Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Ana?s
Rubbing the grit from my eyes, I slowly sit up and look around the room. I need to get packed up and out of this apartment.
Reaching for my phone, I groan as I swipe up and click on Nora’s name.
“Hey sweet…”
I cut her off.
“Didn’t think to book me in another apartment?” I whisper shout down the phone and she falls silent for a moment.
“I’m lost.”
“Do you know whose apartment you put me in?” I hiss at her.
“The company’s.”
“Mr Lexington’s!” My voice is louder now.
“No, no, his is penthouse t…” She stumbles on her thought. “Oh fuck.”
“Yeah, oh fuck.” I face palm myself, my heart racing under my chest. “I need somewhere else to stay, like yesterday.” I push from the bed and start frantically throwing my clothes into my suitcase.
“I’m on it, I had no idea… I am so sorry.” There’s concern in her voice.
“It’s fine.” My tone is curt. It’s not fine. But it really isn’t her fault.
“Leave it with me,” she says softly before cutting me off.
Letting my phone slip out of my hand and into the duvet, I place my hands on my hips and let out a heavy sigh. I needed out and quickly.
I had a whole day planned with Rue, and I didn’t want to cancel on her but at the same time, I now had to sort this out. Shaking my head, my hand covers my lips and my mind whirs.
Walking out of the bedroom, I tiptoe over to the kitchen as I grab a glass of water.
“Morning.” His low voice startles me as he walks into the living room and I jump, dropping the glass to the floor. It smashes beneath my feet.
“Shit,” I hiss as I look at the mess.
“Don’t move.” He is close to me within seconds, bent down in front of me as he begins to pick up the bigger pieces.
“Sorry,” I whisper to the top of his head before his face turns up to look at me.
His green eyes captivate me as they connect with mine, the breath catching at the back of my throat. Blonde hair, waved and styled in a messy way, with a parting slightly to the side, frames his strong jaw line, high cheek bones, full lips. A layer of stubble covers it all.
He’s handsome. Really handsome.
I always thought that, even when I was with Royce, but before when he looked at me, my stomach didn’t flip over.
Royce was more like his mum. If I didn’t know, I would never have put Creed as his father.
“Don’t say sorry, it wasn’t your fault.” His lips crease into a soft smile before he is back picking the glass up.
My fingers wrap around the edge of the worktop when he grumbles.
“You’re hurt.” His eyes are back on mine as he furrows his brows.
“It’s fine.” I wave it off, but his fingers are curled around my ankle as he lifts it up to get a better look.
“I’m going to get a dust-pan and brush,” he whispers as he delicately places my foot down.
I go to argue but decide against it, keeping my mouth shut. He continues to clean and then taps me on my ankle.
“Sit on the counter,” he asks, his voice tight.
I nod. Placing my hands behind me, I jump onto the side, legs dangling as he stands and walks out of the room. Dragging air into my lungs, I let out a slow and steady breath, as I try and calm my breathing.
He is back with the dustpan and brush and crouches in front of me as he cleans up the remainder of the glass. I stay silent. I am too scared to talk.
He gives the floor one last sweep and then he is back on his feet, discarding the glass into the bin.
I go to hop down, but he catches me and shakes his head from side to side.
“Let me go and get the first aid kit. You could do with a plaster.”
Opening my mouth, I close it quickly and roll my lips together. I hear my phone ringing from my bedroom—sorry, Creed’s bedroom—and I glance over my shoulder and listen to it ring off.
Frustration bites at my insides and I roll my eyes when I see him walking back in with the small medical bag.
“It really doesn’t warrant any of this.” My tone is sharp, and his shoulders lift and fall a little heavier than normal.
“Just let me do it.” His eyes flick to mine and I see the annoyance that flurries through them.
I bite the inside of my lip, he places the first aid box on the work surface next to me and unclips it, rooting through for wipes and a plaster.
“You’re being very over the top,” I say with a smirk
“I marked your skin,” he grunts
“You didn’t. The glass did. That I dropped.” I side eye him and he shakes his head
“That I made you drop, so it’s on me.”
“Cree…” I pause “Mr Lexington, honestly.”
“Be quiet, Ana?s.” At first, I am taken aback by his quip, but I watch a ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “And it’s Creed.”
I nod.
He reaches for my ankle and lifts it to his chest as he inspects the minuscule scratch. I can’t help but let out a soft giggle.
His eyes lift, brows furrowed as he searches my face. “What?”
I roll my lips tight. “Nothing,” I say quietly.
He narrows his gaze on me before peeling the cleaning wipe from its packet. Then, he swipes it over the graze, and I find myself wincing as it stings. Concern flashes across his face and I bear a wide grin.
“Sorry,” he says softly before discarding the wipe back in its packet then peeling back the plaster and placing it over the scratch.
“There.” He dusts his hands off and gives me a weak smile.
“Thank you.” I meet his gaze and ignore the way my heart skips a beat inside my chest.
“Welcome.” He turns away from me, collecting the first aid kit as he does, and disappears into the bathroom.
I wait for a beat or two, before I jump off the side and walk into my own bedroom, closing the door and taking a deep breath.
It takes me a minute to remember my phone was ringing. Diving onto the bed, I see Nora’s name. Swiping across the screen, I bring it to my ear and she answers on the first ring.
“What have you been doing?” She sounds flustered.
“I broke a glass,” I say softly, choosing to ignore the fact that he made me sit on the counter whilst he placed a plaster on my scratch.
“You good?”
“Yes,” I answer her.
“Okay, so...” She pauses, and I tease a look over my shoulder at the closed door. Not sure why, though.
“I can’t get you into a place until next week.”
“Right.” I face plant the thick duvet.
“I mean, I can keep trying.”
“Please.” I sound muffled.
“What?”
I lift my face.
“Please,” I repeat myself.
“I know it’s not ideal, but surely Creed won’t mind you staying there?”
I say nothing, just push my tongue into my cheek.
“It’s not ideal, at all.” I roll on my back and pin my eyes to the ceiling.
“It’s just a few nights…”
“I could maybe stay with my new friend Rue,” I mutter.
“New friend?”
“Yeah, she owns a little bookshop just off the market road, really nice,” I say nonchalant, tapping my fingers on my stomach.
“Well, that could be an option.” Her tone is a little bitter as I move onto my side and rest my elbow on the bed, my hand propping my head up.
“I’ll see…” I trail off.
“And if she says no, you stay with Creed for a few nights. Just keep out of his way.”
I nod as if she can see me and fall backwards so my eyes are back on the ceiling.
“Won’t be hard, I’ll be up and out all day and then if I am back when he is here, I’ll just duck into my room and lock myself away.”
“Exactly,”
I sigh and slowly sit myself up, looking at my closed bedroom door.
“I’m gonna go. I want to get dressed and head out for the day.”
“Meeting Rue?” Her voice is a little snarky and my lips twist.
“Don’t be jealous, Nora. It doesn’t suit you.” A soft laugh bubbles out of me and she cuts me off instantly which only makes me laugh harder.
Moving from the bed, I reach for my clothes and pad into the en-suite, showering myself and getting dressed.
Sitting on my bed, I pull out my compact and put a little make-up on before rubbing my lips with a pink lip gloss.
I am dressed in a stone-coloured waistcoat and matching shorts, finished off with black Hermes sandals.
My hair is in a slicked back pony which I finish off with a small black bow.
Spraying my perfume, I fumble around in my small jewellery bag to find my gold hoops and gold necklace.
A pang of sadness shoots through me at the dainty necklace I pull out, Royce’s number dangling from it.
I swallow down the tears that are threatening. Shoving the necklace back in the bag, I pull out another gold necklace, with a small seashell that dangles, and I clasp it on.
I sigh, as I turn and look at the mess that is my room and start packing bits away and into my suitcase, so I am ready to move when I need to. Living out a suitcase is not ideal, but I don’t really want to stay here any longer than I need too.
Pulling the door, I scope the open plan living room and relief swarms me that he isn’t here. I step out as I move towards the kitchen and turn the coffee machine on. It makes a noise and then trickles out into a mug.
I tap my foot on the floor, and I feel slightly impatient.
Turning, I see that it is done, so I scoop it up and bring it to my nose.
I inhale heavily before I reach for the milk and top it up with two sugars.
I take a mouthful and hum in appreciation.
Snapping a selfie of me and my coffee, I post it to my stories and then text Rue to see if I can hang with her today, to which she replies instantly telling me to head over when I am ready.
Sipping my coffee, I walk across the penthouse and stand at the floor to ceiling windows, my mind drifting to what Royce may or may not be doing.
I hated that he was on my mind, hated that he hurt me, but I kind of admire him for breaking up with me for the reason he did.
I knew he wanted the world championship, they all did, but Royce was so hungry for it.
He lived and breathed his career and to be that passionate about your job, well, not many people get that in their lifetime.
“Didn’t expect you to still be here.” Creed’s voice floats across the apartment and I find myself glancing at him over my shoulder.