Chapter 11
Celani
The next morning, I wake up feeling much lighter than I did the day before.
After talking to Killian yesterday I feel myself coming out of my funk. I am still a little shocked by how much he opened up with me after weeks of failed attempts at friendly conversations.
At first I thought that he was just speaking to me out of pity after hearing the way that Pierce spoke to me in the car. But I soon realized that he genuinely cared, and wanted to know more about me.
When I finally ventured upstairs last night, Pierce was already asleep with his phone still in his hand. I climbed into bed and lay there for a long time thinking about how to move forward with him.
I began rationalizing our argument in the car again in my head and telling myself that it is all just the stress of his new job making him act the way he has been. But deep in my heart I know that it’s not true. There’s more going on between us than he wants to admit and try to fix.
If he thinks that speaking to me the way he does, then giving me a half-assed apology is going to convince me to marry him, he is in for a serious dose of reality.
Today I’m determined to get out of this house and have a better day.
I check the weather and see that it is going to be gloomy, but thankfully without rain today, so I call a hairstylist that I’ve been to a few times since I moved here.
I ask if she can squeeze me in for a blowout, and luckily for me she has a cancellation she can fit me into.
I get dressed and head down the stairs, my happy mood soaring even higher when I see Killian at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me like he does every morning, wearing his all black gear.
I’ve come to dislike Sundays since he started working for us. It is the only day that he is completely off, and it always makes me a bit sad walking down the stairs in the morning to an empty foyer. I’m thankful that it is the middle of the week and we still have a few days left together.
“Good morning, Killian!” I chirp, giving him a big smile.
I’m surprised when his lips move and give me a crooked smile in return.
“Good morning, Celani,” he says, quickly regaining his stoic composure. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’m good, thanks. How was your sleep?” I ask, walking alongside him into the kitchen.
He looks at me from the corner of his eye. “It was fine.”
I stop next to the island and look up at him. “What was wrong?” I ask, hearing the uncertainty in his tone.
He rubs a hand over the stubble on his chin, looking away from me. “I just have a hard time sleeping sometimes,” he admits.
His eyes search mine for a moment. “I..worry about you when I’m not with you.”
My breath catches in my throat and I step closer to him instinctively, needing to understand exactly what he means. “Do you normally feel that way when you’re working for someone?” I ask quietly.
He shakes his head slowly. “No. Never.”
I reach over and gently touch his arm and he follows the motion with his eyes. “You don’t have to worry, Killian,” I promise quietly. “If I ever felt unsafe I promise I would call you.”
He reaches down and brushes his thumb over my cheek.
“What I worry about is you not being able to.”
My skin warms under his touch, and I give him a small smile.
“You would know I needed you. I’m sure of it,” I say, even though I’m unsure of where the confidence of what I’m saying comes from.
Something inside of me just knows it’s true.
I try to tell myself it’s just because he is so good at his job, but in my heart I think that it’s more than that.
His hand falls from my face and he stands up straight. “I would,” he says, confidence filtering back into his voice.
I smile and take a step back from him trying to calm my racing heart. I nod towards the fridge. “You want some eggs and toast?”
He shakes his head, “I’ve already eaten. But thank you, Celani.”
I go to the fridge and instead of sitting in his usual place and taking out his laptop he stays standing in the kitchen with me, watching me intently.
“Are we going out today?” He asks, as I stir the eggs into the pan.
I stop stirring, realizing that the second I saw him I forgot about my morning plans. “Oh, yes! I actually made a hair appointment, so I need to be at Evolve Salon at 9. Sorry for the short notice,” I explain.
“Whatever you want to do, and wherever you want to go is never an issue, Celani. We are all here for you,” he responds calmly.
He speaks into his watch letting Jules and Asher know the new plans, then looks at me again. “Whenever you’re ready we are too.”
I bite back a smile. “Thank you, Killian,” I murmur, feeling grateful for his sweet response.
He never makes me feel bad if I forget to tell him something. He never makes me feel bad about anything I say or do. He really has no idea how much that means to me right now when I feel so nitpicked for everything I do.
I finish cooking and he moves to pull my chair out for me at the island. He rubs my shoulder gently and takes the seat next to me, working on his phone while I eat breakfast.
When I’m done I go to wash my dishes and my phone beeps on the counter. I’m shocked when I see the message on it:
Pierce: What are you doing today?
“What’s wrong Celani?” Killian asks, moving to stand up.
I inhale a breath realizing I’m standing here looking dazed. “Oh..nothing,” I say, feeling confused. “I just..Pierce asked me what I’m doing today, and I can’t remember the last time he did that.”
Killian glares at my phone as I type a response:
I’m going to Evolve to get my hair done in a bit. Why?
His response is almost immediate:
Pierce: Just don’t go anywhere without Killian. I’ll see you tonight.
I read over his message twice, an uncomfortable feeling settling in my stomach.
When have I gone anywhere without Killian since he was hired?
Killian steps beside me and I hold up my phone to show him Pierce’s strange message.
“Is there something new going on that I don’t know about?” I ask, studying his face as he reads the text.
He glares at the phone and a dark look passes over his face.
The unsettled feeling blooms in my stomach, and I drop the phone down to my side. “Killian? Is there something you’re not telling me?” I ask quietly.
He looks at me for a long moment before shaking his head. “If there is something going on I promise I will tell you, Celani.”
I frown, not feeling completely comforted by his words. I was hoping for an outright denial, or for him to tell me that everything is perfectly fine and there is nothing to worry about.
He lifts his chin towards the hallway. “Come on. Let’s get you to your appointment.”