~Alistair~
Eliana’s family’s lake house was so beautiful and comfortable, and whoever designed it did his job well. Whenever I got the chance again to speak with her parents, I was going to ask them to introduce me to the architect who designed their lake house, as well as thank her mother for the extremely sweet butter cookies she had had Eliana deliver to me the other day.
The lake house was surrounded by a lush forest, and oak trees, gently merging the house with its surroundings. Positioned on a steep slope of a lake’s edge, it was a one-storey apartment, located in Lake Shore Avenue, Los Angeles, California. There were two large glass windows that opened up to the facade and gave views to the lake beyond. It was quite a beautiful sight to see, and although I had never wanted one since I already had my privacy at home, I now wanted one to serve as an escape from the city's dry climate.
Sometimes, I could really get fed up of living in the city, with all its hustle and bustle. Having a place where I could just be far away from the rest of the world, and the noise it brought, was going to feel like heaven to me. I could sit by the water, getting the fresh breeze the environment brought, while reading a book. Many people did not know it, but truly, one wasn’t living, unless completely surrounded by the natural things of the world. I couldn’t, however, abandon my life in the city, so, I could only go to my lake house, when I finally had one built, once or twice every month, to cool off and feel relaxed.
When I had asked Eliana why they had one, she said it served as a quiet refuge for them. However, according to her, she hadn’t been here in years. I didn’t quite like the idea of having to come here with her, but I liked the idea of getting away with her to a lake house that was mine. Anyways, there was no rush. We had all the time in the world...
I stopped thinking abruptly. We had all the time in the world? I had made it sound like we were married, and we had already taking solemn vows to be with each other till either of us died. How could I be so sure that we had all the time in the world? What if she woke up one day and decided to break things up? We had only just known each other for a little while, and there was no telling what could happen.
I shook my head, clearing my head, and trying to remain optimistic, but certainly not unrealistic. I washed my hands in the bathroom sink, and heaved a sigh. Why was I scared of losing her? Why was I suddenly being doubtful and pessimistic about everything?
I stepped out of the bathroom, with my bare chest, and Jean trousers. Eliana was sitting down, pressing her phone, and smiling. A tiny wave of jealousy flushed through me, as I started to wonder if she was smiling, because of something Sam had sent to her.
I just walked around, so, I could be at her back, and then used my ability to see further, and to my greatest joy, she was texting none other than Carrie.
“You spent a lot of time in the bathroom,” She said.
“Yes, I did. Did you miss me?” I asked, sitting on the bed, and leaning close to her.
‘Isn’t it obvious that I did?” She asked, looking up from her phone, and smiling at me.
I shook my head, in negativity. “No, it isn’t obvious. If you really did miss me, you wouldn’t be here smiling. You’d rather be wearing a pout, and looking moody,” I responded.
“You can’t always tell people’s emotions from their facial expressions,” She argued.
“I know, but I can sense them, and I sensed that you were happy when I walked into the bedroom,” I said.
“Isn’t there a way that you can’t sense stuff? Can’t you choose not to use your powers?” She asked.
“Sadly, no,” I said, wearing a smirk.
“Well, it’s not like I can feel just one emotion at once. I can feel more than one emotion at the same time, so, you have no case,” She said, with a shrug of her shoulders.
“That’s your argument? Well, even though you claim to have had mixed feelings and all of that, there was a dominant emotion. Guess what it was? It was happiness. With that, I rest my case,” I said, with a wide grin.
She looked upset, and pouted like a child, folding her arms across her chest. “Objection, my Lord,” She stated.
“Objection overruled. I hereby rule in favour of Mr Alistair Duke,” I said, mimicking a judge, by hitting my hand, in place of a gavel, on the bed.
“You can’t be a judge in your own case,” She said, pointing a finger at me, as a warning.
“What was I supposed to do? You said: Objection, my Lord. Who were you referring to?” I asked.
“That’s not your business. As a fellow lawyer, you had no right to conclude the case, and dismiss it. You have lost this battle, therefore, for not strictly adhering to protocol,” She said, with a broad mischievous smile.
“Cheat!” I exclaimed.
“Don’t worry. Next time, you’d win,” She said, sticking out her tongue.
I tried to act like I was upset, but I couldn’t control myself any longer, and gave in to laughter, which she joined in.
In the course of laughing, she came crashing on top of me, and I lay on the bed, wrapping my arms around my waist. Our eyes locked, and soon, the laughter quieted down.
“You went through all that just to prove to me that you actually did miss me?” I asked, looking at her with admiration.
She nodded, positively. “Of course, I had to,” She responded.
“I love you so much,” I said.
“And I love you, too,” She told me, then with a small smile, plastered her lips on mine, kissing me in a soft and cute way.
The kiss came to an abrupt end, when suddenly, her stomach rumbled, as loud as our ears could hear it. At first, we stopped kissing, but our lips were still locked together, but when the rumbling sound came again, we both burst into another round of laughter.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you were feeling hungry?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I thought I was hungry for you,” She replied.
“Well, it turns out that you’re hungry for food,” I said.
“Yes, I am,” She rolled over to the side of the bed, and I turned to face her.
“What is it?” I asked.
“There’s this place down the road, where they sell street food. We could get burritos and fries,” She suggested.
“Oh. How about we do that tomorrow? I’m too lazy to stand up. We could have noodles, I saw some stacked in the cupboard, and they’re not yet expired,” I told her.
“Sounds like a plan. I eat two packs though, so, you don’t make any mistake when cooking. I wouldn’t mind eating the food meant for both of us if I’m not satisfied,” She said, with a sneer.
“You’re just a big foodie. I wonder how you manage to keep a slim figure when you eat so much, especially since you don’t even exercise. I’m curious,” I said.
She chuckled. “I am also curious. I have always had this stature for as long as I could possibly remember. It’s just natural, although my mum says I’ll definitely put on weight after getting pregnant, and having a child. At least, that’s what she used to say, before we stopped even looking each other in the eye,” She said.
I grimaced. “I’ll like to see her words come into manifestation.”
“Why would you want that? It’s not like you’d even like me or want me should I lose this figure,” She said, becoming a little bit worried, even though I was just joking with her.
I stroked her hair, affectionately. “Why would you think so? No matter how much weight you put on, your smile will still remain beautiful, and your heart will remain pure. I got attracted to you because your smile melted my heart, and I stayed with you because you have a good and kind heart. You’re a sweet person, Eliana, and no matter what changes, I’ll always like you for you. You’re all I want,” I told her, in a conclusive tone.
She gave me a brief kiss on the lips, and smiled lovingly at me. “You’re just so perfect, and everything I could have ever prayed for. Tell me something, babe. On a scale of 1-10, what are the chances that if I have your baby, he or she is going to be a werewolf?” She asked.
“10. Why do you ask?” I wondered.
“I just want to be sure I could someday have a child that is like you in every single way,” She said.
My heart melted, as she said those words. There was just something about her; something special. Each and every time she did something that made my heart soften like that, I just knew that she was the best thing that had ever happened to me. No one had ever been able to make me feel this way, and I liked how felt. I liked how she made me feel. I loved her.
Cradling her in my arms, I gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Please, don’t change. I don’t want things to ever change between us. I can’t stand ever losing you. You’re different than every other woman I’ve ever known,” I said.
“Well, maybe it’s because you’re different from every other man I’ve known, too. I will not change, so, don’t change, too. It will kill me if I ever lost you,” She said, and snuggled closer to me, burying her face in my chest.
My eyes caught hold of her phone. It had just begun to vibrate, and the caller ID showed that it was Sam who was calling her phone. Jealousy swelled in me, and before she noticed it was vibrating beside her, I ended the call, and turned off her phone, without her knowledge.
“It’s like my phone’s ringing,” She said, and tried to turn over.
Pulling her back into my arms, I said, “No, it’s not. You’re just hearing my heart beating fast,” I lied.
“Why is it beating fast?” She asked.
“It is beating fast, because the woman I’m head over heels in love with is by my side,” I told her, pressing her closer to my chest.
She giggled softly, putting her legs over mine, and soon, she began to doze off.
“My heart's beating fast because I’m next to you, too,” She said, sleepily, and soon, her soft snores began to fill the room.
I continued stroking her hair, as I pondered over what I had done. If Eliana found out that I had switched off her phone without her permission, or declined Sam’s call, she was probably going to be mad at me. I shouldn’t have done that, and I had let jealousy get the best of me.
I was scared of losing her, but why was I doing things that would only likely cause problems for us in the future, and make us drift apart? I needed to stop getting my emotions get in the way, and get a hold of myself.
That was the last thought on my mind, before my eyes gave way to sleep, with Eliana in my arms.