Lord KNOWS this chapter is like, so incredibly overdue and I apologise so SO much. Honestly I don't even have a crappy excuse to give other than it's been one HELL OF a year. I'm really sorry for making you wait this long and hopefully 2020 is the year I finally style the fuck up. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

CHAPTER 13

When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't help but feel so at ease. It felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders, even though it had been a few days since Mason and I had called it quits – it was like the whole situation was only just occurring to me.

It was almost One in the afternoon so I figured now would be a good time to get up. Grudgingly, I rolled out of the king-sized guest bed (I really need to ask Helia where he bought his mattresses from because damn) and made my way into the en-suite bathroom. I quickly showered and got dressed into a pair of black leggings and a random over-sized t-shirt that I had no idea where it came from, before making my way downstairs. Feeling slightly hungry, I headed towards the kitchen but stopped in the entryway.

There was a woman – around late Fifties max – standing at the kitchen island with her back facing me. I wanted to alert her about my presence, but she was holding a giant chopping knife in her hand and, well, I was quite worried she'd get frightened and chop her finger off. I know I would.

Instead, I let out a soft "hi", hoping I was loud enough for her to hear me over the sound of her humming. But before I could repeat myself louder, she whirled herself around so she was facing me and she froze.

She blinked at me before letting her eyes rake over my body. Feeling slightly uncomfortable with her gaze on me, I shifted my weight around and extended my hand out in greeting. "Hi, sorry, I'm Flora,"
Her face instantly lit up with a knowing grin and took my hand in hers, "He wasn't kidding, huh." She muttered under her breath, like she didn't intend on me hearing. But I did.

"Uhm, pardon?" I asked, curiously. She blinked again before shaking her head in dismissal.

"I'm Alice, Helia's house help; I take care of Helia's lovely home while he's out at work, and make sure there's dinner waiting for him when he's back," She explained.

Oh yes, Helia mentioned that he had a house girl to help him out. I smiled back and said it was lovely to meet her, before my eyes landed on the fruit platter sitting behind her. Following my gaze, she turned around and clapped her hands.

"Helia gave me strict instructions about what to make for your breakfast…slash lunch," She chuckled; she pulled out an empty plate and handed it to me. I took it gratefully and sat down at the breakfast bar. "He said you loved fruits, and he made sure I bought every fruit in the farmer's market. I hope I didn't miss anything?"
"No! Thank you, this is too much! Helia spoils me way too much, don't listen to his ridiculous demands."

"He sure does, you should have seen the way he was stressing yesterday, making sure there was not a single thing out of order. He stripped the entire guest room down and cleaned everything so thoroughly I was about to hand over my resignation form." Alice chuckled, handing me a mug of freshly brewed coffee. I smiled gratefully at her before shaking my head at what she had said. This man. "Do you need any help with anything?"
She smiled gratefully at me before shaking her head; "Thank you dear, but I think I'll manage on my own. You enjoy your fruit, dear."

And boy did I. Nothing made me happier than a large bunch of grapes, I could binge eat those and not feel guilty at all.

"So, how long have you been working for Helia?" I asked after a moment of silent. She had started clearing up the cutting board and the other dishes I assumed she made breakfast for Helia with and so her back was facing towards me once again. She glanced back at me briefly before she continued to scrub at the dishes.

"About four and a half years now. Helia is a lovely boss; always acting respectful and selfless." She smiled, before frowning slightly, "I couldn't say the same about that Krissy girl though, she was very disrespectful."

"Krissy? Who's Kr-ohh, Krystal! Ugh, tell me about it." I rolled my eyes, thankful that she's out of my life for good…well, I hope.

"Whatever, she was a rude one, that girl. Always bossing me around and expecting me to pick up after her, claiming it was what I was getting paid for. Wouldn't lift a finger to save her life. God knows what she's going to do now that she doesn't have Helia at her beck and call."
"Krystal is…well, she's quite the character. You know she tried to light my hair on fire once?"
Alice gasped, and threw the dish rag on the counter and pulled the swivel stool opposite me out before sitting on it.

"What? She did not."

I laughed before popping a strawberry into my mouth and nodding, "Yep, in the Seventh grade. She had always been jealous of mine and Helia's friendship. She was in my chemistry class and we were using those Bunsen burner things and when I was leaning against the counter, she switched it on. Luckily Helia was watching. I mean, he gave me a painful shove and I ended up hitting my head on a shelf, but I guess it was better than catching my hair on fire."

Alice burst out laughing, and I'm talking one of those loud, hearty chuckles that has you slapping the table and everything around you. I couldn't help but join in, even though that memory was fairly traumatising.

"So, tell me about you and Helia. He never told me much, just that you've known each other since you were puny and that you were practically family until you broke up and the drama unfolded."
I cringed slightly at the memory but let out of a soft amused laugh nonetheless. "Well that's basically it."
"I don't want the basics, Flora. I want to know everything. Soap opera style!"
At this we both laughed. I was starting to really like Alice; she was sweet AND funny. You can't get better than that.

"Okay well, Helia and I have been best friends since like, elementary school. Our parents also became really close because we were basically always at each other's houses'. I rarely got to meet my grandparents so Helia's Mhamó filled in for them. Gosh I love that woman. Honestly? She practically raised me, that's how often I was at their house. My brother Brandon and Helia were also best friends so that just worked for our benefit because it would just mean more of a reason to see each other. Although there was a point where Brandon and I would fight a lot over who got to hang out with Helia. Whenever Brandon would call Helia over for a "boys only" sleepover, I would lose my shit because Helia was my best friend first." Alice chuckled at this but encouraged me to go on, "Well anyways, when we went off to Uni, Helia and I started spending even more time together since Brandon, and our other best friend Stella started dating so they would spend basically every minute of the day together, which was disgusting mind you. But anyway, naturally Helia and I started to develop feelings for each other, but it wasn't until our third year of Uni that we admitted it and started dating. Our families went ballistic, oh my God. I swear I'd never seen my mum so excited about anything till then."

I put another strawberry in my mouth and practically demanded Alice did so too, before continuing; "We had been together for a couple of years after we graduated, and honestly those few years had to have been the best few years of my life. Helia proposed to me and our wedding was in the first week of May, just a few months after we got engaged. But then, well, that's when everything blew up in my face, I guess."
Alice sighed, before patting my hand gently, encouraging me to go on. I smiled gratefully at her before continuing my story, "It wasn't a big, grand wedding or anything. Just our relatives and close friends at the local church in Gardenia. God, I remember being so nervous that day, not because I was scared of marrying Helia – no way, I had never been so sure of anything in my life. But you know that twisted feeling you get that something is going to go wrong? I kept getting that feeling while waiting for the registry to start. Myla, my sister, and Stella kept reassuring me that everything is going to be alright and that it was just the anxiety of getting married that was hitting me. But well, I was right. When the priest asked the audience if there was anyone that did not approve of the wedding, Krystal stood up."
Alice groaned, before shoving a cherry into her mouth, "Of course she did."
I smirked and nodded, "She and this guy that was practically head over heels in love with her constructed this whole bullshit story of me cheating on Helia with him during my bachelorette party. And get this, the priest was bribed into accepting that story with no solid evidence."

"WHAT! Oh you poor thing!" Alice bellowed causing me to shrug. "That bastard, in a place of God too! Has he no shame?"
"I guess not, but honestly? I'm just glad that it's all over now. I'm in the process of moving on from it all and finally becoming at peace with the whole situation. All these years, the only thing that bothered me was that Helia still didn't know the truth. Well, I guess that's also because I didn't know that Helia and Krystal were engaged." I cringed at that, I hated to admit it but even the thought of it still bothered me slightly.

"How comes you didn't try talking to Helia before? Why did you wait all these years?"
"Oh believe me, I tried. The first few days after the wedding, I tried everything to get any of the McGregor's to hear me out, but only Mhamó and Helia's brother would spare me the time of day. It was awful. I guess after a point I just gave up, there was no point trying to talk to someone who didn't want to listen. After I hit a really low point in my life, I decided I was done feeling sorry for myself and I moved to L.A, much to my parents disapproval. I haven't looked back ever since. I built myself a life there, made new friends, got a new boyfriend. I had almost moved on, but there was still a large part of me that wasn't satisfied with how everything was left. I guess that's why I went back to Gardenia, although if I'm being honest, I never really thought I was going back to fix things with Helia. I had just accepted that whatever I had with Helia was long gone, too broken to be fixed."
"And what about now? Do you still think like that?" Alice asked, softly but still expectantly.

I hesitated, not sure of my answer. I've admitted it a million times to myself already, but I've never said it to anyone else. Was I really about to admit that I was still head over my six inch heels in love with Helia to his house help that I just met less than ten minutes ago?
Before I could give her a response, my phone started ringing.

I guess not.

I shrugged apologetically at Alice and she smiled back, dismissing the conversation as she returned back to her spot at the sink.

I looked at the caller ID on my phone and felt my stomach flip one-eighty degrees around, I quickly answered the phone and walked into the living room, out of reach of Alice's prying ears.

"Hello?"
"Hey you. Have you woken up yet?"
"Yes, I'm not a complete laze. I was just eating this gigantic Farmer's market that you ever so kindly bought for me,"

I could hear Helia's deep, hearty chuckle on the other end of the line before he responded; "Of course, only the best for my girl," I froze. He froze. But those damned butterflies in my stomach did not freeze. "Uhm, I mean, well, I uh, sorry I just – How was your sleep?"
It took like twenty deep breaths before I could muster up a response, "I, uhm, it was lonely, LOVELY! I meant lovely, lonely? Pfft I don't know why I said that haha it wasn't lonely AT ALL. It was great, that mattress is everything to me. I haven't had a good sleep like that in five – a while, in a while."
I slapped my forehead and was just about ready to grab Alice's chopping knife and shove it into my stomach. LONELY? What and why?

Helia cleared his throat and I could hear rustling of papers from the line, "Well I'm glad you enjoyed last night, I mean uh, God that sounded so wrong. Ugh, sorry my head's been all over the place today. I called to check in and make sure everything was okay?"
"Yes Heels, everything is great. Me and Alice were on our way to becoming besties before you interrupted, so thanks for that, you rude one." I teased, rolling my eyes.

"You and Alice? Oh God, what were you talking about?"

"Not much, just our whole life story 'cause she asked."
"She asked? What? Why? I've told her that story like three times since I informed her that you were coming over."
"Wait, really? She told me you haven't told her anything!"
"Oh trust me, she knows EVERYTHING. Alice is like my fill-in Mhamó, she knows everything. It's creepy how similar they are."
"Oh my God, no wonder you've had her for so long. If I found a Mhamo replacement in L.A I would never let her go."
Helia laughed at this, "Well, I have to go now. I'll be home at around four-ish, I'll try come earlier but I can't be too sure."
"Oh that's no worries, I'll just hang around here until then, maybe I'll go for a little walk or something."
"Okay but be safe and let me or Alice know where you're going. Preferably me."
"Alright, mother."
"I'm being serious, Flo."
"I know, that's the funny part."

Helia sighed and I could just see him rubbing his temple like he always does when we have this conversation. "Okay, bye Flo, see you in a bit."
"See you!" I hummed backed before tossing my phone onto the couch. I stared at it with a small wistful smile before shaking myself out of it and heading back into the kitchen.

Deciding there is no way I'd be able to eat all that fruit, I put the leftovers in the fridge before walking over to Alice and offering to help.

After a few back and forth insisting, I finally won and took the spot in front of the sink and shoved her to the side. She fetched a mop from the storage cupboard and set to work mopping the floor. We both got a long with the chores in silence before I broke it with a simple "No."

She paused, glanced at me, and then continued mopping around the breakfast table, a small, barely visible smirk on her face.

I guess so.

After I had helped clear up the rest of the kitchen, I excused myself to go upstairs and finish unpacking my clothes, seeing as I'd be here for a while. According to Helia at least. I'll ask Helia to help me start looking for places, I really didn't want to be a burden, but I didn't want to leave Helia's guest bed. That mattress, wow. I decided unpacking could wait as I threw myself on to the bed and inhaled the faint scent of Helia's washing detergent and whatever bedsheets are supposed to smell like.

…

"Flora, wake up." I heard someone say in my ear causing me to stir slightly, choosing to ignore whatever this person was saying. But the nagging voice would not shut up, and finally I lifted my hand up and felt around for whoever it was. I managed to grab hold of a head and I slowly patted the face to try and identify whoever it was because I refused to open my eyes.

When I heard a low chuckle, however, I immediately jolted upwards. "Helia!"
"Hey you," He laughed, shaking his head in amusement while I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

"What time is it?" I yawned, stretching and just narrowly missing Helia's head as he whipped backwards to avoid the force.

"It's a little past Four. Sorry I couldn't make it earlier, my meeting kind of dragged a bit."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I can't believe I fell asleep. I came upstairs to unpack but I swear your bed has cursed me a bit because I wasn't even sleepy until I sat on it."

Helia laughed before helping me out of bed, but his laughter stopped abruptly and I peered up at his expressionless face in curiosity. "Helia?"

"Huh? Oh sorry, I just – I was wondering where that shirt went," He said, nodding his head towards me. I raised my 'brow in confusion before following his gaze to my t-shirt. Without even processing anything or thinking my actions through before doing them LIKE I SHOULD HAVE, I quickly yanked the t-shirt over my head, apologising profusely. And then, what I had just done sunk in. Helia stood there frozen solid, while I clumsily tried to put that stupid t-shirt back on to cover up my almost bare upper body from my EX-BOYFRIEND. Am I actually STUPID?
"Oh my God what is wrong with me, I'm so sorry, I've actually lost it I swear, I'm mental. Sorry, oh LORD I'm sorry," I started ranting, like as if I haven't made a big enough fool of myself already.

I glanced up at him, willing to continue apologising when I saw his amused expression and raised eyebrow.

"Why'd you cover up? It's not like I haven't seen it all anyway,"

I gaped at him. The nerve of this boy! I reached behind me for a pillow before yanking it at him while he broke into a fit of laughter.

"You awful, AWFUL human being! You have the NERVE to laugh at me while I just about died of mortification!" I cried between hits as he unsuccessfully tried to block them while cracking himself up. Like a twat.

"I'm sorry, but, oh God that was hilarious. Wow Flo, you move fast. If you wanted to get naked you could've just said, I would have glad-"
"HELIA!" I yelled, shoving him onto the bed in embarrassment. He reacted quickly when he saw I was about to start pummelling him with pillows again by grabbing my arms and yanking me onto the bed. "Let go of me you Donkey!"

This just made him laugh harder, "Sorry, a Donkey? Say that again, I dare you."

I hesitated. I didn't like the look of the evil glint in his eyes or the way his lips curved into a smirk, but I refused to give in to his threat. So I looked straight into his eyes and repeated what I said.

Before I could even finish being smug, his hands found their way to my waist and began tickling me. And naturally as a ticklish person, I shrieked so loud and began swatting at him to let me go while trying really hard to control my hysterics. "HELIAAA! Please stop, oh my God I'm going to die," I cried in between laughs as he showed no mercy and continued to tickle me harder.

"Take it back and apologise," He demanded, laughing as I gasped for air.

"I take it back and apologise"
"SAY IT PROPERLY!"
"YOU'RE NOT A DONKEY AND I'M SORRYYYY HELIA STOP"

He retracted his hands and got off the bed, while I laid there, a panting mess.

"Hmm, I quite like hearing you yell my name like that," He smirked down at me and I glared at him, willing my cheeks to stop heating up.

"Fuck you, McGregor." I mumbled as I composed myself and crawled off the bed, moving to stand in front of him. He smiled down at me before enveloping me into a hug. I gasped, slightly taken aback but hugged him back, nonetheless.

"God I've missed you so much Flo," He whispered into my neck and I squeezed him tighter in response.

God knows how much I've missed him too.

"Anyway, I've made reservations at this really nice Italian restaurant at Six, are you good with that?"
"Helia, when have I ever not been okay with the idea of free breadsticks?" I asked, looking at him like he was mental. When we broke apart, I headed towards my suitcases and sighed, "I guess now I'll have to unpack if I have to get ready. What time do we need to be ready by?"
He looked at his watch before shrugging, "Maybe Five Thirty? We might get some traffic on the way. Will that be enough time?"
"Of course. Is it a really fancy restaurant?"
"Well, define fancy."
"Should I wear a dress or will I be able to get away with wearing jeans and a top?"
"It's you Flo, you'd make anything work."
"Don't flatter me, Helia. I need an answer," I demanded, putting my hands on my hips and trying not to show that his compliment affected me even so slightly.

He rolled his eyes at me before nodding, "Yeah, I think jeans is alright. It's not a super fancy restaurant. It's quite lowkey."
"Perfect!" I shoo-ed him out of my room before dragging my suitcases into the walk in closet.

I quickly unpacked my suitcases and organised them onto the many shelves and closets in the room, only realising then that I still had to wait a couple more days for all my other stuff to be sent over from L.A. I just hope that these clothes will be adequate enough for the next few days until everything else arrives. Looking at the time, I realised I only had half an hour to get ready so I quickly pulled out a pair of jeans and a white off-the-shoulder crop top and put them on.

I tossed Helia's t-shirt into the laundry bin and made a mental reminder to give it back to him to save myself from future embarrassment. I headed into the en-suite bathroom and applied some mascara and lip gloss before pulling my hair into a slightly messy ponytail. Satisfied with my look, I grabbed a pair of white gazelles and a coat before running out the door in perfect time to see Helia emerging from his own room.

He looked absolutely delicious.

He was wearing a fitted white shirt under a denim jacket with black jeans, and outfit that basically screamed casual, but it still made my heart stutter and tumble.

He flashed me a small smirk, noting me that he had caught be staring and I rolled my eyes before heading towards the steps. Well, he's a bit cocky isn't it.

Just as I was about to begin my descend, his arm snaked around me, halting me in my tracks. "You're really not going to make this easy for me if you go around looking like that," He growled in my ear, sending shock waves down my spine. I held my breath as his head fell lower until it rested on my shoulder, where he placed a soft kiss on my clavicle, before withdrawing completely and heading down the stairs - like a dumb bastard - as if he didn't just leave me a flustered mess!

Slowly and cautiously, I made my way down the stairs and towards the elevator, where he was patiently waiting for me to join him. The ride down the elevator was awkward and silent but I willed myself to push away any thoughts to the back of my mind. I knew living with this man would drive me crazy, but I had really hoped it wouldn't be so soon.

When the doors opened, we walked towards his car and like the annoying gentleman he is, he opened the door for me to slide in and I almost huffed in annoyance when he reached over to buckle my seatbelt for me. This man was playing a VERY dangerous game here and I knew there was no other way but to play along.

"Thank you," I whispered in his ear, gently fiddling with one of the strands of hair that was falling on his face. It was the first time I had touched his hair when it had been this short and it took a lot of internal conflict for me to not glide my fingers through it all and admire all of it. His eyes darkened visibly as he turned hid head slightly to look at me and a small gasp flew out of my lips as I realised just how close we were. But I am a strong, STRONG woman and would not let his sudden proximity get the better of me so I just smiled sweetly at me, before tapping his cheek. "The car's not gonna drive itself, Love."

He groaned and shook his head, like he was mentally telling himself off. He retracted away from me and closed the door shut, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

As he got into the driver's seat and reversed out of the apartment building, I smirked. Two can play at that game.

…