GUYSSSS WE'RE AT 98K READS!!!!

I'm so shook, I never imagined this book would even get more than 1K reads 😭. I owe it all to you guys, thank you!

What's your favourite cuisine? I love Italian, Mexican, and Indian food :).

TW: brief mention of blood

(but it's not gory or anything)

Mila's POV

I lay in bed, staring up at the high ceiling.  Rain pattered against the titled roof and wind rattled the window panes. The Victorian styled room wasn't to my liking.

It was scary.

The transparent drapes did little to keep the flashes of lightning from illuminating my room.

It was cold despite the fireplace attempting to heat the carpeted room.

A large canopy with heavy curtains covered my bed and the pillows were as soft as a textbook.

I lay there for what felt like hours with my eyes closed. I'd even taken a melatonin but it did little to calm my restless mind.

For the past week, every time I'd close my eyes, the same nightmare plagued my sleep.

The nightmare that was my past.

Over and over, I found myself reliving the moment I found out about Carter's accident.

The sound of crunching glass beneath feet, the sirens, the flashing lights reflecting off the puddles. The rain pouring down, just like it was right now. The sound of my blood rushing through my ears as I ran towards the wrecked metal that was once a car.

Then his face.

His blood trickling down his temple, his pale skin, his hazel eyes wide open, his mouth parted as if gasping for one final breath, and his lips turning blue.

It haunted me.

I didn't want to forget. I didn't want to forget that night. Because it would mean forgetting him.

But I was so sick and tired of that stupid dream. The same one over and over again that had me gasping for breath as I sat up in bed.

Nothing ever changed.

I knew what would happen.

I knew exactly which door I'd open, which road I'd take, which officer I'd see first.

The same exact nightmare.

Only it had once been real.

Every time my eyes closed, the darkness would give away and I could feel myself slipping into that same dream. Now it was to the point where I was afraid to close my eyes.

So instead of tossing and turning, I got up and walked to the door.

The floor was freezing cold and I was confused for a hot minute.

These people be rich asf but they can't afford proper heating? Excuse me?

I somehow wandered down the hall without tripping over my own ice cube feet. And I ended up in front of Ajax's room.

What's the worst that could happen?

I quietly turned the doorknob to reveal a room similar to mine. Only it was less creepy.

But it was still freezing cold and somehow Ajax was still sleeping shirtless.

Hooooow????

I'm not complaining though.

I was jealous of Ajax, he had perfectly tanned skin and taught muscles. People always told me they had a thing for back muscles and I never understood it until now.

The moonlight sharpened the shadows and defined his jawline.

Scissors who?  Knives who?

I'm talking jawline hazards over here.

I tried to be as quiet as possible as I lifted the covers, gently sliding under them. He was a heavy sleeper, but I was afraid he'd wake up. I didn't want to disturb his sleep.

He also slept on his stomach which I never understood either.

Weirdo.

Somehow the bed was warmer from his body heat and I immediately felt cozier than in my own room.

I didn't touch him, knowing my ice cube hands would probably wake him up. I never signed up to be Elsa, but I guess there's a first time for everything.

I found myself thinking about how much our relationship had progressed in the past few months. Nighttime was when I tried to sort out my thoughts.

Ajax hadn't been the nicest when I first moved and he'd made me feel sad on numerous occasions. Yet somewhere along the line, he'd brought down his walls and let me in. And I had done the same. I guess there really was a fine line between love and hate.

And as trusting as I seemed, all this was new to me. I didn't know how to be "the perfect girlfriend". Unfortunately there was no instruction manual for that. And for some reason, my mind kept thinking:

How much longer till he's had enough of me?
——————-——————-——————-

Ajax's POV

I somehow awoke before Annalise came barging into my room to wake me up. I usually got a few hits in the face with a pillow before being dragged out of bed.

But somehow this time as the sunlight came filtering in through the window, I was awake.

I turned over, spotting a mess of brown hair.

Closing my eyes, I decided to sleep a bit more before that little firecracker came hammering at the door.

Wait a second.

Brown hair?

My eyes flew open as I froze, zeroing in on Mila's sleeping face.

I couldn't recall when she'd come into my room, but she was here. In my bed. Sleeping beside me. Again.

I let out a deep breath, lifting my hand to brush away some of the hair covering her face. She shifted slightly, a crease appearing between her brows.

Wait, she's my girlfriend now. I can touch her.

God Ajax you're so dumb. How did you even make it this far in life?

I gently wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to my chest. She had slept at the far edge of the  bed, away from me.

Her hands rested against my chest making goosebumps appear on my skin. Her hands were always cold.

One morning she'd entered the studio and we immediately started our routine after stretching. I was shocked when we got into our starting positions and her hands were freezing cold. She joked that they would have to be amputated one day because of  frostbite.

I found myself studying her peaceful face as she slept. The makeup she'd been wearing the night before was wiped off, revealing the darks circles under her eyes.

Is this creepy? This is probably creepy.

But is it really though?

The fact that she hadn't been startled awake when I touched her told me she was exhausted.

Mila was the lightest sleeper on the planet. Sharing a room with her would mean everything had to be as quiet as possible. Even breathing.

A split second later, the door to my room swung open.

"WAKE UP IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!" Annalise screamed, jumping on the bed.

"Okay okay, I'm up," I said quickly, grabbing her gently off the bed.

I hoped that she hadn't woken Mila, but the brunette was already awake. She turned onto her side, stretching her arms.

I chuckled as she let out a loud yawn.

"Morning," she mumbled, staring at me through squinted eyes.

"Morning," I smiled sympathetically, still holding onto a jumping Annalise.

"Merry Christmas! she cheered, launching herself onto Mila.

"Merry Christmas Annalise," she smiled, returning her hug.

"Come let's open presents!" she shouted, tugging on her arm.

"I'll be down in a second," Mila said, "I need to get dressed.

"Okay, don't take too long," the little devil stated, rushing out of the room.

"Well then," I muttered, running a hand through my hair.

"No good morning kiss," she pouted and I laughed. I leaned over to her side of the bed and gave her a peck on the lips.

"Merry Christmas," she smiled, giving me a hug. Her soft hair tickled my bare skin as I rested my head on her shoulder.

"Mind telling me how you ended up in here?" I asked and she ducked her head in embarrassment.

"I couldn't sleep so I came here."

"Yeah that storm was pretty harsh," I nodded and she mumbled a 'yeah' in response.

But something told me the storm wasn't the reason for her sleepless night.

"Good morning, happy Christmas," my grandmother greeted as we entered the kitchen.

"Good morning," we replied simultaneously.

Mila barely had a chance to speak before Annalise came whizzing by, dragging her to the tree.

"Mama can we pleeeease open gifts first?" the other youngster pleaded.

"You wouldn't listen if I said no so go ahead," her mother sighed.

The two girls cheered, grabbing their gifts and ripping them open.

Mila's POV

"Come with me," Ajax said, tugging my arm gently. He led me up several flights of stairs before we reached a wooden door.

Pushing it open, it led to an outdoor deck that was hidden from the front view of the property.

You could see the large trees that surrounded the house and even a few snowcapped mountains in the distance.

"I have something for you," he said, pulling out a tiny box.

"You didn't have to," I scolded, feeling bad that I hadn't brought Ajax anything.

"I felt like it. And I also know you weren't expecting to see anyone for Christmas so you're off the hook this time," he joked.

He bit his lip, watching me open the wrapped present.

"Your wrapping skills are better than mine," I said, impressed.

"Thanks but that's shit wrapping, just so you know," he said making me laugh.

Inside the box was a beautiful aqua coloured set of earrings. They were shaped in teardrops with sparkling diamonds dangling from the sides.

"I didn't know if you'd like it, but since you wear a lot of earrings I figured that's what I should get you. If you don't like i-" he rambled, but I cut him off.

"I love it!" I exclaimed, gently lifting on of them from the box.

"Do you mind removing these?" I asked tilting my head towards him. I held back a shiver when his warms hands brush against my neck as he removed the earrings.

I quickly put in the new earrings, feeling their weight tug at my earlobes.

"How do I look?"

"Beautiful."

I blushed, looking down at my feet. Ajax laughed at my shyness, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as we headed back down the stairs.

"Wait, I've been meaning to tell you something," he began, stopping at the foot of the stairs.

"Mhm, what's up?" I asked, tilting my head.

"I um," he paused, his mouth parted as if he was going to say something.

"Yes?"

"Uh nevermind, I'll tell you later," he waved his hand.

"Hey! You can't do that, you left me hanging there," I pouted, tugging on his arm lightly.

"All in good time," he mocked and I rolled my eyes.

"I swear sometimes you have more dick in your personality than in your pants," I huffed, crossing my arms.

"Darling I'd watch your mouth if I were you," he said lowly, his eyes darkening.

Ohh I'm so scared! -.-