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I had a brief but powerful night nightmare that caused me to wake up drenched in sweat. I stretch out my body as I look up at the seal to get my phone and check the time.
1:49am
I carefully got out of bed and put on my slippers. I strolled through the chilly, dark hallway after opening the door. My progress was impeded by a noise coming from the first door down the path.
I cautiously descended the stairs to the kitchen after the strange sounds finally stopped.
I took a water bottle at the door as I walked in and cracked it open before taking a sip. I did this in an effort to relieve my sore throat.
I heard sounds coming from inside the kitchen as I took my next sip, followed by something dropping. I repeatedly coughed while choking on the water until finding the strength to swallow.
I yelled "Whos there" as I walked into the kitchen. I took a knife off the table closest to the door and held it out in front of me after spotting it.
The shuffled sounds ceased, but I was certain that this time I wasn't dreaming.
I located the switch and lit the lamp. When I saw Roman's head poking out of the pantry and peering back at me with wide eyes while carrying a bag of gummy bears and several other treats in his arms, I exhaled loudly.
I kept blinking to make sure I was seeing clearly. The knife in my palm dropped as soon as I confirmed it, and I had to fight back tears of laughing. Eventually, I was unable to continue and just began giggling at the scene.
I asked between laughs, "What are you doing?" He removed the gummy pack from his lips and moved away from the pantry.
He appeared to be a young child who was just caught stealing candies. Really literally.
He answered with a phony pout, "I was hungry." His innocent gaze into my face from his wide eyes broke my composure.
I chuckled and said, "I can see that," as I went to the other pantry and pulled out a brownie mix. All the goodies were in his arms as he crossed the kitchen to the large dining table and placed them there.
He ate some chips and asked, "Why are you up this late?" I moved forward him and took the chocolate chocolates from him after shrugging my shoulders.
He swatted my hand away and moaned, "Heyy."
I seized them back from him and yelled, "I need those. After engaging in a tug-of-war battle, the chocolates were eventually pulled out and dropped to the ground.
When he saw the mess, he yelled, "See look what you did." I gave him a mocking glare and chose to ignore him.
I looked back at the brownie recipe in irritation and asked, "Now what am I going to make the brownies with?" He must have seen the word "brownies" since his head suddenly turned in my direction.
You're making brownies, right?
I responded with a "Mhm" as I noticed his ear to ear grin.
He was grinning when I said, "Drop that grin, if you want some, you're helping me make it," and it immediately disappeared.
He put the chips down and stood up to assist me, saying, "Fine."
As I combed through the cabinet for all the utensils, I remarked, "Okay, you can start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees."
When the oven shut off, he asked, "What comes next?"
As I turned to face the back of the box, I remarked, "We will need water, egg, and vegetable oil."
He said, "I'll get the oil," and walked over to the kitchen cupboard. All the utensils were at last in my possession, and I set them on the counter. As he emerged with the oil, I opened the box containing the mix and added it to the bowl.
He swiftly pulled it out as I headed for the sink to get some water, saying, "You could measure out half a cup of oil."
He said, laughing, "This reminds me of the time a couple years ago when I was with my younger brother and he blackmailed me into making cheesecake with him because he was craving it and we were grounded by tio, we just ended up getting in more trouble at the end the end because the kitchen was a mess."
"Tio?"
I nodded in agreement as I poured the water and moved to get the eggs. He added, "It means uncle, which is basically Lorenzo's father. We were under his custody before we were able to act on our own behalf."
I laughed and remarked, "You can barely make a brownie from a mix. I wonder what happened then."
He mock-glared at me and said, "Rude."
We did make a terrible mess, and we were also forbidden from the kitchen after that day, so I don't blame you, he said.
He eventually started telling me stories about himself and his brother, whom I knew as Nikolai, as we were making the brownies.
As soon as I heard the timer go off, I said, "They're done." I moved in the direction of the oven and carefully removed it before setting it on a cooling rack.
Roman said in astonishment as he pulled out his phone and started taking pictures, "I actually made something without burning down the house." I shook my head as I gaped in shock at this man. He never ceases to astound me.
I gathered a variety of icings and candies to top the brownies while he was doing that and set them on the table. He gave it a puzzled look while he was staring at it.
I remarked, "For decoration," and his eyes immediately glowed.
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The question "What is going on in here?" brought us both to a complete stop. Our hands were caked with icing, and there were pieces of brownie and candy all over the table.
We both slowly stopped laughing as I turned around to see Lorenzo standing with his arms crossed and looking at both of us.
Roman was the first to respond, giving Lorenzo a frightened but embarrassed smile as he said, "Uhh hey buddy. we were just having fun, you know. I promise we will clean it up."
I heard him say "Roman" and noted right once that his voice wasn't the same as usual. Roman, who was standing next to me and had his hands on my arms, released them as soon as his eyes widened. He moved gently away from me and toward him.
Bella, proceed upstairs, Roman commanded. His tone no longer contained a lighthearted sigh.
Roman cut me off before I could even continue, "But why-"
"NOW" I simply took some brownies and went upstairs because I didn't want to escalate the situation. Although I was a little perplexed by what was happening, I decided not to investigate further.
The two of them were left alone as I slid up the steps gradually.
He stole my wife, how could he.
How could he have made her grin? She'll only be content if I do. Just me.
I smirked viscously as "Lorenzo" Roman approached in a calm and circumspect manner.
Roman was long dead, I said, really wanting to just strangle him.
He says "Xander" once more, and my grin grows.
I added with a sadist smirk as my hands tightened around his neck to the point where his airway was blocked, "In a flesh. Now dear best friend tell me one good reason as to why I should not murder you for daring to kidnap my wife.
He says, in a calm tone, "Look Xander, she's all yours. I wasn't doing anything with her. She's like my little sister. Nothing more." I could still detect the undercurrent of panic in his voice.
Oh, is that true?
He continued to nod his head, "Yes. I promise nothing will ever happen."
I could feel my hold lessening on his neck as he said, "You wouldn't want your love to fear you right? Also, you don't want to enrage your beautiful wife. She would be outraged and afraid if she sees you in this state.
I pulled go of his neck and gave him a hard push back because he kept mocking, "She would be so disappointed and afraid of you."
Multiple emotions overcame me, and I cried out in affirmation, "Fuck off. She loves me. She loves me right."
He responds, "of course she loves you," which helps to lessen my anxiety.
I gave a satisfied expression and said, "Good."
Before I could say anything else, I started to feel lightheaded. Before a haze overtook me, everything started to fill with black dots, and there was a brief period of silence. As soon as I regained control, everything went black, and I lost it.
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QOTD: Hot or cold beverages?