Leslie
“Honey please open the door.” Ben pleaded as he knocked on the door, I locked myself in.
“Don’t ever come to see me again Leslie. Don’t come to my house, don’t ask me out, don’t come to my office, don’t talk to me when we’re alone, our relationship from now on is strangers for your sake.”
“If I ever see you again… I’ll take it that you want me too and I won’t stop if you beg me… So Goodbye Leslie.”
Tears soaked the pillow as I placed my hand on my chest, feeling a tight knot choking my heart and making it difficult to breathe.
It was completely selfish of me to be saying this and hurting Azrael’s feeling but I don’t want Azrael to stop being a part of my life. I don’t want us to be apart from each other even if our relationship was complicated.
I hugged the pillow as I buried my face in it. I don’t remember how I got to that hotel room or everything that happened but I remember Az
035 The house was lively with Isaac and Everest. I expected Everest to be a noisy baby like his sisters when they were his age but he was very gentle and extremely curious. Scattering and touching things and I could never understand his obsession with getting his hands wet with anything fluid. “Say ah.” I said as I brought the spoon to Everest who tried to knock the spoon from my hand. I sighed as I stared at Isaac who was preparing lunch. “He won’t eat?” Isaac asked and I nodded. “Is he always like this?” I asked as he cooed and sucked on his hand. “His been like this ever since his sister, Becca fed him bread. If it isn’t bread, he’ll struggle until it’s the last option.” Isaac explained. “Come to papa.” Isaac carried Everest before he sat down on the chair. Isaac unbuttoned his shirt as Everest impatiently dragged Isaac’s shirt. Isaac’s had a muscular appearance but whenever he got pregnant and had a baby around, his
036 I was proofreading a new author’s book under me so I could quickly focus on setting a proper date for Azrael’s first public debut as an author. He has never done since he became popular and fans were already pleading and demanding ticket release dates. Isaac placed a cup of tea beside me then carried his cup of coffee and sat beside me. “Good morning.” I greeted and picked up the cup. “Good morning. I would ask how was your night but the other person is my brother.” Isaac said as I blushed before he pointed at his neck. I covered the hickeys that were exposed before I grabbed my tea and sipped it. “It must be nice working from home.” Isaac said and pouted. “I remember telling you to take a job that didn’t require you to wear a suit. You could always open up your own consultation office.” I said as Isaac glared at me. “No. it’s more work being the owner than an employee.” “Okay counsellor Isaac.” I replied
037 Ben and I helped Isaac and Sarah load their luggage into their van after spending their last night with us. The twins really wanted to stay with me, crying as they were forced into the car pushing Everest as well to cry. “Are you going to be okay?” I asked as Isaac rubbed his head in pain. “They’ll stop eventually. They can always see you when you come for the housewarming or the weekends.” Isaac replied. “Thank you so much for accommodating us and our kids. It’s not exactly easy dealing with a set of six years old twins…” Sarah said. “And a baby. Your son doesn’t talk a lot but when he does, he sure is a screamer.” Ben said as I elbowed him before Isaac and Sarah laughed. “When you have a kid Ben, there’ll be no more comments.” Sarah said as she patted Ben’s shoulder. “I’m going to miss you baby brother.” Isaac said as he hugged the brother, he was taller than. “I’m just a few hours ride away from your neighbourh
038 I smiled the moment my feet stepped out of airport grounds to the city of Tokyo. We were actually to go to Kyoto but we decided to stop in Tokyo then take a train to Kyoto after spending a day or two here. “Wow.” I said as Ben smiled before he wrapped his hand around mine. “I’m honestly impressed.” Ben commented as we stared at all the citizens and tourists who would wake in and out of streets, corners and roads with fancy gadgets and AI simulations. Totally different from the US and it made fifteen hours of discomfort in a flying container of metal. “I’m so exhausted. Why don’t we take quick nap before heading out?” Ben asked as we approached a taxi. “We’re only spending a night here before we go to Kyoto; there are a lot of tourist sites I want to go to.” I whined as Ben chuckled. “Honey, we have five days to spend in Japan, we will make time for everything. I’m sure your internal clock is itching to rest then adjust.” Ben expl
039 Japan sure had a lot of temples for island people and Azrael who was the only Asian I knew didn’t exactly have anything to link him to his mother’s side of his family even though it was right he bears her last name as the alpha of the family. It made me wonder if it was possible to go to Osaka which was Azrael’s hometown to explore but I brushed off that thought. This trip was for me and Ben not Azrael so I shouldn’t think of him at all. We were so lost with touring Tokyo, we kept on pushing our arrival date to Kyoto today. It was fun though I felt bad a little because I left most of the packing to Ben since it was the only thing I couldn’t do and he insisted on the million-dollar treatment. “I want to go to a spa.” I said when looking at the tour manual the hotel we lodged in gave to the guests. “A spa?” Ben asked as he unpacked our things that needed out of the box. “My birthday is tomorrow so a spa cleansing i
040 I was in a café enjoying my milkshake as I looked at the people that were happy. I was born on the fifth of May in Germany and I was celebrating my twenty seventh birthday alone while my husband was in an airplane heading home. I suddenly regret not joining for that party. “I still have Todo’s email, maybe I could invite him out for Karaoke.” I said as I scrolled down my phone. I was about to text Todo when I saw someone I least expected to see. Azrael was buying a drink as well before he turned back and froze when he saw me. I broke eye contact with him but then reconsidered it and waved at him. It was awkward and he looked around before he realized it was at him and waved back. We were both quiet sitting opposite each other before I pulled my hair back. “It’s been a long time.” I said as Azrael nodded. “How are you doing?” Azrael asked as I shifted in my chair. “I’m good. What about you?” “Same.” We were
041 We arrived at a traditional inn and the moment one of the staff saw Azrael; she ran towards him and smiled at him. They were talking incredibly fast and it wasn’t like I could understand but how she acted when Azrael looked at me gave me a clue on what they were talking about. She bowed at me before she blushed with a satisfied look. “We should take a bath.” Azrael said as I stared at the elderly woman. “What were you guys talking about?” I asked and Azrael blushed. He didn’t say anything and it only piqued my interest more as I followed Azrael. “What did you guys talk about?” I insisted before Azrael paused. “It’s nothing important. We should hit the Onsen.” Azrael replied before he pushed aside a sliding door. We entered inside before Azrael closed the door behind him. The room was neat, dry and spacious with baskets stacked in rows. I was honestly expecting a lot of people here but it wasn’t that time or hour w
042 Leslie I opened my eyes slowly, blinking multiple times before I recognised the heat I was sensing. I tried to move but I felt an arm around my waist that obstructed my movement. I looked up to recognize who it was before I saw Azrael. He was sleeping with his mouth slightly open and his chest heaving gently while he snored softly. This was the first time hearing him snore whenever he slept off even though it was gentle. I looked to the left and I was shocked when I saw the yukata, we were wearing last night scattered on the ground with bottles of the sake we drank last night before I touched my lips. It dawned on me what I had done last night with Azrael and I was the one who initiated it. I quietly got off Azrael, careful so I wouldn’t wake him up before I picked my yukata up and put it on. My legs felt a little weak but it had enough strength to take me to anywhere since my body didn’t hurt. I opened t