ELI
The moment my lashes fluttered open, a soft yawn escaping my lips, I blinked up into the low light streaming through the blinds of Damir's study. I was still curled up on his lap, just the way I had dozed off hours ago. His arms had adjusted to cradle me properly in my sleep. That tiny realization alone made my chest bloom with affection.
Damir was still there. Still working. Still… holding me.
He looked so focused. Dark brows furrowed in concentration, his large hand elegantly scribbling across paperwork, the veins on his arm flexing faintly every now and then. I don't even think he noticed I was awake yet.
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips.
"GOOD MORNING!" I shouted playfully, springing up from his lap like a child powered by mischief. I leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before darting away, already halfway toward the door before he could say a word.
He startled with a blink, then chuckled softly, running a hand over his face like I was a chaotic little storm he'd grown to adore.
"Morning, solnyshko," he muttered affectionately, eyes warm and amused.
I ran downstairs to get milk and then up the stairs two at a time, quickly brushing my teeth and tossing on my school uniform. My limbs were still a little sore, but the excitement of the new day overtook the sluggishness in my body. As I slipped into my shoes, I remembered…..
Damir's perfume.
I giggled. Of course I had to steal it. That scent of his… dark wood, spice, and quiet power. I wanted to carry it all day.
I ran back down the hall, into the study, only to find him still buried in files. I sauntered over to his shelf, found the heavy black bottle, and sprayed myself twice with it.
"I'm off to school!" I called.
Damir looked up at me, his face now bathed in soft morning light. "Behave."
"I LOVE YOUUUUUU!" I shouted, spinning toward the door.
He raised his hand in the air and blew me a kiss.
I caught it dramatically with both hands, pretended to stuff it in my mouth and chew, then blew him a kiss right back before dashing out the front door. I heard his deep laugh chase after me.
God, I loved that sound.
School was a little far from the estate, but the moment I stepped into the school courtyard, I spotted Lian leaning lazily against a tree near the gate.
"Eli!" he called, grinning as he jogged over. "Did you not check your messages?"
I blinked. "Messages?"
"Yeah. Classes are cancelled today. Some kind of gas pipe thing, I think. I texted you all morning. Didn't you get anything?"
My mouth fell open. "Oh nooooooo…!" I groaned.
I smacked my forehead. My phone. I left it! I could picture it now, resting innocently on Damir's desk beside his expensive pens.
"I forgot my phone in his study," I pouted, tugging at Lian's sleeve. "What am I going to do? What if Damir thinks I vanished? What if he sends a whole army to find me?!"
Lian rolled his eyes. "He won't do that, drama queen. Here, call him."
He handed me his phone. I took it with both hands like it was holy and dialed damir's number, first ring, second ring and then click
When Damir answered, his voice was stern,"hello?"
"Babeee…i forgot my phone!" I whined, drawing out every syllable like a little kid.
There was a pause, then a soft chuckle. "I noticed. The moment I saw it, I knew you'd whine when you remember just like this."
"You did?"
"Of course. It's adorable."
I kicked at the ground, smiling stupidly. "I feel naked without it."
"Don't pout too much. You'll wrinkle your pretty face."
I giggled, cheeks burning. "I'll be home before sunset. Loooove you."
"Love you too. Stay out of trouble."
We hung up, and I handed the phone back to Lian.
Lian smirked. "You're whipped."
"Shut up."
"Let's skip," he said suddenly.
I blinked. "What?"
"You heard me. Let's sneak out. No guards. No drivers. Just us."
I looked around. There were no teachers in sight. The guards weren't paying attention either.
"Okay. Let's do it."
We sneaked out the back gate, laughing like idiots, and hit the streets like two teenagers in an old coming-of-age movie.
We played at the local arcade for hours and danced on the dance machines, fought like warriors in Street Fighter, and wasted tokens on claw machines trying to win cheap stuffed animals.
Then we hit the convenience store, bought ice cream and canned coffee, and sat on the curb watching the sun dip lower in the sky.
Then we went to the park and laid on the grass, telling dumb jokes, watching birds fight in the trees, laughing at each other's faces.
Lian chased me into a fountain when I dared him to splash me. We both got soaked and didn't even care. My hair clung to my face. I laughed until my stomach ached.
At one point, I sat down and stared at the sky. "It's weird. A day like this… It's so simple. But it makes me feel more alive than anything."
Lian looked at me, his soaked bangs clinging to his forehead. "Because you feel safe. And happy."
I nodded. "And free."
Evening came fast.
We were just walking down a backstreet when Lian suddenly paused.
"Shit," he muttered. "My phone's dead."
I checked my pocket. Nothing, of course.
"Guess we'll have to split up here," he said, a bit hesitant.
"you sure you'll be okay?"
"Bitch I should be asking you that, baby deer."
I stuck my tongue out. "I'm tougher than I look."
We exchanged a tight hug.
"Don't get kidnapped or anything," he whispered against my hair.
"You either. Text me when you get home."
"If I survive the trek."
I watched Lian disappear down one alley, and I turned to head toward the estate. The sun was nearly gone, the air crisp and sharp with evening chill. The roads were dim. I walked a little faster.
And for a second, I felt that strange sensation in my chest…like something was about to change.
But I shook it off and smiled.
Today was one of the best days I'd had in forever.
And I couldn't wait to tell Damir all about it.