Page 95 of Chemistry: The Chemist

I took her by the hand when I stood. She trailed close behind as I descended the stairs. She wore slim black pants and a black, snug shirt that exposed her navel. Not even the models in Paris were fucking with Eden. I was still in yesterday’s clothes, but there were clothes waiting where we were headed.

On the elevator, I pulled Eden into me while planting myself in the corner so I could watch everything around us and so the view of the camera was obscured.

“Mister.” She kissed my lips.

“Tell me your dreams, Choc.”

Tossing her head back, she chuckled. When her eyes returned to me, the smile on her face softened. She understood quickly that comedy wasn’t my intention.

“My dreams?”

“What do you want more than anything else in life?”

For a few seconds, she pondered.

“Ease.”

“Ease? Explain, please.”

“Ease. Life has its way of making me feel as though there isn’t a better version possible. Or that I should be grateful for the one I have and not want a better one. So…” She paused, swallowing slowly. “A life of ease, that’s the dream. That’s my dream. I don’t have this big, fancy idea of what life should or could be.

“No big dreams for me, Chemistry. Just… I just crave a more simple, less daunting life. One where I hardly lift a finger or don’t feel guilty for lying in bed all day if my heart desires. Quietness. Calm. Slowness. I love that. I hate rushing through my skincare routine. Rushing through meals. Rushing to answer the phone. Rushing home. Everything is always moving so fast. In my dream, everything slows down. Even me.”

“Sounds obtainable.”

“I think it is. I don’t think it’ll happen in this lifetime, but maybe the next.”

“Have you not learned anything about me, yet, Choc?” I asked, pushing the spiraled strand from her face.

She was rocking a ponytail, but it wasn’t cascading down her back. It was her natural hair in a ball of some kind with two strands hanging in front.

“I have learned quite a bit.”

“Then you should know that I wouldn’t ask if I couldn’t deliver.”

The elevator doors had stood open for some time. They were preparing to close when I nodded toward the exit.

“We can stay right here for as long as you want or we can get moving.”

Eden barely made it through them. They reopened fully, allowing me to pass through as well. We strolled across the lobby and out of the door where Aden was waiting. He widened the door of the truck and greeted Eden, simultaneously.

To avoid additional cameras, I slid in behind her instead of walking around to the other side. As soon as we settled, she continued the conversation we’d cut short.

“It’s not your job to–”

“Eden, don’t make me gag and bound you for talking senseless.”

She didn’t have a quick, witty remark, so she kept quiet.

“You didn’t ask for the world, baby, though I was more than willing to give it to you. Your request was simple. You want peace and quiet. That’s exactly what you’ll have. I won’t wait to give it to you, either. Consider it done. From this moment forward, nothing you desire will be out of reach for you. Tell me. Just tell me and I’ll handle it.”

“Who must I thank for creating you? They did a fine job.”

“You’ll meet him soon enough. I just have one question, Choc.”

“What is it?”

“Does that include motherhood? The life you dream of?”

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