Page 9 of Eternally Yours
I lay my forehead against the door, eyes closed as I berate myself for having so little self-control to the point where I would invite a man I just met into my bed.
I hear a deep groan come from the other side of the door, a voice now foreveringrained into my mind speaking in a hushed tone as the sound of his footsteps go back and forth. “God, I’m such an idiot! What the hell is happening to me?!”
I can’t help the giggle that falls from my lips, causing his steps to falter in their track. “You didn’t hear that, did you?”
This time, I try my best to hold it in and steady my voice before replying, “Nope.” Accentuating the ‘P’, hoping that will sell the lie.
It’s a beat before he answers, “Okay, good... good.” His steps get closer to the door until I can practically feel his presence through it. Something settles against the door above me.His forehead?And another to the side of where mine is pressed.His hand?It’s extremely quiet in the hall, yet the pull through the door is immensely loud.
I can feel him waiting, but for what? I do the only thing that comes to mind—the only thing my body is currently begging me to do. I bring my hand up and settle it over the spot he put his.
I hear his exhale as if it were directly in my ear, goosebumps scattering along my arms as he whispers quietly, “Goodnight, Cecilia.”
“Goodnight, Silas.”
Chapter five
Cecilia
I always did like playing in tree houses.
~ The Next Day ~
I sit up in bed and stretch my hands to the ceiling, letting out a small yawn before a smile grows on my face and my belly fills with giddiness. I’m not normally a morning person, but something in me changed last night.
I expected to be more tired than this given the time I had finally managed to fall asleep. After tossing and turning most of the night, reminiscing about the events from yesterday, it was well past two in the morning when my eyes finally gave in to some sleep.
The absent rays of sunlight in my room tell me it’s still pretty early, but dawn is clearly only inches away, which is a good enough reason for me to start my day. I toss the cover back and step out of bed, humming to myself on the way to my en suite bathroom.
Once I’ve showered, I head to my walk-in closet and quickly choose a gray pencil skirt and white blouse.There, easy and simple.I towel dry my hair, letting it take on its natural wavy look, then decide to forgo makeup and call it a day.
I make my way toward the kitchen and get the coffee machine started. A look at the clock over the stove tells me it’s just past six in the morning. I don’t need to be at the office until eight, but I’m thinking I might head in a little earlier.
We’re a bit behind on the Margo Project, so I’d like to get ahead of it before other events pile on. Also, leaving early might spare me a little time from the thousand questions Emma’s going to have once she gets to me— since I wasn’t home when she got back from her Thursday night family dinner. I’m surprised she hasn’t already barged down the hall to pester me.I love my best friend, but God, can she be a handful when she has something in mind.
I look around the exquisite open floor plan I’ve been calling home while waitingfor my travel mug to fill. The place is elegant and chic, white dominating the space with beige rugs, throw pillows, and lamp shades decorating the living room.
Floor-to-ceiling windows give off a majestic view of the city, and beautiful artwork lines the walls every few feet. Marble countertops make up every kitchen surface, with sleek white cabinets along the back and state-of-the-art appliances in every corner. And let’s not forget the wine fridge! Any food enthusiast’s fantasy come to life.
This place still takes my breath away every time I take it in. I owe so much to Emma for letting me stay with her. I’ve always known Em came from a wealthy family. When we met in college at the University of Toronto, she always showed up with new designer clothes and handbags.
All the vacations she took and the stories she told made it blatantly obvious she had money. Everyone wanted to be her friend, yet I was the lucky one who got to call her my roommate.
From the moment we met, we were inseparable, glued at the hip. When the time came to say goodbye after receiving our bachelor’s degree in meeting and event management, Emma went back home to New York.
I stayed back and finalized the preparations to sell my grandmother’s estate. Even though we stayed in touch daily, we rarely got to see each other given both our busy schedules.
Not until six weeks ago, when she got me an interview with the amazing Amanda Wilson at Wilson Events. A week later, I was moving in with my best friend and working by her side at one of the best event-planning companies in New York. Now we practically spend every waking moment together.
I pick up my travel mug and secure the lid in place once the coffee machine has finished brewing. I walk in silence toward the entryway, slipping my feet into the new pair of ankle boots Em got me last week as a‘sorry I made you work extra hours so that I could go on a date’gift. Grabbing my purse that sits on the little table by the entrance, I open the door and walk out. As I lock up from the outside, I hear the door behind me open.
“Well, well, well. Look who we have here. Good morning, Cecilia. Have a nice night? You got in pretty late, from what I recall.”
I turn toward my early rising neighbor with a grin. She’s still dressed in her nightgown, rollers in her graying hair. “Good morning, Ms. Maggie.”
“And that young man that was with you... I didn’t get a good look at his face, but from what I could see, good for you!”
I shake my head in amusement before taking a sip of my delicious hazelnutflavored coffee.She really is a nosy neighbor.
