Chapter 32

“This is embarrassing.” He chuckled on the line and sniffed.

His cry didn’t even last a minute. It was fast yet painful to hear.

“I wish you’re happy, dad. Happy birthday.” He ended the call.

It was a moment of silence. I stared at nothingness, thinking about what just happened.

I stared at the phone and opened it but it was locked with pin so I sighed.

Immediately, I have this urge to call him so I grabbed my phone, sat on the sofa and called his number.

3 rings and he answered.

He didn’t answer the line.

“Hello? Grayson?”

“Oh, hello, baby. Why did you call?” His voice was sweet, very unlikely from the voice I heard awhile ago.

“You want me to come in there?” I asked.

He chuckled.

“Why? Did you miss me?”

I didn’t respond.

“Nah. I think it’s better for you to stay with Andra. I talked to Lia and she’s willing to have a session with your sister tomorrow.”

I sighed.

“Are you okay?”

“Hmm? What do you mean? I was with you earlier. Of course I’m okay.” He hummed happily.

If I didn’t hear his voice on the line earlier, probably I’ll believe he’s okay.

He’s good at acting he’s okay while I’m vulnerable and transparent. We really do contradict each other’s way of handling pain.

“Are you lonely?”

“I’m talking to you. I’m not.”

“I want to go there.”

He laughed and I could feel him shaking his head on the line even when I couldn't see him.

“Be with Andra. I’ll visit you everyday. Don’t worry.”

“Okay, bye.” I ended the call.

I lay on the sofa, making the armrest as my pillow, looking at the ceiling, waiting for my phone to ring again. I’m sure she noticed my tone the moment I ended the call.

And I was right. Minutes later, my phone rang.

“What? I thought you don’t want me there?” My eyebrow raised.

He chuckled on the line.

“Open the door. I’m in front of your unit.”

Immediately, I stood and ran towards the door but stopped in front of it to calm myself down.

I cleared my throat.

“What are you doing outside? I thought you don’t want to see me?” I pretended to be mad.

“Nah. I just don’t want you to get tired. You see, I’m on the 9th floor.”

I rolled my eyes and opened the door.

And I saw him, smiling, the phone’s on his right ear, hair was disheveled a little, and one hand’s holding a paper bag.

“What’s that?” I asked, looking at the paper bag.

“Can I come in, Miss?” He whispered on the phone.

I tsk-ed and ended the call.

“Yeah, come in.” I stepped back to give him way.

He smiled and went inside so I closed the door and looked at the paper bag.

“I forgot to give this to you earlier.”

He shoved his phone inside his pocket and grabbed the thing inside the paper bag.

My eyes widened after seeing the brand of the necklace bag.

“Harry Winston?!”

He laughed and opened the box and it was a gold necklace with initial of G and A. The initial was surrounded by sparkling diamonds.

“I ordered this a week ago and I received it earlier.” He said and went near me to clasp the necklace on my neck.

“How much does this cost?” My voice was full of disbelief.

“I don’t know. When I look at things to buy for someone I love, I don’t consider the price.”

My eyes squinted.

I don’t know if he’s bragging or not.

“There. My baby looks good.” He stared at the necklace.

I looked down on the necklace and I’m amazed by how it shone.

“Go see your reflection. You’re beautiful.” He smiled.

I nodded and went to the bathroom near our room.

“Wow. . .” I uttered with disbelief as I stare at my reflection on the mirror.

Never did thought that once in my life, I’ll be able to wear a jewelry, expensive jewelry to be exact. All my years of living, I dedicated everything to Andra and her needs, averting mine.

“Is this your first time wearing your very own jewelry?” He hugged me from behind and stared at my reflection.

“Uh-huh.” I smiled at my reflection.

“I love how you’re slowly getting used to smiling.” He kissed my cheeks.

I tilted my head and looked at him on the reflection when realization hits me.

He’s right. I do smile a lot these past few days.

“By the way. . .” I leaned my back against his body.

“Hmm?” He played with my hands.

“Can I sell this?” I’m pertaining to the necklace.

He laughed.

“Sure. I can buy you another one.”

“Great. You’re the best, sugar daddy.” I internally grimaced with what I just said.

He laughed hard that even his shoulder moved.

I stared at his laugh on the reflection.

I wish this one is genuine.

“Sugar daddy’s not that bad. At least you're not calling me Grayson.” He laughed.

I faced him who’s now laughing and tip toed to reach his lips and shut it using my lips.

He stopped laughing and immediately, he dominated my mouth and held my waist.

My hands wrapped around his nape and tip toed more to kiss him deeper and I thank him for being considerate of my position that he lifted me and made me sat on the sink.

I wrapped my legs around his hips and made our body kiss that I can feel his bulge even with his pants on. Damn, he gets real hard fast.

“Lock the door.” I whispered.

He instantly obeyed my order, carrying me until I felt the door against my back.

I heard the door locked.

His kisses went down to my jaw down to my neck and I can’t help but to grasp his hair and whisper a curse.

“Alessia?” It was mom’s voice from the outside.

I forgot that she knew the passcode of our unit because I told her about it!

“Shit.”

“Fuck.”

“Andra? Oh, you’re awake. Where’s your sister?” It was mom’s voice from the outside.

“I don’t know. . .”

Grayson put me down and I pulled my shirt down that I didn’t even notice his hands invaded.

“Stay there. Don’t go out.” I threatened.

A grin played on his lips as he nodded.

“Okay, gotcha.” He whispered and gave me an okay sign.

I noticed that his eyes went down to my neck and smirk but I didn’t mind it and went out, slowly opening the door and locking it at instant the moment I was outside.

“Mom. . . What are you doing here?” I glanced at Andra who was now seated on the chair with a bowl of soup in front of her.

She looked at me but it shifted to the bathroom I came from so I gulped.

“I’m here to visit you and your sister, of course.” She smiled.

Uncomfortable with the set-up, I sat in front of Andra.

Mom, on the other hand, prepared a soup for me and her, then she sat beside me, both of us facing Andra but that's not my problem because mom and I are both facing the bathroom.

“How are you, Andra? Are you okay?” Mom asked with a grin.

“I’m fine. . .” Her voice was uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry to disturb you in the middle of the night. I just want to visit both my daughters.”

Andra’s eyes played around the room, uncomfortable by what mom just said.

And accidentally, it went down to my neck.

“You have a new necklace? That seems expensive.” She changed the topic.

“Oh. Did Grayson gave you a necklace? Let me see.” Mom said and faced me.

I bit my lower lip to show mom my necklace but her forehead knotted after staring at my neck.

“What’s with the hickey?” Her brows met as her eyes went to mine with unreadable emotion.

My eyes widened after hearing what mom said.

Shit you, Grayson!

“Hickey?” Andra asked, dumbfounded.

Immediately, I covered the part where Grayson kissed me earlier.

“Huh? Maybe it’s a dog’s kiss?” I played dumb.

“Dog’s kiss?” Mom’s tone was skeptical.

I nodded and avoided mom’s doubtful eyes.

“I got ki-kissed by a do-dog earlier. On the. . . uhm. Street?” I cursed myself for stuttering.

“But you hate dogs.” It was Andra.

Oh shit. This ain’t good!

“Yeah but he— I mean the dog, suck— I mean licked my neck.” I gulped.

“The dog sucked and licked your neck?” Andra asked in confusion.

“Are you sure it’s a dog, Alessia?” It was mom, suddenly serious.

She faced me with one brows raised.

“The dog. . . uhm. . .” my eyes played.

I cursed after seeing the bathroom door slowly opening.

“Mom, look at my eyes.” I said urgently.

She looked at me in such an intense manner.

“Do you think I’m. . .”

My eyes shifted to Grayson who’s telling me that he needs to answer the call on his phone.

“Ethan.” He pointed his phone’s screen. “I’ll answer.” It was the words from his voiceless mouth.

But his phone’s screen is black. No one’s calling.

I guess he’s just acting that someone’s calling to get out.

“Do I think that?” It was mom.

“. . . I’m lying?” I added.

“Is it possible to get a hickey from a dog?” She raised one brow again.

“It’s true! The dog kissed me!”

I closed my eyes in such tight manner, embarrassed, after hearing loud clanks from Grayson’s direction.

Mom and Andra turned to Grayson's direction.

“Hi, mom, hehe.” It was Grayson’s voice.

“Uncle Grayson?” Andra, shocked.

“Grayson, may I know the reason why are you here and,” mom coughed. “What are you doing in the bathroom where my daughter came from?”

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Huh? I peed, mom.” He let out a nervous laugh.

“Peed?” Mom’s voice was obviously doubtful.

“Uh-huh. Right, ba— Alessia? I used your bathroom to pee right?”

Shit you, why do you need to involve me?!

“He—”

“Then why did you came from the bathroom? Don’t tell me you watched him pee?” Mom cut me off, looking directly at my quivering eyes.

“I did?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“She’s just clingy, mom that even in the bathroom she follows me.” He laughed to lessen the tension.

I let out a disbelief sigh.

“Mom, I’ll go—”

“What’s with the hickey? Are you the reason, Grayson?” Mom cut him off.

He looked at me but I pretended to look at the soup and slurped like he’s not calling for help.

“Oh. There’s a hickey? I don’t know, mom. Maybe it’s the dog?” He acted innocent.

Wow, he’s really great at acting.

“Grayson. . .” Mom’s voice was threatening.

“Just a peck, mom.” He trailed off.

“A peck would not create a hickey.” Her voice was scary.

“I just suck it a little but not too—”

“On the living room. Hands up both of you and kneel in front of me.” Mom head her way towards the living room.

Shit, I forgot mom’s conservative!

And so after that day, Grayson got banned from our unit.

I understand mom, she has a blood of an Asian and most Asian are conservative. Grayson respected mom’s lecture while I just blamed Grayson because he’s the man between both of us although I know I initiated the kiss and was the reason why he got a lecture from mom.

Staring at the ceiling while Andra was sleeping beside me, my phone rang.

I answered it and put it on my ears. I know who’s the person who always calls me in the middle of the night after finishing his work.

“Sleeping?” He asked.

His voice seems tired and drained.

“Waiting for your call.”

He chuckled on the line.

But I know it’s fake.

“I miss you, my baby.”

“How was the one month of not touching me? Was it bearable?” I laughed, trying to make him feel better.

“Uh-huh. Seeing your face’s already enough.”

I let out a genuine smile in the air.

“So how was Andra’s session with Lia during the 1st month?” I asked.

“Hmm. . . so far, according to her, she’s seeing progress from your sister.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

“By the way, I got a call from one of the agency that we’ll have our runaway walk rehearsal in modeling. Can you be with me?” I asked after remembering the call I had.

Well, I easily got accepted from the audition. I don’t know if it’s because I have connection since I just discovered that my mom is one of the C.E.O in that company or is it because of my capabilities that I know I lack in so many aspects.

“I was about to ask you for a date tomorrow because it’s my off but it’s okay. Okay, I’ll be with you.”

I smiled.

“We didn’t get to celebrate our monthsary because of your mom’s punishment so I guess we’ll celebrate it tomorrow?” He asked, hopeful like a dog waiting for his master to give him a treay.

“Monthsary? When’s our monthsary?” I didn't know! I didn't keep track of time!

He tsk-ed on the line.

“Two days after my birthday, Miss. The day I discovered you prepared a gift for me, February 22.”

February 22. . . Never did thought there will come a day I’m excited to celebrate and welcome a day from each year.

“By the way, I have a good news. I met grandma awhile ago. . .” He trailed off.

“How was she?” I beamed.

“She’s fine. She still hurts me like what she used to do. But at least I see progression. ” He chuckled.

I was quiet for a moment and he was too.

“What progression?”

“Hmm. . . Like she didn’t call me a murderer anymore, instead, she said I’m a criminal and not a murderer. Well, that’s at least good right?” He chuckled again.

“Uhm. Why?” I can’t help but ask.

“Maybe I look like one?” He laughed.

I know there’s a reason.

“Is that why you hurt yourself? Did you kill someone?” I gulped.

“If I tell you yes, would you still like me?”

I became quiet for a while as my lips parted out of shock.

He chuckled.

“Now you understand why I hate myself?”

“No. I know every story has a reason. Besides, if you’re really a murderer then you should’ve been in jail by now.”

He became quiet on the line.

I wish he’ll tell me his story.

“I’ll sing a song for you.” I said and stood.

“Oh. My baby will sing a song for me? That’s so new.” He sounds so shock.

I grabbed the new piece of guitar mom brought for me and went out of our room to head to the living room. I turned the speaker on and slid the curtain off in order for me to see the night sky and its star.

“I want to hear your voice.” He said on the line.

I smiled and sat on the sofa, facing the transparent window.

With phone in front of me, I strummed the guitar and looked at the stars.

“There I was, an empty piece of a shell . . .”

“Just minding my own world,
Without even knowing what love and life were all about,”  I closed my eyes to feel the song.

He was speechless on the line even if I can hear his loud breathing.

“Then you came,
You brought me out of the shell,
You gave the world to me,
And before I knew,
There I was so in love with you,”

 I smiled how the lyrics really matched our love story.

“You gave me a reason for my being,
And I love what I’m feeling,
You gave me a meaning to my life,
Yes, I’ve gone beyond existing,
And it all began when I met you.”

“Fuck. I want to kiss you.” He said on the line.

I laughed and continued the song.

“I love the touch of your hair,
And when I look in your eyes,
I just know,
I know I’m on to something good.”

I looked at the stars from the starry night sky all twinkling in happiness along with the luminous moon, giving the darkness of azure with lightness as if they were all celebrating the joy I found in the midst of darkness.

“And I’m sure, my love for you will endure,
Your love will light up my world,
And take all my cares away with the aching part of me.”

And that’s when I realize that. . .

In the utter darkness of sky there's a cloud full of misty unwanted thoughts so I will always remember to consistently find the silver lining of each day that passes by because a night will always pass and a sun will forever rise.

I smiled at the positivity of my thoughts I never knew existed.

I’m glad I met the person who unfolded my eyes to see the beauty of darkness.

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