Elizabeth found herself clutching the key he gave her that same morning, relishing in the happy bounce in her step. He'd given her a key to that apartment - the secretive one; the one that housed a cat, along with answers she sometimes felt she was better off not receiving.
"You can come here whenever you want. Always. Even when I'm not in the country. To feed the feline, you know", he reassured her with no sugarcoating at all. But he did add a silent kiss on her right eyelid. He didn't neglect the left one either.
The warmth of being welcomed into his home kept her mind cozy all day. She was experiencing the kind of happiness that spread through her entire body, from her dizzy head to her excited belly and beyond, infecting her whole. It was as dangerous as an aggressive disease that didn't give the sufferer much time to counterattack. She wouldn't counterattack - she'd die a happy woman, eaten alive by how much she loved him.
It worried her, how he would be after their first night together. She was prepared for a ferocious fight with his perpetual desire to protect her from harm, himself included. The key was an unexpected turn of events. For the first time in years, happiness wasn't trying its mightiest to escape from her; she didn't need to chase it. It was there like a docile dog, always willing to please. Happiness could be loyal, just like Red.
The closer she got to his apartment, the more hurried she became. It was as if this piece of property was a mythical portal, opened for mere seconds only. What if she didn't pass through it timely enough? She scolded herself for being stupid and unreasonable. Her happiness was sticking around, this time, and so was the apartment with the beautiful light streaming through the living-room windows.
She didn't bother to be quiet - he was awake, she was sure. He was waiting for her like he always did.
She headed to his bedroom when she didn't find him on the sofa.
Her mouth formed an "O", perfect in its genuine surprise the moment she opened the bedroom door.
TBC
