The Art of Living

[37] Breathe

"Ellie.. Ellie are you awake?"

Ellie was only barely registering the voice, but she was slowly waking up and realised there should not be a voice in her bedroom. She sat up, as coordinated as she could and squinted, trying to get her eyes to work. She blinked and took a deep breath. Brian.. It was only Brian and it was okay that he was in her bedroom. "I am now," she said, her voice still husky.

"Oh.. I'm sorry.. I wouldn't have woken you, but your landlady is at the door, she wants to talk to you.."

Ellie rubbed her eyes and nodded a little before she got up. It wasn't unusual that her landlady wanted to talk to her at odd times. Odd times meant anything before twelve, for Ellie at least. And it was currently a bit past nine, she was surprised to see Brian awake because both of them had stayed up talking until past one the night before. And he had said he liked to sleep in, but here he was, dressed and awake. "That's okay, she does that.. thanks." Ellie put on some shorts and made sure she looked at least somewhat presentable before she went into the hallway. She opened the door of her flat and came face to face with her landlady.

"Eleanora, I'm glad to see you're alright."

Ellie furrowed her eyebrows and glanced at Brian quickly, who was standing in the doorway to the living room. "Yes, I'm fine. Did something happen, Mrs Arthurs?"

The elderly lady shook her head and smiled. "Oh no, I was just a little worried because I heard a man's voice from your flat, and I know that you haven't brought a man here before. It was only Lynn, is she still together with that awful guy she always brought over?"

"Yeah, she is. But don't worry, Brian is a very nice man. I'm sure you'll like him." Ellie glanced at Brian again and smiled a little. "If you see him around more, then you don't have to be worried."

"He will be around more?"

Ellie had to step back a little because Mrs Arthurs came a little into the flat so she could look at Brian. "Yeah, he will, but he really is a good person."

"Yes, yes. He seems like a proper young man. Intelligent and polite. It's good that you're settling down, Eleanora, you need a stable environment. I was considering to introduce you to my youngest nephew, he's your age." Mrs Arthurs looked at Brian again and then at Ellie who seemed a little shocked.

"Oh no, Mrs Arthurs, thank you for the offer but that won't be necessary, don't worry." She tried to get rid of her landlady quickly, but as polite as possible. "I'm sure Brian wouldn't like that either."

Luckily Brian caught on and walked up to her, wrapping his arm around her. "No offence, Mrs Arthurs, but I really wouldn't like that. And Ellie is in good hands with me. No worries."

"Very well.. Very well." Ellie's landlady nodded and stepped back again. "I wish you two a good day then. Eleanora, Brian." She nodded again and walked down the stairs again.

Ellie closed the door quickly and leaned against the wall, sighing softly.

"You okay?" Brian still stood close to her and gently rubbed her arm.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry, she's just.. she's very nice but very.. special." Ellie shrugged and smiled a little.

Brian smiled and kissed her cheek. "She cares about you. That's nice indeed."

"She's just really nosy, Brian," Ellie chuckled softly and reached for his hand. "Why are you dressed already? Do you have to leave?"

Brian intertwined their fingers and shook his head. "No, I finished your milk, so I went out to get some more. Should I leave?"