4
Madilynn
My apartment wasn't much to brag about. It was simple, with one bedroom and a small kitchen, and a living room that I'd decorated with secondhand finds. But it was still my little slice of heaven away from the stress of the world.
It was also probably pretty childish, compared to what someone like Nico was used to. I realized that and my face flushed all over again. My favorite color was sky blue, and it was splashed all over my apartment, along with the colorful beach decor that I was fond of since I was a child.
"It's not much," I mumbled as I dropped my keys on the counter. "You're probably used too much better places."
Nico tilted his head. "That doesn't matter at all. Do you like it here?"
I glanced around. "Do I like living in this area? No. I do like my place though. It's my little haven away from everything else."
As I talked, Simon rushed out and brushed against Nico's pants. The cat meowed, the sound was high-pitched as he tried to climb his leg. I quickly rushed forward to grab him, but Nico had already leaned down and grabbed the little ball of orange and white fluff. He petted him and scratched his head, which calmed Simon down as he rubbed his head against his expensive-looking suit.
"Who's this?" He asked as he patted him gently.
"That's Simon," I said and I couldn't stop smiling about how sweet Nico was. At work, I'd noticed he had a hell of a scowl if something wasn't going right, but this sweet expression made me happy. "I found him abandoned on the sidewalk a few days ago. He's already attached to me, but he seems to like you, too."
"Hello, Simon. It's a good thing Madi found you. She seems like she's good for you," he said as he looked at me and winked.
I almost tipped over at that. Nico was ridiculously smooth, and I once again wondered what it would feel like to be held in his arms. I was just a little jealous that I couldn't be in Simon's place.
"He's going to shed all over you," I chuckled, as I watched Simon playfully bat his fingers and try to bite him. "Oh yeah, and he's extra bitey."
Nico shook his head. "I don't mind at all. I've never had any pets, but this one is kind of...cute."
Did he just use the word “cute”? I almost tripped on my rug and quickly walked around the counter and into the kitchen. Nico followed me, and I felt his gaze on my back as I opened a cabinet and the fridge and frowned. Shit. I forgot to grab more cat food.
"You said you had things to eat," Nico glared, as he opened the fridge again and saw the bare shelves. "It looks pretty empty to me."
"I can find something," I argued. "I'm sure I can come up with a good meal."
"Out of thin air?" He asked.
I quickly snatched up my keys again. "I have to go get him food tonight. I think there's a store a block or two away. I'll grab him some and be right back."
"Stop right there," Nico ordered and I instinctively stopped and turned on my heels. "Where do you think you're going? Here," he pried a reluctant Simon off of him and placed the tabby in my arms. "I'll get the food. You stay here."
"You don't have to do that," I said, quickly trying to avoid the situation altogether.
"Why are you so stubborn?" He growled.
I glanced away and hugged Simon a little closer to me. "I don't have any money to get anything for myself. I can probably get him a little food and a few things for myself, but I have to save most of what I made tonight."
Nico looked at me and nodded. "I'll be back shortly."
"Where are you going?" I blurted.
"I'll be back soon. Don't fall asleep or I'll have to break the door down," he called over his shoulder as he left my apartment.
I stared at the closed door for a full minute. Who IS this man? I'd never met anyone like him, and the more he was around, the more intrigued by him I was. I put Simon down on my bed finally once I was able to move again and rooted around in my drawers. I finally found some comfortable shorts and a tank top to wear and put my uniform on my chair.
I checked the time when Nico was gone for a while and I wondered if he had forgotten about me. I wouldn't blame him for taking off.I knew my life was a mess and it had been for a while. Until I could help out more with my family, I would probably be a mess for a while to come. Just as I settled onto the couch and turned on the TV, there was a knock on the door. I jumped up and opened it to see Nico loaded down with bags.
"Whatisall of this?" I asked as I stared at him in shock.
"Move your ass," he said. "There's more and it's heavy."