Bittersweet

Chapter 3

In the morning, Worick woke Alex up. He was nicely dressed and it seemed like he was going out.
"Alex-chan, today is Friday and I have that job, so I will probably not be at home today. Can you take care of Nic, because he will probably start moving even though he shouldn't."
She nodded. She changed and did the couch. She greeted Worick when he was leaving. Now she stood in the middle of the room and did not know what to do. She looked at Nicolas's room and decided to peek inside to see if he was awake. She went into the room, making sure not to wake him up. She reached the bed and sat down on the edge. She did not know should she wake him up or let him sleep. She was thinking of making breakfast. She touched his shoulder slightly. Slowly he opened his eyes and glanced at her with a little wince.
"Morning, sorry I woke you up, but I was thinking about making breakfast and I was wondering if you would like to eat something."
Nicolas was already up in a sitting position. He had a white T-shirt on and his hair was messy. The wounds on his face looked painful but they were not serious.
"Where is Worick?" he asked her with sign language.
"It's Friday, he's on his job. He said he might not be home all day."
Nicolas nodded and started to get off the bed but Alex stoped him.
"Worick said you should not move if you need something tell me."
She went into the kitchen and brought him a bottle of water and his pills. When he drank them, Alex forced him to sleep again and rest.

She returned into the kitchen to make something to eat. She was thinking about what to do. There was not much food in the refrigerator, so she decided to do something with what she had.
She found chicken breasts, green pepper, lemon, parsley, peas, scallions, garlic, tomatoes and some rice. Alex decided to make a risotto. She mixed everything together and added pepper, saffron threads, oil, salt and 2 cups of chicken bouillon. After an hour the risotto was done. She served rice on two plates and took two glasses of water. She put them on a tray and went upstairs.
She put the tray on the table and went to see if Nicolas was awake. Alex just entered the room because she did not see a reason to knock when he would not hear her either way. "Nicolas, the food is ready if you want-"
Nicolas was sitting at the end of the bed and was trying to get up but failed. The wound on his leg did not heal yet.
"Nicolas! Let me help you! You can't-" he refused her help.
He stood up and leaned against the wall opposite him. He started walking, leaning against the wall, and headed for the living room.
"Nico-" he just passed her still refusing her help.
He stumbled and almost fell couple of times. Alex was now looking at him with a smile on her face. So stubborn. She thought looking at him. Suddenly he lost his balance and almost fell on his face but Alex managed to catch him in the last second before he came into contact with the floor. She put her arm around his waist.
His arm was over her shoulders. His body became tense because of a sudden contact. He looked at her questioningly.
"Let me help you." she said with a slight smile on her face.
He gave up and allowed her to help him walk. She lowered him to sit on the couch. Then she brought food from the table and sat beside him. They ate in silence.
As Alex ate she looked at Nicolas secretly. He was eating with his left hand. Why didn't she noticed that before? She began to study his facial features. He had a strong and pronounced jaw and beautiful lips. She noticed a few wrinkles around his eyes. She knew that both Nicolas and Worick were older than her but she did not know exactly how much older. She was only twenty-four, and Nicolas moved better and faster than her. That was a bit embarrassing. While she was deep in thought, Nicolas noticed that she was staring at him so he looked at her.
"What's wrong?" Surprised, Alex came back from her thoughts.
"Nothing, I was just thinking about something. It doesn't matter." she smiled at him.
"Do you like the food? I gave my best. I hope it's delicious."
Nicolas took another bite of rice and signed her somthing with his hand.
"It's good." Alex smiled even more. "I'm happy to hear that." Ever since she started living with Worick and Nicolas she started cooking more. She has done a lot and her skills improved.

Nicolas was already finished with his food so he put a plate on the table.
Alex picked up the plates and the tray and took them to the kitchen. She washed dishes and the kitchen. When she was finished she went upstairs.
Nicolas was still on the couch but now he was in a lying position. It seems he fell asleep. Alex approached the couch and leaned against it. She watched Nicolas's chest rise and fall in the rhythm of his breathing. He looks so peaceful. She stretched out her hand and removed his hair from his eyes and face. He suddenly opened his eyes and looked at her. "wHAt ArE yoU dOiNg?" he asked her with his deep voice.
She was a little surprised because he used his voice and talked. Alex jumped slightly and moved away from the couch.
"I was just-" she could feel the blush on her face. She frowned.
What was she supposed to say. I was looking at you while you slept and I touched your hair.
"Something was in your hair so I..."
Pathetic. She felt pathetic.
Nicolas looked at her with a questionable look, and he started running his fingers through his hair like he was trying to get something out of it.
"iS IT sTiLL tHeRE?" he asked her.
Alex could not believe he believed her. Alex was a terrible lier, but this time it worked. "No it's not." she responded with a smile.
Nicolas just turned to the other side of the couch and started sleeping again.
Alex went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She sat on the floor still leaning on the door. She put her hands on her face.
What am I doing?!