"Niko, you're back!" I run to Niko and throw my arms around him. As I bury my face in his chest, I realize my heart is beating so fast. I breath in his masculine scent, a moment passes then another, just as I'm about to pull away, his arm comes around me. One palm cradles my head to his chest the other wraps around my back. I feel him exhale in my hair. Apparently, a part of me was a little worried about his wellbeing. It's not like I missed his presence around the house. I had just been concerned about his safety. In these past few days, I learned he must have lost of enemies and a target on his back. Back in Chicago I remember going with mother to visit some aunties from time to time who lost their husbands. There was a lot of crying and wailing sometimes screaming and cursing. The sight was never pleasant. I was a child back then so I never got any details. I just knew that my young and healthy uncles were fine on day and gone through next. Now I know they

     For the first time, The full force of his glare is on me, and he is not very happy with my little comment.        His grip tightens, but not painfully, more like he wanted my attention even though he already had it. He always had my attention. 

      I spend the next twenty-five minutes after my shower moisturizing my skin and drying my hair.A minute later I place down the straightener. God my shoulders hurt from holding my arms over my head for a long time.       My hair falls in a straight waterfall down my back.It's times like this that I love my hair. Even after straightening every single last curl and wave my hair still looks full and thick.            For my make up, I apply a thin coat of light foundation then fill in my eyebrows and line my eyes. I moisten my lips but decided to wait before applying any lipstick or eyeshadow until I've chosen a dress.        I'm in my bathrobe when I step out a moment later. Surprisingly my room isn't half as messy as I thought it would be in.About a dozen dresses are laying on the bed, some coats are laying on the couch which used to be at

  Smiling into my glass I take another sip of wine.  This is good wi-  "Lola!" I jerked at the sound of my name.      My mother-in-law practically runs toward me, I grimaced at her six-inch heels silently praying she doesn't fall and break her neck. 

*****       Moments, minutes or hours later I collapse on the bed breathing so hard.  Niko and I had gone at it for what felt like hours.  I panted loudly trying to catch my breath.  I blinked trying to focus my gaze, my legs felt like jelly.