Chapter 8

"What do you mean you can't sleep on the bed?" Noctis asked, his tone high with surprise. He didn't know what changed Kaya's behaviour towards him over night. She could only shift her gaze from her husband to the floor. She didn't know why but it didn't feel right. She wasn't rightful of that spot... Not after knowing about Luna. Her heart wouldn't allow her.

"Didn't you sleep okay last night?" Noctis added, anxious to know of her reasons. He hoped she didn't have any insecurities against him.

"Come on, Kaya. What is it?"

Noctis added, at the end of his patience. She looked up at him for a moment, not knowing how to voice it. It would sound stupid and awkward.

"Last night, I didn't know about Lunafreya." She replied, she felt she had the right sleeping on the same bed as him last night, she was content. Content that the revelation of Noctis' interest in Luna had taken from her.

"Okay. forget it. I'm going to sleep on the couch then." Noctis replied, his tone laced with disappointment. She won't be able to sleep knowing Noctis wouldn't be sleeping comfortably in the spot. Even the couch was already set up, with the cushions and the blankets in place. Kaya had laid them down knowing she would be sleeping on the couch, if only the husband would allow it.

"Enough with this, if you are not going to sleep on the bed then I'm not sleeping either. I'll sleep-" Noctis looked around, before looking down and dropped the blanket on the floor before plopping ontop of it.

"I'll sleep on the floor." Kaya sighed, shaking her head. She decided she would need a more reasonable excuse.

"I'm... I'm just not used to sharing a bed with anyone. It's better that I sleep somewhere else." She replied and Noctis gave her an expression so fed up of her excuses. He knew she was lying. Last night she had slept very well, he knew that.

If she was not going to change her mind, then Noctis was prone to getting what he wanted. He crossed his arms and stared at her quietly. Kaya stared back at him, what was his problem? Sometimes he expects her to act like she didn't care about him and sometimes he expects her to care about him. Letting out a heavy sigh, she grabbed the blanket and held her hand out to him.

"Its getting cold and I'm sleepy."

She said, an encouraging smile on her lips and Noctis returned with an equally warm one and grabbed onto her hand. She would never get used to the feeling of Noctis' warm fingers against her own, it send shudders down her spine.

Noctis grabbed the blankets and pillows that Kaya had brought for herself and followed her into the bedroom.

"Wait, you get in the bed. I'll be back in a minute." Noctis said, as he remembered something very urgent to and, receiving a not so objecting nod from Kaya and flashed an assuring smile to her, He grabbed his phone and made his way out of the bedroom. Kaya knew what did he have to do, he had to call Luna... Prompto had told her that Luna wasn't used to heading to bed before receiving a good night from Noctis. How odd yet adorable wasn't it? She thought it didn't make sense, being with someone everyday yet wanting them to be in the last few minutes of their 24 hours even...

She had had a long, a sudden revelation, her over thinking then second thoughts and a valuable eye opening explanation of the situation from the person who didn't have anything to gain or lose from it. She still couldn't believe she was striving for something she wasn't even sure would happen. Regis had hope for this relationship, maybe she can rely on that.

Noctis didn't realize how long it had been since he left the bedroom until Luna hung up and he checked the time.

"God..." He mumbled, biting his lip and headed back inside. Kaya had fallen asleep and he couldn't help but feel guilty. She maybe have wanted to talk to him about things, didn't she? He made sure not to make any sound as he slid under the covers, laying down he turned to face the wife. She seemed to have drifted off quite early or else being a light sleeper she was, she would have woken up immediately as he had mounted the bed. Noctis knew he had been cruel to her, her family and her life. Regis was just an excuse, it was upon him to refuse but justbeccause of his selfishness, of not wanting to lose his father's faith, he made such a decision and ruined not only his own life but hers as well.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry for everything." He whispered, feeling the need to apologize. Such a young girl and so sacrificing, it was too cruel.

the next morning...

Kaya had exhausted herself to sleep thinking about things that weren't in her control even. Noctis' feelings for Luna, Luna's right on him and the expectations upon her from Regis and the family..

"Good morning?" Noctis said, standing at the door of the kitchen watching Kaya as she poured the coffee into the cups. He seemed to be sleeping in so peacefully that she couldn't wake him up and decided to make pancakes for the breakfast, Prompto had given her a few tips about what will make Noctis notice her.

"Good morning. How did you sleep?" Kaya replied grabbing the cup and turned to look at him, a faint smile on her lips and Noctis could see that she was okay.

"I slept fine. what's up with you? you didn't sleep well? your eyes are tired." He replied grabbing the cup and took a sip. Kaya blinked, not really getting what he meant. Noctis decided he was talking too fast for her to understand and shook his head. That's when his gaze moved over to the table that was already set with the pancakes laid out.

"Oh hell. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you but I'll be having breakfast out... with friends." He said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. He felt bad for she had done so much.

She could have asked him before doing this. Kaya knew who this friend was and how SPECIAL they were...

"But hey, I'll pick you up and we'll have lunch together how is that? I'll show you around the city as well?" He added with an assuring smile. It took Kaya a moment to react but she simply nodded. She was glad to be able to spend some time with him, to get to know him better perhaps.

"Okay then thank you for the coffee. I'll be heading out now Okay?" Noctis said already making his way to the door.

"Wait." Kaya called following after him and Noctis turned to her with a questioning gaze. She didn't think it was something that Noctis would mind but she thought it would be better to ask.

"Prompto told me that there is a library nearby, I was wondering if I could go there? It is really..." She wanted to alone but she decided against it.

"Boring in here by myself?" She added, her tone low and shrugging her shoulders with a well managed smile. She thought she was being responsible letting him know but to Noctis she was just being silly. He couldn't help a soft laugh and shook his head.

"It's fine, as I said, you can do as you'd like. I don't judge you, you don't judge me is the deal remember? I'll ask Prompto to take you to the library, Okay?" He replied with an assuring smile and took off leaving Kaya feeling left out. Slightly conflicted. what did he even mean by judge? Had she ever judged him? would he judge her? She was thinking abouaskining HIM to take her there but he didn't feel the need to listen to her properly and just left...

what was so special about this Lunafreya? What was it that she had and no one else did? What was so different?

a while later...

"Luna! wait!" Noctis called following after his lover, who had took off with a taunt of him not caring about her enough. She didn't want any excuses, rather reasons.

Noctis had been acting strange since he had returned from his father's. He didn't even explain to her more than that Regis had been I'll and had asked him to stay for a while. But then there was this family friend that he was keeping at his apartment for whatever reasons. Everything was fine, but she could tolerate everything but seeing that ring on Noctis' finger, she couldn't help her suspicions, paranoia seeped into her very bones.

"Come on, give me a break. Can't you at least let me explain it?" Noctis added grabbing her hand and pulled her back against himself. Staring at her face, he could see every hint of jealousy possibly and concern, insecurities too. Luna was worried, She knew Regis would never accept her for whatever reasons. But even if he were to, it would take a lot of time. What if during that period, Noctis' interest in her fades? What if their relationship weakens? What if someone else came between them...

Right now everyone back in the restaurant was wondering

the beach wasn't as beautiful as it would have been in the evening, the sky lacked the lovely pastel colors that added to the beauty of the waves.

In the evening it gave a calm, relaxing feeling, the gusts of the cool wind and the loud swirling sounds of the waves calming every nerve in him which is why he liked to bring Luna here, for dates.

"Do you not trust me?" Noctis whispered lifting Luna's hand upto his lips and kissed it. She held back a breath and shook her head. How could she trust him to not dump her for the sake of his father that he loved so much?

Noctis could only laugh, knowing her very well that she trusted him. Isn't that why she was here with him in this very moment?

"Hey, I love you. Nothing is taking me away from you, so stop worrying about a ring that I happened to wear on the wrong finger Okay?" He added letting go of her hand but she grabbed onto his quickly, lifting it up. She didn't have a problem with the ring, but the fact that Noctis didn't like rings and was suddenly wearing one, that also on the ring finger was bothering her.

"Why don't you just take it off then?" She asked, looking up at him while holding his hand. Noctis blinked, not really sure what difference would it make if the ring stayed on or not. But then again...

"Let me help you. I know your father gave it to you but you don't have to wear it. He isn't around to see you not wearing it and feeling bad Okay?" Luna added quickly slipping the ring off Noctis' finger and placed it in his hand. He remembered the day of his wedding, Kaya putting this very ring on his finger, thankfully Luna didn't notice her wearing a ring as well or else things would have been ugly. He managed a smile staring at the ring before looking up at Luna.

"If you are done with fuming, can we go for a drive?" Luna asked, poking Noctis in the cheek playfully before strolling off. It didn't make difference, right? Luna was right, Regis wasn't around to notice him not wearing the ring and Kaya wasn't likely to mind either. She wouldn't care even.

"Noct! Come on, or else I'll leave with your car!" Luna called, standing by the car and waving at him. He nodded waving at her before sighing.

why was every single thing nowadays giving him second thoughts? He couldn't help but wonder if things have changed or he had.

He decided to let these thoughts sit back for now and stuffed the ring inside his pocket before walking over to Luna who seemed to be in a good mood right now. He wondered what would she do if she happened to find out about his marriage... not that it was going to last forever...

meanwhile at the library...

Kaya had asked Prompto to stay with her for a while for she didn't know anyone around and could appreciate some company but the blonde had scrammed off making up an excuse of making an urgent call. She let out a heavy sigh shaking her head before turning back to the book shelves. She couldn't decide what to read, her interested mostly in psychology and history but the books before her were very remarkable in their own field.

having decided against the idea of having to look for one, she pulled out the first book on the shelf and looked at it. Since the title sounded very interesting, may the content be also. With that in mind, she made herself back to the table unaware of the sudden impact as someone happened to walk into her, she didn't falter but it did shock her. She held a frown looking up at the stranger that had just ran into her without consent and wasn't even bothering for an apology. It took the guy a moment to react but he mouthed a simple sorry, with a cheeky grin before strolling off. Kaya sighed shaking her head and made her way back to the table sitting down.

It didn't take longer than about 10 minutes for her interest in the book to die down and she sighed. She couldn't focus since her mind kept roaming around Noctis and Luna. Of what they would be doing right now. a part of her wondering if she was too boring for him to spend time with.

Her train of thoughts slipped off the track by the disturbing sound of the chair being pulled, the chair next to her and plopped down on it the stranger she had ran into. First she thought it was just a coincidence but the guy was being too nice for it to be so.

"Hey there." He spoke, his tone low and a curious gleam in his gaze that Kaya knew was for her. She stared at him quietly thinking he was talking to someone sitting on the other side of hers but when turned to look, there wasn't anyone. Her brows furrowed, her body language reacting to the distress as she turned to face the guy. She tried to remember if she had seen him before somwhere, she wanted to think that this wasn't a random guy just wanting to be friendly with her but rather a friend of Noctis' that she met during the wedding but couldn't remember. His facial features were way too distant for her memory, his sky blue gaze penetrating into her brown one and and quickly looked down at her book.

"I'm talking to you, Miss ...?" the guy spoke and Kaya's eyes widened slightly finally looking up at him.

"What's wrong? you don't like the book?" He asked, his lips curved into a harmless smile that Kaya doubted very much. She didn't like strangers walking up to her asking to be friendly.

"No, I just prefer to read alone." She replied, without a trace of annoyance or even interest in her tone before turning back to her book. the stranger couldn't hold back an chuckle earning another surprised glare from Kaya.

"Don't so cruel. I just happen to run into a pretty lady and couldn't help wanting to say Hi." He replied, smugly as if he didn't mean any harm and Kaya rose a brow. She wasn't in the mood to deal with him so she sighed and turned back to her book. She tried to ignore the intense feeling of stare onto her but the shudders running down her spine didn't let her. Having had enough of this, Kaya closed her book and looked up at the stranger that indeed had been staring at her.

"Have I wronged you anyway? If not, why wouldn't you leave me alone?" She scoffed as politely as she could but that didn't dare falter the stranger's smile and he held out his hand.

"I'm Nathan. my friends call me Nate." Of course if its Nathan, for short it would be Nate, why was this information in anyway of Kaya's interest? She looked down at the offered hand then up at the stranger namely Nate before going back to try and read her book. Nate decided she didn't want to waste time with introductory formalities, letting out a soft chuckle he turned back to his book and pretended to read.

Thankfully, Kaya was able to read for a while since Nate minded his own business didn't annoy with his constant stare and unnecessary attention. She didn't realize how time slipped past, the moment she looked up at the clock it was past 12 pm. Her gaze then roaming around the almost empty space, Prompto had been on an urgent call for an hour now? Did he happen to forget about? She grew worried since she didn't know where Prompto was right now and she hadn't brought her phone along also or she would have called him.

"Someone coming?" Nate whispered, looking at Kaya with that evergreen smile which irritated her the most on this moment. She decided it was enough of this annoying stranger for today, grabbing her book Kaya made her way back inside to return it before strolling out of the library. She thought waiting outside for Prompto won't be as difficult as dealing with that Nate for a minute more.

the cold in the air brushing against her form and she shuddered wrapping her arms around herself. She was starting to get this odd feeling that Prompto had either forgotten about her or ditched her purposely.

"Can I say something? you're very pretty." Kaya rolled her eyes her shoulders dropping slightly as she turned, Nate stood next to her with a shameless smile.

"Can I tell you something? That is, you're very annoying." She replied, faking a smile as annoyed as ever.

"Oh what a pleasant surprise!" spoke Prompto, as Kaya and Nate turned to see, heading towards them down the street.

"Hey Prompt. Long time no see? How have you been?" said Nate, earning a surprised glare from Kaya as she looked at him then turning to look at Prompto, who had this excited grin on her face.

"Great. How are you? What are you doing at a library? as far as I remember, you're not into books."

Prompto replied greeting Nate with a welcoming embrace and Kaya wondered what was going on. Nate clicked his tongue and turned to Kaya, his smile drowning into a smirk.

"Not into books, but into pretty girls I guess?" He replied, shameless as ever. Prompto held back a chuckle and pretended a frown.

"Hey, you don't dare flirt with my dearest here, get that?" He said and Nate rose a brow, gesturing towards Kaya.

"She is a friend of yours? Wow. But never seen her around, is she from abroad?" He asked and Kaya crossed her arms looking away, ot the least bit pleased. Prompto looked at Kaya and gave her an assuring smile, assuring as well as apologetic.

"Uh, no. She is a family friend of Noct's, just moved in with him." He replied, hoping he wasn't revealing too much but Kaya wasn't the one needing covering. Nate rose a brow, quite amazed. He hadn't ever heard of Noct having any family friend paying him visits in here, forget about moving with him. Something didn't feel right.

"Uh, Sorry Nate but we are getting late, we'll see you around then?" Prompto added, gesturing Kaya to follow and waved at Nate with a smile before strolling off with her. Nate just returned the smile with a brighter one watching. Something was strange about this girl, strange in a good way. He really liked her, and knew very well that she hated him as she even turned to look at him with a glare to confirm her hatred. Nate couldn't help a chuckle and shrugged his shoulders.

"Come on, miss. It's like you don't even know me but you decided you hate me?" Kaya was sure she didn't need to know about him to hate him. He just gave it away, with the looks merely.