"Janus, man, there are lots of guest rooms upstairs, why are you going home?" Godfather Nick stopped my father from going home. But the latter firmly refused. That's why I approached them.
"It's better if I take dad home first, Godfather," I offered.
"My daughter, your dad isn't that drunk yet. Besides, it's late, I'm fine. Just stay here and take care of your godfather. You don't have classes tomorrow," he said, standing up straight to convince me.
"Are you sure, dad?" I asked, unconvinced, but he just laughed and left. He walked straight, so I knew he wasn't that drunk yet, and I breathed a sigh of relief. When I could no longer see my father, I started to clean up the mess on the table.
But I was surprised when I reached for the bottle of liquor and Nick also reached for it, so he ended up holding my hand.
It felt like I was electrified because of that. And why was he so close to me?
"I'll take care of this, Godfather, you should rest," I managed to say despite my heart beating fast. The smell of alcohol and cigarettes mixed from his body, but it wasn't overpowering. The scent of his cologne was more prominent. And his breath smelled of mint. I guess he brushed his teeth when he went upstairs earlier.
"It's okay, let me help you, baby, so you can finish faster." I was once again taken aback by him calling me baby. "Why?" he asked, staring at my face.
"Ah... it's just that you keep calling me baby, I'm not a baby anymore, Godfather," I replied, swallowing hard.
I watched him swallow hard before he offered a smile, his face flushing a deep crimson. Being so fair-skinned, Nick couldn't hide how much he was blushing.
"Maybe you forgot, you've been my baby since you were a child. So you'll always be my baby," he said with a smile. "You still smell like a baby," he added, making me swallow again. He seemed to be drunk.
"As you wish," I just replied, avoiding his gaze. But he laughed again. A laugh that was quite captivating. I was surprised when he held both my shoulders.
"Just let me call you baby, Amber," he said, but I didn't notice anymore because his warm hand on me sent a strange electricity through my being.
"Amber Gel, he's still your godfather. Don't act like that..." I secretly scolded myself.
"It's up to you, Nick," I just agreed.
"Where will you study for college, baby?" he asked as we headed to the kitchen.
"I'll just study here in St. Michael. The college here is good, Nick," I truthfully said. St. Michael established a college in town, and has the only well-known school here.
"Your father said, you're smart, and you passed some universities in the city. So, why not study there, baby? You'll have better and bigger opportunities if you study there," he explained.
"Oh, Nick, that's costly, and besides, no one will be with my dad here, so I'm okay with St. Michaels' University."
"If money is the problem, you shouldn't worry about that, Angel. You're a scholar of the foundation, aren't you? So don't waste the opportunity," he persuaded.
"That's true, Nick, but I'll be far from my dad and my friends. And living in the city isn't that easy, according to him," I truthfully said to him.
"It's hard if you don't have anywhere to go. But I'm here for you, Angel, so don't hesitate to ask for my help. Think it over carefully, and I will be happy if you agree. Anyway, the vacation is still long, think about it well. I'll take care of everything."
"Okay, I'll think about it, Nick. Anyway, I'll take care of things here, Godfather, you should rest, you're surely tired from the trip," I urged him, who was staring at my face.
"I'm not sleepy yet. I want to eat something delicious, but I'm not sure what to cook. Do you have any suggestions, baby?"
"Uh... what kind of food do you want? If I know how to make it, I'll cook it," I offered. It's only nine in the evening. But it's quite outside, and only the crickets can be heard.
I'm used to sleeping late because I often study at night. I want to have high grades because I'm a scholar of the Foundation established by the elder St. Michaels—the grandfather of my Godfather Nick. That's why I always want to be at the top of my class. I managed to do it, so I have been a consistent honor student until now. I was valedictorian from grade school to secondary high school. And always included in the recognition with the highest honor.
"What do you want, Nick?" I prompted when he fell silent. He seemed to be pondering what he wanted while staring at my face.
"Let's just do it tomorrow. You look exhausted anyway. And I can't think of any delicious food I want to eat," he said, his gaze briefly dropping to my chest. But he quickly looked away and stood up.
"Baby," Nick called me when he was at the kitchen door. "Can you prepare some clothes for me to change into?" he requested.
"Ah, sure, Nick. I'll be right there," I replied, without hesitation, and quickly tidied up the sink area.
Nick's room door was open, so I went in. I had already arranged his things in the closet earlier while waiting for him and my father to finish drinking, so I was able to prepare his clothes easily.
I didn't find any briefs for Nick while tidying up, so I just prepared boxers.
"Maybe he doesn't wear briefs," I thought to myself, while hanging his clothes on the hanging rack there. But I hadn't finished yet when Nick came out of the bathroom. A fragrant smell wafted from the bathroom, making me turn to look.
That's probably why he always smells good; he bathes often.
I almost gaped when I saw Godfather Nick with only a small towel wrapped around him. I could see his abs and muscular thighs and legs. But what caught my attention more was his front.
"Oh, h-here are your clothes, Nick," I said, swallowing, then turned my back.
"Angel," I stopped just as I was leaving because he called my name. "Sleep in the guest room—the one connected to mine—so I can call for you if I need anything."
"Huh? Oh... in the guest-"
"I told you, you could use my old room. Your dad said you often have nightmares at night."
"Ah... that's right."
"So your dad won't worry that you're here."
"Alright, but maybe I'll do it tomorrow. I still need to set it up."
"Oh, right. It's okay, you can just stay in my room; the bed is big. Or if you're not comfortable, the sofa bed is spacious."
"What!" I exclaimed. Am I going to sleep in my Godfather Nick's room? Oh, I'd love that.
"It's kind of embarrassing, Nick, I'd feel so bold sleeping in your room," I managed to say, bowing to hide the smile on my lips.
I didn't want to be too obvious about how eager I was to be with my Godfather Nick in the same place—especially in his room.
People might think I'm crazy for having feelings for a man nearly seventeen years older than me. And he's my godfather and my father's close friend. But since I was 15, I've only felt this unique feeling with Godfather Nick, something I haven't experienced with guys my age.
And I know in my heart, it's only Godfather Nick I want. He's the man I want to marry one day. I feel the excitement in my mind just thinking about it.
I've suddenly started thinking ahead. It used to be just a fantasy for Godfather Nick to come back. And now that he's here, my ambition has already reached marriage.
That's how much I really like Nick.
He is handsome and dashing, tall and muscular.
But what I like most about him is his prominent nose and his deep dark brown eyes that seem to speak. Every time he looks at me, I feel like melting in his arms.
"Don't be shy, Angel, I'm your godfather, and you're my baby, so it's fine."
"But I'm not a baby anymore, Nick, I'm already a grown-up," I shyly insisted, which made him laugh.
"I know that, baby. That's why you should stay close to me now. I can't believe you've grown up to be this beautiful. That's why I want to take care of you and keep you safe," he said seriously, making me even more excited.
"Take care of me?" I asked absentmindedly.
"Yes, I want to take care of you, Amber Gel," he said seriously, swallowing, which made me bite my lip due to the dryness in my throat. But I couldn't miss the way he tightly closed his eyes. I don't know what to say.
"But it's only children who are taken care of, Nick," I said softly, averting my gaze because I was staring at his abs again.
"A young lady like you deserves to be taken care of," he said meaningfully.
I felt a tingle at the back of my neck, moved by my godfather’s deep, serious voice.