DELLA

❀ Chapter 9

I LIED awake in bed, sleepless. My eyes protested to close and my thoughts were too loud to bare. I couldn't rid myself of Lord Arlington's velvety voice from my mind. The way he told me call him by his first name.

I needed to do something to distract my mind. Something to lull me asleep and quiet Christopher's voice. I remembered how Alaina went on about having a spectacular view of the river. It would be a perfect setting to read.

So I got out of bed, grabbing the book Christopher lent me. I tip toed across my chamber and threw on my white wrapper to rid my arms of the goosebumps risen on my skin. I slipped on some slippers and opened my door slowly.

I walked on the tips of my toes, not wanting the eerie squeak of the floorboards to give me away. Especially on the stairs!

When I safely made it down, I opened the front door with caution. I expected there to be a blanket of dark over the sky.

But to my surprise, the sky had hints of warm orange in it. The sun was about makes it debut. I smiled and walked down the small flights of stairs. A gust of wind made me secure my wrapper even tighter around my body, with my book tucked between my arm.

I made my way to the back of the estate. When I rounded the corner, I stopped in my tracks at an unexpected presence. A dark haired man sat in the tall grass, contently watching the gradual brightening sky.

Christopher?

I wanted to whip around and scurry back up to my room. But my legs wouldn't move, no matter how loud my mind urged me to. When he turned around, I took a few steps back.

"Please . . . Stay."

I nodded and inched closer to where he sat. His arms were loosely wrapped around his knees. And a few buttons of his white shirt were undone, exposing his chest. It was an absolute vision.

I sat in the grass beside him, folding my legs to side of my body. I put the book beside me, out of his sight. There wasn't going to be much reading.

"Quite surprised to see you here," He grinned.

"And I must say the same for you," I smiled. A period of silence went by as we took in the serenity of our view.

"May I ask you about about that song from earlier?"

"Oh," I was slightly taken off guard, "M-my mother used to sing it to me . . . When she was alive."

"Astrid had mentioned that she passed away when you were young. Please forgive me for bringing it up," His apologetic expression was intense. He looked down to the grass with a frown.

"No," I said softly with a shake of my head, "It is no matter. Singing that song is the only memory that I have left of her. It stirs a wonderful memory actually."

"It's beautiful," He bowed his head as he complimented. I pursed my lips felt my cheeks heat up rapidly.

". . . Thank you."

We gave our attention to the sky again, in another period of soothing silence. I was fond of sitting beside him, giving our thoughts the freedom to be as loud as it wanted.

I wondered what was on his mind.

"I really have missed living in the country," He spoke, "It is so much more peaceful than living in Town . . . Sometimes I wish that I could just stay in this spot forever and not have to deal with everything in my life."

"I wish it was raining," The first thought that came to mind slipped out of my mouth.

"What?" He chuckled and turned his head.

I nodded confidently, "I absolutely love the rain. Imagine the Ladyship's reaction upon finding out that I love to play in it."

We laughed together, and I had to cover my mouth. She was asleep in the estate just behind us.

"So why does sleep not become of you?" I found myself comfortable enough to ask.

"I'm afraid my thoughts will not permit me," He sighed.

"Do you wish to talk about it?" Maybe he needed a listening ear. Curiosity chewed away at me at what could be plaguing his mind.

"It is Astrid."

I rose my brows at his immediate answer, and waited for him to expand.

"We obtained a very close relationship in our childhood," He continued, "And I cannot deny that she resided in my head while I was abroad. But . . . She has changed and I find myself unsure of my feelings.

Which is why I told her I would like to take things slow. I know that courting her is the right thing to do. And it would bring our families a great deal of happiness, but . . ."

I watched him peer at the sky, as if his answers were penned there.

"Well everyone undergoes change. It is an inevitable part of growing up," I replied, "I believe that deep inside, you know you have feelings for her. But she needs to know that you are invested, taking things slow could fill her with doubts."

His countenance was twisted with confusion when he looked at me, ". . . That is truly what you think?"

"Of course," I smiled with a perky shrug. Everything in me wanted to soothe the bustling emotions I could see tearing him apart.

"So you think I should fully pursue her, even if my feelings are . . . conflicted?"

"I see the way that you look and talk to her. Do not let stress confuse you Christopher," I advised kindly. He looked down at the grass with pursed lips for a few moments. I turned my head and saw bright rays of the sun, slice through the clouds.

"Simply breathtaking," I sighed. Christopher brung his head up and stared at the sun kiss the horizon, too. He turned his head to look at me, and I met his gaze.

The way the morning sunlight kissed his face, brought out the blue in his eyes. I was fond of the fact that his eyes were a constant mystery to me. Sometimes they were a deep blue, and other times his green specks would shine through.

"Thank you your kind advice. I shall follow through with it."

I smiled widely, "That is what a friend is for."

He mirrored my smile, and we returned to looking at the sky. I was happy that I was able to do a favor for Astrid, but why did I feel peculiar?

I made it an effort to swallow the feeling.

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A/N - guys . . . our dear Della . . . is an idiot 💀💀😭😂

I hoped you enjoyed their little sunrise moment! Stay tuned for more Della & Chris moments next chapter 😉.

Votes/Comments are much appreciated!

~ kya v.