Susan's POV

Honestly, I have never felt this happy in a very long time. As soon as I returned to Achilles' home, I yelled his name and Tarantino's.

In seconds, Achilles is stepping out of his room. He opens his arms, and I run to it, squealing in happiness.

"Today was amazing!" I cry.

Achilles laughs fondly and wraps his arms around me. He smells of lemons and something yummy. "I'm happy for you, baby,"

Pulling away from his hold, I pout my lips. "The only thing is I'll be working from home and trying to balance school with it."

Achilles guides me to a seat. We both take a seat. His hand comes up to my face and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "Look, baby. You're going to be able to balance it. I know it's going to be quite hard and all, but I am rooting for you. I mean, you get to stop working as a stripper in that bar."

I gasp when I see him make a face. Sitting up, I narrow my eyes at him. "So, you disapprove of me working as a stripper?"

Achilles looks at me like he doesn't understand the question I just asked. Then he nods. "Of course! I do not like you working there, jeez,"

I am starting to get defensive. Not only because that was my only source of income before now but because Achilles looks quite judgemental of my occupation.

"Are you being for real right now, Achilles?" I ask, my voice going a notch higher.

Achilles looks so confused, lime, he doesn't even understand shit, and that alone annoys the hell out of me. "Yes, I am being for real."

I stand on my feet, startling him. "Achilles, you do not fucking understand. You're a trust fund baby, and you get to have anything you want without having to work and sweat for it. You can't and do not have the right to tell me that you hate my occupation. You fucking don't!"

Achilles heaves and closes his eyes. "Calm down, Sue. Chill out. You don't even un-"

"I do!" I yell. Achilles gives me a shocked look. "It's you who doesn't understand that I have to work hard to see myself through college. I love fashion design, and I am so lucky to meet Jemmah. She was a stripper like I was even being stinking rich. It's different for me. My father is a drug addict, and my mum," I let my hands fall to the sides. "I don't even know,"

I feel tears run down my cheek and a sob escapes my throat. Achilles immediately stands to his feet, feeling remorseful, but I move away from him. "Don't touch me, Achilles. Just let me be,"

"Let me explain why I said that. Please?"

I look at him. He looks really sad, but I really can't. I need time to process all these, and looking at him right now, I feel so inferior. I mean, he has everything he wants, and I have to go naked in front of some men cheating on their wives to make money.

"No. Don't." I say with a tone of finality. I am exhausted from today's work. Meeting people and being extremely happy only to have it dashed against the wall because someone I care about feels my job as a stripper is a trash. "I need to go to bed."

My voice is shaky. I would have said more, but that would only bring more tears. "Goodnight, Achilles,"

Achilles blows out a breath. He looks out of words, but he lets me be anyway. "Goodnight, baby,"

As soon as I turn, I walk into Tarantino, who is just coming down the stairs. He looks sleepy and like he has been disturbed, but as soon as he sees me all teared up, all sleep leaves his eyes. Both of his hands landed on my shoulders.

"What's wrong, Sue?"

I shake my head and quickly wipe my tears with the back of my sleeve. My reply comes out in a croak. "Nothing. It's just-- I have to go to bed, Tarantino. I'm tired as hell, and I need to sleep,"

Firstly, he lifts his head and glares at Achilles before he looks at me. "You sure?"

I nod.

"You want me to get you ice cream? There's a tub left in the kitchen."

I shake my head.

"Are you sure? It's your favorite. Mint and choco-"

I shake my head.

He nods and pats my hair. "You'll be fine, okay?"

I nod.

As soon as he lets me be, I make my way up the stairs and straight to the guest room. Achilles and I have been sharing the master bedroom since we arrived, but now, I want to be alone for real.

I am sure that Tarantino has confronted his elder brother. They're probably going to get into a mini argument while Tarantino tells him shows he's so stupid to make me cry. Also, I tell him how lucky he is to have me and how his love life sucks.

Somehow, this makes me laugh. I am already in bed, and thinking about this makes sleep come to me quickly.

In the middle of the night, I wake up. It's abrupt. I have no idea why I am awake and half past two in the night with my eyes wide open like that of an owl.

I am thirsty, and the water bottle Achilles keeps by the bedside is not here. I turn to the other side of the bed in panic.

Where's Achilles?

That's when it all comes rushing back. The things he said to me and how I went into the guest room crying. Sighing, I climb out of bed and walk to the door. I pull it open lazily before stepping out into the dark hallway.

Everyone must be asleep by now, and it's a good thing. I am not ready to face any of the Usoro brothers.

Dark. I like it.

I take careful steps down the stairs, so I don't trip, fall, wake the Usoro brothers and encounter what I've been avoiding.

The Usoro brothers.

When I get towards the kitchen, light escapes through the door. I frown, wondering who might have left the lights on. Shrugging, I walk to the door. I'll turn off the lights after taking water from the fridge.

But things don't go as I expect.

Standing in front of the freezer and gulping down the contents of a carton of Apple juice is Achilles. I stifled a groan.

I should turn back. I think. But I am very thirsty and need to drink water. Closing my eyes, I pray to God and ask him to make Achilles ignore me.

But God doesn't answer my prayers.

Achilles is now staring at me with the juice carton in his hand. The fridge is open, so I walk to it and take out a water bottle. Giving him a quick smile, I walk to the cabinet to get a glass.

It takes a while for me to be able to stand on my tippy toes. Thanks to my flexibility and ability to dance. The sound of water pouring into the container is suddenly so loud. It's not always like this.

I am very aware of what is going on in my environment, even as I gulp down water and r feel the sound in my throat.

When I've had feelings, I return the container to the freezer. Achilles is still holding onto the door. Going back to the fridge, I slowly and carefully drop the container.

I feel his eyes on me as I walk away, and somewhere in my heart, I am wishing that he stops me to say something to me.

When I hear a huffed breath, my heart swells. This is it.

"Susan,"

Oh, fucking hell. This dude has a way of making my ovaries dance. I stop walking and stand on the spot.

I already feel hearing me, and when his finger grazes my arms, I know this is my undoing. My eyes closed without permission.

"Still mad at me?"

I nod.

"Uhh, do you want to talk about it?" Wrong question. But he immediately rephrases. "I need to talk to you about what I said this evening."

I feel like I am in a trance right now. Achilles offering to talk? This has to be the sweetest relationship I've ever been in. And as we both walk into the sitting room, Achilles gestures to the couch and, when I take my seat, crouches.

"Achilles, you don't have to-" But before I can form another word, his index finger rests on my lips.

"Shhh," He said. "I'm sorry, Sue. I said things I shouldn't have said and judged you based on what you do to make a living. I know I am a trust fund baby and do not understand shit about what you go through. I don't think you're a slut or anything. After the first night we met, I knew we would get here at one point. "

"Oh, my god!" A loud voice said and yawned. When his eyes finally opened, he stepped back. Nearly tripping on his feet. "I am sorry, guys."

To that, Achilles fixated a glare on him