Kitten

Chapter 20: Feels like home

Alexander's POV:

Sprinkling a little bit of parmesan cheese over the steamy tomato pasta I grabbed two water bottles from the fridge and placed them on the table that had recently been neatly arranged. It felt strange cooking let alone for another person in my own home. I was always out at the club or in my office that I never bothered to cook for myself. But nevertheless, I knew how to cook. I was taught that skill by my mother.

It had been so long since I had company over in my house, it was something I didn't like. My house was my privacy yet here I was sharing it with a woman, a woman I had uncertain feelings for, a woman who I hardly knew, but it just felt right. Having her in my home made me feel, happy. It was strange having her here but for some reason I felt so content.

Perhaps I was stupid for bringing her here, especially now that Liam has met and spoken to her. I fear that he will do more now that he's seen me bring her home. He's not dumb, he knows I never bring women home. Yet why does my heart rate quicken at the idea of having Lily stay with me in my home.

Bringing the hot bowls of pasta over to the table, I sat down in one of the many chairs and stared up at the clock. I hoped she wouldn't be much longer as I'd hate for her food to grow cold but then again I wanted her to take her time and not feel rushed.

My heart ached painfully seeing her stumbling helplessly outside the hospital with tears pouring down her cheeks. A beautiful broken angel lost and alone in a cruel heartless world. She didn't deserve to cry, she had already shed too many precious tears. She didn't deserve all the pain the world had thrown her way. She deserved nothing but happiness and love. Now that I'm here, I won't let her go through anymore pain or suffering, I'll make certain of that.

"H-hey".

A soft voice called out from the kitchen door instantaneously pulling me out of my self induced trance. Glancing over at the doorway my heart stopped as my eyes fell upon a small girl completely engulfed in my clothing. She was too damn adorable for her own good.

"Hi" I muttered back with a smile clenching my fists tightly on my chair in attempts to stop the overwhelming feeling to grab her and hold onto her tight. I could feel a growl crawl up my throat seeing her frequently pull up the clothing that was drowning her slim body.

"You look cute" I winked back at her chuckling as her eyes widened before lowering her head so her beautiful brown hair would cover her reddened cheeks, but my little kitten had no idea that I had already seen them.

"Cute? They're massive on me and my face is hideous without makeup. I look like a wreck".

My eyes scrunched up as she slowly walked over from the door before sitting herself down on the chair opposite me.

"Hey!".

Lily suddenly jumped back in fear as my voice raised higher than I could have expected. And then it dawned on me, this is what Matthew must've been like when they were together. He stills scares her, the memories of him still haunt her.

"Hey, Kitten I didn't mean to raise my voice, it's just, I don't like it when you put yourself down. You're a very beautiful woman with or without makeup. I will not let Matthew's words haunt you anymore. You are a smart and beautiful woman and I will do all I can to ensure that you see how valued you are. Is that clear?".

Lily looked up and nodded at me with a soft smile on those beautiful lips of hers.

"Thank you for the clothes" she whispered whilst staring at the cheesy pasta.

"You're welcome kitten. You look better in my clothes than I do. Your clothes are in the dryer and once they are dry you can change into them, or stay in my clothes if you'd prefer. Oh and please eat, I do not want it to get cold".

I reassured Lily with a smile and tucked into my own pasta eventually nodding seeing Lily tuck into her meal.

"Wow, this is amazing. Who taught you to cook?" Lily beamed whilst taking a sip from her water bottle.

"My mother when I was young".

"Aw does she live nearby?".

"She was taken from me when I was young" I muttered coldly placing down my fork inside the bowl suddenly losing my appetite.

"Oh, I'm very sorry". Glancing up at Lily, I nodded in appreciation and took a swig of my water.

"She would be very impressed". My heart stopped once again seeing Lily's beautiful smile that reached her eyes. She was like a light, surrounded by darkness but immune to its touch.

"So if you don't mind me asking, who do you spend Christmas with?".

Christmas, the happiest time of the year. Not for me. Christmas for me shows me truly how lonely I am. I may have more money that I know what to do with, I am surrounded by beautiful girls and powerful men but none of them are genuine. They care about my status and power not about my feelings and thoughts. Christmas is the loneliest time of the year. Every year I sit at home with bottles of alcohol and let the alcohol take the pain of emptiness away from me.

"Truthfully kitten, I spend Christmas alone. I have no family to spend it with and just pass the time by working".

"That's so sad" Lily mumbled whilst staring at me with a pathetic sympathetic expression.

"That's life" I muttered back coldly whilst staring down at my pasta. The atmosphere turned tense as we both continued to eat in silence.

"No-one should be alone at Christmas. How would you like to join me and my family on Christmas Day. We are a weird bunch and have some strange traditions but I can promise you that you'll be leaving 4 pounds heavier and probably a little tipsy, but at least you'd be around people rather than on your own".

A strange feeling stirred up inside me at the idea of spending Christmas with this beautiful girl and her family, her notorious family that had not long gone through so much pain. Yet this was the first time someone had offered me a place in their home on Christmas Day. No one had ever welcomed me into their family on what is meant to be a day spent with family.

"Are you sure Kitten, your family went through something tragic. I don't want to be a burden".

"Oh my gosh no! My family like you and I'm sure they'd be more than happy for you to join us especially as you'd be on your own. Just prepare your stomach as my mum will probably be wanting to feed you as much as she can".

Lily smiled up at me expectantly. How could I say no to that face.

"Then I guess I'll be spending Christmas with you and your family".