In your Arms

Chapter Thirty Two

Both of them were laughing in between breaths as they enter the condominium unit, it was Amity who came in first.

"How can you run so fast?! I can't believe it!" Alexander exclaimed in disbelief as he shook his head.

"I dunno I guess I just did! Ha ha ha!" Amity told him, hands on her hips. "So I won. You have to make dinner." She stuck out a tongue towards Alexander.

"No fair!" He protested and pretended to pout.

"Yes fair!" Amity shouted, "And stop doing that silly pout of yours, you look ugly." She laughed and Alexander pouted his lips much longer. Amity pretended to squirm.

"That race made me so thirsty." Alexander was still catching his breath.

"Yeah me too, let's have some water." Amity nodded.

Both of them walked towards the kitchen when a silhouette of a man came into Amity's peripheral view coming from the living room. She almost gasped, the light was dim and she almost didn't notice who it was until it came closer. Amity's face shifted to surprise and her eyes went very much wide eyed.

"Simon!" She shrieked and ran towards the newcomer and gathered him in a big hug. "Oh I've missed you so much! I'm glad your home!" She hugged him tight and Simon hugged her back.

"I've missed you too." He answered with a smile on his face. "Umph! Can't.. breathe.."

Amity didn't mind what Simon said about having difficulty in breathing because of her tight bear hug. She was so overjoyed that finally, he's home. Alexander's smile faded as he looked at them and tried not to show a feeling of envy. Suddenly he felt out of place and wished that he hadn't seen them. Simon took sight of him and wrinkled his eyebrows.

"Xander?" Simon asked and Amity slowly separated herself from their embrace as it came to her consciousness that they weren't alone.

Alexander walked towards his brother and gave him a brief hug, "Yeah it's me." Amity stood in between of them.

"I didn't know you were home. Since when are you here?" Simon asked.

"About two weeks. I arrived a day after you had left." Alexander answered looking edgy and Amity took notice of it.

"I forgot to tell you Simon, I'm sorry. I've been busy with some stuff. I never had the time to inform you.." Amity butted in.

Simon went quiet for a moment and glanced at the both of them. "Yeah I've been busy too. Sorry if I didn't call or texted you." He answered looking a bit serious then turned his attention towards Amity. "So.. Is everything okay here while I'm gone? Did the two of you got along?" He asked her.

Amity nodded and noticed Alexander had looked away, "Yeah.. We're fine.." She looked at Simon and gave a half smile. The latter nodded but looked suspiciously at his brother.

"I see.." He muttered. Alexander kept silent.

"Hey by the way, my painting was part of an art exhibit yesterday." Amity tried to change the conversation and lighten up the mood between the three of them. She beamed at Simon and he gave her a smile.

"Really? That's what kept you busy?" Simon asked her, his mood suddenly shifted to glee. Amity nodded her head with a wide smile.

"Wow that's brilliant. Too bad I wasn't there to see it for myself." Simon ruffled her hair. "Let's talk about it over dinner. I've bought pizza from YellowCab." He told her smilingly.

Amity widened her eyes, "New York's Finest?!"

"Yep, your favorite." Simon pinched her cheek.

"Ow! Stop it!" Amity complained but laughed. "I'll prepare the table." She went hastily towards the kitchen to do so.