Chapter 18

Beep, beep! Beep, beep!

I quickly raised my head from Piero's shoulder and smacked my hand over my watch to turn off the alarm.

I was on Piero's lap on the sofa, sitting sideways with my feet dangling just above the floor. Piero's arms were gently and loosely resting around my waist, but when he had first taken me onto his lap they had been tight, as if he'd never let go. My arm had been resting around his neck, and the way I had moved it so quickly to turn off the alarm made him stir.

I hoped that he wouldn't wake, but he raised his head and looked bleary-eyed at me.

"What…what's happening?" he murmured sleepily, tightening his grip on me.

"Nothing, Piero. Everything's okay. Go back to sleep."

Thinking that he wouldn't be able to watch me leave, I lay my head back down on his shoulder and placed my hand soothingly on his chest. I stayed very still and waited, fighting sleep. Piero leaned his head back on the sofa, with his glasses still on, and closed his eyes. I looked up at him, listening to his breathing and waiting for him to fall asleep. I was tired, and it was so comfortable in Piero's arms…My eyes slowly closed, but I forced them back open. The title screen of the DVD we had been watching was playing on a loop, with the volume low, and I watched it until Piero's arms loosened around me and his breathing slowed.

I cautiously pushed his arms off of me, and they fell limp at his sides. I slowly got up from his lap and stepped away from the sofa. I took the remote from beside him and turned off the TV. I watched him for a moment, his handsome face shining in the moonlight.

"La luna hizo esto…" I whispered softly, but for some reason, I couldn't remember any more lyrics. I felt so tired…I watched him, and I wanted to melt back into him. I wanted to curl up beside him and go back to sleep, safe in his presence. But it was time for me to go. I reached out and slid the glasses off of his face, folding them and setting them down on the coffee table.

"I love you," I whispered, and tiptoed backwards out the front door. "I'll be back later."

The house was dark and silent, and I climbed carefully through my window and into my room. I slowly and silently climbed into bed and pulled the covers over my head, listening fearfully to the silence. I tried to relax, pushing the covers down so I could peer out the window at the moon. I fell asleep within minutes, though it wasn't safe and comfortable as it was in Piero's arms.

In the morning I crept through the house to the kitchen, passing Ray asleep on the couch, and took food from the pantry to keep in my car. Though I was in my own house, I felt like a thief. I snuck out of the house to my car carrying the food, and quietly climbed in and drove away.

My heart was pounding, and there was adrenaline rushing through my veins. It was such a strange thing, to have a rush from simply being in your own house. But though it was my house, it was dangerous, and there was a constant threat looming over me as long as Ray was there.

"Only a few more days," I reminded myself as I reached into the backseat for a breakfast bar. I drove to Piero's home and hopped up the front steps, eagerly going to see him. I unlocked the door with the key he had given me and entered the cool air of the living room.

He was still on the sofa, in the same position I had left him in. His hands were open on his lap, as if waiting for me to come back into his arms, which I was eager to do. I tiptoed up to him and leaned over to kiss his cheek as I took the glasses from the coffetable.

"Good morning, my sweet Piero!" I cooed softly, and he stirred and blinked up at me.

"Hey…" he said softly, reaching out for me and taking me onto his lap. I curled up to him like I had the night before, with my head on his shoulder, my arm around his neck, and my other hand resting on his chest, feeling his warmth through the thin T-shirt.

Piero raised his head and cuddled me, rubbing my back and lightly pressing his lips to my neck. I closed my eyes in content and then pressed the glasses into his palm. He put them on and then looked intently into my eyes.

"Did you leave last night? Are you okay?"

"Yes. It was fine, Piero. I'm fine."

"Nothing happened?"

"No. Everything's okay."

"I was asleep when you left. I didn't want to be, though. I was trying to come up with some sort of a plan to keep you out of that house, but I couldn't think of anything in time."

"You don't need to think of anything. It's only for a few more days. I woke you up by accident when my watch alarm went off, and then I waited for you to go back asleep so I could go without you worrying."

"I still worried. I dreamed about you."

"Good dreams?"

"Not so much." He bounced me on his knee and smiled. "But you're here now, safe and sound."

He pressed his lips to mine, and then we rested silently on the couch for a few blissful minutes, looking out the window at the sun rising into the sky.

"So…" Piero said. "Today I'm going back to the studio for a few hours with the other boys, and after that I'm free for the rest of the day. I'll look up the names and details of some apartments, and we'll go see them after you get off of work. We'll visit a bunch, and you'll pick one you like. Sound good?"

"Yes!" I said, hugging him in excitement as I pictured the place. "I can't wait to have my own apartment! Just imagine it, Piero! My own kitchen and living room, my own things! It'll be nice and safe and comfortable, with nice neighbors, too! Oh, and a good view! You can come over to my place to visit whenever you want, and I can make dinner! Hey, maybe I can even get a cat or something!"

"A cat?"

"Yes! I always wanted some kind of pet, but my mother doesn't like animals. But if she's not living with me, then I can get one!"

"Sounds good. We'll have to get you an apartment that allows cats, then."

I giggled and kissed him.

"I should run along to the hospital now. The little ones will be waiting for me."

I moved to get up, but he pulled me back and kissed me again, holding me tightly to him. Then he released me and walked me out to my car.

"Have a great day, mi amor," he said, and kissed me good-bye. "I'll see you this afternoon!"