48

I could feel the sun shining through the window and tickling the tip of my nose. My eyes were still closed. The bed felt wonderfully soft. At that moment I suddenly opened my eyes, realizing that this couldn't be my bed.

Wow. I wasn't used to the sight that presented itself to me. The bedroom I was in was as big as my entire apartment. It was luxuriously and stylishly furnished. A huge window front overlooking Miami and the sea. A freestanding bathtub in the middle of the room. A door that apparently led to a walk-in closet and another that probably went into a bathroom.

But the pain in my head quickly spread. All the memories from last night flooded my brain like a flood. I reflexively pulled the covers up to my neck.

Suddenly the door to the bedroom opened. Thiago stood in front of me. "Hey, are you already awake?" He said the obvious. He came over to me and sat next to me on the bed. He stroked my cheek with his hand. At that moment, I realized that the back of his right hand was bloody and torn. Like from a fight.

"Is he dead ?" I finally asked Thiago with a shaky voice.

Thiago nodded, "Yes now. I killed him. He didn't deserve to live any longer," he explained dryly.

I was shocked. I mean what he did to me or wanted to do was terrible. But pay for it with your life. On the one hand I was glad, knowing he could never come near me again, but on the other hand it's too much. I mean he's dead. Matt is dead. Tears welled up in my eyes and were about to roll down my cheeks.

Thiago came closer to me and fixed my face with his hands. "Look at me Alea". I followed his words. "It's over. He can't hurt you anymore. Never again," he tried to calm me down.

Then he kissed me softly. "Thank you" I whispered between kisses. I was really grateful to him. For being there for me unconditionally for the last 12 hours. I called him and he came right away and took care of everything but mostly me. I had never seen him like this before. He was incredibly empathetic to me. When I thought about the situation in the shower. I felt so close to him and above all safe. I didn't want to be with anyone else at that moment. Although he has now seen me from my most vulnerable side.

His strong arms that surrounded me and held me tight again and again. I could feel every muscle in his. I could feel him tense and suppress his anger. And even though so much has happened in the last few months that I was convinced he didn't care about me... from today I knew he really did care about me. He needs me just like I need him... oh Andy gonna kill me...

Andy ? Oh damn. I broke away from thiago immediately. He looked at me confused. "Andy, I totally forgot about him. We had a date. He must be worried," I hastily explained.

"Calm down Alea, it's not as if you wanted to transfer him," Thiago answered annoyed while handing my bag with my mobile phone. Was he jealous? On Andy? I mean he knew Andy was into men. Or not ? Anyway I didn't have time for it. I had to answer my cell phone.

15 missed calls and 20 wahtsapp messages. Damn. The last message said:

Andy: if you don't answer within 30 minutes I'll call the police Alea Miles!!!

I immediately typed a message:

Alea: Andy?

Andy: Goodness Alea. your fucking serious? Where are you?

Alea: at Silva's home. But it's not what you think.

Andy: okay all right. fuck you darling I'm really mad now. It's best not to contact me at first.

I already typed an answer but Andy blocked me. This little bugger. How could you be so childish. He had done this several times for a few days when we were arguing. So stubborn. Instead of listening to me first.

Frustrated, I put the phone on the bedside table.

Thiago emerged from the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. He had showered. His wet hair was still in his face. He looked so good.

"Trouble In Paradise?" he asked me mockingly. I rolled my eyes.

"He blocked me when I said where I was. I couldn't even explain why," I snorted.

"Idiot. He'd better get used to it. That wasn't the last time you'll be with me," Thiago replied with an arrogant smile. I threw a pillow at him, although I liked his answer. So I would be here more often.

"He's my best friend Thiago. I need him," I replied again.

Thiago came up to me after putting on pants and a shirt. "The only man you need in your life is me, little one," he breathed just inches from my face. This guy. How could you be so arrogant? Still, I had to smile.

"Oh is that so?" I finally answer. "Yes, that's how it is, and now get dressed, we're going to eat. I put fresh clothes on for you," countered Thiago.

Fresh clothes? I looked at the end of the bed. Here was a white shirt and a black leather jacket. By him. That doesn't suit me in life. But thiago was already out of the room.

I finally put the things on. What else was there for me to do? The shirt hung almost to my knees. It looked like a shirt dress. However 0.0 figure-hugging. Which was fine with me though. I wanted to hide my body at the moment. The leather jacket was also way too big. But I kept them on. She smelled of Thiago.

When I was done, I grabbed my bag and ran out of the bedroom. Reason kind... this apartment was pure luxury and incredibly large. I couldn't stop being amazed.

"Come on Alea. I'll show you everything when else" Thiago called me who was already waiting at the elevator.

I came to him and at that moment I opened the doors.. thiago put his arm on my shoulder and pulled me to him. Then he kissed the top of my hair. I smiled just like him for a moment, then we got in.

The elevator went to the underground car park. There were an unbelievable number of cars in this one. One more expensive than the other. "Are these all yours?" I wanted to know shocked.

"Yes, I like cars, especially when they're fast," he proudly answers.

"If I didn't know better, you might think you would have to compensate for something else with this," I replied, pointing to his penis. He started grinning.

"Luckily you know... especially how tall he is," he winked at me. I took a deep breath, shook my head and then smiled too. He was right. And I liked that too.

We arrived at a restaurant at the port. Thiago made sure we were seated right by the sea, in a quiet undisturbed corner. That was fine with me. He ordered breakfast for us as well as coffee and fresh juice. It took less than 10 minutes for our table to be set and we started to eat.

However, my appetite was limited even though the food here was really delicious. I looked at the sea and lost myself in thought.

"Alea... Alea..." only now did I notice Thiago speaking to me.

"I know it's not easy for you, but you have to try not to let it show on you for the next few days," he explained to me. I looked at him questioningly.

"You will notice that he has disappeared, the police will be involved, who will of course start an investigation. Don't worry. We have cleaned and tidied everything. You will not find anything in the office. However, it is important that you behave as are you clueless. Do you understand Alea?"

"I can't do that, Thiago," I contradicted immediately and shook my head. "Surely I can't go back to the company, to the scene, and pretend everything's great?" I couldn't believe he thought I was really that jaded.

"Alea, you don't get it. You are the boss's confidante in the company. The boss has disappeared without a trace and the confidante suddenly doesn't want to come to work anymore? The police would see through it immediately and question you until you became weak . However, if you go about your work inconspicuously, they question you and you say you haven't seen him since Friday night when you left the office, you're not a suspect."

he talked to me.

"I know it's hard for you Alea, but I just want to protect you. As soon as the police can't find anything in the company, I'll get you a new job," he continued.

I laughed. "What's there to laugh about now?" He wanted to know directly. Meanwhile his eyes have darkened again and he had put on a serious expression.

"Isn't it ironic that you were the reason I ended up with Matt in the first place and that you of all people are now trying to get me a new job?" I explained shaking my head.

"Really, Alea? You're coming back with that? You were the one who applied to Matt. I even warned you about him," he hissed at me.

I inhaled sharply. I knew it wasn't fair to scold him or blame him, in fact he really meant well. Still, I just wanted to go home.

So I got up and left the table. Thiago put enough money on the table and followed me. "I'll drive you," he said irritably.

Without saying another word he drove me to my apartment. Before I could get out he grabbed my arm "Don't talk to anyone about this, not even your Andy. It's safer for all of us with as little knowledge as possible". he commanded me coldly. I just nodded and got out of the car.

When I got to my apartment, I collapsed. I cried and cried and couldn't find an end. I was huddled on the floor like an embryo. My life is a complete fiasco. How am I supposed to survive the next few days?