Chapter 15

DECLAN

“Did you seriously refuse to go to dinner with Elle? As in Elle?” Josh asked, stunned, his eyes squinted as he searched my eyes while I drove.

“I have nothing to say to you,” I grumbled, ignoring, my fist tightened on the wheel.

“At least tell me why you refuse to eat dinner with her?” He was adamant.

“I’m not hungry,”

“And the sex with no strings attached?”

“Not interested.”

“Oh my goodness, who the hell are you?” He gasped.

“Your friend, Declan who is tired of sleeping around with women… besides isn't that what you’ve been preaching since you married your wife? For me to stop fucking around and find a woman?” I didn't spare him a glance because he was going to read meaning into everything and push ever harder.

“I did and have you found this woman?” He asked, his voice rather low and investigative.

Have I found this woman? Have I?

I declined sex and dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. After all, Maria was home all alone, because Maria would have made dinner and I can’t wait to go eat what she cooked. Because I’d rather go home and stare at her face than go to have sex with someone I feel nothing for, boring sex.

Does that mean that Maria is the woman I have been searching for? Forget about my wolf who loses himself whenever he is around her, who wants to mark her immediately he sees her. What about me, is what I feel for her because I want her, or because I find her too attractive? Is it because I love the way she talks, blushes, smiles, shies away, and laughs? Is it because I think she is one of the best cooks I have met in this world? Is it because I want her to see herself as someone more than just a girl who has to sacrifice a lot for her sister?

Does this all mean that she is the woman for me?

“No.” I lied.

I didn't want to not answer, so I said something. Else Josh would make sure he rips the truth out of me.

“So why are you going on at 5pm like a married man who can’t wait to see his wife?”

Ugh, fucking Josh, he doesn't know when to stop.

I drove to the corner of the main road, I parked my car, yanked the door open, “Get out of my car, Josh.” Not in a harsh tone but enough to let him know that he was pissing me off and I need to maintain my sanity.

He didn't move. “Declan, do you like that girl?” He is so fucking persistent!

“Josh, she is young, very young, it is not appropriate.” I finally gave in.

“How young? Teenage?” Horror spread on his face.

“God! No! Like 23-25?”

He chuckled and leaned on his chair, “How is that different from the girls you fucked at bars?” he opened the door and stepped out, my eyes followed him, I winded down my window and he poked his head instead with a grin on his face, he said, “it seems you are lyng to yourself, Declan. Open your eyes or prove me wrong and go fuck Elle.”

“Stay the fuck away from me or I will make your wife a widow.” I threatened and all he did was laugh hysterically and I zoomed off.

I drove to the house while thinking about Josh’s nonsense, It’s so hard to get his annoying voice out of my head.

I have nothing to prove to him, I just want to go home and eat and enjoy the rest of the evening with Maria.

“Welcome Boss.” The guard at the gate greeted with a bow. I waved at him.

“Anything special happened today?” I asked wondering why he had such a chick smile plastered all over his face.

“Not really sir, Miss Maria cooked and offered and it was delicious. Thank you, sir.” He bowed again before returning to his position.

That wasn't something bad, that wasn't something u should he pissed about but why do I suddenly feel like hitting him in the face? Why do I not want her to cook for anyone but me?

Why do I hate that she fed him?

“Maria?” I called, walking into the living room but I was met with silence. The living room was empty, the kitchen was empty, and she wasn't anywhere in the house.

Rose had to stay with her daughter Mel to take care of her so no one is in the house except Maria but Maria is nowhere in sight.

Fear crept into my heart, I instantly dropped my phone on the couch and ran upstairs.

I knocked, “Ria, are you in?”

Nothing.. No response.

Did she leave again?

“Ria, I’m coming in.” I yanked the door open and there she was, sleeping peacefully on the bed, under her duvet, her head resting peacefully on the pillow.

I let out a sharp breath of relief.

That was scary as fuck,

I walked closer to her, leaned over and a smile involuntarily spread on my lips. I stroked her hair off her face, tucking it behind her ears.

“I’m home, Ria,” I whispered.

God, she is beautiful. So beautiful.

I could sit and watch her sleep all day.

“Declan?” Her sleepy voice consumed me as her eye unfurled locking with mine which was inches away fr her face. My throat bobbed, I wasn't expecting her to wake up abruptly, my heart almost sank into my belly.

“Did I wake you? Sorry, I just wanted to check on you, you were not in the living room.” I whispered.

She sat up, her hair messy, her eyes sleepy but not leaving mine. I stood, my hands slid into my pockets.

“No, I… I have been sleeping since you left, I… I didn't have anything else to do, I quit my job at the restaurant was working because my ex-fiancé said he didn't want me to work there after we got married, and well…” She stopped talking and faked a smile.

I forced a smile because anytime she mentions anything about her ex-fiancé, every part of me feels like it’s on fire, I just want to find that guy and snap his neck or at least make him pay for hurting her this much.

I was watching her when I noticed her room, from the bed to the closet, to the cosmetic table, everything was exactly as the was even before she moved it.

She was still treating this place like it was a guest room, like she would leave soon.

I don’t want her to leave.

“Are you leaving soon, Ria?” I asked before I could control myself.

“I… I don’t have anywhere to go.” She whimpered, almost like she was begging me not to kick her out.

“Do you have plans for tomorrow?” I asked.

“Actually, I was wondering if I could go to the supermarket and get some food in the kitchen, there is little to none in there or do you not like eating in the house?” she asked, almost like she was overstepping, little does she know that I want her to step all over me, I want her to be free and happy her, I want to return her smile to her face.

“Okay then, let’s go grocery shopping and I also have a place I want us to visit, is that okay?” I asked politely, even if she says no, I would still take her with me.

“Uhm, where are we going?” She asked.

“You’ll see tomorrow, Ria.” I winked.

Her throat bobbed and she nodded, “I made dinner, there wasn't much but I made so with what was in the store.”

“I'll see you in a bit, Ria, thank you.”