35. Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Alisha
N othing could beat the way I felt waking up today. A beautiful, most perfect morning ever. I was on a high and didn’t want to come down.
I was extra tired this morning and my body a little sore, mainly due to the earth shattering sex I’d had with Felix. But partly due to the dancing last night.
Shortly after my lesson ended, I grabbed a bite to eat but on my own as Felix was helping his aunt out with something this morning. Ophelia was still nursing a hangover, when I returned back from Felix’s with just enough time to get changed, I checked in on her. She looked like she needed all the sleep she could get. I realised Mira was still there too, as her shoes were still at the doorway.
The sun was shining brightly in Ischgl and as I ate my apple strudel, which was incredible and the pastry was just the right consistency, I observed the people walking by, some with families and then some on their own.
I felt at peace, everything was calm. I felt like I was living my best life and I didn’t want to turn away from it. I had less than a week until I’d be returning home and I knew it was going to be hard.
I thought about the last time I was lovesick, which was probably when I first started dating Caden. Looking back at it, there were red flags everywhere. With Felix, there were none. Only green flags and a huge neon sign flashing ‘perfection’.
I was taken away from my thoughts by my phone ringing and could see that it was my brother Aadi, who didn’t always call. I answered it in total surprise.
“Hi, Aadi,” I greeted my brother and in the background, I could hear some rustling in the background. Probably my brother organising his paperwork, he had plenty due to his job at the hospital.
“Hello, I thought I’d check in on you. How are you?” Aadi’s gentle voice spoke and I realised how much I missed him. Growing up, we loved to watch TV shows together and then play board games on Sundays when we were bored. It was nice as Aadi hadn’t been that typical teenager, who wanted to spend most of his time on his laptop or phone playing games. It wasn’t his style. Very different from Zane.
“I’m good, I’m glad you called. Are you okay? How’s the hospital?” I traced my index finger around my mug of hot tea before taking a sip. It warmed up my body which was still slightly shivering.
“So busy, especially at this time of the year. You witness a lot, it can be hard. But it’s what I want to do, I love helping people,” Aadi said. That was true, he loved to help people. I remembered during secondary school, he was quite defensive of me, even being two years younger, and Kiya whenever we’d been bullied or teased. He also looked out for others around him, even if he didn’t really know them. I admired him for that. I often wondered whether he’d seek a partner soon, he’d never been in a serious relationship and would say he didn’t have time for one.
Maybe he just hadn’t met the right person yet. Or maybe love just wasn’t for him.
“I know, we’re all so proud of you,” I told my brother.
“So, Austria then. How are you finding it? I’m still quite surprised you went.”
“I love it. I know, it shocked me at the start too. But something had to give, I suppose. Can’t stay cooped up indoors all the time, doing the same thing day in day out,” I admitted. Over the past week, I’d learnt so much about Austrian culture, winter sports, history and geography. I’d even experienced a holiday romance which definitely was not on my original cards.
I didn’t know whether to mention that to Aadi though. Knowing he would slightly judge me, only because he cared and wanted the best for me. I knew he would worry that I’d have my heart broken again and that perhaps Felix only wanted me for sex. Which wasn’t true at all. It was more than that. I knew I was falling hard.
“I hear you. I’m glad you decided to go, I think it’s good for you. Bring me back something nice, you know?” Aadi chuckled, something he did when he wasn’t being one hundred percent serious. He wouldn’t expect me to bring him gifts, he never was into gestures. He was more into people’s actions, how they really treated a person with no gimmicks. He just liked good company and honest conversations. He probably wanted that in his future partner too.
“Of course. I’ll bring you back a teddy bear that says ‘ I love you ’. I know that’ll make you cringe,” I joked and could hear my brother scoff at this. He knew I was joking though as he didn’t argue.
“Looking forward to seeing you when you come home,” Aadi said.
“Me too. I hope work goes okay, take it easy sometimes as you work so hard.” I felt like scolding him further but maybe it wasn’t the time.
“People to save, you know? Anyway, talk soon, Sis,” Aadi said, as I started to hear more noise in the background. Probably an emergency as my brother quickly hung up just as I said bye. It was nice to hear from him anyway, that he had made the effort to hear how I was. He didn’t do that very often. It reminded me that I needed to call my parents later and double check the plan again for Christmas.
But I knew this Christmas would be very different and of course, I had given my heart away. Gladly, as cheesy as that sounded.
***
I made a start on improving my half finished article, over the last hour I had written a few paragraphs and fixed some of the formatting so it read better. Culture Horizon had published their latest article and hinted that the next one would be coming from me, their budding star in the making. It made me feel giddy, knowing that Grayson really valued me and my work. I felt very appreciated and I guessed that was rare so I wouldn’t take it for granted.
I’d sent a few texts back and forth to Felix, some that made me laugh and then some steamy ones that made me clench my legs together.
God, the way he made me come this morning was incredible.
Mira had left in the early afternoon but texted to say that she would love to hang out again. I felt like she was quickly becoming a good friend to me and Ophelia. We didn’t mind having an additional member in our circle, the more the merrier.
My tea was slightly cooler to drink now and I took a few sips before getting back to work. Once I was in a mode, I didn’t want to get out of it. Work was important and I wanted my career to progress.
After half an hour, I knew I needed some downtime away from my laptop screen as otherwise, I’d get a headache. I felt like taking a walk and asking Felix to join me. If he was free. I clicked on his contact in my phone and pressed it against my ear, waiting for him to pick up. He answered in three rings.
“Hello, you. What’s up?” He sounded happy and that was good, he deserved to be. I could tell he was still at his aunt’s as she said hello in the background. Very cute.
“Totally fine. Just been getting on with some work but I need a break. I was wondering if you were free. We could go for a walk.”
“Ah, I’m actually still helping my aunt here, so I can’t come out,” Felix said but then I heard his aunt say something else to him in German. I was unable to make it out.
“Oh, um, why not come here? My aunt said she’d like to meet you and has plenty of food. It’d be just us three as Mira’s unwell,” Felix offered and it actually sounded lovely. Finally, getting to meet Felix’s aunt, who he adored. I knew I needed to set a good impression so I had to change my clothes. Wearing a hoodie and tracksuit bottoms wouldn’t be a good look.
“Okay, if you’re sure. I don’t want to be a burden.” I said.
“You won’t be, sweetheart. I want to see you.” Felix told me and it was enough to convince me.
Right, make yourself look presentable.
“Okay, I’ll get a taxi or bus up to you. Don’t worry about coming to get me, honestly,” I reassured him, not wanting him to protest. Thankfully, he didn’t and said he’d see me soon. Felix texted me the address, which I worked out was a short bus journey away. The bus station was about a five-minute walk from his, which I didn’t mind.
When I hung up, I darted to my bedroom to comb through my wardrobe for a suitable outfit. After pondering on several options, I decided to go with a dark blue pair of jeans, a white vest top with a floral pattern and a soft purple cardigan with gold buttons. On my feet, I’d wear some comfortable lace-up boots. It was comfortable and not too flashy. I wanted Felix’s aunt to see the real me, over dressing wouldn’t be.
I added a touch of pink lip gloss to my lips and touched my cheeks with a bit of blusher. Feeling satisfied with my attire and face, I twisted my long hair up into a half-up, half-down style, leaving loose strands of hair to fall down either side of my face. I picked up a pair of silver studs too and placed these in my ear lobes. I didn’t often wear studs; I was more of a hoop girl but the studs seemed more suited to this outfit. They were real silver too.
“Okay, let’s do this,” I told myself in the mirror and made a move to exit the chalet, not before grabbing my phone and purse. I had also picked up the unopened bottle of rosé that was on the kitchen counter and stuffed it into my bag. There was just enough space, thankfully. My card had plenty of money left, and it was easy to use with just a simple tap for transactions. I had the app too so I could see my purchases and the exchange rates.
I had change in my purse just in case the bus driver wouldn’t accept my card, the fare was pretty cheap anyway. At almost 3:30 pm, the bus arrived, and I could see it was barely full, which calmed me down. I couldn’t quite handle a full bus and having someone random sit next to me.
I placed my earphones in, clicking on Spotify so I could immerse myself into the world of music. It passed the time a lot quicker and before I knew it, I had arrived.
I thanked the driver as I got off, taking in the outside surroundings. The bus station on this side of the town was slightly busier and lots of children were hanging out together, some even smoking. It shocked me to be honest, whenever I saw this as things had really changed since I was a kid. Kids and teenagers nowadays are trying all sorts. I was thankful that I hadn’t. Smoking just wasn’t for me.
I accessed the maps on my phone and typed in Felix’s address, the route worked out to be a five-minute walk exactly. I moved my feet and kept on listening to music but switched to some slower tunes, which matched the pace I was walking at.
As I turned a corner, my phone vibrated to let me know I was getting close. The houses in the area looked amazing, with well-kept front gardens, most of them growing an array of colourful, fresh flowers. It made me think of my own dream home.
The bottle of wine that I had bought for Felix’s aunt was clinking in my bag. I hoped she liked rosé as it was the best brand I could find in our kitchen. Whenever I went round to people’s houses, I always liked to bring something as it was polite.
I reached a large house with a gravel drive and recognised Felix’s Range Rover immediately. I remember the first time I’d gotten into his car and how nervous the two of us were. So much had changed and feelings were stronger than ever. We had both grown as people. Felix had healed many parts of me and I was grateful for that.
Felix must have noticed me as I stood there admiring the house and hadn’t moved. He was standing at the front door, a soft smile appearing on his face.
I loved the way he looked at me.
He was wearing a loose, dark blue shirt with the first few buttons undone. He looked absolutely divine, leaning against the door frame and gazing intensely at me. A look that could rupture me entirely.
Right, move your feet woman and go say hi to your man.
I did as my self-conscious told me, every step making me more and more excited. Crazy how we’d literally seen each other this morning, but I already missed everything about him.
“Hello. Your aunt’s house is nice,” I said nervously.
“Hello,” Felix said in his sexy, husky voice and pulled me into his burly arms to capture a deep kiss.
As we were getting lost in one another, someone cleared their throat behind us. I felt a little embarrassed but this feeling dissolved quickly as soon as I saw Felix’s aunt and her friendly smile. She didn’t seem bothered, rather very happy for her nephew.
“Sorry to interrupt you. My name is Brenna, pleasure to meet you,” Brenna said and I had a good look at her, noticing the similarities between her and Felix. Only slight but you could tell they were family.
“Nice to meet you too. Thank you for having me over at your lovely house. I brought you some wine if that’s okay.” I reached into my bag and pulled out the slender bottle, offering it to her.
“Oh, you didn’t have to! Thank you.” Brenna looked as though she was in awe and then pulled me into a tight hug as if I had given her a billion euros or something.
“Well, come on in. I’ve got some food cooking, I hope you like cheese as I’ve got a Brettljause prepared. Then we’ll have my famous goulash soup, I think you’ll like that.” Brenna gushed and just on cue, my stomach grumbled. I already felt right at home.
This was so different from when I met Caden’s family or rather I had to push him for months to finally meet them. Looking back at it, I could see he never wanted me to meet them as he hadn’t been serious about me. Plus, add the cheating.
But that was then and this was now. I focused on the lovely woman in front of me, who started to show me around her house and ask me many questions about my life, my hopes and hobbies. Felix was trailing behind me and every so often, I’d turn back to look at him. It felt like he’d always be behind me, physically and mentally. It was just what I needed.