Odd Beginning

ERICA:

I stayed in bed for two days—crying, swaying into shallow sleep, waking up only to cry again. The ache was constant, like a sickness in my bones. I half-hoped I’d fall asleep one night and never wake up. But morning always came, cruel and steady.

Leonard never knocked. Never came to ask about Nathan, not that I thought he cared about Nathan, but he had been worried about me that night. Part of me had expected him to at least try. Maybe even mention the kiss. He let it sit, unspoken…after all, we’d kissed once…in the shadow of my brother.

I managed to connect my phone to a charger, but I didn’t take any calls. Lucas and Eric called over and over, and when I didn’t answer, they left me be.

Nathan didn’t call either. I hadn’t expected him to. Still, the silence cut deeper than seeing him with his cousin.

By Monday morning, I’d run out of tears, but I had no strength to go to work. I couldn’t risk seeing him—not when I might crumble like the fool I’d always been for him.

I got up early and waited in the living room for Leonard. I would tell him I needed a  few days off.

Technically, I didn’t need to ask. I could disappear for days without explanation. After all, I was his fiancée. And Leonard never cared enough about me to notice my comings or goings. His business didn’t depend on me, and if I dropped dead, he’d replace me without missing a beat. That’s how we operated—indifference, mutual and neat.

But I’d never missed a day of work before. Not because of Mr. Hays. Not because I was a diligent worker. But because I never wanted to miss a day without seeing Nathan.  

Today is different. I won’t only be taking advantage of being Mr. Hays’s fiancée to take a break, but I will also be skipping because I don’t want to see Nathan. And with the way I feel, I won’t be returning to the office soon.

“Mr. Hays,” I called from the kitchen as I heard him descending the stairs.

He stopped midway and looked at me. His eyes were unreadable, his jaw set, one hand in his pocket, the other hand holding up his tablet. Except for the tailored suit, he looked like he was heading out for a walk.

“I’ll be skipping work for a few days,” I said.

His expression didn’t flicker. “Anything else?”

Cold, as always. But for some reason, it stuck this time.

“I…will be staying here.”

He exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling. “Did you forget you live here?”

Right. I didn’t need permission to stay in our house.

He raised a brow, silently asking if that was all.

“That’s all,” I said.

He turned toward the door.

“I’ll make dinner,” I blurted, my voice trembling. “Come home early…”

He stopped at the door, turning slowly to look at me. His stare deepened, his forehead creasing. Then, he started toward me.

My breath caught as he cupped the back of my neck, tilting my head up until our lips were barely a breath apart. His gaze locked with mine… then dropped to my mouth. My lips quivered. And before I could think, my eyes closed, ready to accept him.

Maybe it wasn’t wrong to offer dinner. Maybe it stirred something in him. I’d never cooked for him before. Never cared to. But here he was, impressed I did, close enough for my heart to pound in my ears.

But then he let go. 

He stepped back, our skinship gone, and walked out the door. 

I didn’t realise I’d been holding my breath until it escaped in a shaky exhale. It wasn’t fear that had frozen me; it was something else. Something I didn’t want to name.

I went to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and drank half of it in one go. I was still drooling when my phone vibrated on the counter, jolting me.

“Lucas,” I breathed.

“Why have you been ignoring our calls?” 

“I am sorry. I’ve been mind-blocked.”

“We need to talk. Come home.”

“Not going,” I said, climbing the stairs with the water in hand. “We can talk, though.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m staying here for a while, Lucas. I am tired. I need some days off.”

He went quiet. “That wouldn’t be a problem… but something happened.”

He told me about what went down two nights ago. I should have been angry, but I wasn’t. I might be impulsive, but Eric…he is a disaster. Nothing sticks to his memory. Fuming over his mistake was a waste of emotion. Instead, I took calm from their ability to solve it.

When Lucas asked about the tension, I assured him Leonard didn’t suspect anything.

Then I told him about Nathan. The cheating. The humiliation.

“Why am I not surprised?” he muttered. “Eric always knew he was no good. Me too. It was written all over him.”

To think of the day I bought a car for his supposed cousin, a car I didn’t buy for myself, is disheartening. It wasn’t just that. I paid for her apartment. Spent my savings to give her a fresh start. She was heading to a small town for a new job, and I wanted her comfort.

“Are you sure staying there is what you need?” Lucas asked.

No. I wasn’t sure. But I couldn’t be anywhere else.

“I am sorry my life keeps getting in the way of our mission.”

“Take all the time you need. Call if you need anything.”

*****************

I still cried when I thought of him. Still scroll through his pictures. Still drowned myself in the memories, refusing to believe Nathan could cut me this deep.

Everyone had been right about him. 

Eric’s outright dislike. Lucas didn’t say it, but his quiet sighs at the end of the stories about him spoke volumes. Juana, with her motives, gave smug warnings about how he was no good. My father hated that I went for him…a sheep, instead of Leonard… a wolf. Even Leonard, who had gone out of his way to keep us apart—not out of love, but maybe because he’d known all along that Nathan wasn’t worth my heart.

They’d all seen him clearly. I hadn’t.

Now that the scale had fallen, I had no choice but to see Leonard differently.

Cooking was never fun for me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d done it. But to learn about Leonard, dining together wasn’t a bad start.

The fridge was stocked with ingredients I couldn’t name. I browsed recipes, mixed and matched until I made something vaguely edible. I boiled rice to be safe.

Leonard came home early. I was both surprised and happy he had heeded my request.

“You can freshen up while I set the table,” I said when I opened the door for him, and he stood, staring at the kitchen.

“I will eat first.”

I served the food, my stomach tightening as he took the first bite. He chewed, paused.

“Is it bad?” I asked, my voice thin. I’d tasted it…it wasn’t that bad.

He swallowed, dabbed his mouth, and drank his water.

“You shouldn’t waste food,” he said flatly.

He stood.

“Mr. Hays,” I called, heat flaring in my chest. “Do you not think that’s a harsh thing to say? I spent my time and energy making you a nice meal.”

“Nice meal?” His laugh was sharp. “Save your time and energy for something else. Crying over a loser, maybe.”

He walked out, leaving my chest hollow and tight. 

I sank to the floor, tears spilling again—first sadness, then anger. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I shoved the food into the bin, dumping the plates altogether.