“What’s wrong?” Malakai asks after a few minutes of silence.
“Other than you completely bulldozing my plans to sleep, nothing. I’m just tired.”
I look over to him to see his brows lowered in concern, his mouth a grim line.
“Don’t start that,” I grumble, “We don’t care about each other, remember?”
He scoffs, the sound is so sudden and unlike him I’m caught off guard by it.
He doesn’t say anything though and I settle into the seat, maybe I can get a few minutes sleep while he drives us to wherever we’re going. I close my eyes and rest my head back, using my hands to pillow my face.
I jolt awake what feels like only minutes later when Malakai is sliding his arms under me.
“What are you doing?” I clear my throat, trying to get my bearings. He attempts to lift me, but I wiggle, andfidget and he growls in annoyance.
“Do you always have to fight!?” He snaps.
“Stop trying to carry me everywhere! Everyone will see!”
“We’re at home,” He deadpans, not amused.
“Wait, what?” I blink rapidly, “Why?”
“You’re tired.”
“I thought we had a reservation.”
“Another day,” He steps back to let me climb out of the car and places his hand on my lower back as we walk into the quiet house. It appears no one is here, not even the staff.
“Where is everyone?”
“I gave them all the night off,” he grumbles.
“You’re mad,” I accuse.
“No.”
I roll my eyes and slip away from his hand, tucking my arms around me. “I’m just going to go to bed.” I tell him.
“Did you eat?” He stops me, cocking his head when I turn back to him.
“Well, I –”
“It’s a yes or no, answer,” He quirks his brow, “Did you eat.”
“This morning,” I admit.
“Get changed and come back down, you can sleep after you’ve been fed.”
He doesn’t wait for my reply when he strolls off, disappearing into the kitchen. Confusion has my head swimming, but I continue up the stairs and quickly change into a set of fleece pajamas. Bare footed, my mouth stretching in a yawn, I head back to the kitchen, climbing tiredly onto the stool.
Malakai is at the counter, chopping vegetables.
“Didn’t figure you’d know how to cook.”
He rolls his shoulders as a response but keeps his back to me. Whatever he is preparing smells good, spicy but warming, and I’m hypnotized by the way he moves around the kitchen. I definitely assumed he had no idea how to cook, especially since Louis has cooked every night since I’ve been here and well, I guess I just never expected he taught himself how. I figured everything has always been done for him.
I have my head resting in my hand when he slides a plate in front of me, It’s a curry with fluffy rice on the side.
