"Willem" my voice came out as a whisper as I turned to him.
"I didn't mean to make you cry, Soraya". He wrapped his arms around me.
"I'm sor-"
"Don't apologize".
"Can I touch it?" I pulled away and headed towards the painting.
He trailed behind me. "It's yours, Soraya".
It was a painting of my brother and I. We were sitting on the grass in a field. My brother was sitting and staring at something out of view with a smile on his face.
My head was on his shoulder and I was laughing at the camera. We never took a picture like this but right now, it looked like it.
We looked so happy and carefree in the painting.
"If I didn't know we never took a picture like this, I'll think this was one. It's beautiful, Willem". I ran my fingers on the painting.
"I painted it the first night you spent here. You were so drunk and you kept crying in your sleep. You seemed so sad when you thought of Kael. I just wanted to make you smile when you saw this."
I sniffled. My nose was runny.
"I just feel overwhelmed. That's all. Thank you,Willem. You don't know how much this means to me".
He brushed my hair away from my face and cradled my face.
"You deserve to smile everyday, Soraya. From now on, let's do what makes us happy".
"Easier said than done,Willem. We wouldn't be getting married if that were true".
"You have no idea how happy I am with you here,Soraya".
"You shouldn't say things you don't mean" . I walked out of the room and headed to mine to put up my new painting.
I put it up directly opposite my bed. Every morning I would get to see my brother. I stood there for a few minutes staring at it. We seemed so alive .
Our blond hair shone in the light. I was wearing a red dress. On close inspection, I realized it looked like the dress I wore to my brother's coronation. My brother was in a regular blue shirt. His hands were resting on my head absentmindedly.
I smiled as I rubbed my arm for comfort. I missed Kael. A lot.
I glanced at his face one last time before running into the bathroom to get ready.
An hour later and Willem was already knocking on my door impatiently.
"Aren't we going to be late,Soraya?". He grumbled.
I put on my lipgloss and glanced at myself in the mirror before walking out.
"Relax,Willem. The day's just starting". I said as i flung the door open. His arm midair like he was about to knock again.
His eyes ran over my body unabashedly.
"Wow-". He whispered, speechless.
I smiled, glad to know I looked that good.
"You look beautiful,too".
"Thank you?" He tilted his head.
We stood for half a beat staring at each other before he cleared his throat and said,"Let's get going then."
"Yeah, we should".
We walked to the car in silence. Hopefully, my plans for today would go well. I already made sure I could come back at least thirty minutes before he did because all the stuff I ordered would be delivered by then and I would just need time setting them up.
I just had to think of an excuse to leave earlier.
Well, I had three more hours to think. Nat told me to use the number 2 excuse. That was embarrassing.
Whatever! Three more hours.
Three hours and I haven't thought of a thing. I guess I was going with Nat's plan.
I shut my eyes trying not to think about it as the car pulled into the garage.
I grabbed my stomach and let out a groan that caught Willem's attention.
"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly as he parked the car.
"I am not. Fuck! I have to use the toilet". I unbuckled my seatbelt and threw open the door.
"Can you grab my bag for me and wait for me to finish up before coming in?" I hurriedly climbed out if the car, whimpering.
He grabbed my bag and said," If you're worried about me, don't worry, the apartment has a very good ventilation system.
He thought I was being considerate?
"No, I don't care about the smell. This is about my dignity here. I don't think I'd be able to face you after whatever I'm about to do in there so it's best you stay and wait till I finish. Please?" I twisted my legs together to look desperate.
He sighed and nodded.
"Okay, come in after ten minutes"I yelled as I hurried away.
I immediately got into the elevator to the second floor. When I got to the floor, I met a group of boys and girls standing in front of the door.
I recognized matt, standing , leaning against the wall.
"Hi Nat". I smiled and waved at the others.
He looked up and I saw that he had green eyes that were strikingly warm.
He smiled.
"You must be Raya"he said and I immediately noticed the faint accent he had. He was from Darkey.
The others smiled at me.
"Okay,we have just about eight more minutes to set things up before he comes up."
"What excuse did you give?" Nat smirked.
I rolled my eyes. "You can gloat after we successfully surprise your best friend". I said as I unlocked the door and motioned for them to enter.