by S. Moose
Before I know it, we have to leave to go back home to North Carolina. I am sad, because it means that we have to go back to our lives and out of our bubble. We gather our things and add more shells to our collection before leaving. Before walking out the door, I notice a picture frame on the wall. I get closer to the wall and notice that it’s a picture of me and my mom on the beach. We’re happy and smiling. She’s so beautiful under the sun. I cover my mouth and start crying. Adam comes up from behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. He pulls me closer to his body and rests his chin on my head. “I found this picture a few weeks ago and thought it would be nice to have it hung up so whenever we come here, she’ll be with us.”
I turn around and throw my arms around his neck. I sob in his shirt and clench tightly onto him “Thank you so much Adam. I love you.”
“I love you too pretty girl.”
The car ride to the airport is quiet. Adam has to catch up with some business while I listen to music. The silence between us is nice. We arrive at the airport and aboard the jet. Once we are settled, I curl up next to Adam and sigh.
“Hey what’s wrong?”
I look up at Adam with a pouty face. “I don’t want to go back yet.”
“I know sweetheart but we can always come back here and I’ll take you all over.” He starts to smirk. “You better get used to this life.” I give him a hug and bury my face into his chest. “I intend to make up for a lot of missed time and spoil you.” He kisses the top of my head.
Adam is busy on his laptop and keeps yelling at his screen. I start laughing but when he looks at me, I freeze. I see the annoyance in his expression but out of nowhere, he starts to tickle me. “I love hearing that laugh.”
“I’ll always laugh with you.” I rub my nose against his and smile.
His computer beeps and Connor’s face pops up. I lean in and make a goofy face at him. “Real mature, Soph.” Connor laughs.
I blow him a kiss and get back to my seat. I take out my phone to dial Erin’s number. She answers in a cheerful way, “Hey, Soph!”
“Hi! I miss you! We’re on the plane now and should be home soon.” I look at Adam and see that sexy crinkle in his forehead, my poor baby. I wonder what is going on.
“Okay great! I am making dinner now. Anything you want to eat?”
I think about it for a minute. “Can you make your famous lasagna?” I bounce in my seat like a child. Erin’s lasagna is the best.
Erin laughs. “Funny! I’m making it now!”
My stomach grumbles thinking about her lasagna, “I can’t wait to be home!”
“I know! No more leaving me.” She laughs. “How are you?”
“So good, how are you?”
“Ohhhh… do you have something to tell me?” I hear her giggle on the other line. I get up from my seat and walk over to the other side. I feel Adam’s eyes on me but he doesn’t say anything.
“Oh my God! All I can say!”
“Sophia Burns, no way!”
I burst out laughing. “Yes, yes we did. Erin, it was like the best. He is just ugh, the best.”
“About time girl!”
I let out a sigh and lean my head against the window. “How are you and Connor doing?”
“Great, well perfect, Connor’s been great and I think I’m falling in love!”
“Oh my God, I’m so happy for you.” I crawl onto Adam’s lap and give him a smile. “Ok honey we’re on the way so I’ll see you soon.”
“Ok bye!”
I click off the phone and put it back in my purse. “Hi.”
“Hi pretty girl, happy to be going home?”
“I’m so happy with you.” I truly am happy. The plane lands and we are escorted to our waiting car. Our luggage is loaded in the trunk as we cuddle in the back seat. I don’t think I can ever get enough of him. Now that we are home, things are going to be tighter than before. Kyle has not been located, and no one has seen him. He stopped going to class and his parents talked to my dad. No one has heard from him and that gets me worried. It makes me sick thinking about what devious plans Kyle could be coming up with to hurt me. He will do anything to get me back or hurt me. I shiver at the thought of someone I love getting hurt, especially Adam.
When we arrive at the apartment and head inside, we find Connor and Erin sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner. Everything smells so good and I want to devour it all! There is garlic bread and salad with the lasagna. I tug on Adam’s hand and bring him to the table.
“Well you guys are finally home.” Connor laughs.
I give Erin a hug and slap Connor on the arm. Adam grabs our plates and puts food on both of our plates. We talk about Miami, how fun it was to get away. Adam and Connor get up and go to the other room. I wonder what is going on but am too tired to care.
When we finish our dinner, I give Erin another hug and head to our room. It is a little past eleven and I know Adam has a long day of meetings tomorrow. I change into shorts and a tank top and slip under the covers. When my head hits the pillow, I instantly fall asleep.
I feel his arms holding me, his lips on my forehead. I smile and slowly open my eyes. I look over at the clock on our nightstand and see that it is two o’clock in the morning. “Adam, are you ok? Why are you coming to bed so late?”
He strokes my hair. “I’m sorry sweetheart. I just had some things to go over with Connor about Kyle.”
I tremble when he says his name. “Is everything ok?”
He sighs. “I just want to find him and keep him away from you.” He gently kisses my lips. “If anything ever happens to you again, I don’t know what I will do. I can’t ever lose you.”
“You won’t. I’m here now and always.” I look up at Adam. “When can I go to work with you?”
He lets out another sigh and I feel bad for making him feel like this. “Baby I really don’t want you to work.”
I pull away from him. “What is that supposed to mean? Adam I want to work. Seriously!”
“Baby, until we get Kyle I don’t want you to be in too many places. There is not too much going on right now and Joseph’s team is doing great with the new products.”
“So what am I going to do Adam?” I can feel the anger in me start to rise.
“Baby it is late and I’m exhausted. Can you please just drop this?” He runs his hands over his face and I can tell he is getting annoyed with my questions, but I don’t care. I want to work. He cannot keep me here. Before I tell him how mad I am, I sink back onto the bed. This is what tore us apart last time. I need to bite my tongue and give him what he wants for now.
“This isn’t over yet,” I mumble. I throw my pillow at him and tug the blanket.
“You’re so immature.” He responds with an exhausted sigh.
“Whatever.” I turn my back to him and start to fall asleep.
“Good night, my love. Sweet dreams.” He kisses my forehead and I hide my smile away from him.
I get up early the next morning and head to the kitchen. Adam is still sleeping along with everyone else in the apartment. It is six o’clock and all I want to do is get out of here. I make a cup of coffee and a batch of my famous chocolate chip muffins. I haven’t baked in so long; it feels good to be in the kitchen. Maybe staying at home won’t be a bad thing. I know that I want my independence but I have to keep telling myself that my safety is the most important thing.
I start to pour the mix into the cupcake cups and slide the tray in the oven. I can’t wait for everyone to wake up and have a muffin. I take my coffee cup and head over to the couch. As I sit there, I start to remember all the times that Adam and I have shared. He really loves me and wants to keep me in his life. I touch my lips and start to smile. Each kiss, each touch feels like forever. The tender moments we share race through my mind. I take a sip of my coffee and imagine how my life will be with Adam. Even though we have only been together for a short amount of time, I think I am ready for the next step of our relationship. He is the one for me and I do not w
ant to be with anyone else but him.
I take another sip of my coffee and look at the clock. It is almost time to take out the muffins. I get up and walk over to the kitchen. “Morning, Soph,” Connor says while yawning.
“Morning sleepy head, hungry?” I ask him.
Connor throws his arms around me. “Oh thank God you’re home.” He kisses my forehead. “I miss those cooking skills.”
“Erin can cook too!” I put my arms around his waist and hug him.
“Yeah but not like you.”
I shake my head and break away from him. “Where’s Erin?”
“She went back to her dorm last night. She has an early class and didn’t want to wake me up.” I pour a cup of coffee for him. “So Florida was good?”
I take another sip. “Good.” I start smiling.
“Well I’m glad to see you happy, babygirl. You both deserve it.”
“Thanks honey. Yeah I am happy. I’m glad things are going good.” I take out the tray of muffins and see Connor’s mouth drop. “You have to wait until these are cooled down a little.”
He shakes his head. “Woman, give me a muffin now.”
I laugh aloud again and carefully take out one of the muffins to give to him. “You’re such a brat Connor!”
“Funny, Soph.” He peels back the wrapper and his eyes grow wide. I laugh to myself. He looks like a little boy in a candy store. “Alright I got to get ready,” he says with a mouthful of food.
I throw a towel at him, “Ew! Just go!”
After a few moments, Adam is up and dressed for work. He looks great in his black suit, blue button down and black tie. “Morning baby,” he greets me.
“Morning handsome. You look nice.” I give him a quick kiss and taste his minty breath. “Busy day?”
“Very. But so will you.” I look at him questionably. Adam places his hands on my shoulder and smiles. “You, my stubborn girlfriend, are going to be doing some research and analyzing for me.”
At this point, I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming. “Huh?”
“I know that you wanted to be on the marketing side of the company but I think that you and I should work together to launch these products. I’ve seen your work and I like how you can figure out the reports fast.”
I am shocked. This is really happening! “So am I going into the office with you?”
“Not yet baby. I want you to do everything from home for now on the laptop and video conference with me if you have any questions.”
I sigh. I knew he was holding something back. “Well at least it is better than nothing.” I jump in his arms and kiss his cheek. “Thanks Adam.”
“I’m glad you like my idea. Now be good today and do not give Connor too many issues. Remember; call me if you need me ok?” He gives me a tender kiss and squeezes me to his chest. “I love you baby.”
“Wait Adam, Connor’s staying with me? Don’t you need him?” I feel bad keeping Connor with me.
Adam smiles “Don’t worry sweetheart. I have Olivia at the office to help me. I love you.” He gives me another kiss.
“I love you too. Have a good day.”
“You too,” He gives me one final kiss.
He leaves for work and it is just Connor and I in the apartment. I start to clean up the kitchen and straighten out the place. My mind goes back to the name Olivia. Who is she I wonder. I run to Connor’s room and jump on his bed.
“Woman, are you crazy? I could be naked.” He laughs.
“I don’t care!” I grab Connor and start shaking him like a mad woman. “Who is Olivia?” My voice is full of jealousy and suspicion.
Connor has a weird expression on his face and then he bursts out laughing. “Are you jealous, my little Sophia?”
“Screw you, Connor.” I take a pillow and hit him multiple times. As he laughs, it fuels my anger and annoyance.
“Soph! Ok!” He gets up and grabs my shoulders. “Olivia’s his new assistant. She is nice and he needed someone. But come on you don’t have to worry.”
“Well, I am. Get dressed! We’re on a mission!” I get off his bed and head to the bathroom to shower and freshen up. I take out my phone and send him a quick text:
Me: Have a great day! I miss you xo
I smile when I press the send button and slide my phone back in my pocket. After my shower, I go back to our room. While going through my things, I find the digital camera Adam bought me while we were in Miami. I turn it on and wait for it to load. I have not had a chance to look through the pictures until now. Once the camera loads, I click through each picture and start to sigh. We were so happy in Miami, leaving behind all the drama. I stop at a picture that he took while we were on the beach while the sun was setting. The sky filled with beautiful colors and the water was calm. Adam has a big smile on his face and there is love in both of our eyes. I want to print out the picture and put it in a frame. I instantly get an idea. I quickly get dressed and call for Connor. I slip on my flats and head out the door while pulling on Connor’s arm. Instead of taking the elevators, we go down the stairs. Excitement runs through me as I think about what I am going to do for Adam. I want to give him everything he deserves and he deserves me to give him my heart. I want him to know how much I love him and want to be with him. While going down the stairs I feel my phone vibrate. I take it out and read the text message.
Adam: Hi baby. I’m in meetings all day. Can’t wait to see you tonight. I’ll see you later. I love you and be good.
I smile to myself and put my phone back in my pocket. When we get outside, I let go of Connor’s arm and follow him to the SUV. “Thanks for doing this Connor,” I hop in the car and we head to the store.
“No problem crazy.” He gives me a sly smile and we start driving.
When we get to the store, Connor stays by my side not letting me out of his sight. I drop off my memory card to the photo department and head over to find the perfect picture frame. As I am looking through each one, I look over at Connor. “Do you really think I’m crazy?”
He looks up with me not sure how to answer the question. “Ummm…you can be but I say that with so much love.” He looks at me and winks. I slap his arm and he pouts. We go down the home goods aisle and I start browsing for the perfect picture frame. Connor stops me and turns me around, “Soph?”
I look up at him, “Yeah?”
“Don’t run away anymore. Adam was pretty fucked up when you left him again. I don’t think he can handle you leaving him anymore.”
I think about what Connor is saying and know how right he is. I have left Adam so many times already and I am tired of playing with fate. If I lose him, I will not know what to do. I cannot do that to him again. Adam deserves better. He deserves my whole heart and soul. I finally find the perfect frame. It is a silver frame and the quote seems to fit our relationship. “I loved you yesterday. I love you still. I always have. I always will.” I fall instantly in love with the frame and know I have to purchase it. I look over at Connor and he gives me thumbs up. We walk back to the photo department to pick up the pictures and pay for the merchandise. Before I can give the cashier my credit card, Connor steps in. “What are you doing?” I ask annoyed.
“Oh this,” he says while waving the credit card in the air. “This, my dear, is power. Adam doesn’t want you paying for anything.” He hands the black Visa credit card to the cashier.
“Well I am certainly not going to let you pay.”
“You aren’t. This is his card for you.” My mouth drops. Why is he always doing these things for me? “Don’t worry babygirl. Adam wants you to be happy.”
“I look like a gold digger Connor.”
He shakes his head, “Nonsense.”
After the cashier swipes the card and hands it back to Connor, he hands it to me. “This card doesn’t have a limit and he would like you to use it for all your purchases.”
This is crazy. I did not want Adam to pay for everything. I know he has money but to have a limitless credit card
is unheard of. “I can’t do this Connor.”
“Sophia.” Connor takes my hand as we walk out. “Do this for him. He wants to make you happy and if this is how, then let him. Like I told you before, he is madly in love with you and I’ve never seen him this happy until you.”
I simply nod my head. The fact that Adam would do all these things for me is great but I don’t want anyone to think I am just with him for the money. I’m not a gold digger and don’t want to appear that way. I want to talk to Adam about this credit card but I think about what Connor said. It is good to be taken care of, but I don’t want to lose all my independence.
