❇ Rachel's POV ❇

"Babe? Rachel?" Gavin patted my cheeks in an attempt to wake me up.

"Wh-what?" I lifted up an eyelid to find Gavin paying the driver.

"We've arrived at your apartment building."

I sat up feeling extremely groggy and rubbed my face forcefully. In order to rub away the sleepiness in me. When that did not work, I tried slapping myself to make me more alert.

"Rachel, you can stop slapping yourself." Gavin was chuckling as he held the door for me and gestured for me to come out.

"Oh," I replied and felt my cheeks burn, because of the slapping and blushing. When I gathered my things to get out of the car, my head hit on the edge of the door.

Geez. If that did not fully wake me up, I don't know what else would.

"Rachel! Let me take a look at your head!" Gavin dropped our luggage and started to check on my forehead.

"Gav, it's alright. The driver is waiting." I pointed to the driver who patiently waited for us.

The concern on Gavin's face did not leave until I showed him that, I could walk in a straight line on my own.

"Next time, be careful. Okay? I wouldn't want to have a bump on your pretty face." Gavin reminded me while giving my forehead a final check.

My cheeks just would not leave me alone. Gavin obviously noticed the slight pink on my cheeks.

"C'mon beautiful lady, let's go check out your new apartment!" Gavin shot me a playful wink and lead the way.

The lift stop moving at the fifth level and we turned to the left, walking along the corridor.

I pretended that I dropped something on the floor so that Gavin would walk in front. The reason was clear, my face has turned into the colour of an apple. You know that's the thing about me. When compliments are thrown to me, I have no idea how to react, but my cheeks do.

Sometimes, it could be a pain in the ass.

Gavin finally stopped in front of a pink pastel door and inserted in the key. As we heard the click sound, Gavin pushed open the door.

My eyes twinkled in amazement as I took in the interior design of my new home. It was bigger than expected, but I like it. It's kind of empty right now because we've only found this apartment last week. Also, it's obvious we did not have the time to go furniture hunting.

It has the basics of a home though, a simple sofa, TV and a bed in the master bedroom. Speaking of rooms, there's only two of it. The master bedroom and my study room.

"Hey, do you like your new home?" Gavin wrapped his arms around me and placed his chin on my shoulder.

The corners of my mouth twitched up into a smile.

"Who wouldn't?" I responded and relaxed as I looked out of the window. Wow, the view from the living room was stunning.

My new apartment is located near Gavin's. It's only ten minutes walk away. Therefore, it would be easier for him to get home from my place later on.

I turned myself around to face Gavin, wanted to ask him something when I saw the doorknob twisted. Odd, who would have the key other than Gavin and myself?

Before I could say anything else, the door unlocked and my mum appeared from behind the door. I stared at my mum in disbelief and felt my eyes stinging with tears.

Gavin leant down to kiss my forehead before going to help my mother.

"Hello, Aunt Rebecca. Are you tired from your flight?" Gavin greeted my mum warmly with a small peck on the cheek.

"Hi, Gavin. I'm fine, did you both just reach here?" My mum directed the question to me, who was incapable of moving away from my spot. I was beyond shock because I absolutely did not expect to see my mum here, in my new apartment.

"Yes, Aunt Rebecca. Rachel? I'll get going now, call you when I reach home. Alright?" Gavin pulled me into a hug and whispered.

"Babe, I hope you like the surprise."

Like? I love it! You guys have no idea how much I have missed my mum.

I pulled away from the hug and looked into Gavin's sky blue eyes. There was a gentleness in his gaze and I tiptoed to kiss him full on the lips.

Both of us was a little caught up in the ahem, that we have forgotten my mum was also in the living room with us. My mum cleared her throat, signalling us to stop.

Oops.

"It's good to get lovey-dovey, sweetheart. But, please remember your mum is still right here."

There was a moment of awkward silence before the three of us laughed aloud.

"Sorry, Aunt Rebecca. See you soon!" Gavin waved goodbye as he gathered his belongings.

In an instant, I ran towards my mum and trapped her in my tight hug.

"Oh my. Rachel, you nearly gave me a heart attack." My mum chided me but hugged me back at the same time.

"I miss you so much, mama." I breathe in the familiar scent of her perfume and the tears just flowed out naturally.

"I miss you too, Rachel. Are you excited to move here?"

I nodded my head as my mum lightly patted my back.

"You don't sound that excited, honey."

I lifted up my head to force a smile but failed miserably.

"At first, I wasn't. But, the idea of moving here is slowly warming me up." I moved away to help bring in my mum's luggage.

"Gavin noticed your hesitation, so he asked me if I could come and keep you company."

I stopped in my tracks and gave my mum a genuine smile.

"I thought he didn't know that." I chuckled and walked into the master bedroom to find a spot for my mum's luggage.

"Sweetie, Gavin is a really great guy. He might not show it often, but he cares a lot about you."

"I know that, mama." I heaved a soft sigh and plopped myself comfortably on the sofa.

My eyes were about to close when my phone vibrated.

"Hello?" I was so sleepy that I didn't bother to make myself sound awake.

That person didn't say anything except laughing. Tired Rachel, means easily irritated Rachel.

I glanced at the caller's name and rolled my eyes.

"Gav, what's so funny?"

Gavin probably took the hint that I was not in the mood for jokes, he stopped laughing immediately.

"Ahh, you're always so moody when you're tired. Just wanna inform you, I've reached home. See you and Aunt Rebecca for dinner tonight?"

I slapped myself on the forehead as Gavin did mentioned about calling me.

"Oh my. Yeah, we'll see you tonight! Have a good rest! Love you!" I didn't mean to yawn loudly but it just happened.

"Love you too, babe." Gavin ended the call as he chuckled deeply.

I heard the engaged tone beeped into my ears and locked my phone.

Within minutes, I surrender to the sweetness of dreamland. My mother could hear me snore from the kitchen and came out. She carefully placed my head on the sofa and covered me with a blanket. In order not to wake me up, she tiptoed around the house while cleaning it.
*~*~*~*~*

"No! I.. I'll change my bad habits for you! Gavin! Please... Oh God, don't leave me."

I have no idea that I was just dreaming. I kept on screaming and screaming. My mum has been shaking me awake but was not successful. The living room was filled with my ear-splitting screams.

"NO!" One last shout and my eyes flew open. 

"Rachel! Honey?" My mum's voice was laced with worry and concern.

I gazed at my mum with tears flowing down my flushed cheeks. My mother did not miss a beat and instantly embraced me in a hug.

"Shh. It's just a bad dream. Don't worry, mummy's here for you, sweetheart." My mum patted my back and hummed whatever song that came to her mind.

Those pent up emotions and stress finally had their freedom. I tightened my hug and cried out all those tears that were imprisoned by me. You know when the first drop of tears was released, there was no turning back. I cried because of the bad dream, my new environment, my new life and the sadness of missing my family.

"Hey, sweetie. What's wrong?" My mum questioned when I stopped crying.

"I.. I dreamt of Gavin leaving me, because he didn't want me anymore." I choked out those words as another wave of tears caught on to me.

"Silly girl.. Don't cry, you're just under a lot of stress these few weeks. Gavin loves and cherish you so much, he will not leave you."

Unable to speak because of all the crying, I simply nodded my head.

"I m-miss you and dad so much too." My voice came out as a whisper. My throat was so dry and it hurts.

"We miss you too, sweetie."

I pulled away from the hug and saw the tears in my mum's eyes. My mouth trembled a little as I held in the urge to cry, again.

"Mama, I'll go wash up. We're meeting Gavin for dinner."

My mum wiped away the tears on my face and her lips lifted up into a small smile.

Author's note :
Finally two updates within a week! Ahhaha I set myself this mini goal and I'm happy that it's accomplished! 😄 I hope you're enjoying this story so far 😊 Thank you for helping this story hit the 400th mark! ❤ Don't be shy to tap the vote/comment/share button! 😋