ETERNAL

CHAPTER 8: [ JOEY'S POV]

I woke up expecting to feel April's body against mine but all I felt was the bed sheet, I got up and walked into the bathroom. 

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I showered and I got changed in black jeans with a white t - shirt and I put some black converse on. I exited the room and I see April sitting there , her back was faced towards me. I walked over to her and I noticed she had a silk gown on. 

                                                                                       * 

I came up behind her and I put my hands on her shoulders , she instantly relaxed at my touch " morning beautiful ! "  " morning " she replies . I noticed the canvas in front of her - she was painting. I watched how her hands did their own thing I was so engrossed in the painting I've never seen something so beautiful like watching her paint. She turned in a chair to look at me , she was smiling and the sun was reflecting her beautiful grey eyes. I noticed her shoulder which was uncovered " why are you painting so early? " I was curious '' I got an idea and I was so enthusiastic about it that I had to paint it ! why are you up so early ? " she looked at her canvas and continued painting " I was expecting to wake up next to you ! " 

" Hmm I see better luck next time then" she sounded like she was trying not to laugh , I took a chair and placed it opposite her canvas . I sat down and looked at her - she was so engrossed in her painting that she would occasionally smile - she looks so beautiful. I cant imagine my life without her - if I never met her again after 4 years I'll still be hating her I wouldn't get the chance to tell her how much I love her . '' All done , come and and take a look ! '' I got up and walked over to her she got up and stood next to me , we both stood there looking at the painting - it was a city underwater and she also included mermaids. " Its beautiful ! " it really was beautiful " it is ? '' " yes I love the fact that you included something mythical " I looked at her and she looked back at me " well I am a realism artist!" I chuckled ; she washed her paint brushes and walked in the bedroom.

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I walked over to the kitchen - I was going to make us breakfast. I took out the eggs and I made us 2 sunny side ups, I toasted the bread and I made myself a cup of coffee and for her I made her a cup of hot chocolate it was honestly all I could think of. 

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The bedroom door opened and April came walking out wearing this black mini skirt with a white lace crop top - she had on these black bowknot high heels , her hair was in this braided ponytail half up. She had  mascara on and eyeliner. She caught me staring and did a little pose for me " like what you see? "  " I love what I'm seeing " 

                                                                                     * 

We sat down at the table and began eating , I would occasionally look at her , she looked so beautiful never mind beautiful so freaking HOT!!! I eventually decided to feed her and  she let me- she would occasionally bite her lip while waiting for me to feed her , she really should stop doing that it drives me crazy . " How did you know I like hot chocolate ? ''  " just a guess! "  " lucky you"   " hmm lucky me " 

                                                                                      * 

April went to her bedroom to get something and then suddenly I got a phone call from Jeff : 

JEFF : '' Morning Mr. Arthur , sorry to disturb this early but I'm calling to find out if you coming in today ? " 

JOEY : " Morning Jeff is something wrong ? " 

JEFF : " Well Ms. Brook rescheduled the meeting for 10 am ; I called to find out if its okay with you " 

JOEY: " What the hell is wrong with this woman she cant just reschedule when she wants to, Jeff make the appointment for 11 I want to see how she will react to me changing the time ? " 

JEFF : " Okay I will " 

                                                                          [ APRIL'S POV ]  

I was in my bedroom putting my red semi matte lipstick on when I heard Joey screaming at someone, I walked out of my bedroom and I noticed him screaming on the phone he looked furious. I walked over to him and stood behind him , he kept on screaming so I stroked his bicep and next I stroked his jawline - he noticed me and tried ending the conversation with whoever was on the phone. 

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                                                                             [ JOEY'S POV ]

Jeff was still talking to me on the phone and he was telling me some of the content we were going to be talking about at the meeting with Linda , she had planned for us to talk about the expenditure of our products and how it will make a change . I couldn't believe what I was hearing so I ended up screaming at Jeff - I felt this hand on my bicep and then on my jawline. I looked to my right it was April , I noticed she was wearing red lipstick - hmm my favorite,  I tried ending the call with Jeff and when he was finished talking I ended the call. 

                                                                                         * 

I looked at April and pulled her by her waist , her hands automatically went around my neck " you a tease"   " that was not the intention I wanted to calm you down !"  " maybe you succeeded " and I smirked  , I put my finger on her lips and she kissed it. I looked at her in surprise and she just shrugged I leaned closer to her and kissed her , she deepened the kiss and I found myself pinning her against the wall .  Her hand slides under my t-shirt and I groan - my hands went to her thighs , I stroked her thighs and she soon put her legs around my waist. I held her firmly against the wall - her legs made their way further up till she placed them around my 6 pack , her hands roamed around under my t- shirt.  I stopped kissing her lips , I soon kissed her neck she moved her head to the side to give me better access. 

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After kissing for like a very long time , we finally stopped - her legs went to the ground and my hands left her waist - we both leaned against the wall trying to control our breathing. I looked at her and her eyes were closed , she then walked towards the couch and sat down I walked outside on her balcony , I took out my packet of cigarettes and my lighter and lit one cigarette , I put it to my mouth and smoked. I looked at  the beach while smoking my cigarette:  I needed the cigarette because what happened a few minutes ago was honestly too much to handle. " Didn't know you smoked ! " I turned to look at April , oh god now she knows I smoke " is it fine with you ? " " its fine with me ! " April smiled and we stood her balcony not saying anything . " April can I ask you something ? " " sure " I was nervous for this part " uh do you want to be my girlfriend ? " I looked at her while she looked at her hands ; she turned to look at me. " It would be an honor " she smiled brightly at me and I just wanted to kiss her, I put my cigarette out and leaned into her to kiss her but she stepped away , I tried again and this time she took a nearby  pillow and put it in front of my face. " Why are you doing that ? "  " because you smoked and I don't want to smell like smoke" I took the pillow out of her hands and stepped back until her back hit the railing , I stepped closer to her and she pushed me away - it wasn't a hard push " gosh your chest is hard! " I smirked at her and I stepped back , she ran past me but I grabbed her wrist and she came tumbling into my chest , I looked down at her and she swore me silently I started laughing " jerk ! " 

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I took her hand and kissed it , her eyes followed every movement of mine. I smiled at her and walked inside. 

                                                                           [ APRIL'S POV ] 

I cant believe he asked me to be his girlfriend , its pretty soon but who the hell cares , I walked inside and collected my handbag. Joey was on the phone - I waited for him and then we walked out of my apartment together. 

                                                                                          * 

I got to the art shop and approached Cassidy to ask her about the required task , she told me and then I started painting. 

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I was busy painting when I got a phone call , my hands were full of paint - I called Caroline over and she answered the call putting it on speaker: 

APRIL: '' Hello whose speaking ? " 

ZACK : '' Its Zack speaking" 

APRIL : " Why are you calling ? '' 

ZACK : " Look I didn't mean to cheat on you , I'm sorry " 

APRIL : { shocked } " you what ? so the time we spent together was all for nothing , I should've known you were a player - you know what , take your apology and go shove it down the drain " 

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I ended the call with my messy hands , I looked up and I see  Caroline looking at me " WHAT!!!'' " Joey Arthur has officially made April Carrington a badass and now April Carrington rocks ! "  I rolled my eyes at her  "that's not true! "  '' Oh yes it is , when were you planning on telling me that you and Joey are back together? "  " um one of these days - its not a big deal ! ''  " YES IT IS ! I've been over to your apartment many times and I've seen those pictures of you guys  back in high school  and I  wished so much that you guys get  back together again and now look it finally happened. " I looked down at my messy hands  "what's wrong ? " I continued looking at my hands while I responded to Caroline " I cant believe we back together , he asked me to be his girlfriend this morning and I obviously said yes - he honestly makes me so happy and when I'm with him I feel the best version of myself, I don't even know if I deserve this amount of happiness ''  " Hey look at me ! "  I looked up at Caroline ; she walked over and sat in front of  me - she took my hands in hers  " you are the most deserving of this happiness - you are kind , beautiful, intelligent , talented and one hell of a good cook so don't ever tell me  that you don't deserve this. The past is in the past-  you learn from mistakes and even if 4 years felt like sorrow and misery it has come to an end - Joey Arthur is the best thing that could've happened to you and I approve of your relationship with him so stop doubting yourself and give it all you got " I smiled at her and nodded my head " Caroline you are honestly an amazing  best friend and I want you to know that I'm really lucky to have you in my life"  "don't cry ! I don't handle people crying very well "  I laughed at her and she smiled. 

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It was 6 pm and I was still at the art shop packing up my supplies and then I hear Caroline '' you still here?"   " yes I am what's wrong ? " I turned to look at her , I noticed she was wearing this black tight dress with red  high heels  , her hair was in a high ponytail  and she was wearing makeup and lipstick . " You look HOT!!! " she rolled her eyes at me " well I'm going clubbing you want to come ? "  " I'll pass but next time we going to rock the dance floor ! "  " Oh yeah we are , I like what Joey is doing to you "  " his doing nothing to me I'm just taking control of my life ,well so who you going clubbing with ? "  " Um you know that artist who does the sculptures - her name is Matilda I'm going with her "  " oh her - she is such a sweetie pie ; I never knew you were close! " I tell Caroline '' Well why not , listen I need a favor can I perhaps use your car I'll return it in the morning! " Caroline asks me " well okay then I'm going to the café  after this so you can use it ''  I state '' are you sure , how are you going to get home ? "  " I'll take a uber  , besides I'm too tired to drive - go on have fun don't worry about me ''  " okay then I'll see tomorrow bye ! " "bye " . 

                                                                                  [ JOEY'S POV ]

It was a glorious evening mainly because  I was hosting a party in my 2 million dollar house but it wouldn't be my house anymore- its sold , since I asked April to be my girlfriend I decided to buy a smaller apartment close to where she lives. It was honestly the last day of me living here - the person who wants to buy the house has agreed to keep Rosalind so I don't have to worry about her so much. My new apartment is up and running - my things are already packed so the reason of the party was to tell everyone who I worked with and my success . The owner of my house is actually in fact a close friend of mine - he is a businessman like myself , he owns a fashion line and its pretty famous, his married and he has 4 children and one more on the way so selling the house to him is honestly the best decision ever. The place I would be living at is actually 3 bedroom - it has a study, lounge , a mini library , a mini gym and of course a kitchen and a balcony. I actually invested in this apartment for a year now but I had no reason to move in until now , in fact I want April to move in with me - its just a few blocks from her apartment and it has an incredibly view of the beach. 

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It was not too grand for a party it was just a few people I knew but none the less they knew how to dress up for the occasion. The party went on and I said my speech and I was happy , it was 7: 30 pm and it was getting pretty late and besides I wanted to se April. I walked over to Jeremy and Delton - the owner of my house " hey man !'' Delton greets me " hey Delton - congrats on having another child ! " he smiles " Thanks but thank you for this house but I should say congrats on finally settling - we proud of you ! " I chuckled "thanks she's the one for me um I have to get going - the house is officially yours enjoy ! " 

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I drove over to the art shop , I parked my car and got out. I walked towards the art shop but I noticed it was closed so instead I walked in the café. I spot April sitting there so I take a seat opposite her - she looked so upset. " Hey what's wrong ? " she looks at me and smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes " I found out today that when Zack and I were together he cheated on me but I also found out that you blackmailed him and that's why he left so I'm pretty happy about that! "  '' I see,  well do  you want to go somewhere and forget about everything for just one night ? "   " where? " '' the movies ! "  " okay then lets get going ''

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We were in the movie theatre and April and I were watching this random  movie , her head was on my shoulder and our hands were intertwined " you want to ditch this movie ? " she removed her head from my shoulder '' sure ! " 

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We left the movies and we decided to get ice cream , April decided this time around to feed me and in the process would mess me , she would bite her lip to prevent herself from laughing. After we ate ice cream we left and then I met somebody quite familiar - it was Charissa. I noticed April looking intently at her '' hey Joey , isn't this a coincidence !? " 

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I was talking to Charissa - telling her we over and that now I have a girlfriend and Charissa was extremely shocked to hear that I finally settled - she kept on looking at April. April was on the phone with someone - she decided to give us space ; she was smiling while talking on the phone . I turned to look back at Charissa " so she must be really special I mean she's pretty HOT!!! " I gave Charissa a weird look '' what! I mean what I say " we talked for a while and then she left.

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I drove us back to April's apartment . 

                                                                                     [ APRIL'S POV ]

I was in my bedroom taking my heels off when Joey suddenly enters and speaks " you were jealous weren't you ? ''  " no I was not ! " I walked over to my closet and took my pajama's out and when I turned I noticed Joey shirtless - gosh his 6 pack was too die for. 

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I entered the bathroom and closed the door slightly , I took my clothes off and I got in the shower. I washed my body and my hair and then I felt these hands on me , I turned around and it was Joey " I think we should save water ! " I rolled my eyes at him , he washed himself , when he was finished he stepped closer to me and we kissed but it got really hectic so I stepped out of the shower. I entered my room , dried myself and I soon changed in my pajama's. 

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I entered the living room and I was about to cook something when Joey walked out of the bedroom " I ordered pizza ! "  " hmm okay'' I lifted myself on the kitchen counter and I looked outside the window . 

                                                                                        [ JOEY'S POV ]

The pizza came and I opened the door , paid for it and closed the door - I noticed April sitting on the kitchen counter. I walked over to her and put the box on the counter , I stood in front of her and I noticed her pajama's which were black short- shorts and she was wearing a pink vest with it , she always looked super- HOT in her pajama's. I picked her up and she put her legs around me , I carried her to the couch and put her down. We ate pizza and we watched television together and then finally I decided to ask her about moving in with me " April do you want to move in with me ? I invested in this new apartment of mine for over a year now and I think I'm finally ready to move in , with you of course by my side."  She looked at me and then she finally spoke " are you like serious right now ? " she got up from the couch and walked around the lounge  '' I mean I have a lot of things - I need my art supplies and this apartment has been like my home for these 4 years " I stood up and walked towards her " I can accommodate it all ! " " you can ! "  " yeah I can"  " this is asking too much of you "  " Its not! " I walked towards her and hugged her and she half hugged me back " I don't care whether you own a room of art supplies I would still be able to accommodate it because all I need is you by my side the rest I don't care about , so will you move in with me ? " she moved away from me " Joey this is too- " I pulled her by her waist and kissed her before she could finish.        

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After kissing her I asked her again and she said okay! We were currently heading to bed and then I noticed April taking some pills in the kitchen. I went to the bedroom and I finished up in the bathroom she came back and finished up in the bathroom when she came back I decided to inquire about the pills. " April what were those pills for ? ''  " its pills for my panic attacks today was the last - the doctor said I'm all good for now ''  " for now? "  '' It might return but I'm not a risk anymore " she got in bed next to me " so don't worry"  '' okay! "  " so when should I move by ? "   " as soon as possible "  " you very eager ! "  " of course I am" 

                                                                                         [ APRIL'S POV ]

I didn't expect Joey to ask me to move in with him it honestly feels like a roller-coaster one minute we hate each other , then we girlfriend and boyfriend and next I'm moving in with him. " Joey I'm keeping this apartment though I'll use it for my paintings and in case a backup. "  "  Whatever makes you happy " I smiled at him and he chuckled. I let my hair out of the braid and my hair fell all loose , I looked at my hair it was honestly too long  - till my buttock. 

                                                                                           [ JOEY'S POV ] 

I looked over at April she was looking down at her hair , her hair was so long and beautiful, she took her hands and tried to tie her hair. I leaned over to her and kissed her on the shoulder , she looked at me and smiled and continued what she was doing. I then looked at her thighs and stroked them , my hand went all the way up till it reached her neck. I climbed on top of her and kissed her on her neck, she stopped trying to tie her hair and it all fell loose. I leaned down and I kissed her on the nose and on the side of her lip.  She was honestly so beautiful - she had a loop nose ring and she had these small freckles on her face "was the nose ring sore ? "  " not really just a pinch I'm actually thinking of getting a belly ring , what do you think? " she lifted her vest up deliberately and she touched her tummy , I noticed she had this small tattoo on her hands , I took hold of her hands and examined it - it was written BRAVERY in small letters. I traced over it " what's wrong ? '' she asked me " I never knew you were into tattoos. " I tell her " its not the only one I have one high up  on my thigh '' she pulled her shorts up a little and I noticed there was another tattoo that said  --- too wild to live … too rare to die ---  . I looked back at April she was looking at her thigh , she was honestly very brave and the tattoo words were dope. I leaned over her and kissed her she kissed me back, after kissing we spooned and I put the lights off. 

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