the hundred back to him.
"Think of this as an 'I love you' gift, and while you're out shopping, you can look for a job." Derek says, handing the hundred back.
******
"No, I don't speak any French. That's why I thought this would be a good job."
"You are correct. It has been long time since we has had a true American cook." The boss says in her heavy accent.
******
"I got the job babe, I start tomorrow." I tell Derek as we're getting into bed.
"Where at babe?"
"That little American restaurant." I explain. "The one right down the road. They said it's been a long time since they had a true American cook."
"I'm so proud of you!" Derek grabs my waist and pulls me closer to him.