BAIDER (ENGLISH VERSION)

ANMELA’S POV

“Yes. So that I can go with your place anytime.”

I was again amazed by the beauty of his smile.

Why is it always like this? I could feel my heart beating because of those smiles of his. Nothing changed. I wondered if I could sense the same way even after how many years of staying by his side? I guessed, the feeling was the same.

“Is this your apartment?” Laurent looked around with nothing written on his face. I thought he would be gross or what, but I did not see it. Just a simple expression of studying the structure of my apartment. Like a usual visitor or foreign person in an unknown area.

“I’m sorry. My apartment is small. I’m the only one here though.” The shyness was in my tone.

“There is nothing wrong with your apartment. It’s cute.” He walked around and went to the kitchen. “I think we need to buy groceries.” He was finding food and nothing to see. That was why he was inviting me, but I had no money. The salary has not yet come, I only have 50 dollars. Maybe that was enough for a bit of food, enough for one week.

“All right.” Laurent wrapped his arms on my shoulder and dragged me out of my apartment.

We happily went out and did some grocery shopping. He was pushing the cart while I was just holding his arm. I could feel the soothing of the scene to my heart. We were like a husband and wife buying food for home. Those thoughts affected me to create a big smile on my lips.

“I forgot your phone was in the car.” Laurent interrupted the silence between the two of us.

“Huh?”

“I bought you so you don’t borrow from anyone.” He wrinkled his forehead. I stretched my arm to press it, making it straight.

“All right. I’ll pay you but not now. I don’t have money yet.”

“No need.”

“I’ll pay.” I emphasized those words. I was not wealthy, but I did not want him to think that I was with him because of money. I could get a penny by hard work and sacrifice. I also wanted to pay back his money for helping my family. That was embarrassing.

“Fine.” Laurent surrendered. He knew that he would have nothing to do about that.

He stopped, looked aside. He was finding what he could buy.

“Don’t get too much, I don’t have money yet.” I looked down. I could feel the crawling shyness all over me.

“I’ll pay.” His voice was just soft. His knitted forehead was on his face again.

“What! No. I’m not asking you for money. You are giving too much to me. You also bought land for my parents and that was-” I stopped when his lips touched mine. My cheeks immediately warmed. I averted my gaze.

This man had the power of making my heart beat so fast as if I was going to have a heart attack.

“You’re noisy.” He said while the frown was on his expression.

So he kissed me because he could not stand my blabbyness? Fine. I would stop talking. I did not want to irritate him

My mouth was shut until we reached the cashier. When he was about to pay, I insisted that I had money, but when I looked at the price. I did nothing except chuckling in embarrassment. I let him pay for those things.

A few minutes later, we got to the apartment. We put all the groceries in my kitchen and arranged it into order. That was many. Maybe it would last for about one month just because I was alone except if he would stay.

“You bought many.” My cheek could feel the igniting sensation. I was embarrassed, he should not do this.

“That’s not enough. I think I will stay here always.”

“Huh?”

“You do not want to?” His forehead formed a wave.

I gave him a big attractive smile. “I like that!” I wrapped around my arms on his waist and leaned my face on his chest. “Thank you. I promised I will pay you once my salary-”

“You are welcome.” I felt his kiss on my head.

When we finished organizing things, he sat on the couch. He tapped his thigh, gesturing to me to sit there. I followed him with a thrilling feeling in my chest and a britened eyes. The corner of my lips were curved slightly upward. A genuine smile was on it.

“Have you been friends with Ardent for a long time?” His forehead was knitted again. He loved to do that and I did not want to see those waves on his forehead. I just wanted him to always smile. That made him more handsome.

I stared at him with my accusing expression. Then, the smirk drew on my lips.

“Yes. Are you jealous?” I teased him by tickling his waist. It did not affect him.

“Yes.”

My eyes widened when he said that bluntly. That amazed me. There was no point in lying.

“Does he always put his hands on you?” He asked with a frown again. I could feel the tension on his questions.

“Ahm-” I searched for an answer, but when he looked at me badly I could do nothing, but tell the truth. “Yes.” I was stuttering.

“Don’t let him.” His voice had a command. “You’re my girl. I don’t want another man holding you or even looking at you with admiration.”

“You’re just jealous. He never admires me. That is not gonna happen.” I was sound defensive because that was impossible.

“What’s mine is mine.” There was an authority in his voice.

I gasped plenty of air. I had no idea what made him so possessive. He was the only man that I loved in my entire life. “But he’s my friend.”

“I’m your boyfriend. You need to follow me.” His eyes looked like hypnotizing me to follow him.

“We’re not married yet. You’re possessive.” I pouted and crossed my arms below the chest.

“That’s my request, Anmela Eris.”

I kept my mouth closed. Can I avoid Ardent? In my year of staying in school, I was with him and Alem. They were the only friends I had. They were important to me. I wanted Laurent to realize that, but maybe one of these days he could understand that.

A second of silence. Only the sound of an electric fan could be heard.

“Baby girl?”

“Hmm?”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“I love you.”

I felt my ear was deaf for a second. My heart was pumping so loud. He never failed to make me feel special. His I love you felt like always a first time bursting from his mouth when in fact, he said that plenty of times. I could also feel my heart was about to come out with the force of that beating.

“I love you too,” I said nervously.

He held my waist and lifted me, he sat me on the couch. Then, knelt down in front of me. He observed my neck.

“Does your neck still hurt?” He grabbed the strand of my hair and flipped it on my back.

“No. That is fine.”

He stared at my neck as if he felt something strange, which I could not understand. I saw him swallow three times because his Adam’s apple moved up and down.

“Why?” The curiosity was on my expression.

“Nothing.” He stood up and averted his look at me. “Let’s just eat.”

He led me into the kitchen. We had fun chatting about random things.

“Why did you buy the land?” Out of nowhere I asked him. I just remembered his kindness.

“Because I want to.”

I palmed my face at what he said. He never really had a specific answer. If he did not want to explain he would just say a short answer.

“Please tell me?” I gave him puppy eyes with a plea on it.

His mouth parted with a sigh afterward. “I hate telling a story.”

I was frustrated. It felt like I needed to force him just to say a long word.

He has always been like that. What else is new to him?

“Fine. I hate telling a story, but I hate to see you with your sad face. I bought it for you and for the people there. To help them.”