"I told you to not come." I said as I approached Chris in the lobby of the hotel. I was sounding a bit protesting but my heart was fluttering at seeing him and was beating franticly in my rib cage and I couldn't help the big smile that stretched my lips.

I had texted him this morning to not come to the hotel because I needed to go grocery shopping. But there he was. Waiting in the lobby as always, waiting for me. I would lie if I said it was not warming my heart and I was not expecting him to come anyway. 

As if my smile was contagious, Chris returned it with a big grin and I can swear his eyes shined brightly as they landed on me. "And I told you that I will come anyway." He responded. "We will go grocery shopping together. I need some things as well."

"Thank you." I said and kissed his cheek, hearing him take a sharp intake of breath as his arms wrapped around my body, pulling me in his addicting and safe arms. "And Hello." I whispered as I put my head on his chest and hugged him back, secretly inhaling as much as I could from his manly scent that had become a comforting smell to me.

"Hello, angel." he husked out and kissed my temple before pulling back and taking my hand. "Let's go now."

I nodded and we walked toward the sliding doors and walked outside in the chilly air of October. I snuggled closer to Chris for warmth as we walked to his car. He quickly let go of my hand and put his arm around me, pulling me more to him.

To anyone, we might have looked like a happy girlfriend and a boyfriend whereas, in reality, we weren't even close to that definition. I didn't know what to call my relationship with Chris, to be honest. We couldn't be categorized as friends. Friends wouldn't act like us. You won't get butterflies when you see your friend, right?

I even didn't know if we were more than friends or not. It was confusing but at the same time, it didn't feel odd or out of place. It was so natural. And I thought Chris felt the same by how he looked comfortable around me. 

I liked spending time with him. I was feeling guilty a bit that he would do so many things for me. But at the same time, it was exciting for me as well and he was doing it eagerly like he wanted to spend time with me.

All the time driving to the supermarket, we talked and laughed about last night. His deep belly laughter was making my heart flutter. It was a magnificent sight to see. The way he would throw his head back and would close his eyes tightly while laughing. I really liked his carefree handsome face without those wrinkles on his brow.

And I feel too proud to be the reason for this carefree personality of him.

Turned out the things he needed were a bar of chocolate and a box of cigarettes. Of course, he put back the cigarettes after a long speech I gave him with a scowl on my face and a hand on my hip. 

He had rolled his eyes but had chuckled and shook his head while putting back the box surrendering. What?? His dream was to become a footballer and he needed to stay healthy.

"Um, angel?" he asked while scratching the back of his head, not taking his eyes off of the road as we neared my neighborhood. "Do you mind if I come in? I really need someone to tutor me for the chem exam tomorrow. Of course, it's okay if you don't want to. You may have plans for ..."

"I'd love to, Chris." I cut him off, making a big grin appear on his handsome face. I continued as he glanced at me. "It's the least I can do for you. Plus I have no plans for tonight."

I tried to not sound so excited whereas, in reality, there was a party going on inside of my heart. Let me tell you, Chris Harrington was the type of student who didn't give a shit about his education. Was this idea of his because he wanted to spend time with me?

"Angel?" Chris's voice brought me out of my thoughts. I blinked several times, noticing that Chris had parked his car on the garage driveway. 

"Are you fine?" asked Chris and I looked at him who was looking back at me with his brows furrowed "Are you nervous? You were biting your lips and only when you are nervous do you do that. Do you want me to leave?"

"What? No! No!" I squeaked quickly and shook my hands. "I promise it was not that? Um, I was only thinking about ... um about ...."

I felt my face burning up and I was sure I looked like a tomato as I stared at his confused handsome face. He had turned to me fully with one of his arms on the steering wheel, looking into my eyes that I liked to lose myself into. 

Why should he be so handsome and dashing??? Was it even legal???

I quickly looked away when his eyebrows raised and a smirk began to appear on his face. "It was nothing." I cleared my throat and quickly stepped out of the car although I'm sure he knew now about what I was thinking about based on a teasing smirk playing on his lips.

I cursed myself for pulling my hair into a bun after work because I couldn't use it to cover my flushed face from Chris's intense stare. I wasn't looking up at him as we took the bags from the truck and walked to the front door silently, but I could easily feel his eyes burning holes in my skull.

I thanked Daisy over and over in my head when she distracted him from me. 

"Chris!" shouted Daisy happily as she spotted us coming inside of the house and putting the bags on the counter and the next second, she jumped in Chris's open arms.

"Hey! Princess!" chirped Chris as he picked up Daisy in his arms. 

"I'm going to change." I said quickly and ran toward the stairs while shouting the next sentence. "Feel yourself at home."

I practically jumped inside the bathroom of my room and closed the door behind me. I cursed myself when I saw my flushed face in the mirror. I quickly washed my face and hands before going out of the bathroom. 

I sat in front of my vanity and stared at my reflection. My eyes were sparkling, but my face looked dull. I didn't have time to care for my skin like other girls. There were dark bags under my eyes and my skin looked pale and lifeless because of so much pressure in my life.

I sighed and looked at my mother's makeup tools. I bit my lips and looked at them warily. Should I add a bit of makeup? Maybe he was not thinking about me any more than a friend and by suddenly appearing downstairs with makeup, he would think of me like those clingy girls who he despised.

I sighed and quickly pulled my hair out of the bun, sighing in relief as I massaged my scalp. I quickly ran my brush through my hair, smiling at the natural curls that fell around me proudly. I stand up and walked to the closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a maroon button-up blouse. After I changed I quickly applied a bit of lip balm and headed downstairs. 

I didn't want to appear so excited.

When I was on top of the stairs, suddenly a very excited Daisy bumped into me. "Whoa!" I said and I steadied her, sighing in relief that she didn't fall down. "What has made you this excited?"

"Chris gifted me these beautiful barbie pencil colors!" she practically shouted with eyes that were wide with excitement.

My eyes widened too as I stared at the box of pencils in her hand. It was the one she always wanted. How did he know?

Before I can question Daisy, she ran toward her room, probably eager to draw hundreds of paintings. I just stared at her door for a moment before slowly descending the stairs.

What this boy is doing to me??? Could he really be an angel sent from above???

I saw Chris and Liam talking to each other surprisingly calm and civil. Liam's back was to me but I could see Chris's small smile as he talked to my brother. Suddenly he glanced at me and watched me intently as I climbed down the few remaining stairs and walked to them, trying to ignore the wild butterflies in my belly.

***********************************************************************************************

I watched Eleanor amused as she practically ran upstairs. Was I had that much of an effect on her? Did it mean she liked me too? I'm sure as hell she was thinking about my handsome self and I'm sure her thoughts were not too innocent from her flushed face and how she was not able to look me in the eye.

"Chris, are we going to the park today as well?" asked Daisy and shook my shoulders a bit, catching my attention. 

"I'm sorry, princess." I answered. "But your sister and I should study for school." 

Her eyes saddened and she pouted adorably. "Hey!" I cooed while I put her on the ground, kneeling down myself. "I have something for you."

I said and pulled out a box wrapped with pink gift paper from my bag. "This is for you." I said and held it in front of a wide-eyed Daisy. "This a gift from me to princess Daisy."

"Thank you!" whispered Daisy and gingerly took the gift from me as if she was afraid it vanishes suddenly. She then looked up at me as if asking what to do.

"Go on!" I said and pointed with my head to the gift. "Open it."

She gulped and nodded and then quickly tore the wrapper and gasped once she saw what was inside. "Barbie pencil colors." she whispered as she stared at the box of 48 color pencils with a barbie theme.

"Do you like it?" I smiled softly. "I made sure to buy the exact one you described for me last night."

"I love it!" exclaimed Daisy and the next second she threw herself at me and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Thank you, Chris. You are my favorite."

"You're welcome, flower." I chuckled and rubbed her back soothingly.

"I'm going to paint so many beautiful things." she squealed. "Will you come and paint with me?"

"Not now. I should study for my exam." I answered, hating how her face fell at hearing my answer. I ran a hand through her soft curly hair and smiled at her. "But after I'm done, I promise to come and play with you."

"yayyyyy!" yelled Daisy and then ran toward the stairs.

I rose to my feet and saw Liam standing there, looking at me with a stern look on his face. 

"Hello, Liam." I said a bit nervously. I needed Liam on my good side if I wanted Eleanor and the boy didn't like me a bit. Shit!

"Are you trying to bribe my little sister to like you?" he asked and crossed his arms.

"What about you?" I asked instead of answering, returning his intense look. "Can I bribe you too to like me?"

"Do you like Eleanor?" he asked with narrowed eyes and took a step closer to me.

"I do." I answered honestly and firmly. "And I'm ready to do anything for her to see her happy and fine."

Liam just stared at me for the next second and I stared back into his eyes, wanting him to know I was serious and honest. He then took a deep breath and his eyes softened. 

"I have heard you are the captain of the football team." he asked out of the blue. "And I heard from everyone in my school and also from Eleanor that you are so good."

I puffed my chest, proud that Eleanor saw me as a good player. "I am." I answered.

"I also play for my school team." said Liam and his eyes shone happily and proudly. I could see the same passion in his eyes that I had too for football. "Can you show me a few of your tricks?" 

I smiled at the young boy in front of me. That was my chance to make Liam like me too. Also, I would like to do anything in my power to help this young eager player and share my experainve with him.

I opened my mouth to answer him. But just then I heard footsteps from the stairs and turned only to see Eleanor walking down the stairs, taking my breath away. She was wearing a maroon blouse which was complementing her pale skin. Her dark blue jeans were not skinny but not baggy as well and were showing her long legs perfectly. Her silky hair was free now, bouncing around her freely.

She looked so beautiful without any makeup and I liked her that way; natural and real. Her mesmerizing eyes were fixed on me as she walked toward us. I quickly turned to Liam again, wanting to send him off and be alone with his sister. 

Yeah, I know I'm a selfish dick! 

"We can go out after I'm done studying and I will show you those tricks." I said.

"Hey, Liam." Eleanor greeted her brother.

Liam smirked at me, obviously reading my mind, but it was gone when he turned to Eleanor and offered her a smile "Hi, Ellie." he said and hugged her briefly. 

"Are you still having that sleepover at your friend's house tonight?" she asked Liam.

"Yup!" he answered. "I will leave around seven. I leave you now. I will see you in the afternoon, Chris."

I thanked him mentally for being such a mature boy. Once we were alone, I turned to Eleanor who walked closer to me so she was standing right in front of me. 

"Chris, you didn't have to buy Daisy those pencils." she said with a soft frown on her face. "Ii know there were a bit expensive. How did you know about them?"

Instead of responding to her words, I gently placed my thumb on her forehead and eased the wrinkles. "Have I told you how beautiful you look?" I asked her quietly.

She gulped and blushed at hearing my compliment. "Thank you." she whispered shyly and dropped her face.

Controlling myself I forced my hand down and took a deep breath. "Shall we begin the tutoring?" I asked. "I have promised Daisy and Liam to play with them later."

"Of course." said Eleanor with a big smile on her face. "Thank you for spending time with them. They need this."

"They are amazing kids." I answered truthfully. "I love spending time with them."

"Let's begin then." she said as she walked ahead toward the kitchen.

So for the next hour and a half, we sat at the table in the kitchen and studied together. It was so fucking hard trying to concentrate with Eleanor sitting beside me and helping me. She looked so peaceful while she was explaining different formulas and other fucking stuff to me. 

Her focus was fully on the books and papers in front of us, giving me a perfect opportunity to study her facial features up close.

I had to stop myself so many fucking times from tucking her hair behind her ears. I badly wanted to run my hand through those soft-looking curls and smell them. At the same time, I was trying to listen well to her and prove to her that I'm not as dumb as my grades would present me to be. 

I'm not humble. So let me tell you that I'm quite smart. I just didn't have any interest in the shits that the teachers would say. But when you have a breathtaking tutor, you would do anything to show them how clever you are, and let me say, she was explaining things better than anyone I had seen.

"Are you not done?"

We turned and saw Liam standing at the entrance of the kitchen with a football ball in his hand.

"We are." I grumbled and leaned back on the chair. "My mind is fucking exploding. I can't take any more for today."

"So are you coming then?" asked Liam eagerly and tossed the ball from one hand to another. "We can practice in the yard."

"No!" 

Me and Liam both turned to Eleanor as we heard her firm and stern answer. She gazed at me with concern. "Chris, you can't play with ball." she said worriedly. "Have you forgotten about your arm and the stitches?"

I felt my inner self purred at hearing her concern for me and my health. It felt so fucking good. I stood up and leaned down toward her, kissing her forehead. 

"Don't worry, angel." I said reassuringly. "I'm careful. I need to heal fast to come to work and also play football. I'm super careful in fact."

"Okay." she said finally and stood up herself. "I will prepare snacks for all of us. be careful."

-------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you so much

Ela:)))