47. Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Alisha
S leep always came easy these days. I woke up in Felix’s arms, shattered, but the feeling of euphoria washed over me. Felix looked radiant sleeping next to me and I knew I’d have to say goodbye to him soon. I felt as though it was killing me, that I was losing one half of me.
But it was time to go home. People were waiting for me. Chou was waiting for me and I missed my little fur buddy, his soft purrs and gentle kneads. There was so much I missed about England too.
What was ahead in terms of my job excited me, the article was pretty much done and was going through a round of edits. Grayson had been really happy with me over the last few days, I remembered when we had our video call, he said he was proud of me and he could tell through my writing that I’d really enjoyed myself.
He was thinking of making trips a regular thing now, but would alternate between staff to make it fair. I’d come back to Ischgl, of course, but didn’t have a date set in mind just yet. I needed to work out a few things back home.
It was time to get up, and as much as I wanted to stay in Felix’s arms, I needed to return to the chalet and finish packing. The place also needed a clean too before we handed back the keys.
“I’ve gotta get up, Felix,” I softly said to him, kissing his bare shoulder. As I made a move to exit the bed, his strong arm wrapped around my waist to stop me.
“Five more minutes,” he grumbled.
Five more minutes then.
And what seemed like more than five minutes later, I needed to get up. I needed a shower, as my legs were a bit sticky from Felix’s release last night. It made me blush thinking about it.
“Want me to help you pack?” Felix asked me once we were finally dressed. He’d made us a fresh pot of coffee and I was guzzling mine down, needing the caffeine to be more alert. Felix looked tired today, his hair slightly ruffed and visible bags under his eyes. His eyes were also sad and I knew why. He didn’t want me to leave. I didn’t want to either.
“Yeah, that’d be great,” I told him. In a few minutes, we left his place to get back to the chalet. Ophelia had the front door open already when we arrived, as she was taking the bins out. I mumbled a hello to her on the way in and Felix followed closely behind me.
“I can take away leftovers from your fridge,” Felix suggested, scanning the contents in our fridge. I was making a start on cleaning the cupboards, the stove and then the floor. We knew the host would clean up again once we left, but it was a decent thing for us to leave the chalet how we first saw it.
“Thanks, Felix!” Ophelia called out as she was walking toward her room. I scrubbed everything until it was practically shining and the floor was starting to dry. Felix had put all the leftover food in a bag and was wiping the shelves in the fridge with a cloth. It was sweet as I hadn’t even asked him to do that. Another thing I’d miss about him; his willingness to help.
“I’d love to take some food back with me, but don’t think security will be too keen,” I said, once I scanned the contents Felix had packed. A few blocks of cheese, some sauces, milk and a couple of sausages. From the cupboards, he’d taken pasta, salt, some of the spices and some tuna cans. Me and Ophelia hadn’t touched the tuna for some reason.
“Well, it saves me shopping tonight,” Felix replied.
“True. I’m going to finish packing now,” I announced, remembering Felix wanted to help with this too. I’d see what his folding skills were like in action. My room was half clean so I’d sort this out after packing.
I rummaged through the chest of drawers to take out my underwear and then the rest of my casual clothes. Dresses and smart outfits were hung up in the cupboard and they’d go in my suitcase last.
Once I had a wad of clothes in my hands, I set them down on my bed so I could start folding. Felix joined me and after I showed him my method, he managed to do it well. My suitcase was fully packed in twenty minutes and the next things I needed to get were my toiletries, shoes. Electrical equipment had to stay out of my suitcase and go in my hand luggage. Anything with liquid had to go in a clear bag, which luckily I had a few spare ones of.
“Finally.” I let out a deep sigh once everything was sorted,but I had a few more jobs to do.
“What time are you getting the bus?” Felix asked as I was stripping the bed. The covers would go in the laundry basket which the host would take.
“About two o’clock.” I checked the time and we still had a few hours. The bus to the airport would only take an hour, so we’d arrive before check-in opened. I was getting a little hungry, so perhaps after tidying, we could grab something to eat.
“Okay, maybe we can take a break now and eat. Ask Ophelia to join us,” Felix said. I did just that but Ophelia was keen to keep cleaning and she still had a lot to pack. I underestimated how much she brought as I scanned her messy room.
“She’s stressed,” I told Felix as we headed out the door. We knew where we wanted to go, just a small cafe that did sandwiches and toasties. I’d bring back something for Ophelia because I didn’t want her going hungry.
“I hope she’s had a good time here,” Felix said as our boots crunched on the snow. There was no sun in the sky and it looked cloudy. I hoped it wouldn’t turn into a storm, as it’d made the flight more unbearable. I already had a fear of planes.
“We both have. Getting to work and having fun in this town. What more could we ask for? Just hope the bill hasn’t been too big for Grayson,” I said. My boss covered the accommodation expenses but Ophelia and I insisted that we’d pay for the food and other things. It was only fair. Grayson didn’t argue with it, it meant he didn’t have to dig further into the company purse.
Me and Felix ordered our lunch shortly after we took our seats and then suddenly, my phone pinged. I wasn’t expecting a text from anyone in particular and I sighed in relief when it was just a text from my mum wishing me a safe trip home. I texted her a quick reply before resuming conversation with Felix.
“Remember our coffee date?” I asked him, trying to think of happy memories rather than sad thoughts. This seemed to spark a light in Felix, who had been looking slightly crestfallen.
“It’s permanently inked in my mind.” Felix smiled.
“I remember how nervous I was.” I took a sip of my drink.
“Me too. But look where we are now,” Felix replied. I leaned across the table to squeeze his hand in mine. I didn’t know when I’d get to hold his hand again, so I didn’t let go.
“I’m going to visit the ski school later. Meeting up with the group for a few drinks,” Felix said as we had just finished eating our paninis. They had generously been filled with cheese and ham, with ranch dressing on the side. All we needed to do now was pay and get back to the chalet. I shoved Ophelia’s own panini in my pocket, thankful for the paper wrapping.
“I’m glad you’re doing what you love. I think you’ll have so much fun with this job,” I told him. I took out my card to pay for the meal before Felix could protest. I wanted this to be one last nice thing I’d do for him.
“My favourite student is you, though. I bet your family will be so proud of you when you tell them all the tricks you learnt.” Felix smiled warmly at me, slipping his hand into mine as we left the cafe.
“My brothers still can’t quite believe it. But when I show them the videos, they’ll shut up.” I grinned, imagining that the two of them would tease me at first but then keep their mouths shut once they saw how skilled I’d become. Then they’d never doubt their sister again. I’d win every argument from then on.
“I bet they can be a right laugh,” Felix said.
“Hmm, when it benefits them,” I replied. My brothers would tease but at the end of it, they meant well and they never did it to the point where I was in tears.
We got back within ten minutes and saw that Ophelia was cleaning the coffee table in the living room. Everything looked much better now, barely any evidence that two young women had been staying here for two weeks. I handed her the panini from my pocket and she took it gratefully with a hungry, wild look on her face.
“This couldn’t come at a better time.” Ophelia bit into her panini, which probably would have been cold by now. I guessed it didn’t bother her as she was that hungry.
“Right, is there anything else I can help you girls with?” Felix shoved his hands in his pockets, leaning against the door frame.
“We’re all set.” Ophelia smiled at him, a mouth full of her food.
“Then, I’m just going to chat with Alisha if you don’t mind,” Felix announced.
“Don’t get too frisky in there,” Ophelia joked and I mouthed shut up to her before we entered the bedroom.
“I just wanted to hold you. There’s so much I want to say but words won’t cover how I feel about you, Alisha,” Felix told me as we sat down on the stripped bed.
“I know, I have to tell you too. You’ve brought out the best in me and I’m so grateful to have met you,” I responded, resting my head on his shoulder. A single tear escaped my eye but I brushed it away quickly. I didn’t want him to see me cry because a whole waterfall would come out if he did.
“Alisha, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. These two weeks, they’ve felt longer and I wish we’d had more time.” Felix squeezed my hand in his.
“Make sure you call me every night.” I poked my finger into his chest. I wanted to hear from him every day if I could.
“You know I can’t avoid hearing that gorgeous voice of yours.” Felix rested his head on mine. We sat like this for who knows how long until it was time to go. We begrudgingly let go of one another, shaky breaths escaping our lips as we vacated the room.
The bus was waiting for me and Ophelia, having arrived three minutes early. We’d said our goodbyes to the chalet, hauled our suitcases out the door and gave the keys back to the host, who arrived about five minutes ago.
Now, I had to say goodbye to Felix who was looking at me sadly, almost as if he wanted to cry. I’d never actually seen him shed a tear though. Maybe because he’d trained himself to be strong after everything he’d gone through.
“It’s okay.” I gently cupped his cheek and then pressed my trembling lips to his. We fell into the kiss like we always did. His hands squeezed at my waist, pulling me closer. His mouth moved slowly with mine, my whole body sinking into his.
I finally released him reluctantly as I couldn’t keep Ophelia and the bus waiting.
“See you soon,” I told Felix.
“It was nice to meet you, Felix. And your sister.” Ophelia stood on the tip of her toes to hook her arm around Felix.
“Take care of each other,” Felix replied, patting Ophelia on the back. I grabbed my suitcase handle and started to walk toward the bus door but not before turning my head back to look at the man I loved fiercely.
“Bye,” I said one more time, my voice sounded as though it would crack. I don’t want to leave you.
“Auf Wiedersehen,” Felix replied, he looked crestfallen but there was nothing I could do. Me and Ophelia took our seats on the bus, once confirming our details with the driver. Out the window, I watched Felix, who hadn’t moved from his spot. I kept watching him as the bus started to drive off and he was still standing in the same position, the same crestfallen look on his face.
And I silently cried on the journey to the airport, wondering when would be the next time I’d see him. I hoped there would be a next time.