Chapter 12

Aileen was a bit nervous, unsure of what to expect with Oliver, especially since he was lying next to her in bed.

"Go to sleep," she told him.

"Alright, let's sleep," he pulled her closer, searching for the blanket to cuddle with. He didn't recognize himself. He had never done something like this with a girl before, usually only sleeping with them for another purpose. But with Aileen, it was different. She had something strange and captivating that drew him closer and closer to her.

The next morning, they both woke up to the smell of coffee, waffles, and honey.

"My mom is making breakfast. She can't see you here," Aileen told him as she sat up in bed and headed to the bathroom. She didn't want him to see her right after waking up, her hair likely tangled and her dark circles more visible. But Oliver didn't see any of that. He simply saw a natural woman who was still beautiful.

What are you thinking, Oliver? he asked himself. He was treading on dangerous ground. He didn't want to go down that path.

"I don't think your mother would mind that I stayed with you. After all, you'll be my wife," he said.

Aileen thought about it for a moment. He was right. She didn't know why she was getting caught up in this, as if they were truly in love.

"True. I'll go to the bathroom and come down soon," she said to him. Aileen went into the bathroom to take care of her morning routine. She considered taking a shower because she didn't want to feel gross, even though it would delay her. However, it wasn't her turn for the big shower today, so she decided against it. A few minutes later, she stepped into the shower, enjoying the warm water. It felt nice. It made her feel content. After getting out of the shower, she searched for some casual clothes to wear. She put on shorts, a tank top, and her slippers. She dried her hair, leaving it loose. She applied deodorant, lotion, and a hint of floral perfume. When Aileen came down to the kitchen, she saw Oliver engrossed in a lively conversation with her mother. Breakfast was just being served.

"Good morning," she greeted them, taking a seat.

Oliver looked at her, seeing that she had just showered. Now he felt bad because she was fresh while he wasn't.

"Good morning, just in time for breakfast," he said.

"Thank goodness because I'm starving," she replied.

"I told your mother why I stayed with you last night," Oliver murmured, being the first to try his mother's waffles. Aileen looked at him suspiciously. There was nothing wrong with them sleeping together because they were adults, but she preferred her privacy.

"That's true. She also told me that you'll be moving in with him soon. You didn't tell me," her mother murmured, feeling a bit sad.

"I hadn't told you because I don't know when I'll move. I have a lot to organize: university, work. I haven't had time for those things," Aileen explained.

"What's wrong with your job?"

"Well, I won't be going to the restaurant anymore these days, Mom. Oliver got me an internship at his company. With a salary."

"Well, that sounds perfect. It will give you more experiences," her mother said, sipping her coffee. Deep down, she felt sad because her daughter would be leaving soon, but that's what children did as they grew up, and she had prepared herself for that moment long before. She Only hoping to find a good man soon as well. "Do you like them?" she asked her son-in-law, referring to the breakfast.

"Should I tell the truth? I've been to the best restaurants in the world and I've never tasted waffles like these in my life."

"And is that good or bad?" her mother-in-law wanted to know.

"Well, it's good. They're exquisite."

"Well, thank you. I do have a knack for cooking. What she's not so good at is cooking," her mother muttered as if Aileen wasn't present. Aileen just focused on eating and watching cartoons playing on an old television in the kitchen. The atmosphere felt more familiar, and suddenly Aileen felt sad about leaving her mother alone. Although not for long, the marriage with Oliver wouldn't last very long, and after that, they would be strangers again.

Oliver laughed at his mother-in-law's comment.

"I can imagine."

"Yes, she does simple things like eggs, fried plantains, and those simple dishes."

"Mom, Oliver doesn't care about any of that," Aileen interrupted, feeling uncomfortable because her beloved mother was embarrassing her.

"I care about everything that has to do with you," Oliver replied, winking at her. Aileen held her breath for a few seconds, feeling so strange with that gesture. Was it necessary to pretend to be so deeply in love? Just then, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Aileen's mother got up from her chair and went straight to answer the door, to her surprise, it was Vanessa and Trisha, who had come to visit. "Hello! What a surprise. Come in, would you like some breakfast?"

"How are you?" Trisha murmured. "Is Aileen here?"

"What's for breakfast?" Vanessa wanted to know.

"Yes, she's in the kitchen having breakfast with Oliver, and I made waffles."

"Mmm, how delicious," Vanessa was the first to approach the kitchen, where she found the lovebirds having breakfast. "Good morning."

"Vane!" Aileen opened her arms, and Vanessa approached to hug her.

"If we don't visit you, you don't talk to us," Trisha murmured from behind. "Hello, brother-in-law."

"How are you, Trisha?"

"Not better than you."

"Can we sit down?" Vanessa asked.

"Of course," Aileen responded. Oliver started feeling a bit uneasy with so many people in one place, especially with Aileen's friends. They tended to be a bit nosy, and if they asked something strange, they would be in trouble. Aileen's mother served coffee and waffles to the girls. Aileen and Oliver had finished eating.

"How's the life of the pre-married?" Trisha wanted to know.

"Very good," Aileen responded, looking at Oliver.

"Perfect," he murmured.

"When are you inviting us to see the house where you'll live with Aileen?" Trisha wanted to know.

"Tris..." Vanesa interjected, knowing that her friend was about to start asking all sorts of questions.

Aileen just laughed at how nervous and uncomfortable Oliver was.

"Whenever you want, Trisha. I don't know why Aileen hasn't invited you yet," he responded.

"Well, the truth is we've been really busy with university. We haven't had time for anything. Today we managed to sneak out a bit because there was some kind of gathering, and that's the only reason we could come," Trisha explained.

"That's true. Soon you'll be in the same boat, Aileen, so make the most of your free time now because you'll have very little of it later," Vanesa chimed in.

Aileen sighed and nodded.

"I know. I have a lot of assignments and tasks to do today," she said with a sad expression. Her friends sympathized with her. Breakfast had been quite entertaining. Oliver thought that maybe it hadn't been so bad after all. He said goodbye to the girls and to Aileen, especially to Aileen, and left because he had a lot of work to do. The girls also said their goodbyes to Aileen as they had to return to the university.

"I'll be around soon," Aileen told them.

"I'll go to the club with my friends for a while," her mother said. "I'll play some tennis to entertain myself."

"Alright. I'll be here all day working."

"Take care."

Aileen went up to her room and tried to relax. She needed to get everything ready from today. She started with overdue assignments, researching, taking notes, erasing, and rewriting. When she got hungry, she went to the kitchen and made herself a sandwich, and so on. During lunchtime, Oliver sent her a message.

From Oliver:

Busy?

Aileen smiled and replied.

From Aileen:

Definitely :(

From Oliver:

Are you hungry?

From Aileen:

Very. Honestly, I haven't had time to prepare anything to eat.

From Oliver:

I figured.

Just then, someone rang the doorbell, and Aileen went downstairs to see who it was, holding her phone in her hand.

From Aileen:

I'll make something light in the meantime.

When Aileen opened the front door, she was surprised to see Oliver standing right there. She smiled knowingly because he had something in his hands.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you. Like I said, I figured you hadn't eaten, so I brought something for us to have for lunch," he said.

Aileen smiled and let him in. Both of them headed to the dining room.