I grabbed my bag and paused at the door, taking a deep breath before stepping out. The villa felt heavier than usual today, as if the walls themselves were watching, waiting for me to make a mistake. I took my phone for a moment and sent Natasha a quick text.
"Heading to Nana's. Meet me there, please. Meet me there."
My thumb hovered over the screen, waiting for a reply. Nothing, of course, Natasha was slow, always thinking she had all the time in the world. I shoved the phone back into my bag, deciding not to dwell on it.
Just as I reached the front door, I heard a soft voice behind me.
"Seraphim?"
I turned. Grey's mother stood there, holding a cup of tea, as immaculate as ever, her gaze steady and sharp.
"Yes, ma'am?" I said with the biggest smile I could have at that point, trying to keep my voice calm.
"Where are you headed this morning?" she asked, voice soft, polite, but there was a weight to it that made my stomach tighten, she might probably think it has something to do with her Lucy.
I shrugged lightly, keeping it casual. "I'm going to see someone. I'll be back in a bit."
Her eyes lingered on me for a heartbeat too long, sharp and assessing. Then she smiled, just enough to be disarming.
"Alright. Be safe."
I nodded and stepped out, the click of the door behind me almost like a release.
In my head I was thinking "that was not Soo bad."
The ride to Nana's felt like shedding a layer I hadn't realized I was wearing. The villa, Grey's controlling presence, his mother's ever-watchful eyes, Lucy's unpredictable appearances, they all fell away with each passing street. By the time I reached Nana's apartment complex, my chest had relaxed in a way I hadn't felt in months.
I pushed open the door and inhaled the mix of antiseptic and faint lavender. Nurse Riley looked up immediately, her face brightening.
"Seraphim! Look at you. You've been a stranger."
"I know," I laughed, hugging her quickly. "Life's been… uhhh, loud."
"You don't say," she teased. "But your grandmother has been asking for you. She'll be thrilled."
"How is she?" I asked, walking toward the familiar chair by Nana's side.
"Stable," Riley said. "She's eating better, more alert, a little stubborn as always, but she's holding her own."
"And you? How have you been managing all this?" I asked.
Riley waved her hand dramatically. "You know me. I've survived worse. You're not that late."
I smiled softly, feeling something I hadn't realized I was missing: a quiet, unjudged peace. I stayed by Nana's side, holding her frail hand, listening to her half-remembered stories, and feeling the warmth of home settle around me. Months had passed, yet today felt like the first time I was truly present in my own life again, like I didn't have to worry about what was going to happen next, just me being me.
An hour passed. And then two.
Still no Natasha.
I groaned under my breath. "Where is she? Maybe she's taking her sweet time to….."
I stopped myself, imagining all the reasons Natasha might be late. I didn't like imagining them, not really.
Then the door opened.
"Guess who?"
"Natty!" I almost ran to her, forgetting every irritation.
She wrapped me in her arms and held me like I'd been gone for years. I breathed in her warmth, the comfort of friendship I hadn't realized I craved.
"Yeah… this," I whispered, pressing my cheek to hers, "I missed this."
She laughed softly. "I did too, Seraph. I did too."
All at once, the weight of the villa, Grey, Lucy, and his mother lifted. We were just us again, if only for a moment.
Dinner was simple, cooked by Riley, but it tasted like more than food. It tasted like comfort, laughter, and freedom.
Natasha went on about some ridiculous story involving her ex and another girl she once fucked being sisters and how disastrous it was, gesturing wildly, and I laughed until I could barely breathe. For a few blissful minutes, the world was exactly as it should be, warm, chaotic, easy.
Then my phone buzzed.
It was no other person than Mr Grey Williams of course.
I sighed, my chest sank.
I excused myself and stepped into the hallway, my laughter faltering.
"Hello?" I said cautiously.
"Where are you?" His voice was calm. Too calm. But I caught it — the slight edge beneath, the subtle tension. Not a concern for me. Concern for the situation. His mother. Suspicion.
"I'm at Nana's," I said. "I might not make it home tonight. I'll just stay at Natasha's place."
A pause.
"Fine," he said slowly. "Just… make sure nothing looks suspicious. My mother is already on edge."
I rolled my eyes silently. Of course. That was why he called. Not because he cared where I slept, but because the optics mattered.
"I won't," I replied softly. "bye Grey."
The line clicked, and I slipped the phone into my pocket, letting the villa and its problems end with the phone call.
We had finished dinner already and Natasha started gathering her things.
"Alright, I should head…."
I grabbed her wrist. "No! Please, stay tonight, just one night, I have too much to tell you. Two months of tea, we need a proper catch up."
She raised a brow. "Two months….?"
"Yes! Please. Come on, Natasha."
After some teasing, a few grumbles, and eye rolls, she finally agreed. "Fine. One night."
I squealed like a newly born puppy.
Later, in my room, I paused in the doorway. The familiar scent, the quiet calm, the faint lavender in the air it all felt like coming home. I inhaled slowly, letting it fill me.
"Peace," I whispered.
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Yh… peace. And peace the way too, please." She laughed and dropped her jacket on the bed, then flopped down.
As she took off her black jacket, her white singlet clung lightly to her body, revealing just enough. My brain short circuited.
I stared. Too long.
She wiggled her head, stretching lazily. "You okay?"
"Y….yes," I said quickly, turning toward the bathroom. "I'm fine."
Inside, I leaned against the sink, gripping the I let out a sigh. My reflection stared back at me, and I whispered, "What are you thinking, Seraph? First Grey… now your best friend? I'm not even bisexual. What the hell is wrong with you?"
I took a deep breath and splashed cold water on my face, trying to steady my thoughts.
For the first time in months, I felt at peace. But with that peace came chaos and mixed feelings.
I wasn't sure if I was ready for either.