How do you hide your darkness from her?

I wanna hide the truth

I wanna shelter you

But with the beast inside

There's nowhere we can hide

(Demons)


Chapter Twelve: Convincing myself

Welcome to my humble abode…

This thought lingers to my mind as I look at Alex standing in the door of the big modern-style house. She open her arms to present the house.

"Come in." she said.

"I…what…what…" I said not really making any sense.

"Come in. I will explain everything to you inside." Alex said understanding what I wanted to say. "Don't worry about your things, a maid will get it and place it to your room." She added then offered her hand. I get her hand and we walked silently. We passed in a big room where I think the visitor are usually entertain. We turned left in the vast hallway. She opened a door that lead to a porch that oversees a garden with some seats and tables on it. She pulls a chair for me to sit which I gladly accept.

"Do you want some tea or coffee?" Alex asked me after I sit myself comfortably.

"Water perhaps. It is much better." I answered slowly.

Alex pressed a button then talked in the intercom.

"Do you want to have the A/C on? It is a bit hot in here in New York now." Alex said.

"No, thanks. I like the breeze. Now tell me, what is happening." I asked curiously.

"Impatient aren't we, kid?" Alex said then take her sit across me and place her face in her palm to look at me. I could not decipher what she is thinking by the way she look.

"You know it rude to stare." I said nervously.

"It is not especially if you are looking at the most beautiful woman here on earth." Alex said with a smirked. I could feel my cheeks burning from her compliment.

"Liar. And if I don't know any better I would that you are flirting with me, Ms. Vause." I said to hide my shyness.

"No. I'm not. And I think you are too dense, Ms. Chapman." Alex said. We stop talking for a while when the maid put the drinks in front of us. We sip silently from our cups for a few minutes when my curiosity beats me again.

"So tell me, Alex, why I'm here? I thought I will be in Nicky's house." I asked eagerly this time.

"First let me apologize for some changes in the plan. I do hope that after explaining things you will understand why we changed the original agreement." Alex said seriously. I nodded silently, waiting for her explanation.

"First, it will be convenient for you to stay with me than Nicky." Alex started explaining.

"Convenient?" I asked.

"Well my house is nearer to the location site and you will have privacy in here unlike in Nicky's house. She is living in the penthouse of her building. Besides there are more spaces in here for you to contemplate in your writing. I have heard from your agent that you are not only writing for the show but also working for your next novel. So are you okay with this new set-up?" Alex explained. I look at the garden to contemplate what she said. I think I take long in answering her because she reach out for my hand tugging it lightly. I look at her as she wait for my answer.

"If you don't want this kind of set-up, we can change it back to what your contract said. I just thought…" Alex said but I interrupted her by tugging her hand a bit strongly.

"No. It is fine. I just don't want to become a nuisance to anyone. If this is a better option then I will agree to it. But if I will be a disturbance to you too, I would gladly rent an apartment in here." I said nervously. Truly that is the main reason why I'm hesitating to be in here. Alex covered my hand and trace circles in the back of my hand. It is so soothing that I have to close my eyes.

"You will never be a disturbance in here. Besides I want the best for you." Alex said assuring me.

"Why are you so kind to me?" I asked after a few minutes of silence.

"I'm not. I'm not kind. Do you want to see your room and take a rest perhaps before dinner?" Alex asked. I feel that she is avoiding my question so I just let it slip. I nodded then she offered her right hand again when we walked inside. We walk to the middle stair and turn right. It look like a hotel hallway but actually it has only six rooms that is facing each other. We walk until the last one. She opened it and is amazed how big it is. It has a small area where a flat screen television is hanging and a soft leather lounger is facing it. There is computer set-up in the table but still it is big to have another near the window. At the right side of the room is a small balcony facing the pool and half of the garden. The actual room that contains the bed with a walk in closet and bathroom is in the left.

"Do you like it?" Alex said while scratching the back of head. I turn around and hug her tightly.

"No! I love it." I said then hug her more.

"I guess you really like it. Actually it is beside also of the library because I know you like books." Alex said.

"Thank you, Alex. I really appreciate it." I said thankfully then I feel her hands tighten around my shoulder. I become aware how close we are. I could feel how heavy she breathe.

"I'm glad you like it, kid." Alex said happily. I pull out myself from her hug to stop whatever I'm feeling right now. I don't want to add anymore complication with what is happening in us.

Us? Us?

Oh shut up, mind!

"Are you sure I'm your mind?"

"Piper? I know you are tired and I want you to rest. If you have any question, my room is across yours. Okay?" Alex said after she sees my eyes closing.

"Sure. Thank you." I said trying to fight the drowsiness I'm feeling.

"No, problem." Alex said then starts to walk out of the room.

"Alex?" I called to her before she opens my door.

"I'm glad to see you again." I said sincerely.

"Me too, kid. Me too, kid." She said then closes the door slowly.


"How was it? Did she bought your explanation?" Nicky said in the phone. After half an hour of staring in the greenery of my garden. I think I should give a raise to my gardener.

"Yeah. I think so. The penthouse is a downfall already. I didn't have to add that women are in and out of your home." I added jokingly.

"Hey that is foul, Vause. But seriously, I can't thank you enough in saving my ass from that arrangement. I thought I need to buy her a new house just to make sure that I will have my privacy." Nicky said seriously all of a sudden.

"It is fine, Nicky. Don't worry you are already paid, my friend." I said then sip the scotch I poured while Nicky speaks. I hear a heavy sigh from the other line.

"Are you sure about what you are you planning, Vause?" Nicky asked seriously. After I polished my plan, I told it to Nicky and Red. Red was fine with it as long as I take extra careful not getting hurt from it. But Nicky was a different story, she vehemently disagreed with my plan. She didn't want me to push through with the plan because of how I acted in front of Piper but my mind is set into it.

For her. This is all for the most important woman in my life.

"Yes." I answered briefly and forcefully.

Yes! I'm certainly decided to this, not only for me but for her.

Stop it, Vause. You are not like that.

Not like that?! Not like that?! Well, I am! And you know that, damnit!

"Alex, you are too good to do this stuffs." Nicky said weakly.

"You know, I'm not good, Nicky. You very well know that, partner." I said darkly.

"Can I ask you a favor, Vause?' Nicky said.

"What is it, Nichols?" I asked then light a cigarette to puff. I don't usually smoke but I feel tense talking to Nicky.

"If you come to your senses, please back down from your plan. Promise me." Nicky said.

"I can't promise you anything." I said then drag a long puff from the lit cigarette then blow it slowly.

"And one last thing, please don't hurt her too much." Nicky added seriously then hung up.

I can't promise that either.

I smoke the whole thing while drinking the wine and wishing that everything will be fine.


A knock on my door wake me from my sleep. I'm not really use with the change time zone but the tiredness of the travel took over me and made me sleep.

"Piper? Piper? Wake up." Alex called while knocking on the door in my room. I walked slowly and dazedly open the door.

"Hey." I said then brush my eyes improperly. I hear a low chuckle from Alex.

'You look adorable." Alex said then peck me at the cheek that totally wake me up from my sleepiness.

"Dinner is ready and I know that you are hungry. I will get you again after half an hour to give you enough time to prepare." Alex said.

"Are there any guest that will come tonight?" I asked just to be prepared in case there is.

"No. Just the two of us." Alex said then close the door again. I take a quick shower and decided to wear a simple black dress paired with a strap on sandal. I'm applying a simple make-up when Alex knock and asked to come in which I answered loudly. I almost hide in the covers of my bed on how she look at me.

"Goodness, you are really beautiful." She said when I turn around. She grabbed me by the waist and slowly our faces meet. I lick my lips to wet it and see how Alex' eyes followed my tongue. I hear a moan but I don't know if it from her or from me.

"Ma'am, everything is set already in the table." The maid called outside the room.

"Aren't you a bit lucky, Piper?" Alex said huskily.

"Am I?" I asked feeling the heat between us.


Damn this woman! She will be the death of me! Why does she have to be so beautiful and alluring?

I feel my hands are moving on their own and even my head. They wanted to kiss those pair of lips that is so irresistible.

Fuck it! Hold your horses, Vause! You can let your hormones win over you.

You need to be the one controlling the situation not the other way around!

Is she licking her lips?

I hear a moan but doesn't know who did it. What I'm sure is that my arms are tightening around her for the nth time this day. I could tell that she wants it too.

What the fuck are we doing?!

"Ma'am, everything is set already in the table." The maid called outside the room.

"Aren't you a bit lucky, Piper?" I said huskily but I'm actually cussing the maid. Her timing is definitely off.

"Am I?" she asked huskily too.

"Maybe not but I want you to taste the food while it is hot. Let us go down and if we are lucky enough we could continue whatever we are doing right now." I said with my raspy voice. I could see her blush hard from what I said.

Maybe my plan will work smoothly as I wanted it to be.