Finding Love

Chapter 10

I woke up and saw Dylan still asleep on the couch. I headed up to take a shower. If I was ready for s*x, then it was time to head back to do some missions. I liked doing missions because it kept Dylan and I busy outside of the bedroom. I went back downstairs, and Dylan was checking his work emails from home. There was nothing new, so he shut his computer down. I met him in the kitchen as I sat at the breakfast bar. “How do you feel sunshine?” “I think I want to open up my own shop” “Yeah? What kind beautiful?” “Lotions and stuff.” “This is sudden, but I will have it set up for you. You must rest for it. Take the day off.” “Okay, thanks. I just feel like I should be doing more with my life rather than fight, you know?” “Yeah, I can tell you were never supposed to fight. I see that you are a loving person.” “I just want to make others happy.”

             I spent the day writing my new business plan for my shop. I named my new business “Smelling Lucky.” I thought it had a nice ring to it. I enjoyed writing out a plan, I was good at stuff like that. Here lately, my world has been flipped around. It took hours to write out a good plan. Finally, I see Dylan standing at the door. “You have been a busy bee. Your father thinks it’s a great idea. He has the perfect shop lined up for you.” “I am happy that he agreed. I finished my business plan and logo. I think I need a hot bath.” “Your wish is my command. I will go draw a bath for you.” He went upstairs and I could hear the water being turned on. He was so sweet when he did stuff like this. I almost didn’t recognize the old Dylan.

            I walk upstairs and changed out of my lazy clothes. The bath was steaming, just the way I liked it. I got lost in the bubbles and let out a soft moan. “Hey, I thought moaning was for me only.” I forgot Dylan was standing in the doorway. “Sorry, sitting down all day writing my business plan for the shop has been exhausting.” “I understand, I was only kidding.” He threw me a kiss on the head before heading downstairs. I laid there enjoying the heat of the water. I was in there for a while playing with the bubbles. Dylan came up and saw me playing around. “What are you, three?” “Don’t judge me, I have had a long day.” I frown as he lets out a giggle.

            I got out, drying myself with the towel. Dylan stood there and watched. He liked to watch me get dressed. I could tell by the bulge in his pants. We enjoyed each other’s company. When I was ready for bed, we cuddled. I needed another break so I could stay focused on my business. This is something I wanted to do right. I fell right to sleep. I guess sleeping on the couch last night wasn’t so good for my back. I could have slept longer if Dylan didn’t wake me. “What time is it?” I grumbled. “8 in the morning, sweet pea. Get up, there is something I want to show you.” I groan as I get out of bed. I got ready for the day and met Dylan in the kitchen. “Whatever it is better be good, this is too early for me.” “Oh, it will be.”

            Dylan takes me by the hand. He drove me to the city. As we got out of the car, I saw my store, it was already done. I see my lotions in the window, and my logo on the front. “What is all of this?” “I stayed awake all night to finish everything for you. I hope this is everything you have dreamed of. I know that you have been working hard for this. I start weeping when Dylan wraps his hands around me. “I love it babe, thank you so much. I wish you didn’t stay up all night planning this, you must be tired. Go home and rest, I will open the shop.” “If you insist, I am exhausted. I will text you when I wake up to see if you’re ready to come home.” We agreed and he left me with the keys.

            I turn the lights on and set everything up. It only took a few minutes before I started getting customers. I was happy to help my community out. Everyone looked so happy with what they bought. I made a few new friends with the nearby business owners. I was shocked to miss my text from Dylan, I answered to his question. “No, not yet. Business is huge right now.” I went back to work. More customers had entered the store. I had to bring out a few more boxes to restock several times. By the end of the night, I had closed the store. I had to restock one more time before texting Dylan. He came to the store and saw I was still filling the shelves. “Babe, you look exhausted. Let me help.” He grabbed the box from my hands. “Can I sit for a minute?” “Sure, I don’t see why not.” When I sat down I must have fallen asleep. I wake up in my own bed.

            I woke up to see Dylan back on his computer. “Hey babe, sorry I passed out, I was tired. I restocked throughout the day. Maybe ten times.” “Ten times?” “Yeah why?” “We need to produce more lotion. I only made so much; I had no idea that you sold so much.” “It was a busy day today.” “I should get my own computer so I can track my business.” Just then, Dylan pulled a white box out. “I figured you would want one too.”  I kissed him as I opened my new computer up. I began setting everything up. I found out I made a profit of 3 thousand dollars. “Holy s**t!” “What, beautiful?” “We made 3 thousand in one day.” “That is amazing, beautiful, what do you want to do with the money?” “Can we donate it to those who need it?” “You are something special, I can email the boys back home and set something up.” “How can we give them the money? We are no where near home, and the bank transfers don’t work.” “We can go there, in the ship.” “My father wouldn’t like that much. He hates what happened there.” “I will talk to him, see if we can mend the broken link.” “Okay.”

            We both put our computers down to charge, and I realize its already daylight out. Dylan and I head to bed before passing out. I woke up early on my own this time. I was excited about heading to my own shop. I flipped the sign so that it read open. I watched as I saw customers pouring in. I was a successful business on my second day. I gave each of my neighbor stores a percentage of every sale I made. I didn’t want to lose my new friends by taking their customers away. I didn’t realize the lotions would sell so fast. I restocked after the first ten minutes. I finally had a slow peak and called Dylan. “Hey beautiful, I am on my way to see your father now. Is there anything you need?” “Yeah, can you pick up the shipment from the factory. I am on my last box now. Oh, and you may need to make a few trips. I ordered extra this time.” “Yes dear.” I hung up at the line of new customers. “Sorry, I had to make sure this next shipment would come in today.”  They all cheered.

            After a few more hours, I see Dylan walking in. “Hey, I brought your next shipment.” “Thank you I was about to sell my last bottle.” “Oh, okay. Well now you have plenty more to sell. I have some things to talk to your father about. He disagreed to my proposal about mending the humans and us.” “You used to be a human once upon a time ago.” “I know, I feel like this is where I was always meant to be.” “Yeah, right here in my heart?” “I am going to blow steam off on a mission. I have been working on this case for over a week and I cant seem to shake it.” “Need any help?” “No, I got it now. I think. I want you to continue your business.” “I love you, take Andrew with you.” “Yes ma’am.” He blew me a kiss before walking out of the store. I managed to sell another case of lotions before I decided to close.

            I tried to call Dylan to pick me up, no answer. Okay, weird. I called Andrew, no answer. I called the house and no answer. I walked home which was a few miles away. I see an ambulance down the street. I began to run. Dylan was in the back. My whole world was shattering. “Some one tell me what the f**k happened now!” “Alex, in the house, we need to talk.” Andrew pulled me inside. “The case he was on was hard. I was there but I told him to pull back. We were not ready. We needed you.” “I offered to come; he didn’t want me there.” “Well, he was attacked. Alex I don’t think he is going to make it.” I cried. My brother was pissed off and went back outside. I fell to the ground crying. Erick walked in after he heard the news. “Come here.” “No, just leave me. I can’t lose him. It was hard enough losing you, and you didn’t even die.” “Alex, that wasn’t a choice, that was what your heart felt in that moment. No one could have controlled that.” “I’m sure my sister needs her throat fight.” “She can go without. You mean more to me than she does.” “What?” “Alex, I am still in love with you, and I probably will always be in love with you. That is how I feel. I am hurt that you fell in love with my best friend. However, that does not change how I feel about you.”

            “You’re in love with me? After all I put you through?” “Yes, I am. I traveled the seas for you, I fought anyone who got in my way. You are the only one I could ever feel this love for. Dylan is a good guy. I would have put myself in the same machine if it would have made you happy.” “Could you take me to him?” “Of course, and I will stay with you tonight, I will hold you and make sure you are a loved siren, because that is what you deserve Alex.” I cried at his words. I was pushing him away all this time so he could fight back twice as hard. He still meant so much to me and when I saw him kissing my sister, I blacked out. She did it to piss me off I’m sure. Still, Erick loved me still. He drove me to the hospital, and he held my hand and endured my silence. If I talked now, I would cry for sure. “I just want him to be okay, he is my husband.” The tears poured out.

            We made it to the hospital. When we got here I had already knew it would be a night in Hell. I was glad that Erick stood by my side during this tragic moment for me. My heart would need his healing hands if Dylan died on me. I went to the chapel in the hospital and prayed for hours. I ended up praying the whole night, but no one heard my prayers. Dylan didn’t make it through as I pleaded for. I wish they could take me instead. He didn’t deserve to die. Erick picked me up like a bride and carried me to his car. He laid me in the back seat. I held Ericks jacket and cried. My heart was so broken, I felt so alone. Erick picked me up again, this time with his jacket. He laid me on his bed. “Okay, I know this is hard but please let go of my jacket.” I let go but I was still crying. Erick laid with me and kissed my forehead. He knew I was hurting. I forgot they were best friends before I came along, they were like brothers in a way. I noticed Erick was crying too. I don’t know if he was mourning hid dead friend, or if he was sad to see me this hurt. We both ended up passing out.

            The next morning was a blur. I almost forgot he died, until I called for him. Erick came running in when he heard me crying out for Dylan. Erick held me for the next hour. “I know this is hard, believe me. I am going through what you are. We can do this together, but you must be strong. Dylan would want you to pick yourself up and go to your shop. Be strong for him, if not for me.” His words were encouraging, but I needed time. I needed more time. I grasped on to Erick. He held me for another hour. I could feel his tears dripping onto my cheek.

A few fours later Erick passed out from crying. I managed to pull through and take a bath. As I soak in the hot tub, I see Erick walk in. I dipped my head as he was walking in, so he didn’t see my tears. “Hey, I’m sorry if I woke you. I needed to soak.” “Don’t worry about that, I heard you were doing well with your new shop. I helped him load the car several times the other day. At first, I thought you were over ordering. Then Dylan told me how busy you were.” “Yeah, customers love the lotion. Or they love me, either way. I donate the money to the neighbor shops.”

            “Well, that is kind of you. What made you decide that?” “I was honestly wanting to donate it back home, but father wouldn’t let me.” “I can see why, look at the corruption.” We sat in silence for a minute. Erick joined me in the bath. He held me for a while. When the water grew cold we stood up. He got out and handed me a towel. As I reached for it I slipped. I landed on Erick, and we accidently kissed. “I didn’t mean to…” Erick cut me off kissing me again. I know it was way too soon, but I missed his kisses a lot. He comforted me, and he was there. If I would listen to Dylan right now he would tell me to choose Erick.