Chapter 49: Chapter Forty-Nine

Everett

I had left Aubrey to sleep. I didn't sleep much after she woke me up. I checked outside a few times to see if Benji was there. He wasn't. I don't know if he ever was or if it was someone else, but there was obviously someone to freak Aubrey out as much as it did. I may need to pay Benji another visit, alone this time. Hugo won't be there to stop me. It probably wouldn't be a good idea, but if I see Aubrey fearful in such a way again, none of that will matter. I will be going.

I have got breakfast on to cook. I take my cell and call Hugo to let him know what happened. It rings only a couple of times before he answers.

"Good morning, big brother."

"Morning. I have something to tell you. I stayed with Aubrey last night."

"What? Why? What are you doing at her place?"

I should have worded it better. I explain what happened, starting from the café until Aubrey woke me up. I left the part out about being in bed with her.

"But you don't know for sure if it was him?"

"No, I couldn't see anyone when I went out to check, but Aubrey saw someone. I am going to stay here with her for a bit. We shouldn't have let her come back so soon. And don't start on me because I am staying at her place. It is only to keep an eye on her, nothing more."

"Is she okay?"

"She is still asleep. I am just making her breakfast."

"Do you need us to come over?"

"No, we are fine. I am here. I am not going anywhere."

Hugo sighs, "Okay, keep me updated. Everett, don't do anything stupid. Aubrey won't want you getting into any trouble over her."

He knows me too well. "I promise I will try to stay out of trouble."

"Everett." He warns.

I roll my eyes. He needs to remember who is older. "Everything will be fine. I need to go. Bye."

I hang up before he has a chance to say another word. I plate the pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs, one plate for each of us, and place them on a tray. I add coffee and some orange juice too, heading through to wake Aubrey up. She is still sound asleep, snoring lightly. I set the tray down and take a spot on the bed next to her. I glance down at her and sigh to myself.

"I don't like what you are making me feel," I whisper.

I stroke the hair from her face and caress her cheek. "Aubrey, wake up. I have breakfast for us."

Aubrey groans, taking a moment to come too. "Morning." She whispers.

Slowly, she sits up, running her fingers through her messy hair.

"Good morning. How are you feeling?"

"I am okay. Tired still, but hungry. What did you make?" she laughs.

I instantly smile when she laughs. It is better than hearing her whimper or sob. I grab one of the plates and hand it to her. Aubrey smiles brightly and tucks straight in. I take my plate and go to sit on the other side of her to eat.

"Everett, you don't need to stay with me. I am sure I will be fine." She says softly between bites.

"I am staying, Aubrey. It is either that or you come back to stay at mine. The choice is yours." I state firmly.

I refuse to leave her alone. She can hate me for it all she wants, but I am not going anywhere, anytime soon, no matter what she says.

"I am sure you have better things than to take care of me, Everett."

"Aubrey, I am where I need to be right now."

Sighing, she nods and focuses back on her food. If I need to stay a week or a month, it doesn't matter, I will be staying until I know that bastard is gone. Aubrey doesn't say anything else, nor do I, as we finish up.

"I need to go to mine and pick up some things. Do you want to come with me?"

"Um, I have work."

"No, you don't, you aren't going in today, Aubrey. You are exhausted. You can return tomorrow."

It isn't my place to tell her what to do, but here I am because it is the truth. She is exhausted and stressed; work is the last place she needs to be. Aubrey mutters under her breath. I can't make out what she is saying, but I am certain there are some curse words amongst them.

"Fine. You are impossible." She snaps, putting her play on the tray and storms off to the bathroom.

I laugh loudly at her tantum. It is cute when she acts like that. There is nothing scary about it. She is too cute for me to be annoyed at her when she has little strops like that. I guess I am left to clean up, too. I don't mind.

I gather everything and take it to the kitchen to clean up. Hugo won't expect her in today, not after what happened. He is more than capable of getting on fine without an assistant.

"Everett, I am sorry I snapped at you." Aubrey's quiet voice comes from behind me.

I didn't hear her come into the kitchen. I turn to face her. Aubrey rocks back and forth on her heels, chewing her lower lip nervously.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Aubrey. You should go shower and change. We will head to mine soon."

I will shower at mine. I don't see the point in showering here when there are no clean clothes for me to change into. I didn't expect to be back here again, sharing a living space with Aubrey. The difference between here and my place is that my place is bigger and has more places to go. Here we don't have anywhere to go. Hopefully, the close-knit space won't end with us clashing. I would prefer we be at mine, but she wants to be here, and it isn't my right to tell her otherwise.

"Okay. I won't be long. Thanks for breakfast." She smiles and disappears again.

"Take your time," I call after her.

I finish cleaning, pull the rest of my clothes back on, and have another coffee as I wait for her to return. While I am here, I will install a security system for her, with cameras and alarms. I will be keeping an eye out every night, too. If Benji has been stalking outside at night and I catch him, he will regret the day he was born. He'd better hope for his sake that he has the decency to stay away.