-CHAPTER 8-

Dry and gloomy. 

His sweater alone survived protecting him, the open grass field of graveyard invites more cold air into his skin. His arms crossed as Theo stared at her mother's tomb, smiling. 

As cute as it seems, his cousins prepared a mini picnic session to eat their snacks. Conner help the rest of the girls setting up and allowed their auntie's son to be alone beside the tomb. 

After praying for the food, they started to share their snacks and recalled their memories with the late Marie. Theo chewed her mom's favorite granola bar dipped in native chocolate, it became one of his favorite snacks for school even in college. 

Way back in London. 

"Hey Mom. It's... me, Theo." In his lowest voice, he greeted his Mom lying down comfortably below the cold soil. "You must be cold eh?" 

He took another bite before speaking. "Oddly, I've been enjoying life, too much. But no regrets Mom." Theo admitted himself into a deep reflection. "It's a good news though, it's been a great practice of not blaming myself." 

He was subtle in talking and he smiled by the wellness of his sincerity. "That's sort of life insanity update, aside for my adult pleasures. Sorry Mom." Spatting a joke to the dead, Theo hid his laugh in a light chuckle. 

Agressive as valkerie, he bit a big piece of granola. "Bloody hell, I swear this granola mix too. We could've enjoyed this together. I mean you love making them for me with any dip you could possibly make." His eye lids were closed for a while as recalled. 

"And you also love to scold the servants for minding our business in the kitchen. We won't let anyone touch our granola bars." Full of joy and countless evidence of love in his very gaze, Theo find warm. Warm as what he felt from her Mother. 

By the air dryed his lips, he lubricted it with his tongue. "I am always keeping my word of course. I"ll own it for sure, and settle down as i handle that forever." Theo's plans are coming to a fruitful harvest, he'll look forward for what's next. 

Several barks occupied the open spaced cementeries,  Bryce was a loud dog after all. The pup was being chased by Daphne who's been really excited to bring him. Watching them chased was agonizing. 

The little family eat theri snackes and poured each other a glass of apple juice. Fortunately, the wind wasn't blowing so they played a little bit of Jenga, a wooden tower game. 

They wrapped up afterwards after Conner screwed the game several times, he himself was upset of his competitiveness. The van was filled with same intensity of laughter just like earlier, strong and tight bonds. 

While on their way to the local market, Theo's phone vibrated from his pocket. "Bloodly-brilliant idea of you to call me at this day Matt, this better be good." He picked up the call. 

Matt inserted his other hand in his apron's pocket, grinning. "That innocent college is still looking for you." Matthew said while watching Ella leaving the cafe with her order. Obviously defeated because Theo wasn't around. 

"Oh I see, you're pretty much entertaining her huh?" 

Matthew scoffed in disbelief. "What can I say, he's looking for you. And I'm certain what the "bloody hell' that means. Mr. Booty call." He even mocked an English slang in the call. 

"Cut the mockery you punk!" He spat. Hearing Matthew laugh made his eyeballs roll in disgust. "Well thank you actually for calling. "And please, if you find that important for a phone call, well not for me. I'm in the middle of clearing my head dickhead." 

He was satisfied to hear his friend getting pissed, he knows what really annoys Theodore. "Chill mate, take it easy. I just want to let you know that your unfinished leaverage here." 

"Well that was quite ugrent, Matthew." Theo answered flatly in full sacrasm before ending the call, who knows Matt will be scolded having a phone call during work. Matt on the other line, left cackling as he focused to work, he got a pile trays of bavarian to transfer. 

As soon as his strong arms lift a tray full of Blueberry Bavarian, his phone once again rang. His brows narrowed when it was Theo. "So you got something to say?" Matthew answered the phone after discard the trays. 

"Silly. Upate me. When she's still around looking for me." Theo in his most odd reasons, he even add his words. 

"Everyday."

+++

The sun was beaming with the right amount of cold breeze, it made everyone's mood better including Ella. The casual contemporary environment never changed in her stay here. The vehicle beeps beside the side walk full of busy Americans with mixed moods of going to school, work, and appointments. The environment around The Now York Grinds screamed productivity, it constantly reminds her to keep going. 

The horizontal oak wood act as a knob to the cafe's glass door. It was no surprise for the busy Matthew, he stretched his eyebrows upward. Ella was persistent enough for him to be recognized easily. Look who's regualr huh. He thought as he whipp a bowl of cold foam as a top for the pending drinks. 

Ella couldn't care if he was recognized by the security, she casually step in the cafe, aquiring its healing ambiance like she could do this forever. Going here was actually gaining a new timeslot in her morning routine. 

Was she being suspicious to her friends? It was a no brainer. At least Ella did build up her friend's anticipation by saying she casually meet her 'date' here. Another lie from her obviously. 

Her legs proudly stood up falling in line to order. Her eyes didn't search for a recipie, she was looking for Theo in the counter, she failed and looked for her morning coffee instead. 

Falling in line in Matthew's was a wise decision. When it was Ella's turn, she painted her face to joy and smiled brightly. 

The man in front of him sighed, deflated. "Welcome to New York Grinds, how would you like to start your day with? Ella." Matthew gave emphasis to her name.

He can definitely tell what does that smrik of hers all about. Matt set those other thoughts aside and set his focus on her order. I mean who cares about he, ugh she keeps bothering for pete's sake!  

Matcha Latte with sweet cold foam and cinnamon. He can tell that she already understood the clique of her order. Ella was the person in the line so he immediately entertained his queue.  

Several drinks sweet caramel related drinks, two hot chocolates, and a Matcha Latte all done twenty minutes. He had been working for three years that his hands knows exactly where to work. 

He was able to serve Ella in no time. Matthew's costumer was comfotably lounging and immediately fixed herself. "Matcha Latte for Ella-

"Is he around?" Ella cut him off shameless, leaving him bummed out.

Matthew placed ther order on her table while looking at her eyes. "Theo is not here. Now please. Here's your order and don't bother me. Anymore, por favor." 

"Any news about him?" Ella is being persistent as she is, leaning her head closer to him. It never failed Matthew to be pissed off.

Matt tried to contain his frustration. "Okay fine, we talked through the phone last night. And that isn't your business to mind actually. Now please I got some work to do-

"Will it hurt to buy some time and contact him right now?" As cunning as she can be, Ella tucked her hair behind her ear. Shamelessly digested her pride for something like this became easier. 

Matthew also didn't mean to sound so rude and he felt apologetic. In a scrunching nose, he sat down beside her and reach for his phone to dial Theo, who's still not picking up. 

While contacting, Ella asked a favor. "Tell him that someone is looking for Theo." That ended with a wicked smile mixed with innocence. 

"Look, I know exactly your intentions and your plan on hooking up. And I won't judge." Matt explained. Ella stilled on her postion and shame slowly sinked in.

"Trust me. I know it's hard internalizing your sexual needs. But it's good that your honest adn very much certain with your desires." His head nods as he explained. "But to tell you honestly, Theo actually have some errands every after the cafe's anniversary. That's why he wasn't around. And I can't tell you beyond that because that was very personal." He explained like how Theo explained it forthe first time. 

Ella learned something new, and that is to mind her own fucking business from now on. Now she's feeling bad because she ask to contact him in the middle of exclusive affair of Theo. 

Her chest pound heavier when Matt found out about her sexual needs. Recalling how she playd with sex toys last night, that just made her eyes squeezing lemons. 

She is very much dissapointed in her actions, endured imagining burying herself.

Theo picked up Matthew's call and that made her strength diffused out of embarrassment. I'm sure he's fucking pissed. Oh God send help.   

Matthew smirked as he gazed at Ella's reaction. Drawing him to his wild guess that this might be her first time. Well, at least Matthew is good at guesing games. He greeted his man on the other line, but Theo get to spat first. 

"Fucking heavens, what did they told you about minding your buisness Matt?" 

He put his phone away and face gave it a sour reaction. "I know you're gonna say that my guy." He smiled frantically directly at Ella's eyes. 

Matt continued. "And in this sudden moment, I'd like to say that she's here- 

"And what is it with this urgency? Huh?" Theo cut him off from the other line. Matt paused and stared at Ella who's gesturing him and to get his number. 

Indeed, it was a struggle for him talking two people at once. He had to put the phone away and modulated his low voice. "No, I can't give you his number." In a raspy whisper, Matt replied and return to the call. 

Ella extend her arms and swiftly grabbed Matthew's phone. Causing an immense shock to him. Her side lip caused to sound a menacing smirk and with a fast legs, Ella stepped out from the cafe, leaving the messed up Matthew behind.

Ella may be embarrassed but she got nothing to lose, it was her desperation who pushed her.  Theodore, on the other line curiously asked if Matt is still on the fcking line. But a woman answered, with the voice that she recognized, 

"Now we get to talk, Theo." 

He was frozen where he stands, Theo on the other line definitely knows that voice. Ella. 

"How rude, Ella. Why are you on the line?" Crumbled brows, he asked in a pissed manner. Because of his sudden caller, Theo really have to move somewhere far away from his cousins for his privacy. 

Ella put her gaze on the nearest elm tree and grinned as she throw her question. "So, how's the great Theo doing?" 

How brazen. He exaggerated. "I could ask the same thing as well miss? How are you coping up becaused I'm not around? I assuming that you missed me." Theo mocked him with a pure slap of sarcasm as he learned in a tall tree. 

Ella, and her very soul was flustered, with that voice and choice of words. And that godamn accent. A split-second wasn't enough to collect her self. "I beg to disagree, but well you know what I need. If I may ask, when are you going to resurface in this cafe, for crying out loud." Ella requested with impulsiveness. 

For a man who's having a quality time with his family, Theodore was offended in her remark. Ella was over the borderline, it was straight-up insensitive. 

"So what will actually happens if I turn back on you? I'm in the middle of some family business, ma'am" Theo sounded himself menacing. It was a serious answer. 

Silence. 

Ella woke up from being shit and collected her manners that she learned from the past 21 years of life experience, she realized her rudeness. "Oh... My apologies." 

Theo on the other line nod whether she mean it or not. 

"But no, you must tell when are you going appear, it's been days and you're away! I almost spent my mornings here just to see you." Ella explained how struggling it was.

"That's good to hear, satisfied costumer. You just fed our salary-

"I don't care, and I won't stop looking for you. Especially that I got your digits." Theo abruptly looked at his phone and remembered that he Matthew called him instead of her, his eyes widen and left disapointed. Fucking hell.  

"Okay fine." 

That alone, didn't fail to put a smile on Ella's lips. 

"But don't disappoint me." That was a serious line. fixed his composure. "So care to tell me how are going to be fucked. Quick explanation Ella, I don't much time." Dominance, that's what his voice all about. 

Ella need a breather. She silently thanked God that Theo finally said yes. Ella felt replenished when she finally get to breathe deeply. "Alright, I'll skip that question for a while. But before we could really 'do it', I actually want a date." 

Theodore was actually perplexed. "Fuck, come again?" 

"I mean, I need a fake date." Ella paused. "There is an upcoming huge house party, and everyone is obviously bringing her dates. And bringing you was only my positive alibi for me to be... fucked." Her shame mysteriously vanished all away, completely embracing her fertile decisions. 

Theo scoffed. "How stupid." 

"What?" 

"You are actually saying that your friends need to know that you wanna be fucked. I mean I could fuck you in front everyone." Ridiculously, Theo joked. 

That made her eyes roll. "Well, I gave that a laugh. But seriously, that's how I wanted to be 'fucked'. Did I answer your question?" 

He put his hands on the pocket. "That's not what I mean. I was talking about your kinks, fantasies, preferences-

"I can tell you more of that later but for now, I have classes. You'll have my number later" For the last moment in the call, she managed to be confident. Ella chuckled and already saving his contact in her other hand. 

"Interesting. Gotta dash." Theo cunningly smirked and the line went dead. The call was smooth but disrespectful to Matthew who had been longing is phone for the past minute.

Their eyes met as she opened the glass door. Roaring confidence was her radiation as Ella returned his phone. Matt was still amazed by her bravery. She really wanna have sex that much huh?

"Thanks for the call, I'm out." Ella turned her back and head towards the exit with her bag and coffee, smiling dangerously. Her plans were like the starts getting aligned. 

+++

One thing hey love about their dormitory is having a space for them to study. They still find themselves luck for having three bedrooms and a wide comfortable suite, like it was made just for them. 

Kath joined Lynn and Ella in the dining table to study together after taking care of the rubbish from the kitchen sink. It was indeed a 3 hour academic quality time with the presence of pomodoro timer.

Ella finished checking her email and organizing her notes for these past few discssions. Her day-end goal was to finish all of her agendas and talk to Theo for the rest of the night. 

She wasn't kidding when she saved his phone number. Handsome.  

Her hand pushed down her laptop in an acute angle. "How about calling it off for a day? I'm done with my stuff." Ella's smile was plain, innocent and feeble, her roommates heard it well. 

Kath was still busy typing the last portion of her power point presentation so as Lynn who's wrapping up her meeting minutes, and she's quite convinced to wrap up her work.  "Yea-right, I'm kinda sleepy. It's raining cats and dogs godamn I wanna be lazy." 

The girls finished everything and performed their night routines, heading to their respective bedrooms afterwards. It was a massive success that she can finally sleep. 

Time check, nine-thirty. I can still sabotage someone's night. She didn't hesitate to dial his number and sat comfortably on her bed. 

Theo groaned in pure annoyance, he was about to land his ass on bed. He was born ready to doze off half naked. 

Ella. Not yet finish huh?

He picked up the call and lay down in bed comfortably. "Mhm?" It was cozy enough for him to only wear his sweatpants, his cousin's guest room has a good spot for fresh night breeze. 

"Hey! Mind to interrupt your bedtime? I was about to finish our discussion- 

"Cool, let's be straightforward here shall we? Now tell me what's your kink? Fantasy? I have to ask your actual sexual preference, miss." Theo spat full of bluntness. Man is ready to get down to business. 

"Oh- uhm- wai-, okay wait a second. What was that supposed to mean?And, it's Ella, not miss" She stuttered from her mental confusion. What the fuck?  

Theo assumed that she isn't mindful for this part "Preferences, Ella. What would you like for me to do to keep that fantasy of yours on fire. I don't mind if it's weird, I'll try my best." He explained in a  gentlemen manner, he was actually curious about hers. 

"Does having a huge size counts? I mean you totally have a high score in your torso but what about your meat?" This will probably one of her ridiculous conversation over a call. 

That made the man on the other line rolled his eyeballs for such shenanigan. "Preposterous, of course I'm well endowed down there." He sighed and rubbed his ears, mannerism when having a hard time explaining things. 

"Fantasies, Ella. Do you want me to dress up as animal or dye my hair again, or have a piercing. Do you want me to wear or have something to turn you on?" Theodore politely asked, he sounded himself deamning for her to answer immediately.

And Ela's lungs starts to gasp for air. "I mean... your voice already stir me up. Ella actually confessed. "And you still look good with your hair, I think I'm all fine." 

"You sure? Do you want this penis to be pierced or something?"

"Well do you? I told you, I'm not a virgin, I can keep up." That was a Ella's strongest claim out of desperation to amused Theo. Well who does pierce their dicks? I'm sure Theo won't do such shit." 

A vindictive smirked appeared from Theo's mouth. "Very well." He just simply replied and that followed by an agonizing silence in their line. 

"You like my voice huh?' Theo asked with his basic seduction, smiling and waiting for her response. 

Ella closed her eyes and he couldn't thank enough on how clear his voice was. It was raspy, mysterious and dark. "Yeah... I'm totally shy admitting it but your voice just gets me everytime." Her tongue licked her lower lip and  rubbed her stomach under her shirt. 

And as silly as he thought he could be, Theo decided to stir her up or tease. "Hmm, I assume you'll help yourself after this call, too bad I couldn't help."

They shared the same idea. 

Ella struggled and her neck starts heating up, she get up because she despise soaking her pillows with her sweat. That was easy for Theo to her her in a bit of rush. 

Theo halted a soft and deep chuckle as he rub his thigh. "Well you give me excitement, dear. I can't to feel you soon, hmm?" Hearing Ella pant from the other line make him rub his erection denting from his sweatpants.  

"Well it seems like I am getting no response anymore." Theo paused and listened to her huffs once again from the phone. "Wet dreams, Ella." 

The line died and still dubbing his hard on, facing the ceiling on how good it was to feel hard again. Ella on the other couldn't answer till the seconds of their phone call, she was massaging her inner thighs already. 

Damn his voice was sexily excellent.   

She reached for her sex toy and pulled down her cotton shorts. It felt good when she rubbed the tip. And a sudden image appear in her hazy insanity. 

It was Theo, on top of him. 

Before she could even fuck herself, her phone beeped from Theo's message from the lockscreen. 

A photo was sent. She didn't hesitate to unlock her phone to take a look, and that her heart thump out of horniness as if she really deserved it. 

Two mirror shots of Theo shirtless. One is holding his erection from sweatpants and one was holding his hard cock as if he was jerking off. Huge, oh God.  The tip was red and angry togther with his dominant expression 

Theo sent 2 photos.

You never failed me to stir up as well. I can't wait for you to handle my package. Goodnight Ella. It's been fun.