Page 64 of Eternally Yours
I head upstairs, through the master bedroom and into the bathroom to start the shower. As I undress, I look into the big mirror along the wall above the double sinks and observe myself. My hair, my face, my body. I’ve never been one to wish I was different. I’ve always liked what I see in the mirror. But right now? I’m questioning everything...
I step away and enter the glass shower that’s big enough for five, with jets at every angle and a huge rain shower head above. There’s also a bench in here.The rich really do live like kings.
I shower quickly and get dressed in one of Sy’s shirts, accompanied by my underwear. Skipping back down the stairs, I go to the library and grab the book I was reading last time I was in here, then return to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine.
I’m just about to sit down on the sofa when the elevator dings indicating its arrival. Silas said he wouldn’t be here until later, and the staff only comes in the morning, so I’m not sure who else it could be. My question is answered pretty quickly when I see Morgan and Emma stepping out and walking my way with two grocery bags.
“I told you she’d be hiding out up here,” Emma calls as she goes over to the kitchen island and deposits the bags. Making herself at home as if she’s been here a thousand times, when in reality it’s the first time.
Morgan walks over to me and takes me into a much-needed hug. “Hey, Sweetie. How are you holding up?” She’s asking about the article, a concerned expression on her beautiful, serene face.
“I’m fine, really. You guys didn’t have to come up here.” I try to sound as authentic as I can muster, but the truth is, I’m happy they showed up.
“Of course, we did. I know you read the article, and most likely all the comments, too. So I can only imagine what’s going on in your head right now. And don’t bother lying about it, I know you, Cece,” Emma interjects as she struts toward us. “Wow, this place is something else. Holy shit, I’m surprised you haven’t moved in yet.”
I laugh, because if she knew that Silas has been subtly mentioning me moving in, she would probably pack my things for me and ship them up while I was at work.
“You that much in a hurry to get rid of me?” I tease.
“You know that’s not true. I just think it would be easier for you to just move in here. I mean, you spend most of your nights here with Sy, so why not stay all the time? Most of your clothes and stuff have already been brought up at some point over the last two months. So it’s not like there would be much left to move,” she replies with a shrug.
Wait a minute...
“Silas put you up to this, didn’t he?” I place my hands over my hips and tap my foot, waiting for an answer I already know. Because it just so happens that my man gave me theexactsame reason this morning while I was getting dressed for work.
She picks up one of her red strands and inspects it, looking for dead ends. Not looking at me, she replies, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
At the exact same moment that Morgan nods. “He did. Even asked me to tell you how much I love living with Clay, hoping it will make you envious and want to move in quicker.”
“Oh my God, he’s relentless!” I stand, completely shocked as I look at both of them. I can’t believe he would go as far as getting my friends involved to have his way.
“He really is, it’s kind of adorable,” Morg says, smiling brightly at me, she lives for this lovey-dovey stuff.
“Okay, we get it. Hayes is the perfect man who stops at nothing to get the girl. Now can we get to the margaritas and food we planned on having to cheer up our girl who had a bad day?” Emma says, rolling her eyes like she’s annoyed. But I know her, she lives for this shit, too. A true romantic at heart.
After getting a big batch of margarita made and an enormous amount of food laid out over the living room table, we sit with our drinks on the floor in front of the couch. No one mentions why we’re really here, and I’m guessing that’s the point, to get my mind off of it.
But as I listen to Emma telling us about the date she had last week with a guy named Tommy, my mind starts wandering once more with doubt.
The energy in the room quickly shifts and I look up, noticing both sets of eyes on me. I’m guessing I zoned out long enough for them to notice. They don’t speak and allow me the time to process what’s going through my head.
“What if they’re right...” I murmur, ashamed of myself for believing that even for a second but still needing to address it.
Morgan places her hand on top of mine that lay flat over my outstretched legs. “Right about what?”
“That I’m not good enough for him... you’ve all seen him, he’s phenomenal. Evenyou admitted how perfect Silas is, Em. Doesn’t he deserve to be with someone as amazing as him? What if him settling with me is just a step back from something better? They said it themselves, and they’re right, I’m emotional baggage.” I scrunch my nose and sniff as my emotions slowly take over.
“Jesus, I cried when I met his parents! If that isn’t a big enough clue that I don’t have all my shit together, then I don’t know what is. Silas doesn’t deserve that in his life. He should be with someone who’s all put together, who’s in control of their life, and isn’t afraid of everything. Someone who doesn’t let stupid shit like that fucking article ruin everything.” My lips wobble as I let out my insecurities. A lone tear rolls down my cheek while I try desperately to keep the others in.
“That’s bullshit, babe, and you know it. That man is crazy about you, and there’s no one on this planet better fitted for him than you!” Em says, annoyed with me. I get it, she’s angry that I would think so low of myself.I’m angry with myself, too.
Morgan squeezes my hand, making me turn to her. “Sweetie, she’s right. You are the best thing for Silas, I don’t doubt that for a second, and he knows it very well, too. Do you know why I came today?”
“Because Emma called you?” I say, confused by her question.
She smiles in response. “No, I came because Silas called me this morning. He was worried about how the article would affect you, and he knew you would eventually read it even though he told you not to. He hated the thought of you being alone after that but knew he couldn’t get out of his meetings with the sponsors today. So he asked me to come spend the evening with you until he got home. And given I bumped into Em on the way in, I’d guess he did the same with her, too.” The look she gives me is filled with love.
“You see, Silas cares about you so deeply that his focus is only on you all the time, even for the little things. I get it, I really do. The first time I was mentioned in an article when Clay and I got together, it wasn’t pretty. It nearly broke us because I couldn’t handle the pressure and all the nasty things that were being said about me.” Morgan offers me a reassuring smile before continuing.
