Page 63 of Lost Room Lawyer
After one last look at his phone, Hector circled the bed, set it on the nightstand, and settled in beside me.
“Turn onto your side,” he said, indicating that I should turn my back to him.
As he drew closer, his warmth met my cold skin, and the heat of his shaft pressed against my back. A sudden tremor rippled through me like an earthquake. His presence alone brought a comfort I hadn’t realized I craved so deeply.
“Shh,” he whispered in my ear, stroking my head. “Everything will be alright.”
Those words shattered the emotional dam within me. Overcome by a flood of feelings, I collapsed into his arms, but he held me tight, draping the blanket over us and drawing me close. His embrace gave me a sense of safety, keeping me from unraveling. Despite the all-consuming darkness around me, I had never experienced a moment so intimate and beautiful.
It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep. My body had been under high tension for days, and the shock was still deep. My mind was burdened by a heaviness I had never known before. It would take days to wade through this thick mire and find my way out.
My mother’s dead.
It had happened so quickly that I hadn’t even begun to process it. The most important person in my life was gone. It felt as though someone had untied the dock lines and set me adrift, alone at sea. And the only person now filling the growing void in my heart was married.
It didn’t change the fact that he was here with me. I knew his work and family came before me. We didn’t even need to have a serious conversation about it. But it felt so good to be in his arms, to be held by him, to breathe in his scent, and to feel safe.
When I woke up again, I was alone in bed. A glance at my phone revealed that I had slept for almost eighteen hours. It was Friday morning, ten o’clock.
I ignored the notifications on my phone and struggled to get up. The stiffness was slowly leaving my body; Hector’s warmth had done me good. Although I was still exhausted, I felt the urge to move. It wasn’t until I sat on the edge of the bed that I realized I was completely naked. But my body felt different. Although grief still surrounded me like a black hole, the cold and numbness had disappeared.
I wearily rubbed the sleep from my swollen eyes and brushed my hair back. I was relieved yesterday was over—apart from the time with Hector. That had been bittersweet, reminding me that there was more to the world than loss, pain, and death.
I heard voices coming from outside, and it sounded like someone was bustling around in the kitchen. Then laughter. Hector? I listened again. No, it couldn’t be Hector. I was sure there were multiple voices.
Thirst and the need to use the bathroom prompted me to get up and find something to wear—unfortunately, the only option I could find was the black outfit I had worn to the funeral yesterday. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed what I had already suspected. My eyes were bloodshot, and my eyelids puffy. I tied my hair up, took a deep breath, and stepped outside.
Fortunately, the bathroom was just around the corner, so I went there first to use the toilet and wash my face. Next to the sink was a toothbrush still in its packaging. Since it seemed to be intended for me, I brushed my teeth.
As I walked down the hallway into the living room, I began to feel less out of place. To my left, the open kitchen led to a round table where Hector and two young men sat, sipping coffee. A paper bag filled with rolls lay open on the table, filling the room with the delicious scent of a bakery. My eyes went straight to Hector—his sleeves were casually rolled up, something he never did. His hair, usually perfectly styled, was slightly tousled, but he appeared impossibly alluring.
“Hey,” he said, surprised when he saw me. He jumped up from his chair and walked toward me. “How are you feeling?”
I lingered in the hallway, unsure where to go. “I…”
“You must be thirsty.” He grabbed a glass from the shelf and filled it with water. “Here.”
Is he … embarrassed?
I sipped from the glass and then glanced past him. One guy had his platinum blond hair styled into a quiff, while the other was standing up, opening the window, and lighting a cigarette. His coal-black hair tumbled in loose curls onto his forehead. When he exhaled the smoke and turned to me, I did a double take.
Isn’t that the guy… I’ve seen him before.
“Nico.” Hector guided me through the kitchen, closer to the table. “These are Luca and Juri.”
“Hi!” the blond guy said, standing up right away. He placed his empty coffee cup under the machine and extended his hand. “Want some coffee? Juri brought breakfast. Help yourself—there’s enough until Monday.”
Hector laughed, while a dismissive snort came from the window. “I didn’t know Sara had moved out—though I’m quite pleased.”
“I didn’t say it was a bad thing.”
It was inexplicably comforting to see Luca stroll to the window and give Juri a loving kiss on the cheek.
“Fortunately, we have guests,” Luca added.
“One guest!” Hector corrected with amusement. “Let’s not forget who the real host is here.”
As Luca retreated to the coffee machine and gestured if I wanted a cup too, I simply nodded. Hector motioned me to the table, where I paused at the window and closely examined the dark-haired young man.
