She nods and I go off, wondering how I am supposed to teach her to be nicer.
“By the way,” I turn back to her. “Why do you live in London and speak with an American accent?”
“Why do you live in America and speak with a British accent?” she asks in return and, well, she has me there, so I just shrug and go shower.
Five minutes later, I am showered and dressed and set with my little project. I call all of them to come up and tell her to wait in the bathroom to observe. I still have no clue why she wants to see me but if it helps her be a better person then I am all for that. I wait and they all arrive at the same time, just letting themselves in. I stand and face them. “Before any of you say anything about what happened yesterday. Please don’t. I don’t want to talk about it and please don’t look at me like you feel sorry for me,” I snap at Devon who adjusts his features accordingly. I smile brightly now. “Come, sit,” I say, and they all look at me suspiciously, but do as I say.
“CK, can I have a word with you please, alone.”
“Of course, my love,” he beams at me and inwardly I roll my eyes at him. I take his hand and lead him to the bedroom, and I close the door behind us.
“Before you say anything,” he says. “I know you are hurting, and I am sorry for that, but you know the arrangement. You are mine now, end of story.”
I sigh and take his hands. “I know. I just need a bit of time, okay?” I say and he nods.
“Of course, my sweet,” he whispers as he pulls me to him. “Take some time, but not too much,” he adds with his made-for-me smile. “I have waited a long time for this, I don’t want to wait much longer.”
I nod and swallow. Shit. Is this really happening so quickly? Oh, Cole, why did you have to give up? Why couldn’t you just have had a shit fit at me in private but stay with me?
“Sit. I need to talk to you about something,” I say, gesturing to the bed.
He pulls me along with him and sits. “What is it?”
“Are you okay?” I ask him to his surprise.
“Yes, why do you ask?”
I take his face in my hands and stare into his eyes, hoping that the other Liv is taking all of this in. “I hurt you. I know that and I am truly sorry. Know that I will never do it again. I promise.”
“Aefre,” he says, taking my hands again. “Don’t worry about me, I keep telling you I am capable of looking after myself. And yes, it did hurt, but Christ knows I have hurt you worse in the past and you have the grace and compassion to forgive me every time. You have nothing to worry about.” He kisses me. “Besides, it did work out in my favor, now didn’t it. I shall have to thank myself if I ever get the chance.”
“Oh, CK,” I say, shaking my head. “You must understand that I am not going to get over him as quickly as you would like me to.”
His face hardens briefly. “I do know that.”
“But I love you,” I say. “I love you and we should do the ritual again soon.”
His face lights up now. “Right now,” he says, and I laugh at his eagerness.
“Tomorrow,” I say. “When we don’t have everyone waiting for us,” I say, pointing to the door.
“Hm, acceptable terms, my sweet.”
I kiss him tenderly and he wraps his arms around me. He pulls back suddenly and gazes at me. “Did you meet her?” he whispers, and I know he is talking about our daughter, but I don’t want to talk about this with other me listening. She has already learned far more than I would have liked. I nod but say, “I will tell you all about her when we are alone.”
He nods, seeing that I am resolute. “I do love you, Aefre. Thank you for saying what you did before. It was unnecessary but it makes me feel special,” he says shyly.
“You are, my love,” I say and kiss him again. “Will you give me a minute to freshen up? I then should go and speak to Sebastian about what I can only assume happened.” I stand but he pulls me back down.
“No, Aefre, leave it. He is heartbroken. He can be volatile when such emotions overtake him,” he says seriously.
Heartbroken? What the hell did she do to him?
I frown at him. “No, I want to speak to him. I need to know what she did and try to make it right.”
“She destroyed him,” he says, clearing his throat. “I know you probably don’t want to talk about it yet, but you could heal him.”
I shake my head. “Too soon,” I whisper, and he nods grimly.