.

Last night we fell asleep on the balcony when Toni was talking about something that I clearly don't remember since I dozed off. But surprisingly I woke up on his bed, as my sleep gradually faded from my eyes. I panicked a bit, but noticed I had my clothes on (phew), so I took a breath of relief. I laid there on his king-sized bed, with his satin pillows, and the light scent of his cologne. It reminded me of the velvet box, it smelled the same.

Toni turned out to be so different than I had imagined him, say it his charm or whatever, it felt- he really cared. I'm not basing this to entitle him the best though, but I guess I can know him more now that I'm sure he's safe to be around.

I closed my eyes, let out a sigh and all I could think was- his light brown eyes, wavy hair, chiseled face structure, and his warmth. His smile flashed in my head and initially I smiled at the thought of it, but soon it turned to a groan, as I realised I was smiling!

Not again, Faye!

With that said, I opened my eyes- sat upright and picked my phone from the side-table. There was a notification so I swiped it open and realized it was Toni's number which I haven't saved yet.

It said, 'Good morning, when you see this text, get fresh and come down! I'll be waiting.'

It instantly brightened my mood and I jumped off the bed- before I could go in the bathroom, I observed his room closely. He must be into antiques, I thought when I saw a glass shelf of antiques on top of the drawer cabinet. And his perfectly aligned clothing based on their color giving a unique look to his closet. The furniture being the expensive wood- with the most perfect polishing and the smooth dreamy carpet beneath- all so perfect.

Quickly after that, I got freshened, put my hair up in a loose updo, and went down. As I moved lower through the steps, light music downstairs- was getting more audible and clear. I walked slowly, flattering myself with the beauty and perfection of his home.

I recalled where the kitchen was from yesterday and walked in only to get astonished by his naked muscular body- humming along with the music. He didn't notice me standing at the entrance of his huge kitchen as he was so invested in preparing something on the counter.

Only his upper body was naked, you guys! And here I was fucking drooling over it. Ugh!

My eyes couldn't help rolling down to his lower back, where his trousers were worn loose, and up to his neck again. By the time I could think of any distraction, he turns around with his batter still humming along until his eyes land on me and he stops humming. "How long have you been there?" he asked, lowering his batter to the counter. And I bit my lips from gasping when my eyes fell on his chest.

oh damn!

"Not long." I whispered and he finally wore his shirt from the chair and buttoned it till his chest, yet revealing his mildly-hairy chest.

"Come on in, and tell me what do you prefer- pancakes or waffles?" he smiled stretching his either arms across the counter.

"Pancakes!" I say as I enter and seat myself in the farthest chair from him.

"You know its just you and me." he stated the obvious as I sat there uncomfortably.

"I know." I said, and he chuckled walking to me around the other side of the counter until he reaches behind my chair. "What are yo-" He shushes me, and pushes the chair nearest to his.

"Here." he whispers over my shoulder as he places my chair to the counter and I look at him. "Ditch the formality, make yourself home." he says going back to his batter.

I nod my head politely and he goes back to the stove. "You carried me to bed last night?" I asked shyly.

"Mhm." he nodded his head, still focusing on the stove and I process the information. "Also, sorry for making you uncomfortable, I'm just too accustomed to staying alone- half naked." he shrugged and chuckled nervously.

"Well not gonna say I didn't enjoy it." I whispered, smirking to myself, when he turns around smiling at my remark and goes back to making cakes with a shake of his head.

"Did you happen to see my previous text?" He said, turning around and crossing his arms, while the pancakes simmered in butter.

"The 'I love you, darling- pleasure sugar daddy?' Spanish text?" I ask vehemently.

And he smiles embarrassingly along with nodding his head. "Sorry for that. It wasn't me though but you weren't supposed to be sent that."

"What do you mean? Who was it?"

"David, my new roomie there, he thought it'd be funny if he texted random number a thirst text. What were the odds you could be the one?" he smiled, flipping the pancakes.

"He called me too, the other night?" I asked jokingly, when I was quite sure it was him.

"Eh, no." he said, "That was me." He agreed, looking at me over his broad shoulder. "Not gonna say I didn't enjoy it though."

I smiled to myself and he served us pancakes, maple syrup and powdered sugar with some mixed fruit juice. "It was a rough work night, I wanted to calm my nerves and I thought of you- instant relief." he said, enjoying his pancake.

"But you didn't even talk."

"I listened your voice." he said taking a sip of his juice as he stared at me.

"And the time I realised David sent you a thirst text, I left my board meeting and showed up here. Meanwhile, Khalil filled me in with your location and the argument situation." he proceeded to talk, sitting across me.

"He knew where I was?" he nodded.

"All of them knew you're upset with them so their consoling might not work. And what time better for me to show up than when you are most vulnerable."

"So you could make up for your stalking?" I said offendedly.

He looked at me and back to his food. "So I could show you that nothing I do would justify my behaviour. I am extremely sorry for what I did." he said, putting his hand on mine and caressing the top with his thumb.

I sat there adoring his thumb motions, while I thought how genuine he was to be apologetic of stalking me. And almost out of nowhere I recalled something.

"One of those letters, you said maybe I would listen to you. Maybe being by my side will make it better. What is it you were talking about?" I asked, flipping his hand under mine and doing the same caress motion.

His hand was warm, and his face reluctant but his eyes glanced our hands and up my face and to our hands again as a plain smile appeared on his face. He played with his fork, contemplating- a many thoughts. As if he were resisting to tell me anything, but then after a deep breath he let it out.

"I've been working at my dad's multimillionaire company, since years, and one fine day he decided that he needed neither me, my sister, our mother or even his money. Cause he had everything one desires to have- love, and it wasn't out mother unfortunately." he said, picking my hand and intertwining it with his own. 

I'm beginning to think it's his comfort touch. And not gonna deny, it feels very intimate.

I grasp his hand back tighter and he lifts his head up, almost surprised by my reflex.

And it gave him a boost to talk more, "I've been running his chores, doing his job, making his money and maintaining his responsibilities." he said, after thinking to himself.

And slowly every piece of the story falls into place, and I realize how tangled up situation he must be in.

"It wasn't my responsibility to put myself into his shoes and carry the family." he murmured. "The least he could do was secure me the place in our company, and I would've never stopped him from leaving us."

"He is still the owner of your firm?" I ask doubtfully.

He nods, "Also the owner of all his land, which now he's reluctant on us inheriting it."

"Isn't it like, illegal to own a firm when you actually have no participation in it? Like in monetary or even charitable terms."

"Not if the person is still living." he says, and his face widens with a smile. "I'm taking care of it all, I just need time and maybe some moral support sometimes." he draws his hand out of mine and goes back to the stove.

My heart softened thinking about his challenges and I wanted him to feel safe around me, so I said, "I believe in you."

"You do?" he whispered.

"I know I'm not even half as aware of your problems as I think I am, but you can talk to me about, like anything." I say, finishing my pancake.

He looks at me over his shoulder and turns back to stove, bringing another pancake to my plate. Leaning on the table, leveling his eyes to mine- as my body warms up by his proximity.

"You know me better than anyone out there and that's why I trust you the most." before I could correct him on 'knowing him better than anyone else', he leans in giving a kiss on my cheek and putting a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I'm gonna go get ready, and you'll finish your breakfast." he says, pulling away and walking out of the kitchen before turning his head again at my direction.

Its alright. It's normal. That's okay!

I conform myself while also blushing hard and foolishly smiling.

Who am I kidding?

*********

"I brought these from the store, cause I didn't know your exact address and also you needed to change out of my clothes- which must be uncomfortable."

"I was really cozy in those, but thanks for these." Toni had bought me extra clothing this morning when I was asleep and they are really cute, so I showered and changed into them. "I'll repay you." I said as I ran my fingers on the smooth material.

"You wont." he said, sitting on the couch. "You must've forgotten I'm a rich man."

"Which makes you what, my parent?" I say, checking out the shelf of CD players.

"Come on, its just a piece of clothing."

"Okay, rich man. Only this time, I let you buy me clothes- because after all the stress you caused me, you kinda owe this one."

"Oooh, nice reasoning." he said folding his hands above his head, flexing his chest muscles and I immediately look away.

"What do we do now?"

"Talk to me." He says gesturing his hand, indicating me to seat myself beside him.

"What about Liz's bday? What about Khalil and Amara? Shouldn't I be apologizing them?" I say as I pace around his living room.

"Slow down, I've got this." I gave him a look, "I'll tell you come here." So I walked to him and sat beside him, when he slipped a bit lower to match my eye level.

"I wanted her to have the best bday ever." I said, leaning my head against the couch.

"Do you trust me?"

"No." I said, mocking mean. He gave a sarcastic smile, "I guess I do, now what."

"Then trust me when I say Liza is gonna have the best bday ever." He said, leaning his head too and I nodded. "Why can I not call you Mable?" he sighed, as though he's been meaning to ask me since forever.

"Because its embarrassing."

"More embarrassing than King?"

"Does that mean, if I let you call me Mable, I could call you King?" I ask, pursing my lips when he groans in embarrassment.

"I prefer Toni, more than King."

"Same." I say, as he ponders for a while after. "Who gave your middle name?"

"Father. Also why I do not like it." He said, "Rezonick is my mum's family name, so she named us Rezonick's after father left. But as per documents we still have the middle name."

"Where's your mum?" I whisper reluctant to ask, but my curiosity wont let me shut up, looked at him, while he smiles looking at the floor.

"Somewhere more peaceful." he said, looking at me. "She passed away last year, natural death."

"I'm sorry to hear that." I said, rubbing his arm.

"Don't be, I'm just happy she's in a better place now." He continued, "She owned this house, looked after it even when she was at my father's house after divorce, and before she died, she named it after Amara- to secure her future."

"And you?" I asked almost immediately and I felt horrible of invading his privacy.

"She gave me the cottage outside town, where we spent our holidays, but I burned it down." he said tapping his fingers together.

I wondered why he did so, but I didn't ask him neither did he feel to explain himself. It was obviously heartbreaking to witness the separation of your parents, and also death of one of them. Let alone the pain of being trapped under his father's obligations, not related to him yet somehow tied to his responsibilities.

"So, Amara stays here?"

"No she doesn't like it here, says it reminds her of mum. She's still grieving, the sensitive one, ya know- but she'll get over it."

"You must miss her too."

"She is the reason I'm walking this earth today." He said happily. "And now I have a new one." he tilted his head to my face and I blushed- like red as the rose.

But I didn't want him to see that, "So cheesy, oh lord." And he laughed.

His cell ringed and he picked it up at once, "Be right there." he said and hung up. "Be right back." and he jumped off the couch and walked right out, as I sat there in confusion.

I wondered how I was gonna resolve things with Liz and everyone. She's gonna hate me when I say that I stayed the night with my stalker, and we are getting quite along.

"Come in. This is Faye Doneza. Faye, this is David McQuaid." He introduced us, and David waved awkwardly.

I got up and walked to Toni's side, "Hey David, nice to finally meet you." I said and he snickered.

"I am gonna assume Toni revealed my act of insanity already here. By the way, Faye- nice meeting you too and apologies for my behaviour." He said, apologizing for his thirst text.

"Not a problem, David."

"David's gonna be working out some things in here, meanwhile we could go by fulfilling our commitments." said Toni and he guided him towards the inside of his house.

"See you guys later then!" David greeted and started typing on his phone after he walked inside.

"What commitment do we have? And why is he here? And why are we going by his car?" I whispered to Toni when we walked to the garden.

"I've assigned him some task, he agreed so he's here. And we are gonna go patch you up with your besties." He said, turning behind as I jogged faster to reach his pace. "Also that's my car which I had wrecked the other night. I returned the cab and David brought her on his way back." He said, pulling my arm gently to match his pace.

"By the way, you can call me Mable, if you want. Honestly you don't really pronounce Faye that good." I said, loosening my hand from his grip.

He chuckled and said, "How could I possibly mess up that name?"

"You don't pronounce the E in my name, its silent. Its not Fayeee, its Faye- as in F-E-Y but you should spell it as F-A-Y-E." I said as he looked at me, evidently holding his laugh inside. "So better off, call me Mable." I stated as I hopped into the car.

"Okay, Fayee Mable Doneza." he mocks, before closing the door. "Though you're still calling me Toni, no exceptions."

So I proceed and save his name as Rezonick, instead of Toni, on my cell phone. "Okay, Mr Rezonick."

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Hi dearest readers, I've been planning on starting two more stories after this baby, and I'm so excited to present it to you. So FOLLOW up, vote, comment and share as much as possible.
Thank you all for the support and lovely comments!!