Amor Vincit Omnia

✝Chapter 20 - Old Habits Die Hard

I felt two arms shaking me gently to wake up. I slowly opened my eyes, blinked a couple of times and saw Phil sitting next to me on the bed.

''Morning.'' I said as I yawned.

''Morning? More like Good afternoon. It's three in the afternoon, Sarah.'' He said, ruffling my hair playfully.

''Is it really?'' I asked.

''Yes really.'' Phil let out a soft chuckle. ''Are you hungry?'' His voice gentle and soothing.

''A little bit.''

''Okay, I'll go fix you something up.'' He said.

* * * *

Stooping down, Phil placed a small tray with French Toast on it and a glass of orange juice. He, then moved and stretched out on to the bed beside me, watching me eat. He was dressed in some simple black sweatpants and a gray T-shirt.

After I was finished eating, I placed the tray on one of the bedside table and laid down on the bed next to Phil. Tenderly, he smoothed the hair back from my face and I calmed down immediately.

''Can I ask you something?''

''Sure.'' Phil replied.

''How did you know?'' I asked, turning my head into his direction to look at him.

''What do you mean?''

''The song, how did you know how to play it?'' I asked.

''I know how to play the piano, Princess.'' He chuckled.

 I punched him playfully in his arm. ''I'm being serious.''

''To be quite honest, I didn't know it meant much to you.'' He whispered. ''I heard you play it once and I liked it, so I thought it would be nice to play it for you.'' His voice soft. ''I'm sorry if I upset you.''

''No, you didn't.'' I smiled at him. ''That song reminds of my mom, back at home. She used to play for me everyday.'' I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

Phil looked at me worriedly, hurt in his eyes.

''I'm okay, Phil.'' I gave him a soft smile.

''I'm here if you need anything.'' He added, his eyes filled with concern. He leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead. I rested my head onto his shoulder and put my arm onto his chest, as I softly wept. ''Shh, you're okay. I'm right here.'' He soothed my hair out of my face as he gently ran his fingers up and down my spine, calming me down.

* * * *

I sat nearby the edge of the rooftop overlooking the beautiful city of Chicago as I smoke my favorite cigarette, a fine Marlboro.

I heard the roof door open and some footsteps nearby.

''I thought you quit smoking.'' Phil remarked.

''What can I say? Old habits die hard, I guess.'' I sneered.

''You know, I always wondered...What do they taste like?'' Phil asked, sitting down next to me.

''Mostly nicotine and death.'' I replied, slightly chuckling as I took another drag from it.

''Why do you smoke it then?'' He asked.

''There are things inside of me, that I need to kill.''