Suspicions..
1269 Words
I stood outside Evan's house, clutching a small suitcase containing what little was left of my belongings.
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I knocked on the door and soon Evan came to open it.
"You're here already," he said, welcoming me with a smile.
"I am," I smiled, feeling a bit uncomfortable that I was going to becoming a leech. He noticed my discomfort and stretched out his arm, pulling me into a comforting hug.
"You know you can stay here for as long as you need to." He said as we refrained from the hug.
"Welcome home Nia," he said, gleaming in excitement. "I'm so glad you're here. I couldn't bear the thought of you facing all this alone."
"Thank you for letting me stay here. I promise I'll be out before you even know it."
He rolled his eyes playfully, waving off his hands dismissively. "You know you can stay here as long as you need to. My home is your home Nia."
As we crossed the entrance, I paused, letting the serene atmosphere wash over me. The living room was adorned with plush furniture, walls graced with captivating artwork, and soft lighting that cast a warm glow.
He placed his hand on my upper back, gently guiding me into the living room. "So, what do you think of the place?" He asked.
"It's stunning, Evan." My voice a mixture of awe and gratitude. My gaze wandered around the room, taking in the intricate details and harmonious design. "I had no idea you transformed your place. It's so different from the last time I visited."
Evan's smile widened, genuine pride radiating from him. "I'm glad you like it. Let me show you to your room," he said, gracefully taking my suitcase feom me and leading me down the hallway.
"Thank you," I said, my appreciation evident as I followed him. My footsteps echoed in the spacious hallways, the sound oddly comforting. As we walked, my attention was caught by a captivating painting hanging on the wall. Intrigued, I approached it and ran my fingers over the textured canvas, enjoying the sensation of the artist's strokes that brought the image to life. It was a picture of a black wolf basking in the glow of a thick red moon. The picture felt surreal, and for a moment it felt like the wolf eyes could see through my soul.
"This painting is breathtaking," I whispered, my voice shaky with apprehension as I tore my gaxe off it.
Evan shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, that old thing? It was a gift from my uncle for my last birthday. You know how much he loves paintings."
"It's more than just 'nice'," I insisted. "You're truly fortunate to have such pieces in your home."
Curiosity sparked within Evan's eyes as he inquired, "Why do you say that?"
My voice turned wistful, my words tinged with a hint of sadness. "You have a loving family and financial stability. Some of us, like me, don’t have any of that."
Evan squeezed my hand gently, understanding the pain and longing that lingered within my heart. "I'm sorry you had to go through those things, Nia."
Tears welled up in my eyes, emotions swirling within me. All the pent-up frustration and grief over the past months overflowed and I broke down in tears. Evan instinctively pulled me into a tight hug.
"Let it all out, Nia. I'm here for you," he whispered, his voice filled with compassion. "You don't have to face this alone."
My tears streamed down my face, my body shaking to the rhythm of my heavy sobbing.
"You're going to be fine Nia. I won't let you go through this
alone," he said, his voice filled compassion and a hint of something I couldn't decipher.
"Thank you, Evan. Your friendship means a lot to me." I said, pulling away from the hug.
We entered the room and sat on the sofa in the middle of the room.
"Evan, I still can't believe what happened at my job. Being accused of embezzlement, losing my job—it has been a nightmare."
Evan reached out, gently squeezing my hand. "We'll get through this together. And don't worry about a thing—stay here for as long as you need. This place is your sanctuary now."
Tears of gratitude welled up in my eyes again, rendering me speechless.
"Thank you, Evan," I whispered, my voice brimming with sincerity. "I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you."
A genuine warmth radiated from his smile, his eyes reflecting the deep bond we share. "You don't need to do anything to deserve it."
"Thank you so much," I said once more.
"It's all good. Just tell me if you need anything," he replied.
I decided to lighten the mood. "Enough about me, tell me about those girls you’re always bringing here," I teased, trying to shift the focus.
"Girls?" Evan looked at me weirdly. "You know I have no one."
"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise.
"Yes, Nia. I'm too focused on work to have time for silly things like relationships."
"Or you're just boring?" I teased again, a playful grin tugging at my lips.
He shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe."
"So what's for dinner? I'm really hungry," I asked, my stomach rumbling in agreement.
"Mac and cheese?" he suggested.
I grinned widely. "Oh, you know me so well. Bring it on."
"Alright then, off to the kitchen we go," Evan said, helping me up from the couch.
We made our way to the kitchen, the familiar scent of home-cooked meals already making my mouth water. As we started prepping for dinner, I heard a notification from my phone. Glancing at it, I saw it was a message from Maya. I have to tell her I had moved in with Evan.
"So what about you?" Evan's voice broke the comfortable silence between us.
"I don't understand, what do you mean?" I asked, confused about what he meant.
"Are you seeing anyone?" he clarified.
I paused, choosing my words carefully. "No, I'm not."
I knew I had to tread carefully on this subject with Evan. He had tried several times to ask me out, but I had always refused. It wasn't that I didn't care for him—I just loved the way things were between us and didn't want to complicate our friendship.
"Why are you still single? Is there no one—" The ringing of his phone interrupted him. He checked the caller ID and quickly excused himself, stepping out of the kitchen to take the call.
Why did he leave? He never used to take called behind me.
What’s going on? I thought. Was he keeping secrets from me?
As I stirred the pot of mac and cheese, doubt crept into my mind and the warmth and comfort I had felt moments ago was now mingled with a sense of unease. Evan had always been my rock, but this sudden secrecy didn't sit well with me.
I tried to shrug it off, after all he has a personal life. Maybe it was just a personal thing he didn't want me to know about.
Soon, he returned, a faint smile on his lips but there was a shadow of something else in his eyes. "Sorry about that," he said, trying to sound casual. "Work stuff."
"Work stuff?" I echoed, my curiosity piquing once more. He was definitely hiding something.
"Yeah, nothing important," he replied quickly, waving it off.
I wanted to believe him, but something in his demeanor didn’t sit right.
- Writer
