49. Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Alisha
B eing back home had been strange for the first few days but now having been back for more than two weeks, I’d fallen right back into my normal routine. Except now every day and night I’d talk to Felix. I’d fallen asleep often while still on call with him and there were times he didn’t hang up when I did this. I’d wake up in the morning to find my phone halfway down the bed and pick it up to see Felix gently snoring on camera.
Work was a lot of fun these days, my article had been released and the reception from the readers had been positive. Grayson was keen for me to write my next article, so I presented the one I had written about falling in love with Felix to him. It was soppy but it was from the heart. I wanted to express that what I had with Felix wasn’t just a fling, it was more. I wasn’t aware if Felix had even seen it since I hadn’t told him once it had been published. I’d told Mira though, in the hope that she’d pass it on to her brother.
A few days after returning from Austria, I had been half expecting to receive another text from Felicity to wish me. I was thankful that she hadn’t contacted me and it was a sign that I was ready to forget about our friendship. In terms of my mental health, I was doing a lot better. Whenever I did have a bad moment, I’d either call my sister or Felix.
My parents gave us a wonderful meal on Christmas Day, and my grandparents really enjoyed seeing us all. They flew back after a few days and tonight, we’d be celebrating New Year’s Eve. We’d be celebrating at our local restaurant, with lots of my parents’ friends. My aunts and uncles would also be there. Ophelia would be joining us but the deeper part of me wished Felix would be here too.
Kiya was the only sibling who knew about him, I hadn’t felt comfortable telling my brothers yet knowing how they’d react. Or even my parents, who may judge me slightly less but still have questions. I knew there’d be a lot of explaining to do, my parents liked it when I was honest and they’d feel a little hurt that I hadn’t told them sooner. But that had been up to me.
“Eeeeeek, you look gorgeous didi.” Kiya was circling around me, I was surprised she wasn’t getting dizzy. But that was just her and her infectious energy. I was wearing a black off-the-shoulder dress, my eyes slightly smokey, and my lips a deep red.
“Thanks, bon,” I replied. My sister looked beautiful too, in a dark red flowing dress and gold heels adorned on her feet. Her chestnut hair was flowing in gentle curls around her shoulders and she’d even painted her fingernails red to match her dress.
“Look at my beautiful girls.” Mum walked into the living room, holding a plate of chaat dip. Good timing as I was starving. I couldn’t help but eat a mouthful as soon as she placed it on the table.
“And my beautiful sons, too,” Mum said as my two brothers walked into the room, looking very sharp in their suits. We all looked the part. The only family member we were waiting on was my dad, who ten minutes ago had a telling off from Mum for not being ready yet.
“Yeah, yeah.” Zane rolled his eyes as Mum pulled him into a hug after setting down the food on the table. He would always say he hated affection but really, he loved it. Who could pass up a cuddle from Mum?
Aadi stood beside me, giving me a sloppy grin. He looked lovely but I knew he wouldn’t want me to compliment him. He was far too humble. He’d managed to get time off work for this evening, which initially he grumbled about because he didn’t want to let down his colleagues. But eventually, he came to terms with it and realised that family was just as important.
“I’m so glad the family is together again.” Mum looked at us proudly. She looked at us as though we were her greatest achievements.
“I need to get back to mine though, I forgot something,” I said. I also remembered Ophelia would be meeting me there but said she was running a little late.
“Okay, we can meet you at the restaurant then. Fireworks will be going off at midnight in the back garden,” Mum said, just as Dad entered the room. All of us let out a whistle as we admired his attire. Dad didn’t wear a tux very often, usually a sherwani but tonight he wanted to try something different.
“So, that’s why you were taking so long!” Kiya giggled as she pressed a cheek on dad’s cheek.
“Had to look my best for my family, pyraai.” Dad tapped Kiya on her nose and then looked at us all.
“You always look your best, mera pyar.” Mum gushed as she looked at her husband. My brothers groaned as she kissed Dad but it was a quick kiss. My parents weren’t usually into public displays of affection but tonight was an exception. I liked seeing them happy.
“Oh wow, I really need to go.” I looked at my phone and slightly panicked at the time.
“Go! We’ll see you there,” Zane said. I felt a bit guilty leaving them all but couldn’t keep my friend waiting. Plus, I needed to feed Chou and change his cat litter. He had been really happy when I returned home and slept on my chest for most nights. He had been good company, as I needed some form of embrace.
“Bye!” I blew a kiss to my family and then closed the door behind me, holding my dress up as I went down the stairs. As gracefully as I could in these heels too. I’d swap the heels once I got in the car for my driving shoes. Made me sound old but I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Driving back to mine was quiet, as it was New Year’s Eve and the roads were quiet as people were celebrating either indoors or at events. I looked at the time to see it was eight o’clock, meaning I really needed to hurry. I stepped on the gas a bit more and sighed in relief as soon as I saw the road I lived on.
No sign of Ophelia, well her car wasn’t here at least. I parked up as close to the curb as I could, turned off the engine, and hobbled out of the car. Again, walking in this dress wasn’t easy but I managed to get up the stairs toward my apartment.
Chou was sleeping on the sofa when I came in but lifted his head when he saw me.
“Yes, hello, darling.” I scratched him on his head and he licked my palm as if it was his own way of saying hello back.
“Want some food?” I raided the cupboard for a packet of his favourite food, which I squeezed into his blue cat bowl. He padded over but not before rubbing himself against my legs. He then gobbled down his food. I was happy he was happy.
“Come on, Ophelia.” I sunk into my sofa, checking the time again. 8:30 pm. She said she’d be here by then, at least.
But once I heard a few knocks at the door, I immediately got up and knew I’d ask her what took so long. I swung open the door once I took the lock off the latch, ready to face my friend.
“Ophelia, what happened?” I said but the person I was looking at was not my best friend. My mouth gaped open as I scanned the person’s body, from their feet up to their head. Those eyes I had lost myself in dozens of times. Those hands that had held me so gently whenever we made love and those lips that kissed me softly. I was lost for words.
Felix.
I couldn’t believe he was here. He was breathing heavily, as if he’d run here straight from Austria. Which would be a true trek and I wouldn’t expect anyone to do that for me. But the fact that he was here was enough.
“What are you—” I started to ask but I was silenced by Felix’s lips, hungrily attacking my own. I moved my lips against his, sighing in pleasure as he pulled me closer to his chest. His scent enveloped around me, like a spiral I didn’t want to unravel. Oh, I missed him so much.
“Alisha, I love you,” Felix declared as soon as we stopped kissing. I felt like my soul had gone to heaven when he told me this but I needed to come back down to him. To tell him how I felt too. But this time, with spoken words. No hiding behind my writing.
“I love you, too.” I cupped his cheek. No truer words had ever been said. Felix pressed another kiss to my near swollen lips, his broad hands on either side of my waist. We could kiss forever if we wanted to but I had questions for this man. So I asked them.
“How did you manage to get here? I thought the flights would have been fully booked. Or did you ski here?” I joked but knowing that wouldn’t be possible. I knew he’d understand my sense of humour though. Skiing was what had brought us together.
“I managed to find a flight at the last minute, I got here yesterday. I knew I wanted to be here once I read that article you wrote about me,” Felix said, linking his arms around my waist. Knowing that he read it and then decided to fly all the way over here validated how he felt about me. I needed to ignore the negative comments in my head from now on. The man loved me.
“You are amazing. What did you think of the article?” I nuzzled my head into his chest, inhaling his scent. I then lifted my head to observe his outfit. He was dressed in a white shirt with a black tie and a pair of smart patent lace-ups.
“You write so well. You caused Mira to cry.” Felix chuckled and then placed one finger under my chin, tilting my head slightly upwards. His gorgeous hazel eyes gazed into my own, full of love for me.
“Didn’t make you cry then?” I teased.
“Almost, baby. But I don’t want to feel sad about us. Let’s be happy. I want to spend forever with you, if that’s what you want too,” Felix told me. I wanted forever too.
“I do. It’s what I’ve always wanted.” I wanted to feel his lips on mine again, so I was brave and initiated the kiss, fire igniting inside of me again when his tongue entered my mouth. My hands turned into fists to grip his shirt but we needed to stop. My family was waiting for me at the restaurant.
“As much as I want to stay here and kiss you into oblivion, my family is waiting for me. Would you like to come?” I asked Felix nervously. This was big but I needed to put my brave boots on and introduce the man I loved to my family.
“Of course. I want to reign in the New Year with you all,” Felix said.
“I can’t believe we get to start the New Year together.” I gushed, pulling him closer to me. The fact that he had come all this way to see me demonstrated that we were in it for the long haul. He loved me. He really did. And I loved him with my whole being.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way, sweetheart,” Felix added and we held hands all the way to the car and all the way to the restaurant too.
And tonight, we had chosen each other. Our future together was clear. And I was no longer afraid of it. I would choose Felix in a million lifetimes and I was thankful that I had gone on that trip to Ischgl. It was a true resort to romance.