Chapter Eight
Groggily, I sat up on the seat, baffled by the devastated look on Nova's chiseled face. Instantly I got up, heading towards his room, thankful that the curtains were still drawn and my eyes were secure momentarily from the early morning brightness.
I walked past the dining room, entering the master bedroom, feet padding over the dark wood flooring. It was pretty simple. Share a bed. When the maids see us in one bed, obviously they'll think something is happening.
Simple strategizing.
Despite my brain screaming at me to run away.
I turned around, facing the open door, expecting Nova to follow me, giving a shout of his name when I discovered he had not. His feet carried his body smoothly through the threshold, stopping at the doorway of his room, looking at me for further assistance.
"I'll lay down on one corner. You sleep on the other. Now which side is yours?" I simply stated, watching his eyes shoot up at the statement, a look of bewilderment, and perhaps a little amusement appearing on his face. Before he could make another one of his inappropriate innuendos, I added, "Nova. The maids have to believe we’ve slept together. We've been over this."
His face lost its amusement then, instead going blank, then he nicely spitted, "I know. I was just testing you," before trekking towards the left side of the king-sized bed and settling on it.
He wasn't dumb. I knew. He was confused as to how to act around me. I knew because I was confused too. He was nervous about this working. There's so much you can plan and plot. The inner details of the workings of any manner were always left out.
Our behavior with each other were the inner details that were left out.
I shuffled over the other corner of the wide bed, as far from him as possible, and gently sat down on the plush surface, before laying down in the soft comforter, nearly moaning at the softness the mattress possessed. The couch could never be this comfortable, and the ratty mattress I had back home wasn't even in line for competition when it came to this.
I didn't require it, but I grabbed a corner of the duvet laying on the bed, covering myself with it, mostly to hide the fact that I was fully clothed beneath the sheets. With the bed so comfortable, the sheets so soft, I could already feel my eyes closing, giving off the sign that not only physically, but emotionally the last few days had been challenging. Just as a sliver of movement was heard outside the room, I felt my eyes close, content despite the presence of a rude man not so far from me.
xxxxx
When I woke up, the bed was empty, and the curtains were wide open.
Sitting up in bed, I let my body enjoy a long stretch, the muscles welcoming the relaxing experience that was sleeping in this bed. Swallowing, I got up, observing the time to be ten in the morning, Nova obviously having left for his daily routines.
I expected him to have prepared something for me to eat when I woke up, but when I witnessed an empty kitchen, my anger at him raised. Obviously, it wasn't his duty, but my frustration with him being so rude all the time added to the gesture. He didn't have a right to cut me off and be mean all the time. I was here struggling too.
With squinted eyes, I made way to his fridge, grabbing all the ingredients for a big breakfast, intent on pissing him off as best as I could, even though I knew it would not have an effect on him. I smoothly prepared the meal. I might not be a fantastic chef, but life matters had molded me enough to prepare something good enough to eat.
After the meal, I decided on a shower, walking towards the connected room from his bedroom. It was vast, just like the other rooms in the suite, suited to accommodate the needs of one person. A walk-in shower present on one side. Various products could be seen sitting around the place. A toothbrush, body wash, shampoo and various other essential products.
I thoroughly enjoyed the warm shower, the water immensely relaxing my muscles, making my body go lax. I saved Nova the displeasure of me using his products, instead using a bar of soap to wash myself, using a fluffy towel to dry myself off after I was done, dark hair dripping water as I padded towards the living room, turning on the TV. I had no one to dress for, so why bother until later.
There are only so many movies I can watch, and so many shivers I can ignore before some action has to be taken. Sighing, I made my way back towards his room, grabbing my discarded jeans and slipping them on. Deciding against the black shirt I had on from earlier. I casually entered his walk-in closet, ignoring the fact that he might be mad if I wore something of his. Not so surprisingly, the room was lined with dress shirts, black and white in color. Matching dark pants hanging towards one side.
So, Mr. Casanova had no casual clothes. Figures.
After a little search, I discovered an old band t-shirt lying at the bottom corner of one of the racks, filtered with holes. It was a little big for me, but fit just right for lounging.
Checking the time, I decided on preparing something for dinner. For some reason thinking that this will show him I am capable of taking care of myself. Entering the kitchen, I took a thorough tour around the cabinets and shelves, familiarizing myself with the contents before settling on making pasta.
Throughout the process of cooking, I thought about Nova. For some reason, I thought of the rude persona he puts up was just a facade, like he was hiding something. Or he didn't trust me enough to open up and be himself around me just yet.
Or was he always this plain rude. But who could explain that to my I-know-everything heart I had always trusted so much?
By the time the sun had been down for a couple of hours, the door was pushed open, heavy feet entering. He had arrived early today too, not the usual midnight he had told me about.
I set the meal out on two separate plates, using a little garnishing to add to the beauty of the servings. I was proud of what I had accomplished, smiling down at the plates laid out in front of me.
He entered the dining room, looking around the area, eyes landing on me standing at the kitchen counter, and then at the plates of food in front of me, before stating a surprised, "You can cook?"
Ignoring his attitude, I picked up the plates, walking towards the dining table and setting them down gently.
"Come try." I gestured for him towards the table. Situating myself in one of the seats, as he sauntered over and sat down. Instantly adding how the shirt I was wearing was his, and that he wanted it off with a wide teasing smirk, but I let that slide too.
When the first bite made its way across his lips and his face lightened up, I knew I had scored a point, watching as he instantly went for another bite. I twirled my spoon around my plate, taking a small bite of the well-cooked meal.
Along the way Nova asked, "Is there more?" And I nodded, gesturing towards the filled pot sat on the stove.
"I might've gone a little overboard." I added with a quiet chuckle.
With his rude self, gone for a second, I took the risk of asking, deciding now was as good as the time to try and understand the basics.
"Nova." He hummed in response, taking another bite.
"Who’s Papa?" I gently added, watching as his expression change.
Before I could say anything, he started. "Look I know you're confused, and probably have a lot of questions that require answering. And I have been exceptionally rude lately, and I assure you that's not how I usually am. If I was, then I wouldn't be in need of striking such a deal with you, like my cousins."
He took another bite, as I listened intently.
So, my heart was right after all.
"I shouldn't have been so rude to you. I am confused and unsure of how to make this deal work, but so are you." He took another bite, swallowing it down with a gulp of water. "If you have any questions, let's discuss them over a game of poker after dinner. Maybe I can help you understand, and you can help me understand thoroughly of how this will work, because I need this to work desperately. For now, let's enjoy the meal."
A game of poker with the owner of the biggest casino in Las Vegas. This was bound to be interesting.