Chapter 26

MAY

I knew exactly when he entered the room. I could tell he was being delicate so he wouldn't rouse me so I simply played along. I acted as if I was asleep. He went to shower and after, he literally crawled into bed with me. When it seemed as if he was asleep, I turned to look at him. He was particularly handsome when he was asleep. I turned to sleep only to hear him jump out of bed in a few minutes. I turned out of concern and by the time I did, he was sitting at a corner in the bed. It had only been fifteen minutes when he slept off. How could nightmares come already?

"Do you have nightmares every night?" I asked as I touched his shoulder. He turned back to look at me and took a deep breath.

"Go to bed," He told me. He stood up and walked to the door. I sat up quickly.

"Where are you going?" I asked him.

"I want to grab a bottle of water. Go to bed, May," He told me.

"I have water here," I pointed at the table. "Drink that and join me in bed."

Nicholas sighed.

"Just go to bed. Stop worrying about me!" Nicholas told me firmly.

"Who told you I was worrying about you?" I asked him naturally. "I am just afraid of sleeping alone. It's a cold night, you know."

From his facial expression, I could tell he knew I was only making an excuse. However, he came back nonetheless. He drank from the bottle on the table and sat beside me on the bed.

"I will watch you sleep," He told me.

"Why won't you sleep?" I asked him as I laid down properly. I was staring at him as if there were answers written on his face.

"I have terrible nightmares every night," He replied. "Even if I sleep right now, those nightmares will come to haunt me again. I don't want them so I will just watch you sleep."

"For the whole night?" I asked and my eyes fell on the wall clock.

"Who knows?" He smiled.

"Are the nightmares frightening?" I asked.

"They are," He replied.

"Do they make you afraid?" I muttered.

"Go to bed," Nicholas told me. "For my own sake."

I held onto him and made him lie down too. He hugged him closely like a mother hen to her chick. I thought he would push me away but he didn't. Instead, he came even closer, his head on my chest. I stroked his hair slowly and he closed his eyes.

"I will put you to bed..." I muttered.

"It feels warm. So warm," He snuggled even closer. I smiled at him. It felt warm too.

**

The alarm woke me up the next morning. I opened my eyes only to find out I had been cuddling with Nicholas the whole night. He looked so soundly asleep and for the first time, I saw his face so closely in the morning. Every morning, I used to see him coming out of the bathroom. This was a new one.

I smiled. I was tempted to use the 'sleeping beauty' line. After all, my contracted husband was a beauty, wasn't he?

There was a knock at the door and before I could respond, the door opened. Mama came inside.

"Young master, you..." Mama muttered before she saw us cuddling. "Oh, I'm sorry."

She turned to leave but that woke up Nicholas. He turned to look at her and I let him go as well. Nicholas sat up and stretched.

"You are here so early in the morning..." Nicholas muttered.

"I'm sorry," Mama replied. "I was just surprised when the maids claimed they hadn't seen you all morning. I thought you didn't sleep at home."

"Right!" Nicholas smiled. "It's been a while since I woke up late, hasn't it?"

"Of course, it's been years. I feel guilty for waking you up..." Mama muttered weakly.

"Good morning!" I interrupted. Mama smiled at me. She left almost immediately. Nicholas turned to see me and now, I felt nervous. Mama's presence had been the saving grace since. Nicholas stood up awkwardly and muttered 'good morning'. He literally escaped into the bathroom afterwards.

Why wasn't he making mention of how he acted last night? He came so close for a cuddle like an emotionally wrecked guy. It made me feel as if he had missed motherly love. I knew that feeling since I grew up without a mother as well.

But he slept soundly after all. I was happy and proud of myself. I had to snap out of my silly thoughts. Maybe this was happening because of my pregnancy. Was it my hormones?

**

"Breakfast is quite intentional today," I stared at the meal before me. It was like a combination of things I didn't like.

"The theme is healthy breakfast, Miss!" Mama told me excitedly. "Or shall I call you madam? You are now madam of the mansion."

"Let's stick to Miss. I am just twenty years old," I muttered.

"Alright, Miss," Mama began. "As you can see, you have soft-boiled eggs before you. It is fully cooked and it'll help your baby's brain development. There is whole grain toast with avocado, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, basked beans, chicken sausages, fresh fruit medley, and pasteurized fresh orange juice. Bon appétit, miss!"

I sighed.

Mama sat on the chair beside me and looked at me curiously. I could tell she had something to say.

"What is it?" I muttered right before I began eating.

"What I saw this morning..." Mama told me. "It was real, wasn't it?"

"What did you see?" I decided to play dumb.

"You know what I'm talking about. Both of you were cuddling in bed," Mama shrieked excitedly. "I was worried that both of you weren't getting along. It's a big relief."

"Cuddling doesn't mean we are close," I replied halfheartedly.

"I doubt it! He even woke up late. He hasn't slept so soundly since that incident..." Mama told me convincingly.

"That incident?" I was curious.

Mama looked away. I wondered why.