“Turn around,” she softly orders against my mouth.
Releasing her locks, I twist away. My head drops, my breath leaving me in a rush when I feel the press of her soft lips between my shoulder blades. She peppers small and soothing kisses on every lash I earned from my father’s belt for disobeying him. Arya erases the distressing and agonizing memories with every loving kiss.
I turn my head slightly when her mouth grazes my ear. “Did you drink in here?”
“Yeah.”
Propping her chin on my shoulder, she says, “I want you to do something for me.”
“Anything, angel.”
“Throw away every bottle of alcohol you have in the house.”
A tremor rocks my body while my brain automatically begins to count all the bottles I have. A part of me becomes scared to let her see it. At the same time, I want her by my side while I take the first step in kicking the addiction.
“Okay,” I answer after a beat.
***
An hour later, both of us return to my bedroom, along with Pihu. There’s a lightness in my chest after emptying every liquor bottle and throwing them in the trash. I know I’m far from cured and will probably have the urge. However, I now have a reason to fight against it tooth and nail.
I have hope for a blissful future.
One day, I will fully crawl out of the dark void that made me its prisoner.
Tonight, I’ll hold my angel to keep it away.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Arya
I’m always bragging to my friends that nothing can disrupt my concentration mode. The earth can turn upside down and I won’t even notice until after I’m finished with my task. I’m excellent at blocking out unnecessary thoughts.
Yet I’ve taken more breaks than focus on work today.
The blame lies on Nathan.
It’s been two marvelous weeks since we’ve officially been together. He is the most attentive, loving, and protective man a girl could have. It’s no wonder that he’s on my mind twenty-four seven.
When we’re not at our respective jobs, we’re glued to each other the rest of the time and spending every night together. He drops and picks me up from work daily by waiting one block away to keep our relationship private. While sneaking around is fun and thrilling, I’m dying to announce to the world that he’s the love of my life.
Being patient has never been more tough.
The clock in my office chimes six pm, making my belly flip in anticipation of seeing Nathan. Snapping my laptop shut,I hastily get up from my chair and pack my bag. In less than a minute, I’m inside the elevator and watching the floors go down.
Stepping out into the lobby, I briskly head for the building’s exit. Hiking my purse higher on my shoulder, I stride on the sidewalk and take a left.
My heart lurches behind my ribs, my lips curve up when Nathan comes into view.
He leans against the driver’s side with his ankles crossed and a hand shoved inside his pocket. His eyes are hidden behind his black sunglasses, which he pushes up as soon as I’m in front of him.
Hauling me flush with an arm around my waist, he buries his face against my neck and sighs heavily, “God, I missed you, angel.”
“Rough day?” I murmur, running my fingers through his silky hair.
He nods, kissing my skin before raising his head. “My marketing’s and finance’s heads clashed against one another. I had to spend the entire day sorting it out, along with the HR team. It was a mess.”
“Is it over?”
