Flashback.......Riley's POV

I had come back from school for the Easter break. I was at home on the couch surfing through channels to find something to watch. Everywhere was boring. I would have gone to stay at Brayden's, but he travelled along with his family.

My dad came down.
"Hey, kiddo! Whatcha doing."
"Nothing everywhere is boring."
"And Brayden?", he asked.
"He travelled.", I said

I was happier with the situation of the house. Theresa along with her obnoxious daughter, Daphne and her son Derrick had also travelled.

They had travelled to visit Theresa's mum. Dad had insisted that we follow them, but apparently, Theresa's mum didn't want us at her house. So we stayed since we had nowhere to travel to.

Caleb came out from the kitchen.
"I'm done, Riley, the money.", he said, and I bit my lip.

Dad was not meant to know that. He didn't like the fact that I would pay Caleb for doing my chores. He said I was tricking and taking advantage of him.

"Riley, how many times have I told you not to pay your brother for doing your chores..."
"I know, I know but....", Caleb always comes up saying that he had no problem with it, and it was so cheap

"But. ..", he egged on.
"Hey Dad, can we go watch a movie.", I said in a bad attempt to change the topic. He gave me a sour look and I just sank into the couch.

"Yeah Dad, please. It's because we didn't have anything to do that was why I brought up the issue of her paying me, but I promise we would never..... if you allow us to go see a movie." Caleb said.

"Yes Dad, if you allow us, we would never trade with chores again.", I insisted, more like pleaded. His expression softened and I could see he was buying into the idea.

He just needed a little push.

"And I would do the dishes till forever to show that I'm sorry.", I said and he smiled a funny smile.
"Okay.", he said and grabbed the keys.

He was my dad, he would forget. But sadly, after we came back he reminded me. It didn't stop there. After every dish we had, he would remind me.

Ugh! Why did I push my luck?

Present Day

I woke up with an ache in my stomach. I was hungry. I turned to see that I was in the room. How did I.....oh I fainted.

I looked around to see if there was any tray of food, but sadly there wasn't any. The door opened and Ansel walked in with a tray of food.

Finally!!! I mentally screamed.

I eagerly looked at the food. The moment he dropped it, I said a quick thank you and dived in.

"Wow. You seem hungry.", he said and I just mhmed him. "Is it nice?", he asked.
"Mhm.", I muttered.

"Well I made it.", he said and for the first time, I looked away from the food, to stare at him whether he was saying the truth.
"Lie.", I muttered with food in my mouth but swallowed. "That's a lie.", I repeated.

"Nope.", he said popping the p. "You can ask Cecilia.", he said.
"B..but it's so good.", I said and continued eating.
"You like it?", he asked.
"Hmm. I love it.", I said.

Soon enough, I finished and he gave me an Orange juice to drink. Hmm, suspicious. But I said nothing and drank it.

He dropped it on the table and came back to sit.
"So how are you feeling?"
"I'm...."
"And don't say you're fine, say how you are truly feeling.", he said.

"Okay.", I said slowly. "I was hungry, but now that I've eaten your wonderfully made delicacy, I feel great.", I said and gave him a thumbs up and added a wink to make it convincing, though I don't think it was because he burst into laughter.

"I know, it's my wink.", I said and he continued to laugh. I took the time to notice his nice smile. I hadn't seen it in a while. He calmed himself.

"Yes, it is.", he said after calming himself. He sighed and I guessed he wanted to ask me something about yesterday.
"So you wanna tell me what happened yesterday?". I guessed right.

"I dunno I was just tired.", I said vaguely.
"Tired of what?", he asked. I looked at the curtains. How was I going to explain that the reason I was moody was because of this marriage, which is kinda the cause of my problems now?

He took my hand and rubbed his thumb over it.
"You can tell me whatever it is. I would listen. See me as Ansel your friend not Ansel, the husband.", he said and I smiled.

I tried picturing it in my head. Friend not husband.
"Well, for starters Caleb woke up.", I said and his eyebrows shot up. He wanted to say something but decided not to. "Sorry, I didn't tell you."

"We argued and he pretty much insulted me.", I said.
"How did he? I mean what did he say?", he asked.
"He called me a beggar, who was begging from my....well from Ansel my husband.", I said.

He gave me a sympathetic look. "Please, I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself plus, I think I have come to terms with my reality and there's no use running from it.", I paused then continued optimistically. "Plus as they say, no situation is permanent.", I said.

As I said that his face fell. Was it what I said, I wanted to take it back, but he opened his mouth to say something, he hesitated at first then he spoke.

"Go on.", was all he said. I continued telling him. I made up an excuse and tried to hide the fact that this marriage was the reality I was running from, but it still came out one way or the other.

The more I talked the more his expression looked sullen. When I was done, he stood to take the food back to the kitchen saying he was coming back, and he left.

I felt bad for making him feel that way. I agree that over the past few months since our marriage, we have grown somewhat closer and I have developed some feelings for him, but I'm scared of it becoming more than that.

We continued talking and the topic moved to something else. Soon we found ourselves talking about our childhood. I carefully didn't bring up Brayden, for both our sakes

"Oh, I remember a time. I used to pay Caleb to do the dishes for me.", I started.
"Seriously, you were that lazy.", he said.
"Trust me, it could've been worse. But anyways, my dad noticed and told us to stop.", I said.

"Knowing you, you didn't.", he said.
"Yep. So one day he caught us and we used the excuse of wanting to go to the movies to distract him."
"Did he buy it, the idea?", he asked seeming so interested

"Kinda, but I pushed my luck. I told him I would wash the dishes forever.", I said and he burst out laughing, prompting me to do the same.

"I thought he would forget you know.", I said and we continued to laugh.

Soon after, he decided to leave and he took the tray. I started feeling sleepy. I guess I needed rest.

Then he came back, but instead of sitting on the chair, he sat on the bed, closer to me.
"We haven't talked like this.", he started.
"Yeah.", I said sleepily. He muttered something but I didn't hear him, I wanted to ask him what he said but I was too tired.

His hands came forth and tucked a strand of stray hair. His hands remained there for a while. My eyes closed, and then I felt his warm lips on my forehead. It was like a good night kiss. The one that calms you, making you feel safe.

I woke up feeling refreshed. I looked out the curtain, it was morning. How long was I asleep? I couldn't stay on this bed again. I stood up and slowly went to the door after getting cleaned up.

I headed downstairs to see the TV on with Ansel on the couch, I didn't know whether he was asleep or awake, but his neck was in a funny position.

I came forward and found him asleep. I wanted to wake him up, but I hesitated. He looked so....calm. He was always calm but this, this was...beautiful.

I had to wake him. If I let him sleep, his neck would be aching by the time he would wake up. I tapped him and after some taps on the shoulder, he woke up.

He looked lost at first then rubbed his eyes. "Y..you're meant to be sleeping.", he said.
"Sorry but I have awoken from my slumber.", I said with a British accent and he smiled.

"I'm sure you won't wanna sleep again.", he asked though it sounded like a statement.
"Nope. Plus it's morning already.", I said and crashed into the cushion making him shift a little to give a little space between us.

He stretched his arms out
"Did you sleep here?", I asked.
"I guess I did.", he said.
"Why, you should've come upstairs.", I said.

"I had to give you time to rest.", he said. "You wanna do anything today? 'Cause you're not going to work in such a state.", he said.

"Is there anything else to do? And if...", my statement was cut short when the doorbell rang.
"You expecting someone?", I asked and he just shrugged.

I stretched my neck to see who it was, my dad. I immediately ran to hug him.
"Dad! Oh my, you're here!", I said and hugged him again.
"Riles, it's been so long.", he said.

"It's only been months.", I deadpanned, though I still sounded somewhat excited.
"Well those months have been long and dreary days.", he said as we headed to the living room.

"Yeah I'm sure, 'cause Theresa is no fun.", I said but he didn't reply cause he saw Ansel.

"Ansel. How you doing.", he asked as they hugged.
"Very well sir.", he said.
"Very well hmm.", my dad said and turned to me to wiggle his eyebrows and I just laughed.

"Okay. I'll leave you two to catch up. Riley, I'll be upstairs if you need me.", he said.
"Okay.", I nodded and he left.

"He is doing very well Riles, so that means you're treating him very well and if you're treating him very well it means..."
"Oh please Dad.", I cut him short. "It seems as if old age's doing some stuff up there.", I said pointing to his head.

He did a very fake gasp. "Did you just imply that I'm old.", he said.
"Hmm. Did I.", I said sounding like I was thinking about it.

"Oh I'll show you I'm not.", he said and started ruffling my hair, my brushed hair. And I just whined and wriggled till I got out of his hold.

"Dad you ruined my hair.", I whined. "You know I just brushed it and now it'll be all tangle up.", I whined again.
"Oh did I hurt your hair's feelings? Well, I'm sorry.", he said with fake sympathy.

"C'mon, now put something up for us to watch.", he said. I frowned and stomped my way to the TV.

When I sat down back he pulled me into a bone-crushing side hug.

"What, have you been gyming lately?", I asked.
"Yep. Plus, they come in handy in the bedroom when I....."
"Ewwww. Please spare me the details.", I said but he just laughed.

We spent the whole day talking, reminiscing, playing. It was like the good old days, that is before Theresa came. But I pushed those thoughts out of my head.

Soon, it was evening and he had to go. After a long goodbye, he left.

I headed back to the room. I didn't want to be sad that he left. Instead, I was grateful he came. I entered and saw Ansel.

"How was your day?", he asked. My dad had hinted to me about Ansel having something to do with his visit today.
"Did you plan all this?", I asked instead.

"Well yeah, 'cause you seemed tired yesterday and....", I hugged him before he finished. He seemed taken aback but later returned it.
"Thank you.", I said into his chest and a small tear dropped.

He pulled away and held my arms. He noticed my tear and immediately cleaned it.

"Anything for you?", he said.

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