UNENDING LOVE

Chapter 6

Though I heard his voice, I made no attempt to move. I could not let him see me like this but the rain brought back so many vivid memories.

Not waiting for my reply, he picked me up, with ease, and walked back to the house. He entered the kitchen, shutting the door with foot, into the living room and placed me gently in the sofa. I was shivering terribly and soaked to the bone.

He asked where my bathroom was.
U-upstairs, d-down the l-left hall, third  d-door on your r-right," I stummered.

A few seconds later, he returned with a large fluffy white towel. He crapped it over my shoulders. He sat down beside me. His eyes were probing and full of concern.
"Do you live in this house alone?"

I fell silent. I could answer because I couldn't bring myself to lie to his face but I couldn't tell him the truth.
"Do you have any siblings?"

My eyes began to tear up as thoughts of Angel and Gavin. I missed them so much. I hang my head low so he wouldn't see my tears.
"Where are you parents?"

That question felt like a sharp knife was being twisted in my heart. I felt anger and sorrow, both at the same time.

"Tiana, talk to me. Say something."

I kept my head low and mouth shut tight. Vivid memories of my mum flooded my mind.

"I love you," she said softly to me , tears in her eyes. It was a painful memory, glued at the centre of the mind.

A sob escaped my lips and I cupped my mouth, shoving it back in. Mason had already heard it though. Gently,he lifted my face to meet his gaze. I felt so vulnerable and exposed yet his proximity gave me comfort. By now, the tears were spilling down my cheeks.

He wrapped his arm and around me and pulled me close. I was too emotionally worn out to resist. I rested my head on his chest while he gently stroked my hair. I continued to cry quietly into his shirt. I knew this was a very awkward position but I couldn't care less. It had been so long since I let my emotions out.

After a while, my tears ceased and pulled away from him.
"I'm going to go chance," I said, avoiding his gaze. I scrambled to my feet and ran up to room. I later returned downstairs in another pair of sweatpants and a white shirt covered a black jumper. Hands shoved into it's pockets, I settled back into the sofa. I could hear Mason in the kitchen.
I almost told him about my family. If I hadn't been crying, I probably would have. I can't let him find out. He'd never talk to me again. Much as I hated to admit it, I had actually enjoyed his company and I really wanted to help him.

He walked back into the room with two cups in his hand. He pressed one to me and settled in beside me. The sweet smell of hot chocolate met my nostrils. There were three marshmallows bobbing at the centre as they slowly melted away slowly. I must have been staring at it for a while because he said,
"You needed something to warm up so made this hot chocolate. I hope you don't mind."
"No, it's fine. Thanks."

I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet aroma of chocolate and familiarity. Slowly, I took a sip, keeping the tears at Bay. The all to familiar taste brought back bitter sweet memories that always reduced me to tears.
"Is it really that bad?" he asked me, the concern evident in his voice. In his eyes, he seems to understand the unexplained pain I was feeling. I noticed that there were tears rolling down my cheeks. He probably thought that I hated it. I needed to reassure him.
"No, no! It's fine. This is the best hot chocolate that I have ever tasted."

With the back of my hand, I cashed away the tears and gave him the strongest smile that I could manage,which was pretty weak.

He settled back into his own thoughts and I slipped away into mine. The only thing I didn't tell him is that I had  tasted with wonderful recipe before.