9. Chapter 9
Giselle
I thought I was having a nightmare, but as I flutter my eyes open to see Loys blocking the front door and hear my ex on the other side, I realize it’s real life.
“Who the hell are you?” Hilarion says, his voice laced with venom.
“I’m Loys. And who are you?”
“None of your business, bro. I’m here for Giselle.”
“She’s not available at the moment,” Loys says firmly. Bless him for trying to protect my nap.
“Really? I’d like her to tell me that to my face.” I roll my eyes and sit up, not wanting Loys to have to deal with this.
“Look, I don’t know who you are, but I can let her know you stopped by.”
I come up behind Loys, touching him softly on his back so he knows I’m here. “It’s okay, Loys, I’m up now. No thanks to Hilarion, here.” He looks down at me, and then reaches out to run his hand down my hair. I’m assuming that means I must have bedhead, but the way he looks at me so sweetly has me leaning into his hand. He looks deeply into my eyes, searching them to make sure I’m okay with the man at the door. I give him a slight nod and he steps aside, allowing me room to talk to Hilarion.
“Is this why you haven’t returned any of my calls or texts since you’ve been back home? You’ve only been back for what? A month? And you’re already shacked up with someone?”
The old me would have caved under his intensity and told him everything he wanted to know, but I know better now. Five years away from Hilarion made me realize how controlling he was. It was like if I wasn’t at his beck and call, giving him the attention he needed, then it was my fault that he looked for it elsewhere. Our relationship was all about him, and I was just the trophy girlfriend. Except, even abiding by all his desires, I still wasn’t enough. I won’t ever let myself be with someone like that again.
“You don’t have the right to show up here and interrogate me or my guest. I don’t owe you any explanation. This is my home. And as for not responding to you, I don’t want to re-open any old doors, Hil, and I still don’t think you're ready to be just friends, judging by the way you're acting right now.” I hold my chin high, but I can feel myself shaking. I just hope he can’t tell.
The reality is, the wild look in his eyes and his clenched fists scare me. He’s a loose cannon and I wouldn’t put it past him to pick a fight with Loys just to feed his ego.
I let out a deep breath, waiting to see what a fuming Hilarion says next, when I feel the warmth of Loys’s hand at the small of my back. It’s like he’s lending me his strength. It feels so nice to have someone here to support me. It’s not something I’m used to, but I gladly welcome it.
“I’ll never be your friend, G, because I still love you—after all this time—and I’ll only ever see you as mine,” Hilarion says through gritted teeth.
“Well, my feelings haven’t changed in the last five years. I’ve moved on, and so should you.” I know he probably assumes that I mean I’m with Loys, but he can believe whatever he wants. I have moved on, whether I’m with someone else or not. I’ll never be with him again.
“You’re making a mistake.”
“Goodbye, Hilarion,” I say, shutting the door in his face. I let out a deep breath before looking at Loys. My cheeks are burning just thinking about the fact that he had to witness all of that.
“Well, that’s not a fun way to wake up from a nap,” he says, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Definitely not,” I say, my embarrassment fading into gratitude for this man. “I’m so sorry about that. My ex is relentless.”
“I’ve had my fair share of crazy exes, so I get it. I’m actually glad I could be here. I’m not sure you should be alone with him. He seems a bit volatile.”
“Trust me, I don’t want him anywhere near here. And I’m glad you were here too.” Feeling my cheeks flush with embarassment that Loys is now privy to my relationship baggage, I turn and look out the window. “He was… controlling. He didn’t support my dance career and wanted me to give it up to be with him. When I refused, he became even more possessive. Eventually, I found out he was cheating on me because I wasn’t around enough while dancing in San Francisco.”
Loys places his hand gently on my shoulder. “I’m sorry you went through that, Giselle.”
I sigh, turning to look at him. “That’s why trust is so important to me. I need to know that the person I’m with supports my dreams and respects my choices.”
He nods, his eyes softening. “That makes complete sense. For what it’s worth, you deserve so much better.”
“I’m sorry I fell asleep in the first place. I hadn’t meant to. Were you okay here while I was sleeping?”
“It’s your home. You should do whatever you want—please don’t feel like you need to do anything differently while I am here. And yes, I was perfectly fine. I made coffee and had a lovely chat with your aunt, who dropped off dinner for us.”
“Oh, please tell me it’s her gnocchi?”
“Yes—is it as legendary as it smells?”
“It’s my favorite meal in the entire world. It’s unlike any other gnocchi. I don’t know what magic she puts in it, but you’re in for a real treat.” I’ve asked my aunt for the recipe, but it’s top secret.
“Are you ready to have dinner now?” he asks.
“I could eat. What about you?”
“Absolutely. Your aunt said something about drinking merlot with it. Do you have that here or do we have to stomp the grapes ourselves?” he asks with a smirk.
“No need for that. I’m fully stocked on wine.”
“Okay, good, because I still think I was the worst grape stomper of all time.”
“You were fine. Besides, no ones great at it—that’s why we have equipment to do it now,” I say, tossing him a wink.
“Ah, that makes sense.” He smiles so unabashedly at me, and I can’t help but do the same back. I think I would do anything to make him smile like that.
I love how we can joke back and forth, like we’ve known each other for years. It’s so easy with him. And fun. And flirty. And we haven’t even opened the wine yet…
I’m as screwed as the cork.