Together Forever novel Chapter 37

Ethan's POV

Sitting on my bed, I try to finish the remaining of the presentation, my back resting against the headboard of the bed. All my efforts to pay attention go in vain as it seems like the black words on my laptop screen are written in some unrecognizable language since everything keeps flying above my head.

What the hell? Since when have I become careless towards my work? Shit.

Angrily, I put the laptop down on the bedside table and fall flat on my bed, exhausted. I run my hand through my hair as I groan in dejection.

What's wrong with me?

I take a look at the wall clock which is showing 1:00 in the morning. I better go to sleep now. I turn the lamp off and close my eyes, trying hard to sleep. After turning left and right for pretty thirty minutes, I sit up groaning. I can't even sleep now.

What's wrong with this bed?

Getting down, I walk towards the balcony and push the door open. Just as I step out of my room, a cold wind brushes against my skin, and the short-sleeved t-shirt I have on doesn't help at all to offer me some warmth. I ignore the little shivering of my body and walk forward as the pitch-black street comes to view which is enlightened by the street lamp.

Further in distance, the busy New York street can be seen and the headlights of the transports seem like some moving firelights chasing the darkness of the night away. The gleaming lights from the skyscrapers are blending along with them making the city look still alive at midnight. The sky is deprived of bright stars today, something I could spend the night just watching. Instead, it has a different dark shade of blue on which grey clouds are traveling through.

I look around as I lean against the glass railing.

What's Evelyn doing? She must be asleep now. Well, I can just go and see that but should I go to her room like a thief in the middle of the night?

But it's my house so…

I walk inside the room again and close the door. Taking my phone from the nightstand, I get out of my bedroom heading towards Evelyn's. Standing in front of the door, I think again about going back but decide against it.

I place my hand on the doorknob and turn it very slowly trying not to make even a little sound. When the door opens, I push it back and stick my head into the room.

I sigh in relief when my eyes find her sleeping peacefully in her bed.

Then I can just go back to my room. But why do my legs want to go inside?

Because you want to see her dumbass.

My inner self scolds me.

Finally, I listen to my heart and push the door further back making my way inside. Shutting the door, I tiptoe towards her bed like a real thief. If she wakes up now, it would be fucking embarrassing.

When my eternal run to her ends, I kneel upon the floor with my hands on the bed.

Once again her face and the peacefulness it's clouded with soothes my heart. The stars hanging above her bed working instead of the night lamp as in its mild golden light, I behold the sacred beauty of her serene face. Her big eyes are closed and the long eyelashes are pieced together. Her pink lips are parted a bit and it takes all my strength not to kiss them. The way she's hugging her panda like a baby brings a smile to my lips.

How can I go back to that gloomy room of mine again?

I'm gonna sleep here with her.

But what would she think? Well, I will manage that later.

With that thought in my mind, I gently climb into the bed, cautious not to stir it that much, and am about to lie down when my eyes fall on the panda and my eyes narrow involuntarily.

That's my place. You should go to hell for now.

I grab it and try to take it away from her embrace but she mumbles something in her sleep and hugs it tighter. Even though it's just a panda and I know it doesn't make any sense but still it always makes me jealous.

I again hold it and almost forcefully make it free from her bear hug. Placing the monster panda on the couch, I smile in victory and make my place beside her. I cover ourselves with the duvet and pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her back. She mumbles some baffling words again and snakes her hand around my shoulder, giving me an indescribable pleasure that she doesn't even know.

This is the only warmth that can break the icebergs that are surrounding me.

This is the only comfort I want.

I feel something poking my chest continuously in my sleep. I try to ignore it and go back to my deep slumber when the pace increases now that it's hurting me.

"Um... what the fu-" My words stop midway as I open my eyes to see Evelyn's puzzled face above mine. Even with my sleepy eyes, the thought that crosses my mind first is how pretty she's looking right now with her hair falling downwards and as the sunlight hits her face, the reddish glow on her cheeks highlights her milk-like skin. Her lips pressed together showing her confused expression.

"Why are you here again?" She asks, narrowing her eyes.

I gulp in tension. How do I answer her now?

Last night, I came to your room like a thief and seeing you sleeping so cozily, I couldn't help myself so I threw your panda away and took his place!

Ew! What an idiotic answer!

"I...Uhm...I am here because..." Suddenly something comes in my mind as my face lightens up and I grin at her, "Your panda was so tired so I am doing his job."

Hearing my answer, she squints at me for some time before her lips move upwards into a heartwarming smile.

"What's wrong with you Ethan? You are being a good boy these days." She asks, raising her eyebrows.

"I was always a good boy." I give her a good boyish smile.

"Sure." She says, mockingly before trying to get up when I curl my hand around her belly causing her to fall back.

"Please don't go. Let's sleep a bit more." I say in a whiny voice.

"No way. We're already late."

"But I'm not going to office today," I reply as I pull her towards me despite her struggle.

"Why?"

"Because I want to cuddle with you."

"Ooh! I have to go though. I'm not going to miss my office just because you are acting like a baby who wants to cuddle." She giggles.

"I'm not letting you go." I retorted, nuzzling my face into her neck that smells like a fresh rose.

She always smells so good but what's strange is that every time she smells like different flowers.