Tomorrow With You

Chapter 5

Declan Costellano

"What would you like to eat?" I asked Aleah who's now resting her chin on the table.

"I don't want to." She murmurs with her lips pout.

I chuckled as I saw how cute she is.

"You should eat." I uttered then walked towards the kitchen counter. "I'll cook sinigang na baboy and beefsteak." I added while preparing the ingredients.

I heard the chair moved so I looked at Aleah who stood up and smiling ear to ear. "Really?" She chirped.

"Yes, why so happy?" I said while cutting pork spare ribs while hiding my smile 'cause she's just near me.

"Those are included in my favorite dish." She declared. "Uhm, Declan?"

"Hmm?" I hummed without looking at her.

"What's your plan?" Because of that, I stopped cutting the pork.

I looked at her. "What plan? What do you mean?" I asked.

"It's been days yet you're not telling me anything. What with the 'you know me'? What's the real reason for your stay? Did you know my parents personally?" She asked out of confusion. "Enlighten me, please 'cause I'll go crazy thinking about you." She sounded desperate.

I smile a little. "Are you ready to hear a story?" I asked her and she nodded immediately.

"Okay, I'll just cook and talk about it while eating, is that okay?" I smiled.

"Hmm" she nodded.

"Go take a seat. I'll cook this right away." I said.

"I-i'll go to the room. Be right back." She sounded like she's about to cry.

I was left here, dumbfounded and worried as well. Should I go to her? Is she okay?

Why is she sounded sad suddenly?

I tried focusing on cooking but hell I can't. I was eaten by my frustration and worry that's why I immediately walk upstairs and get into her room.

I didn't bother knocking 'cause the hell I care, I only care for her.

There, I found her crying, hugging their family picture. She's still grieving.

"Mommy, Daddy, I miss you so much. I miss your hugs, kisses and everything about the two of you. I miss being complete again." She cried out of her chest to ease the pain.

"When will the day come that I'll be happy again? I miss being happy, genuinely. As I miss the two of you, I also miss myself. I am all alone now, I don't have anyone with me. It's just me and it feels so sad, so miserable and my heart continued to be scattered. It's killing me to be alone." She cried and cried until there are no more tears coming out from her eyes.

"You have me. I'm just right here." I interrupt while walking toward her direction. She's specifically sitting on the floor and leaning her back on the footboard of her bed.

I sat beside her and get her hand out of the frame she's holding and caress it.

She's gaping while I heard her sobs.

"You know I love you right?" I whimpered while caressing her fingers. "The real reason why I'm here because I'm scared. I'm scared that I might not have the chance to be with you anymore 'cause you're trying to live your life alone, without anyone so I thought you can live just on your own and I don't want that. I want you to depend on me. I want you to need me 'cause I'll move heaven and earth once you call me." I didn't look at her 'cause I'm scared. I don't know but when it comes to her, I'm always scared, I always have fear.

I'm caressing her hand and fingers. "Aleah, I'm not scared of anything. I don't have fear in anyone. I'm strong at all things..." With strength, I looked at her. "But when it comes to you... I'm scared, I have fears... And I'm weak, all because of you." I gulped when I saw her eyes went in awe.

"You're not alone. All along the journey, I'm here. I'm just here, wherever you are, I'm just gonna follow you and keep you safe but if you would let me, I can also keep you happy. I know you can't just accept me in your life but don't worry, I'll earn your trust." I said with determination.

I slowly occupied the distance we have and kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry if I'm too straight forward. I promise I won't be like that again so that I won't shock you that much." I was about to get up when she held my wrist and pulled me slowly.

"Are you okay?" I instantly asked. I mean, she won't do it if she doesn't feel anything worse.

She shook his head and looked down.

"C-can you please stay?" She whispered which made me stunned for a second.

Oh baby, you don't need to ask for it 'cause I will gladly do it, wholeheartedly.

I tried holding back my smile while sitting beside her again.

"C-can I rest my head o-on your shoulder? I-i just want to lay my head for a second." She was shrinking while uttering.

I didn't utter any words instead I held her head and slowly pulls it to put it on my shoulder then started caressing her hair.

"Y-your hand is warm. I can feel it and it calms me." She said.

I'm relieved yet my heart is racing, so damn fast. Why does my heart melt by her words? Damn Aleah, you're giving me something weird yet I'm loving it.

"Thank you." She whispered. "I know you're a good man." No, I'm not.

I stayed silent and considered her sleeping when I heard her snoring.

"If you just knew who I am but fvck I really can't be a badass when I feel your presence, it always feels like I want to be a good man for you but that's not me when you're not around." I uttered and just sighed 'cause she won't answer me. "Now, let me carry you to bed so you can rest properly." I slowly carry her in my arms and lay down her alluring body on the bed.

I placed the comforter on her and kissed her forehead before getting out of her room. I go to the kitchen and continued what I'm doing earlier.

She slept without an empty stomach. I'm sure she'll ask for food when she wakes up.

When I finished cooking which took one hour to finish, I did some preparation on the table so she would love to eat more.

I walked upstairs and open the door of her room. I saw her sleeping peacefully. I smile as I had the chance to caress her smooth and flawless skin and stare at the perfection of her face. How lucky I am to get the chance to see you closer to this?

"M-mommy, d-daddy..." She stutters while her eyes are still shut. She's dreaming.

"Shhh..." I caress her hair and started humming. A sudden pain strikes me when I saw tears flowing onto her cheek. "Shhh...it's okay, you'll be okay." I mumbled.

She slowly opens her eyes and looking for something...or someone.

"Hey." I whimpered to get her attention. She immediately looked at me and I saw her calms down.

"Hi. I-i thought y-you left." She looked down and played her fingers.

I chuckled. "Silly. As if I can do that." I said and held her hand. "Let's go downstairs, I cooked sinigang and beefsteak." I helped her to get up and I'm happy 'cause there I saw that she's not feeling that 'awkward' now. It lessens, I guess.

It feels good to hold her hand, so warm.