▫️Twelve

Ginelle's pov

It was half past seven and it was raining heavily.

It was supposed to be our sleepover night but Leila wasn't in a position to drive here. As I had said, it was raining cats and dogs.

I was curled in my bed with the covers all over me as I listened to the regular pattern of water droplets harshly hitting the bedroom window.

Shivering to myself, I tightened the covers to my neck as I pressed my head to my knees so as to comfort myself.

In spite of it being dark and cold tonight, I was grateful that there was no thunder. It came from a distance, barely there, putting me a little at ease.

I still occasionally rubbed over my legs and arms anxiously although this was the calmest I had ever been. At least I wasn't crying.

Leila had promised to make our meal tonight and I didn't feel like cooking. Seemed like I'd have to snack through.

I had just decided to walk out of bed and get some crisps when the doorbell suddenly rung. I jumped back, my head hitting over the headboard rather painfully.

Had Leila changed her mind? It was still raining though.

There was no call or message from her and I reluctantly put on my flats as I went to open the door. I was already changed into my pajamas.

An extra large orange t-shirt that hovered over my thighs with matching socks that had balloon patterns and brown colored sweatpants.

My colour combination wasn't the greatest but it was the least of my worries. I didn't need to look good even when I was sleeping.

The coldness of the night seeped through me as I opened the door but my eyes widened at the tall frame that stood in front of my door.

"Grey?" He ran his eyes over my body from head to toe, accessing every part of me and I heard him sigh before meeting my eyes.

"Tulip," he hoarsely spoke, taking a step closer as he placed his right hand over the doorframe. I stood my ground, shyly glancing up at him at the nickname.

I was always over the moon everytime he said it.

"You're fine?" I nodded as I stared into his grey irises that glistened over the dull lighting of the corridor. His lashes, long and thick, perfectly framed his eyes.

So pretty.

My gaze, at it's own accord, dropped to the top his chest where his shirt remained unbuttoned. I noticed drops of water trickling down and my eyes wandered further.

"You're wet!" I exclaimed meeting his eyes for a moment as I trailed over the visible part of his body through the now clear white shirt.

Ripped. The one word I could describe his body as. My eyes remained glued to the spot, counting the even bumps I could see on his tanned skin of his lower chest.

"Eight?" I gasped when I heard him cough, blurting out the unthinkable. I averted my gaze as I took his free arm, shaking my head as I chastised myself for my odd behaviour.

"Come in," I pushed the door wider as I helped him in. How rude of me to stare when he had probably caught a cold for staying in the rain for long.

I tried closing the door by kicking it backwards but I staggered and ended up swaying Grey sideways that he almost fell.

The grasp of my hands on his arms loosened though his reflexes were quick, looping his free arm around my waist as he flushed my face into his chest.

The very toned one.

"Sorry," I shook away my thoughts again as he closed the door. I was supposed to be helping him but now he seemed to take care of me instead.

"You have to change," I led him to the bathroom so that he could dry himself as I sought what clothes he could put on.

There was a stool in there that I usually used to reach for anything I needed from the top shelf. I planted Grey on it as I patted his shoulders for him to sit.

He looked back at me as soon he sat down and I looked around the now small bathroom for a towel to dry his hair. His eyes followed as I took out one of my unused smaller towels.

I wanted to dry his hair for him but opted to let him do it himself. I didn't want to make him any uncomfortable. He took the pink towel blinking up at me as his mouth quirked.

I stood before him watching as he dried himself. The stool appeared to barely accommodate him and I noticed the green boots he still had on.

Without notice, I rushed out to my room though I heard the scraping of the stool on the floor as soon as I dashed out. I hope he wasn't after me.

I took the only black extra large t-shirt I owned and a pair of black slippers from my lower drawer then returned to him only to find him outside the bathroom as he looked left and right.

"You left," he looked at me in a frown, the pink towel on his side in a tight grasp. I smiled at him pulling him back into the bathroom.

"I was getting you some clothes," I motioned the shirt I'd brought along and he seemed to relax slightly. He sat back on the stool still staring up at me.

"You'll get sick if you don't dry yourself well," I took the towel from him and slowly began to part his hair. I was careful at first making sure he was comfortable with me doing so.

He didn't object and as my eyes looked down at his, I felt my breath hitch at how he gazed up at me. He didn't seem to blink as he intently looked all over my face.

"There," I stepped back after I was done as a warm feeling began to flow down my body. I toyed around with the towel now, twisting it in odd knots.

"Done?" He sounded disappointed and in a raspier tone that had me feel tingles all over. I nodded as I watched him part his legs slightly as he placed his hands over his knees.

"Put on this," I pushed the black t-shirt onto his lap then placed the change of shoes near the door where he could see before shyly walking out.

I hoped his pants were okay because the ones I had would barely fit him. I paced outside the door for ten seconds thinking of whether he'd like the open flats.

I had bought a pair for him since the ones I had didn't fit last time he was here.

I sucked up to my feelings and walked to the kitchen to see if there was any edible thing there. What a bad host I would be if I didn't prepare anything.

Leila and Louis often had snacks when they were here and it was the only plentiful food on my cupboards.

I wouldn't let Grey eat that plus he seemed hungry and I also wanted to do something good for him. The deepening urge to please him seemed to have taken over me this evening.

The chicken we were supposed to have with Leila!

My hands moved quickly as I took it out glad to have found a way out. This would be enough for us, I excitedly thought but my joy soon died down.

I didn't know how to prepare. This was all Leila's speciality.

I began to pick on my nails over the counter top as I stared into the wall unsure of what to do. The next idea was noodles but that wouldn't suffice him.

"Tulip," I blinked my tears away as I heard Grey walk in the kitchen. I turned to him not meeting his eyes as I nicked my nails with greater friction.

He was silent and I couldn't bring myself to look at him. I had vowed to myself not to cry anymore before him but here I was yet again.

"I'm sorry," I looked up as soon he spoke confused at what he was apologizing for. I shook my head to stop him but he continued nonetheless.

"I came without telling you," he took hold of my fingers and softly grazed over them preventing them from getting bloody as he assured me.

"You don't have to prepare me anything," he tried to coax me out of my dejected mood, wiping away the tears that still trailed down my cheeks.

"But, you must be hungry." I puckered my lips in a pout and that seemed to catch his attention before he mumbled quietly and dropped his hands from my face.

"Did you eat?" I shook my head but then I had never seen him move that fast. He took my hand before I could register and lifted me up to sit on the counter by the sink.

"I'll prepare you something," I stared at his back that was turned to me as he took out the ingredients he needed.

The shirt I had lend him clung onto him like a second skin that it looked uncomfortable. It was the largest in the store I'd bought from. Maybe I should tell him to take it off?

I didn't process how faster he could get but the food was ready in half an hour. I barely helped in preparing anything as he moved gracefully around my kitchen.

"Thank you Grey," I sincerely thanked him after he'd served out our plates as we sat opposite each other on the dinning table. He was doing so much for me.

"Let's eat," he nodded though his hands didn't move to his cutlery as he watched me. I took the first bite feeling his eyes on me.

It felt like fireworks exploded into my mouth at how sweet the meat was cooked. He seemed to relax upon seeing my bright face. This was nowhere close to what Leila usually made.

Sorry, girl. I wouldn't lie tonight.

I had never had such amazing home cooked food. It felt like eating from one of those classy restaurants often visited by the rich. What more skills did he have?

I cleared the table as soon as we were done with Grey's help of course. He insisted anyway wanting to even do the dishes but I told him I would do them later.

I never had the energy to clean after eating.

"Do you want a watermelon?" I asked after putting away everything. Mama had always prepared a fruit after every meal and it was a habit I still carried through till now.

Grey nodded his head from the wall where he leaned over and I smiled as I chopped down smaller pieces. At least I was good at this.

Up until now I couldn't even hear that it was raining. All of that seemed to have been forgotten as soon as Grey entered my apartment.

I was only able to hear that now because of the low thunder that startled me as the rain got heavier. I knew Grey wouldn't leave when it was still raining thus I reassured myself that he'd stay longer.

"Do you need to go?" I suddenly remembered that he had work and I also couldn't keep him here against his will as much as I wanted to.

He shook his head as fast as I'd said the words that a smile formed on my face as my lips curved up in joy. He was staying.

"You read?" He asked after I was partly done with staring at him which I think had become my newly found hobby.

Grey walked towards my little bookshelf by the wall near the living room. It wasn't exactly little but what could I say, I liked reading. I liked disappearing from reality once in a while.

Unfortunately my once in a while was probably every evening.

I usually read after work if I wasn't too tired, getting lost in a different world and exploring new experiences. Leila had often complained that it was an unhealthy habit I was developing.

Reading things that were other worldly and that I soon had to face the reality of things.

I didn't bother to fight her words but as I watched Grey trail his fingers over my books, I wanted to hear his judgement. A good one at that otherwise I'd cry.

"This one?" He picked out a new book from the collection. I had bought it recently but hadn't found the time to read.

"My favorite," he said as he walked towards me on the sofa where I'd been seating. My cheeks flushed even when I knew too well that he was talking about the book.

"You also read?" I exclaimed as his statement registered and I couldn't help bouncing up and down as he nodded.

Grey was a reader as much as I was. I don't understand why but that common similarity between us made me extremely glad.

"What is the book about?" I patted the space beside me on the sofa inviting him over since he'd been standing in front of me.

"A blanket?" I squinted my eyes wondering what that meant. Obviously the book wasn't about blankets. I might have read the description a while back but surely it wasn't about that or was it?

"You're cold," I finally understood his words then stood up to get one from my bedroom. What I didn't expect was for him to follow right after me.

I held the extra blanket in one hand and stared at him at my door as he looked around, majorly my bed. There was nothing unusual other than it being unmade. It wasn't too bad though.

"You'll be warmer here," he stated with finality and I slowly moved to bed. How was I going to read if I got in bed? I would surely fall asleep in ten.

"I'll read you," Grey adjusted the covers to my neck as soon as I got in bed. He pulled the chair by the study table closer to the head of the bed then turned on the lamp light.

He looked at me as if to ask if I was okay with the lighting in which I nodded. He turned the covers of the book as he leaned back into the seat.

I watched as his lashes flattered over his high cheekbones making him look like more of a work of art. His sharply carved jawline appeared relaxed and my eyes followed his lips as he began to read.

With his low husky voice, I listened to every word though I was occasionally distracted by his pearly white teeth not to mention his dimple that popped up everytime he finished a sentence.

It was calm and refreshing listening to him even as the rain continued to fall and I curled closer to him. I couldn't help reaching out for his hand as I sought the comfort I found in him.

He grasped mine tighter and I felt a wave of protection flow over me as I listened to him and as the words seemed to carry me to peaceful yet far away place.

It was calm though unfamiliar but I cared less because he was there with me.

✪ ✪ ✪

Finally they got some time to themselves. Grey came back safely with just a small scratch though Elle didn't see it otherwise she'd worry herself to sleep.

(⁠๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑⁠)