Bound by fate

Chapter 3

Matilda's pov

I rush outside and hail the next empty cab that I see down. I get in and tell the driver my address. I silently count the minutes in which I'll get home and alight as fast as I can after paying for the fare.

I run upstairs and knock on Verna's door.

"Who is there?", Verna asks

"It's Matilda," I answer and I hear her unlatch the door. I dropped my bag and coat on the chair and rushed to where Lily was lying down. She seemed peacefully asleep.

"She fell asleep a few minutes after I gave her the drugs. You didn't have to come, your meeting was more important", Verna kindly says

"Thank you, Verna," I reply, my voice soft with gratitude. "But I couldn't focus knowing Lily wasn't feeling well. You know how I get."

Verna smiles, her eyes warm with understanding. "She's fine now. The medication reduced the pain she was feeling so she should be back to 100% after a good night's rest."

I nod and carefully scoop Lily into my arms. She stirs slightly, her tiny hand brushing against my cheek before she settles back into her dreams. The weight of her small body against mine feels both grounding and fragile.

"Thank you again," I whisper, pausing at the door.

"Anytime," Verna replies. "Get some rest yourself, Matilda."

I step out, adjusting Lily in my arms as I head towards our apartment door. I bring out the key and insert it into the lock.

Warm cinnamon air hits my nose once I step into the apartment and I switch on the light. I adjust Lily's weight so that I can drop my bag on the counter next to the pan of cinnamon rolls we baked earlier today and walk toward her room.

When we get to her room, I switch on the light and I tuck Lily into her bed, brushing her hair back from her forehead and kissing her gently. She doesn't stir this time, and I linger for a moment, watching her before exhaustion pulls me away.

I walk towards my room take off my dress and head into the shower. The blast of warm water soothes my tense muscles and I stand there for some minutes before I find the strength to lather some soap and begin to wash my body.

I take my time and wash my entire body. Then I bring out my lavender-scented body scrub and use it on my body. Afterward, I rinse and step out of my bathroom. Then I moisturize my body and do my skincare finishing up with my body mist. This was an evening ritual for me to unwind after a long and stressful day.

I walk out of my room towards the kitchen, take out a bottle of cheap red wine, and pour myself a glass. I take out a piece of the cinnamon roll and microwave it while sipping from my glass.

The timer goes off and I take it out and carry it to the living room. I drop it on the table and put on my regular rom-com friends.

The second I sink into the couch, my phone buzzes. I glance at it and see an unknown number calling. I didn't have to guess to know that it was him.

"Hey," I answer, my voice weary but steady.

"It is Bryan on the line", a low deep voice says

"I could tell", I reply.

"How about the urgent issue?"

"Resolved, though it took more out of me than I thought," I admit.

"Did you get home okay?" he asks, his voice low and familiar.

"Yes, just now. Thanks for checking," I say, leaning back into the cushions.

Bryan hesitates for a beat. "I'm glad. You sound exhausted, Matilda. Get some rest."

"I will," I promise.

"Alright, Good night and sweet dreams", he says and ends the call before I can even respond.

I drop my phone and dig into my pastry. I watch three episodes before I fall asleep in the living room. I'm awakened by the sound of a commercial break and I stand up.

I switch off the TV, take my dirty dishes to the sink, and check on Lily before I finally go to my room. I settle into my bed and fall asleep immediately my head touches my pillow.

I'm transported to a night that has lingered in my memory for far too long. Bryan comes into my vision picks me up and settles me on the center table in the room. His touch is tentative at first, his fingers grazing mine, and then it becomes urgent, consuming.

I feel the heat of his breath against my neck, the way his hands cradle my face as if I'm the most fragile and precious thing in the world. The world outside ceases to exist, and all that remains is the press of his body against mine, the electricity of his lips finding mine, and the fire that ignites between us.

The dream shifts, the memory blurring into something hotter; him kissing me downwards from my lips and then settling down between my legs bunching my dress up to my waist.

He uses his teeth to take off my panties and then goes to work down there. I arch my body on the table as he eats me out like I'm his best food. His ravenous appetite makes me c*m there once, he stands up to take off my dress when I'm woken up by Lily's voice.

I wake with a start, my heart racing, my cheeks flushed, and soaked night shorts.

"Mummy", her voice calls again startling me fully awake. I throw on a robe and rush to her room.

"I'm here princess", I respond and settle down by her side. She hugs me and I lie us both down while holding her.

I pet her till she falls back asleep then quietly get off her bed and go back to my room.

Still hot and flushed, I find it hard to go back to sleep so I just go to my art room and begin working on a new piece till dawn.