Chapter 24

Ziya

I wondered what Max was thinking about. What did he make out of all of this? “Fuck…” I whispered, realizing I couldn’t get a new phone at this hour of the day.

I hadn’t texted or called Max back because I wanted to do that in private. And when I finally had the chance, another man answered the call and told Max that I was his. It wasn’t hard to think what was going on in Max’s head right now.

Fuck, I needed to do something.

Rushing towards the dining table, I almost tripped over my feet. I suddenly knew what I could do! Betty was dating this computer nerd, Mark, so maybe he could help me out! Without wasting time, I sat behind my laptop and messaged Betty through Instagram. I didn’t want to write the entire story, so I just texted:

Is Mark with you? Something is going on with my phone.

Betty hadn’t replied and I was seriously starting to lose it. All these days, everybody had said I had to process the trauma, but I kept myself standing. But now, without Max, it felt as if I was panicking more and more. And maybe the people were right. Everything that had happened with the ship — the cries, the horror, and the news that 163 people had died — suddenly hit me like a brick for the past hours. I didn’t need a therapist, I needed him!

It took hours before she finally replied, close to midnight:

I’m sorry, sis. When I came home this afternoon, I didn’t feel so good so I fell asleep on the couch. I’ve got a mild fever now, too. But what’s wrong with your phone? Mark is working till tomorrow but I can call dad and send him over if you want! We should be able to reach you.

Damn it. I’d hoped Mark could install my card in another phone or something.

No, no. You’re not well, you go to sleep. I’ll just go shower and message you tomorrow.

But how’s your phone? Should I send dad?

I knew my father was already asleep. He always went to bed at eleven.

That’s not necessary. My phone is just acting up but it’s still okay half of the time.

*time

It was a white lie, but she was sick, so I didn’t want her to go through too much trouble for my stupid ass. Especially not after I sent her away this afternoon. I would just go to the stores tomorrow and could only hope that Max would forgive me after he heard me out.

I sighed and closed my laptop. “God, I’m such an idiot,” I said, rubbing over my face.

~

I couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t strange because how was I to sleep with my mind full and my head throbbing? I was lucky I hadn’t opened my business yet and that I didn’t also have to worry about whining customers, but I knew that I soon had to open again. I sighed before the sound of the doorbell startled me.

Who could stand at my door in the middle of the night?

“If it’s Henry again, I’ll scratch his eyes out and kick him in his hairy balls…” I mumbled while getting out of bed. I threw on a bathrobe and walked to the door.

“Who’s this?” I spoke against the door.

“It’s Max!”

“...?” I yanked the door open. There he stood! “M-Max…?”

I would explain myself later, but right now, I burst out in tears as he stood before me, black circles under his eyes and looking at me with these cute scrunched, very confused, and worried eyebrows.

“Babe? What happened? Is he gone? Did he hurt you?” Max asked, his hot breath fanning against my neck while his arms closed around my waist. I’ve missed this warm hug.

I gently closed the door after I’d reluctantly let go of my boyfriend. “No. Henry was just drunk and came over, acting like the twat he is. But he didn’t hurt me,” I replied. “I swear nothing happened, Max. Please, let me explain!”

Max nodded. “I know you would never cheat on me, Zi. If that’s what you think I’m thinking. I came because I was worried about you, and couldn’t reach you. Why the hell didn’t you message me? You read my messages.”

I grabbed his collar and pulled him towards me, smashing my lips against his. I just needed to kiss him right now. Max kissed me back with the same amount of passion and turned me around, pushing my back against the door, while his hands roamed all over my body.

“Wait, wait…” I panted into his mouth after I broke the kiss. “Let’s talk first.”

“You’re right. We need to talk. I just... fuck, I missed you.”

I grabbed his hand. “I missed you too.” I pulled him with me. “Well, this is my house,” I awkwardly said while guiding him to the couch. “Sit down, please.”

He sat down and I didn’t resist the urge to sit on his lap, so I crawled on top of him and explained everything there was to explain. I cried, I laughed, and I cried again. Max let me talk the whole time.

“What an asshole.“ Max sighed. “Thank God, he didn’t hurt you.”

“Henry might be an idiot but he would never physically hurt me.” I at least had to give Henry that.

“And you… What the hell were you thinking, Zi?”

“I don’t know. I’m just stupid half of the time.”

“No, you’re not,” he answered. “And we will go buy you another phone tomorrow.”

“God, I’ve missed you,” I said once more, burying my face against his neck.

“Me too.” His hands caressed my spine. From my bum to my neck and back to my bum again.

“By the way, where is your suitcase?” I asked, just realizing he didn’t have one with him.

“I don’t have one. I just immediately came this way.”

I laid my head against his heart. “How can you be so perfect?” I asked. “Do you even have any flaws?”

“My mom says my feet stink sometimes.”

I laughed. “If that’s your only flaw...”

“I’m sure there are plenty of things you don’t know about me yet. I’m sure I have more flaws than bad-smelling feet after sports.”

“I’m looking forward to getting to know you more already,” I replied. “Hey... do you want to take a shower together?”

“Uhhhhh, hell yeah!” he almost shouted.

I chuckled. “Also... I’ve been on birth control since my return home. You know what that means?”

“Uh?”

“You can come inside of me, Max...” I whispered in his ear.

“Fuck, Zi…” he hoarsely whispered back. I instantly felt his cock grow underneath me.

“Come with me. I’ll show you the rest of the house…“

“Yes, ma’am!”

~~~~~~~~~~~