𝑺𝟐/𝟎𝟕: 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒔
AND WHEN THOSE
BLUE SNOWFLAKES START FALLING,
THAT'S WHEN THOSE
BLUE MEMORIES START CALLING.
_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐
There's something broken inside of me. Andromeda felt like my second home, now it just makes me feel miserable. I've been hiding from Austin as much as I can, which has been taking a toll on me.
He has a child...
A little baby that even he himself isn't aware of. Though a couple questions in particular have been eating me alive... If Olga gave Priscilla away, why did she come back? Why is she dating my brother? Has she told Austin about it? The skin around my nails are burning from all the chewing I've been doing.
"Good evening..." Sanne says with a bright tone, holding his boyfriend's hand as they walk down to reception. They wear huge grins, just like everyone else. Christmas is around the corner, at the end of the day. 'Last Christmas' by Wham is playing on the radio, and even that isn't helping me. Things that once brought me joy remind me of Austin now.
I force back a smile, "Good evening, Sanne." I say and turn to his boyfriend, "Mees."
Mees nods happily, "Are you okay?" He asks me.
I look down, pressing my lips together. They're so cute in their coats and beanies, ready to go out in the snow-covered streets of New York City, doing things couples do. Holding hands, kissing, eating snow.
"I am!" I say, "Where are you two off to?"
"We're gonna play a little game!" Sanne says cheerfully, he turns to Mees with a loving smile. "We're gonna see who can buy the best Christmas gift in thirty minutes!"
My forced smile grows into a more genuine one. "That's so cute!" They warm my heart.
"What about you? Any gift giving, or getting?" Mees leans on the counter, playing with the promise ring around Sanne's middle finger. They have matching rings, and it reminds me of the time Austin gave me that pearl necklace. I still have it, I just can't bear to wear it.
I shake my head, "Not really. It's been really busy and Damian's breathing down my neck."
They nod, "What would be your ideal gift, though? We've been talking about what kind of gifts hetero couples get each other for Christmas. What's something you would like?" Sanne questions.
I stop to think for a second, chewing on my bottom lip. "I don't know," I shrug, "maybe like a book or something?" I click my tongue, not really sure what else to say. Come to think of it, I've never really asked for anything. Maria used to get Hugo and I a big bar of Toblerone, and that'd be the highlight of our Christmas.
"A book?!" Mees' face lights up, "You like reading?"
"Oh here we go..." Sanne playfully shakes his head, smiling at his jumpy, bookworm boyfriend getting excited.
I nod franctically, "I do!"
"What kind of books?" Mees asks.
"I usually go for the classics!" I reply.
"Let me guess, Jane Austen?!"
"Yes!" I nod, and Mees and my hands collide in mutual excitement.
Sanne watches amused.
"What's your favorite book of hers?"
"Definitely Emma!" I say.
Mees gasps, "Same! What about Mansfield Park?"
"Ooh, I've yet to read that one!" I say.
Mees hums, "Oh, fuck if I'd known I would've brought it with me..." he clicks his tongue disappointed.
"Oh yeah, along with the suitcase full of the books you already brought?!" Sanne chuckles.
I chuckle with them, "It's okay!" Turning to Mees, I smile warmly. "I appreciate it though!"
"Alright, happy boy," Sanne wraps his arm around Mees' neck, "we have to go." Kissing his temple.
"Okay," Mees smiles at him, before turning to me to wave joyfully. I wave back at the two as they leave Andromeda.
Not a second later, "Look what you did little jerk!" I hear Julian yell by the staircase.
Through the crowd of people with bags of freshly bought Christmas gifts in their hands, I see him scolding Kevin and my brows snap together.
"Why are you yelling at him?" As ask once I approach them, holding Kevin close by my side.
"Look what he did!" Julian gestures at his hot coffee soaked shirt and pants.
I look down at kevin, who looks like he doesn't give a single fuck. "It wasn't my fault," he shrugs, "he walked in front of me."
"You little-"
"Hey!" I hold Julian's arm mid-air. "What? You're gonna hit a little kid?!"
"Ottie-"
"No. You might be a customer here, but so is he!" Maybe I'm yelling a bit too loud, but Julian is the only person I can take my pent up frustration out on.
Sighing, "alright, whatever!" He rolls his eyes, angrily picking up the empty paper cup from the floor before heading into the elevators, back to his room.
"I don't like him at all." Kevin says with scrunched brows. He looks up at me, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." I say, and comb his fringe back to see his face clearer. "Where's your dad?"
It seems I keep asking him the same thing, but I have yet to see him here with Kevin.
"Uhm-" he stumbles over his words, "at a me-"
"A meeting?" I ask, expectedly.
He hesitates at first, but starts nodding.
"Your dad's really busy isn't he? I haven't seen him walk in or out at all."
"He wakes up before your shift starts." He explains.
I smile at him, but a familiar voice from afar makes me freeze in my tracks. My skin tingles, and I get goosebumps.
"Ottie."
Austin. Oh how I wish I could call you that again. Look into your pretty eyes. Smile back at you in return.
"Hi," he smiles, his hand immediately reaching down to rest on Kevin's shoulder, "good evening."
"Good evening Mister Butler." I say, not looking him in his face, instead my eyes fall to the carepeted floor.
I can hear him sigh. He wants me to look at him, and he will look at me with that tilted head until I do, but I won't. I can't. How do I look in the eyes of a man I love? A man with a child at that.
"Good evening." Kevin says, "I was just going out to get the mac and cheese."
My face frowns questioningly. Mac and cheese?
Austin hums at him, not peeling his eyes off of me.
"Don't eat anything until I'm back." The little guy threateningly points his finger at Austin before leaving Andromeda. Leaving Austin and I in the busy crowd filling the reception hall with Christmas joy.
He clears his throat, "We're having a mac and cheese evening." Scratching the back of his neck, Austin shows his pearly white teeth, and chuckles with that deep voice of his. Goddamn, you gorgeous gorgeous man.
I nod as uniterestedly as possible, though deep down I would love to be a part of their cheesy evening. "That sounds fun." I say, and return to the counter.
I can feel Austin's eyes poking into my back.
—
"Bless this highly nutritious, microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner, and the people who sold it on sale. Amen." Kevin prays with his eyes closed, and his palms pressed together while the steam of his mac and cheese lightly whafts againts his small face.
Austin lets out a chuckle, though prays along. "I'm gonna have to disagree with the 'highly nutricious' part." He says, using finger quotes.
"Cheese and carbs are all the nutricions you need." Kevin says and shoves a fork full of macaroni into his little mouth. He holds tightly onto his paper bowl.
A brief smile later, Austin does the same.
"So," searching for comfort on the large couch, Kevin turns to Austin and leans his side on the backrest. "what will you do, now that you know you're in love?"
His question catches Austin so off guard, a piece of macaroni gets stuck in his throat. "What?" He coughs through, washing it down with water, "I'm not in love!" His hands wave in the air, as if to dismiss it.
"I think you are." Kevin simply states.
"What do you know about love? You're only eight."
"Please, I might be eight, but I'm way ahead of my age. I'm what some might call, a man."
"Mhm." Austin holds his hand infront of his cackling mouth to not offend his little friend. "Oh yeah, definitely."
Suddenly, Kevin places his mac and cheese down and walks over to his coat, which he took off and lazily threw on the ground infront of the door. He reaches in to one of the pockets to draw out two turtle doves.
"What are those?" Austin sits straight, questioning the white doves Kevin handed him.
"Turtle doves." Kevin says, "They're a symbol of friendship and love. Keep one, and give the other to a very special person." And between his words, he sneaks in a subtle wink. "As long as each of you has your turtle dove, you will be together forever."
Austin's confused face softens, and his fingers close around the two turtle doves. "You mean I should give one to her?"
Bouncing his brows, "Yes." Kevin smiles.
_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐
➦ IN THE NEXT CHAPTER
Holly and Oliver talk to Olga to make sure,
while Austin uses force to talk to Ottie.
Please don't forget to vote<3
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