* (this chapter will contain a scene with mature content)*

It was 4 o'clock when she left the bank dissapointed and annoyed.Everything was going down and Sonia was nowhere to be found.Did she found money for the debt?Did she took a loan?Was she drunk somewhere crying about her life on the verge of distruction?
Natalie didn't know the answer of these questions,but there were gathering too much of these în her head lately.
She felt light-headed and her legs guided her blindly through the streets until she found herself în front of a building surrounded by apple trees and rose bushes.She lingered near the sidewalk several minutes inhaling the sweet scent of the fruits,while thinking how to put the events of the day in order.She thought a lot about his reaction,but she was scared more about the fact that only he could listen to her right now and she will feel released of problems in his presence.She wanted everything she had before running away from him.
She took out her phone from her bag and quickly called Haven.
"Hi...I know it's been a while,but I am standing in front of your apartament.Are you free?"
"I'm at the station.A girl was murdered two days ago and the autopsy report came in.I'll come home in an hour or so."
"Can I go in?"
He laughed and sighed.His husky voice then broke the silence that fell over their conversation.
"You know...You don't have to do this every time.That why you have keys for my apartament,so you can come whenever you want.I like having you there.It's what I dream of every night..."
"Those keys make me feel like I'm your girlfriend,Haven...you know how I feel about this"
"Yes..."
A loud voice echoed through the phone calling Haven's name and made Natalie shiver just enough to wake her up from her daydreaming about how it would be to stop running from Haven and embrace her feelings for him.
"Let yourself in.I'm coming soon, too.Bye,Nat"
Looking up at his front door she felt vulnerable and fragile as if all her day was going to be washed away by him,by his scent,by his words,by his touch.
She unlocked the door like a thief that robs a house for the first time and walked in slowly,leaving her bag onto the sofa.
Natalie looked through the window at the apple trees from below.They were so full of colour,so bright,so fresh,like a mockery against her crumbling life.
The cool autumn air came in from the balcony,while she opened the door and lit a cigarette,inhaling the smoke quickly, to erase the enchanting smell of the apples.
She took of her coat,followed by her black shirt,leaving her skin exposed to the cold breeze and offering quite a show for the pedestrians walking below.
Natalie entered the aparment,slowly taking off all of her clothing as she went straight to the bathroom,opened the door and hopped into the shower.The water fell onto her skin like daggers.It hurt her.The thoughts were rumbling through her mind combining with the hot droplets of water.She closed her eyes and let the water run down to her face while thinking to the only serene thing she could find:Haven....
The thought of stealing one of his shirts just for an hour made her feel like a young girl,so she went through his closet and choose an old Metallica shirt.
She waited looking through the window until her thinking was interrupted by the sound of the keys,the door cracking and the screeching made by Haven's shoes.
"I never thought that old shirt would look good on someone"he laughed while admiring her sleek figure .
"I missed your laugh"she whispered sofltly while aproaching him.
Haven smirked and planted a small kiss on her nose "And I missed you!"
He towered over her small figure embracing her in a close,warm hug.
"I'm quite a toxic person,aren't I?"
"A bit.A cute one,but yes we can say that"
"I'm sorry,Haven..."
"It's ok actually.I got used with this:we having a perfect time togheter for a few months,me falling in love with you more then I already am,then you running away,followed by the same old routine. I know you always return here with me.It hurts like hell everytime,but I hope that one day you will stop running and when it will be, you will stop at me."
"I can't promise that I will stop..."
"I know."
He walked past her,opened the fridge and took out a piece of cake.
"Care to share?"He laughed at her with joy in his eyes.
"Of course.How could I say no to sugar."
That was the thing she loved most about Haven.He always gave her the independence she wanted,all this knowing that ,probably ,she will leave one day.
He took her hands and guided her to the kitchen counter,took 2 spoons and looked at her while eating a piece of chocolate from the cake.
"So,what brings you to my humble kitchen,my lady"
Natalie laughed for the first time în weeks,this time being real,not out of kindness.She lowered her head while eating slowly from the cake and whispered:
"They are trying to shut Globe out.We owe 150 000,Sonia dissapered today and I don't know...."
"I'm sorry,Nat.Can I help?I can talk with a few people and maybe they'll postpone you a bit.We will figure it out.I am here for you,you know that,don't you?"
"No,it's ok.Thank you.We will figure it out like you said I guess.It is between Sonia and me.We need to do this,not anybody else.
But that's not why I came  here.Everything is bad and I felt that I don't want this to be bad too.I think that running away from my problems and from everything is the problem.I want this."
"Define this"
"Being near you,not running away from you.I don't know.I'm looking for stability somewhere and I want it with you."
"Stability is a pretty big word for you,missy.So,let me get this clear.You came here because you want to agree to be my girlfriend?"
"Not yet,but I'm open to the idea this time.Maybe this time I won't run."
Haven smirked while his caramel eyes shone like two bright stars.He was over the moon.Natalie never thought about commitement.She always ran when things got serious between them.Haven's face was glowing and his smile was contagious.
"Stop looking at me like that with your cute eyes"she whispers while punching his shoulder lightly.
"You are looking goofy right now"she muttered annoyed.
"I want to kiss you"
Haven didn't even finished his sentence when he gently crashed his lips against Natalie's.Her chocolate hair smelled like lemons and Jasmine and he inhaled her scent like she was going to dissapear any moment.Natalie was shivering under his cold touch,while her hands embraced the black locks of his hair hungrily.She traced lines with her polished nails on Haven's neck,marking a teritory she left behind months ago.
Haven's fingers travelled down to her collarbone drawing small circles on her soft skin.Their kiss was full of longing,of desire... but it was something more,it was like a missing part that was kidnapped from both of them while they were apart.Now they were complete again,their energy was consuming,they were burning the world with their kiss.Natalie grabbed the collar of his suit and took it off agressively,while he lowered his burning kisses onto her neck.He released his hands from her body only to take off his black tie and toss it on the kitchen floor.She wanted to unbutton his freshly ironed shirt when she suddenly stopped,causing Haden to look at her dissapointed.
"I have a meeting at 8,with an old friend,I'll tell you about it shortly..."
"It's only 7.We have time to spare"
"Believe me,cherie,we will need more than an hour for what I have în mind.Sorry...."
"You really know how to keep a man waiting,my lady"
"But,first thing first....How was your day,detective?"Natalie giggled while winking at him.
Haven's face darkened and the joy in his eyes dissapeared quickly like it was never there în the first place.
"Well,I was afraid you will ask,but we are always honest with each other so here I go:the dead girl I told you about...."
"What about her?"
"She was Simon Thompson's girlfriend and we are pretty sure that he killed her."