“You’re moving in here, permanently,” he demanded. “And you’re never going back to Elite. I’ll cover your expenses from now on.”
I nodded, not giving a fight. Elite was now a part of my past and I had no plans of returning. Moving back here was my plan all along.
“And you’re not allowed to leave me.” It broke my heart that inside Kairus was still a broken kid who had learned to tuck how he felt away and handle his feelings in unhealthy ways.
“I won’t, but you have to remove the tracker and remember I’m a person. All you have to do is communicate with me. Oh, and no more throwing me in the basement and locking me up.” I cut my eyes at him.
“Done.” He kissed me again, this time more hunger-filled. “I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you, you were meant to be at my side and in my arms. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to have you.”
Most people probably believed I was crazy for wanting to be with Kairus and stand by his side, and maybe I was, but I didn’t care. He brought out a side of me I’d never experienced before. He made me feel alive for the first time in my life. My heart soared when he was close. No other man had ever made me feel how he did. It didn’t matter that no one else understood what we had, as long as the two of us had each other.
Three weeks later…
“Don’t forget we’re meeting at the library Saturday for a study session,” Marissa, one of my classmates, told me as we walked out of the building together.
I nodded. “I’ll be there. See you.” I waved and started down the stone walkway.
It took some time, but I was able to get everything straightened at the college and had enrolled in the second set of summer classes. I was only taking three, one being online, but I was happy to be back.
The past three weeks had been an adjustment. I gave up my house and Kairus had all my things moved into his house, without my knowledge I might add. It didn’t bother me because I had planned on doing it anyway after deciding to put it on the market, he just sped up the process.
My eyes fell on the faint new scar on my right wrist. Kairus had the tracker removed from my wrist after some heavy convincing. I knew he didn’t like the fact that he couldn’t keep track of me every second of the day, but to ease his mind and paranoia I shared my location on my phone with him. It wasn’t like I had anything to hide or was ever being sneaky.
My phone vibrated in my back pocket. Since I was done with my class for the day, I was headed home. I had some homework to complete before meeting Jatavia later. She didn’t understand why I chose to go back to Kairus after he let me go, but that was okay because she supported me regardless. She had even came over to the house once all my stuff was moved in to help me unpack. Kairus hovered around for a while but didn’t bother us.It would take some time but I hoped the two learned to co-exist peacefully since both were a part of my life.
A smile split my face seeing my mom’s name flash on my screen.
“Hey, Mommy,” I answered, walking through the courtyard.
“Hi, my sweet girl.” Her smile matched mine. “Are you leaving class?”
“I am.” We fell into conversation.
Things with my parents were rocky. While my mom didn’t understand why I wanted to be with Kairus, she chose to ignore it rather than gripe about it. She was uneasy about our relationship, but she wanted me to be happy. My dad, on the other hand, flat out forbade it. Our relationship was pretty much nonexistent right now and I couldn’t lie and say it wasn’t hurtful, but I got it. Part of the reason I think he felt like he did was because he felt guilty about being the cause of this in the first place.
“I plan on going to clear out the garden Sunday. I want you to come help.” Mom wasn’t a hundred percent back, but she was regaining her strength each day. Her body was still recovering from the hysterectomy but she was able to be on her feet more now.
“I don’t know, Mommy.” I approached my car and leaned against it.
Her eyes were sad as a small, toothless smile formed on her face. “Don’t worry about your dad. Come over.”
I knew my parents’ relationship had been rocky since she found out everything that happened these past few months. I hated that I was also the cause of their arguing due to me choosing to stay with Kairus, but I believed they could get through it. My parents loved each other and I knew they would overcome this.
I bounced the idea around in my head. “Okay,” I finally whispered.
“And give it some time with your dad. He’s just stubborn, he’ll come around. Eventually I want that boyfriend of yours over so we can get to know him better.”
I nibbled on my bottom lip and nodded. “Maybe.” While my mom might eventually accept Kairus, I doubted my dad ever would.
We talked for a little longer before hanging up. I tossed my book bag in the back seat and climbed in the driver’s seat.
Walking into the house, I went to the living room and laid my book bag near the couch. My eyes circled the room and I smiled slightly, seeing some of the decorations from my house around the room. Kairus didn’t care that I started to decorate the house and make it feel more homely. He gave me free rein to make the place feel like mine.
Leaving the living room I went down the hall to the kitchen. “Hi, Lillian,” I said, going to the fridge for a bottled water. She was still short with me but wasn’t as cold anymore.
“Azeira,” she replied, putting away groceries.
“Do you need help?” I asked, closing the fridge and facing her.
