Storm

I woke up in the morning with heavy rains and thunder. Chace entered the room and had just put his phone down.

"Good morning." he greeted.

"Good morning." I greeted back.

"I was just talking to Susan telling me they can't come today." he continued.

"It's understandable. I don't think anyone will be brave enough to go out in this weather." I said sympathetically.

Chace went back to bed and cuddled me. His warm body and nice scent makes me want to stay in bed the whole day.

I looked at the door leading to the balcony, a lightning flashed on the sky followed by a rolling thunder. It's obvious the rain will go on the whole day today.

I nuzzled Chace's sleeve and inhaled his scent. A thought flashed my mind. I remember when I was still studying, times like this when I'll wait for the announcement of suspension of classes and once it's final, I'll happily eat breakfast while watching cartoons and then go back to bed and snuggle with my pillow under the warm blanket. Now, I'm snuggling with a real person. I smiled to myself.

Chace and I stayed like that for quite some time.

And then we both got hungry so it's time to cook. We headed down the kitchen.

"It's good that they just refilled the fridge and cupboard with food. We don't need to worry about starving." I said while thinking about what I can make with the ingredients we have.

I decided to make Japanese cream stew. It's a mixture of chicken, onions, potatoes, carrots and broccoli in a thick, creamy white roux. I paired it with garlic bread but also cooked rice for a heavier meal on lunch time.

Few minutes later, the delicious scent of the stew simmering filled the kitchen. It's been quite a while since I last cooked and who would've thought, the time I'll get back to it, I won't just be cooking for myself.

I scooped an ample amount in our bowls, and got the platter of garlic bread ready along with a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice. I headed towards Chace's study and called for him.

"Breakfast is ready." I told him.

Chace looked up from his work and immediately followed me to the dining room.

"Mmmm. This is so good, Sam." he said complimenting me while taking another spoonful.

"Thank you. Glad you like it." I said smiling.

"This is really good." Chace said again.

After we're done with breakfast, Chace tidied up the table and put the plates in the dishwasher. And then, we sat on the couch and turned the TV on for weather news.

"Well at least it's the weekend. Hopefully we'll have a better weather next week." I said.

"It will. But now, it's good that we can take it easy." Chace said while pulling me closer to him on the couch.

I rested my head on his broad chest while he encased me in between his legs and wrapped his arms around me in a warm embrace. He then gave a peck on the top of my head.

This is feels good but at the same time confusing. I thought to myself. This is nothing but an arranged marriage and physical attraction but why do we act like we're a real couple?

I feel like I'm courting the danger of being a drug addict who will never get her fix again once this is all over. But is it possible? For me to never want more than what he's willing to give me?

It is. If I don't let my resolve crumble. So before it gets really messy for me, I have to separate my feelings.

Maybe it's the weather that's making me feel all sentimental. But I have to sort things out. I have to protect myself above anything else.

I stood up from the couch and Chace gave me a puzzled look.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah sorry. I just remembered a friend called me last night but I missed it. Just going to give her a call back." I lied sheepishly.

I went upstairs trying to act casually. I sat on the bed and began tinkering on my phone. I decided I'll stay in the room for a while until Chace finds something else to do.

I took out my laptop. It's been a long time since the last time I wrote. I dreamt of becoming a screenplay writer but I had to push it aside. But things might work out for me in the future. Who knows?

For now, I'll start writing drafts for every free time I have. It's better to have an ample of stock sample of my writing.

"What shall I write about?" I asked myself. Love story won't work for me right now especially since I need to get my mind off of my own complicated "love story".

"Hmmm. Opposite of love- hate, death, murder. Aha! I'll go with a mystery theme." I smiled to myself satisfied while thinking of a plot and my characters.

I forgot how writing is so much fun. Twisting situations, a world of make believe where everything and anything is possible. I was so engrossed with what I'm doing that I forgot the time.

Soon enough, I heard Chace knock briefly before entering the room.

"Done with your phone call?" he looked at me so focused with my laptop.

"Uh yes. What's the time?" I replied looking at the alarm clock sitting on the side of my bedside drawer. It's a bit past one in the afternoon.

"Hungry?" I asked.

"There's still the stew from this morning. I cooked rice as well then I'll pan sear some steak." I continued.

"Sounds good to me." Chace said smiling.

"Okay then." I replied smiling back. Then I hit the save button on my laptop before turning it off.

"When did you learn how to cook?" Chace asked me while leading me to the stairs.

" I learned the basics around 8 or 9. But I didn't really start cooking until I was 13." I replied.

" How about you, do you cook?" I said asking back.

"I do. Living on my own almost all my life, I need to be independent. Can't expect everyone to do everything for me." he said.

"Ohh. Maybe I can sample some of your cooking some time." I said.

"Okay. Dinner's on me then." he said smiling.