I spent the next two days finishing the painting while keeping Christopher company in his ward. I would bring him home-cooked meals I prepared as well.
Once I roused from my afternoon nap, I shrieked and started searching high and low for something. Christopher held me firmly in between his arms, caressing my back while asserting, “What’s wrong? Is it another nightmare?”
“No!” I wiped my perspiring forehead dry. Instead of a nightmare, I had another serious issue in mind. Grasping Christopher’s hand, I asked, “Since Darius is aware of our relationship, is he going to tell your parents? What should I do if they show up and confront me?”
Christopher rolled his eyes and went dead silent for a few seconds. He shook his head and asked, “Don’t you think you’re way too much of a laggard? Has this just occurred to you when it’s already his third or fourth visit?”
I answered in a hushed voice, “Well, your condition had been my sole concern over the past few days. On top of that, I was overly occupied with the gifts you bought me. Now, why don’t you stop making fun of me and tell me everything? Is Darius going to tell your parents?”
I was afraid our relationship would be made known to others when Lyle and I had yet to divorce. If his parents figured out the sort of messed-up relationship I had, they might not want me anywhere near their son.
“You need to calm down because Darius has always been a man of few words. On top of that, he dropped by and warned me not to try anything silly. It was evident he cared about you more than me.”
Christopher tucked himself in and added with a dejected look, “I’d have thought you were his sister if it weren’t because I was certain he was my biological brother. Now, why don’t you tell me the sort of relationship he has with you? I noticed he had been keeping an eye on you since you showed up at our place.”
I was slightly taken aback when I found out Darius was afraid his brother would take advantage of me. It felt so surreal to have someone keeping an eye to ensure I was safe and sound.
“He told me he was a classmate of my mother. I was equally shocked when he shared the news with me while we were in the middle of a dance. After all, he considers my mother, who’s at least a decade older than him, a friend of his.”
“Your mother?” Christopher gaped at the news because he found it unbelievable as well.
“Yes, my mother.” I was slightly upset when we started having a conversation revolving around Amelia. She was supposed to be my emotional pillar, but she was never there when I needed her the most.
As much as I was concerned she would be having it tough on her own, I held a grudge against her for leaving me alone with those from the Tanner family. I tried my best to forget about her, but I just couldn’t ignore her presence in my life.
“Christopher, I hate it the most when someone leaves me without giving me a heads-up. If you have to leave me in the future, can you at least inform me?”
He glared at me and flicked my forehead. I returned the favor and asked with my eyes welling up, “What are you doing? It hurts!”
Christopher answered with a scowl, “I need to teach you a lesson to stop you from overthinking things.”
He started running his hands across my body and announced, “If it weren’t because I was injured, I would’ve long taught you the proper way to behave yourself, including the things to avoid mentioning.”
My cheeks reddened the moment I felt something stiff in between my things when he had his arms around me.
I reprimanded the lustful man in a hushed voice, “You should’ve seen it coming! I’m not going to satisfy your urge on your behalf! Just hold it back until you’re able to get rid of it!”
Shortly after he leaned over and kissed me on the neck, he looked at me and confessed, “You don’t have to worry because I’ll never leave you alone. You’re the only one that matters.”
Once again, his confession took me by surprise, overwhelming the needy me. Unable to resist the tidal waves of emotions I felt, I wrapped my arms around him with all my might.
Out of the blue, he instructed, “Since I’m such a lovely man, am I able to get you to do me a favor yet? Come on! It’s time for you to shine!”
I was rendered speechless by the lustful thought he had in mind.
