Blinding light seems to be poking my eyes when I slowly open them, a groan leaving me as I turn around to hide from the sunshine peeking in the room. I'm met with a hard chest that seems to be breathing evenly and my eyes roam around the beautiful face that has no trace of worry on it.

It warms my heart a little to look at James's calm face, his lips parted a little as he seems to be deep in sleep. Last night after making out more, James and I talked. We talked more than ever before, actually I think I talked more than I've talked before. I told him about my high school life, which was plain boring but he listened to it all with patience. I spoke about my new group of friends, and even after we ordered pasta and garlic bread, I told him about my love for Jeremy and his friendship with Joan, which actually amused him a lot.

My finger mindlessly traces on his tattoo that I didn't ask him about. 1968-2000. I'm not sure when did we fall asleep because last I remember I just lied down after eating and James was still sitting by my legs. He must have switched the fairy-lights off before sleeping.

He stirs a little in his sleep and I immediately retract my hand back to myself, afraid that I might have woken him up. But then he just puts his arm across my waist before pulling me closer. How the hell did I manage to sleep in my dress and him in his jeans is beyond me.

"Morning." He breathes, his voice so low and husky, making his face look even more attractive.

His eyes are still closed which makes me smile a little. "Morning, Mr. Clark."

I can see a small smirk starting to form on his lips as he opens his eyes, his emerald orbs so dark as they adjust to the light in the room before they lock with mine. Suddenly I become very conscious about how I look in the morning and my bedhead hair but don't do anything to show it.

"Your eyes are very deep shade of blue." His words surprise me because that wasn't something I ever expected to hear from James. He must see the frown on my face because he adds, "In a very good way."

"Thanks?" I laugh, making him smile a little. "Sorry I woke you up."

He shakes his head, "I don't mind."

My eyes move to the ink on his chest and I can't help bringing my finger upto trace along it. I notice how my actions make him freeze a little so I retract my hand back to myself as I study his face in confusion.

"Do you mind me asking the significance?" I observe how my question almost changes his entire expression, making me regret asking it.

"It's my mother's birth and death year." He says, his hand coming up to my face as he brushes aside my hair, his eyes not meeting mine but his words explain the sombre look on his face.

"You don't have to talk about it." I tell him because I don't want to invade his personal thoughts.

I knew about his mother passing away, but nothing in detail. I never asked him about it because I didn't know how he would react. So when his expressions mould into almost painful one, I can't help but bring my hand up to cup his cheeks. His eyes blink upto meet mine finally and he sighs.

"There's not much to talk about, honestly. I have very faded memories of her to begin with." His hand comes up to press against mine as he moves it a little to kiss my palm. "She passed away due to pneumonia, which was honestly just a viral to begin with. Doctors couldn't detect it in time."

My heart saddens for him as he stares off into the blankness and I scoot a little closer to him. "How much do you remember her?"

"I remember her blonde hair, she always kept them in this ridiculous bun over her head that I used to play with." He smiles at the memory. "And I remember her obsession with making pancakes every damn morning. I think for first seven years that's all I had for breakfast."

"Daily?" I arch an eyebrow, a little amused but grateful that he's keeping the conversation going.

"Every day a new experiment with different flavour or just mismatching the toppings." He laughs a little.

"I don't think I've ever seen you have pancakes while having breakfast." I point out my observation and his eyes meet mine in surprise. "What?"

"Just... no one has ever pointed it out. I haven't had them since she passed away." He shrugs as if it's not a big deal.

It is a big deal, no matter what he says. It's written all over his face, making me move my hand a little as my fingers brush his hair. I don't say anything because I don't have words that would assure him at all.

"Do you miss it?" I ask, not really talking about the pancakes anymore and I think he knows because he takes a deep breath.

"Every damn day."

His answer makes me feel the sadness radiating off of him as I study his face. "How long did you live in England?"

There's so much I don't know about him because google actually didn't have his life history. There are some things I can only learn from him, and it's not like internet is a reliable source.

"We moved here when I was fourteen, I think. Dad's company was doing well in Birmingham but he knew setting it up here would be a lot more profitable. There's not much to look back to anyway."

I nod, taking in his words as my fingers fall back on his jaw and I trace the line of his stubble. I don't know if I prefer him clean shaved or with the beard. He looks handsome either way, so it's just really hard to pick.

"How is it overseas? I mean, if you could go settle back there, would you?"

He's smirking at me and I know it's not because of the question I asked. I can literally see his mind working in certain directions when his hands come down to my hips and he gives them a little squeeze before pulling my body on top of him, leaving me with a huge audible gasp in surprise.

My expression seems to amuse him more as he brings his hands up to push my hair from my face before he leans up to kiss me which only makes me back away from him, leaving him confused.

"Morning breath, no kissing until I brush my teeth." I put my hand on his naked chest, now sitting up in his lap as I bring my hair up into a bun and tie them with the band on my wrist.

"We don't have a toothbrush here, we ate out of restaurant packing last night and I got the soap from the store downstairs, might I remind you?" He says, and I can't help but smile a little because before having food we realised that there was running water and electricity in some rooms, but apart from that the house was empty so James ran an errand to get us a soap to at least have our food with clean hands.

"I think you can survive a few hours."

"Not if you keep moving your ass like that."

His words make heat rise in my stomach and blush rise to my cheeks. I realise what he means when I feel him under me, not realising it before because my mind didn't even register it for a moment. I get off his lap, standing up to move to one of the two doors in the room.

One door leads to a huge closet space, almost as big as the surveillance room and the other leads to a huge bathroom, much like the one back at the mansion but it doesn't connect to any other room. It has a big bathtub already set inside along with everything else and there's running water.

"That's not fair of you to leave me like this." James says behind me and I laugh at his antics before disappearing in the bathroom.

I come out two minutes later after washing my face to completely waken myself up only to find James fully clothed and standing up by the door with his phone in the hand, a frown stretched over his features. I was afraid that it would return soon after him taking a much longer break from work than I expected.

"Is everything alright?" I ask, approaching him and he nods, his eyes still fixed on the screen of his phone.

"Yes. I know we laughed it off last night, but are you sure you want to move here?" He looks away from his phone, locking it before pushing it in his pocket.

I nod immediately, the thought of living here with him has me excited more than anything else. "Yes, please. And I think we should turn the room adjacent to this one into a home office for you."

He smiles at my suggestion which is enough to tell me he agrees. "Yes, good idea. We wouldn't our guests interrupted in the middle of the night with your screaming anyway." He winks, making me look at him with wide eyes.

"Oh my god." I face palm myself at his words and he laughs loudly at my reaction before walking over to wrap his arms around me.

"Kidding, everything is sound proof. But it's nothing to be embarrassed about, love. I like you being vocal about it." He adds, making me swat at his arm as he continues to laugh, the beautiful sound filling my ears.

Who would've thought that there could be a day where James would tease me for such things? As embarrassed as that leaves me, it also leaves me extremely giddy. I'm not sure if he knows but the intimate experiences I'm sharing with him are all my firsts, and I wouldn't have them any other way.

"When do you think we can move in?" I ask seriously, turning a little to look at his face filled with amusement.

"I picked out certain things with the interior designer. You can get into contact with her and finalise everything. It shouldn't be more than couple of weeks, so maybe after your finals?" He offers and I nod, because it makes sense.

"Would I have to be physically meet her? I really have a lot of study material to catch upto." I tell him honestly because I barely have a week to study now and while I did study this week, I need to concentrate better.

He thinks about it for a minute before answering, "You can come down to the office for a day and I'll arrange a meeting? If not, I can tell her to communicate with you over call and text."

I think about going back the office and the last time I was there goes through my mind until I remember that things are much better between James and I than I could ever ask for. I was looking for actions to follow his words, and so far, that has happened, so I have accepted his apology and forgiven him.

"I can manage coming down on Monday or Tuesday, whichever day suits you, because I'd really like for both of us to finalise things together."

He smiles at my words, nodding before leaning a little to press a kiss on the top of my head. "I think we should head back, I have work to do and I'm sure both of us need to eat."

I almost feel sad going back to the mansion because even though I've just spent a night in this furniture-less penthouse, it feels more like home than that place ever did. I'm glad this is something James thought of, unknowingly, but it's something I appreciate so much.

It would be something to have the kitchen to myself and cook my own meals without having to depend on Shanley or making Mrs. George feel like she's not doing her job properly because that sweet woman frets too much. I wouldn't mind if she comes to work for us here though, I absolutely love her presence so if she can manage couple of hours to look after the huge apartment, I'd be glad. I mean I know it wouldn't be possible for me to manage the entire house on my own even if I want to volunteer for it.

When we get into the car, I turn to James. "You think Mrs. George could work for us? Not like completely but just in the morning for couple of hours because I'd like to cook, and if it's too much for her then we can look for other options."

He seems to think over my suggestion before he nods, meeting my eyes for a minute. "I'm not sure how that will work out, but Shanley is also there back home. You can always ask her yourself?"

I nod, because I plan on doing that. I'll ask if she's good with it, if not, I'll either try to manage things on my own somehow or we'll look for alternatives. When we reach back the mansion, James drives the car into the garage. After we get out, I stand by the garage entrance as he connects the car to the charger.

"When did you buy the car?" I ask as he walks towards me.

"About a year ago, I guess? I always wanted to." He shrugs and I nod, taking his hand in mine as we make our way in.

The house is quiet as usual when we step inside with James's key. We make our way to the elevator silently and I realise the silence which used to be filled with tension between us is almost comfortable now.

"Where are you going?" James asks when I start to walk past his bedroom, making me stop as he holds onto my wrist.

"To my room." I point towards the door and he gives me a look.

"Really? After last night, you still want your own room?"

His words make me flush, "All my clothes are in there. I need to take a bath and sit down to study." I remind him and he nods, letting go of my hand. "Do you want to use the bathroom first?" I ask and he shakes his head before turning the doorknob and disappearing in his room.

I walk to my bedroom before pulling out a pair of black leggings and a yellow tank top. After brushing my teeth and taking a shower, I go downstairs to have something to eat so I can study without getting distracted by hunger.

My hair have been left to air dry as I pull out the milk gallon from the refrigerator and fill up a glass for myself. I decide to add a little strawberry flavoured syrup in it for taste.

"Do you want to have french toast or waffles?" Mrs. George asks me when she enters the kitchen with her warm smile and her hair in a low bun.

"French toast, please." I say as I take a seat on the barstool, opposite to the stove as Mrs. George cooks for me. "Hey, I don't know if you should know about it yet but James and I are going to be moving out in a couple of weeks."

The look of shock on her face makes me feel a little guilty for springing it upon her like this. But then she covers up her expression before speaking, "I didn't know, dear. But congratulations on the new place."

"It's James's, to be honest. He got it even before the engagement, just ten minutes away from here." I smile at her a little. "I just wanted to ask you something, Mrs. George, and you can say no to it, of course. It's totally upto you."

She nods, waving the spatula in the air as she motions for me to go on before focusing on the french toast. "Go on?"

"I know you've been working here for a long time and I wouldn't want to take that away from you, but do you think you could come work for us, just for couple of hours in the morning to help manage the place?" I ask, a little hopeful.

She smiles at my suggestion, which makes the hope flutter more, "Yes, of course, Lillian. I would have to discuss it with Carrack first, of course. Does he know yet?"

I shake my head, "I don't think so, I think it would be better if James tells him."

She nods, agreeing as she goes back to her work and hands me a plate filled with french toast. I eat my food in silence until I hear her Chloe yelling in the living room, making me frown as I leave my food and make my way outside.

James is standing in a fresh pair of jeans and a light green button down, his hands in pocket as he seems to be reasoning with Chloe who's yelling at him.

"Why would you even consider it, Jim? It doesn't make sense." She seethes, making James just look at her in his calm posture.

I have no idea where he gets his patience from when it comes to her, because I've never seen him this calm in front of anyone else. Chloe must realise my presence because she turns around to see me standing with nothing but confusion across my face.

"You! Was that your plan all along, to separate him from us?" She shouts, her words sinking in.

James must have told her about our plans to move out. I already knew she wouldn't be pleased with the idea, but this is an overreaction I wasn't mentally prepared for. I look at James who seems to be standing there calmly, without any emotion masking his face, and looks at me, as if expecting me to do the same.

"Chloe, I think you're really misinterpreting things." I try to say with a balanced tone, making sure my words don't receive a backlash.

"Yeah, now you're going to tell me how to interpret things?" She takes a step closer in my direction. "With that mark on your neck, I already know how you're manipulating him."

I cross my hands above my chest as I stare at him, really sick of her accusations. "You must think very low of your brother to think he can be manipulated through sex."

James's sharp and almost offended eyes meet mine but I honestly don't care. He refuses to see how his sister continues to treat me. I understand how she's younger than him, but we are the same age and you don't see me throwing a tantrum every second around the house.

"You've got some nerves to talk about him like that." She laughs a humourlessly, before she turns to James. "You're seriously going to abandon your family because of her?"

He sighs at her words, running a hand through his hair before he starts speaking, his voice too soft, "Don't you think you're exaggerating, Chloe? I would've moved out anyway if I didn't have a separate floor, which is literally like my own apartment up there. I would still be in contact and visit you as much as I can, it's literally a fifteen minute drive from here. You're welcome to visit anytime."

Finally, he's talking some sense. Chloe looks at him frustratedly as she moves her eyes between the two of us, "Why didn't you consider it before she came in our lives? You can't deny she has something to do with it. She's fooling you, James. I know how innocent she looks but have you ever seen the way she looks at all other men, including Hale?"

Her words make rage build inside me, shocking me because now she's stooping way too damn low, more than I can tolerate. I look at James and for once, he looks pissed, his jaw tight as he stares at her.

"I think that's crossing a line now." His voice is full of warning, making Chloe scoff.

"Well, you know what? I'm sure you're not going to change your mind, even if I cry, like everything else. When she screws you over, I hope you regret every decision related to her." She shouts in his face before storming upstairs, her words leaving me a lot more than offended.

I don't know what Chloe has against me, or my relationship with James but I really hope that it doesn't tamper whatever progress we've made with our bond.

"She just needs time to calm down." He tells me and I give him a look.

"You're aware that's not it, James. She doesn't like me, although I have no idea why considering I haven't done anything to her, ever."

"Are you sure there's no reason for her to be pissed?" He asks and his question just pisses me off more but I know he's just trying to understand the source of Chloe's hatred.

"Yes, I'm sure. Maybe you should ask her." He nods as he walks towards me and I reach my hand out to him, "Mrs. George agreed and she's making french toast, you hungry?"

He smiles a little as he tugs me towards the kitchen, "You know I don't believe what she said, right?" He says, sitting on the barstool across me. I nod but appreciate his assurance because sometimes I really wonder what does he feel about me and how does he look at me as a person.

•••
where are all of you from? mention your country!! would love know you cuties.

lots of love!