I gulp, wishing my saliva will alleviate my parched throat, stepping aside to permit their entry. Jadi and Melina each hold a tiny bag, presumably containing their possessions, while Priscilla and Ruben bear what seem to be shopping bags.
“Indeed!” Bray exclaims, hurrying towards the man with his arms extended.
Laura’s Perspective
Jadi departs to retrieve his belongings and Melina from Priscilla and Ruben’s residence, affording me the opportunity to thoroughly contemplate my recent commitment.
The large man slings his backpack over his shoulder and bends down to envelop the small boy in a warm embrace. My stomach flips at the sight of my son running into Jadi’s arms with such freedom and joy. They had just met this morning, yet Jadi had already captivated Bray.
Would I succumb to him so readily as well?
‘No,’ I assert, shaking my head. ‘No, I must exhibit strength. I have to be resilient for both of us.’
“Apologies for our tardiness,” Ruben states with a smile, “but we assured Melina we would escort her to town for additional clothing. They… they did not bring a substantial amount initially.”
I nod silently and escort Melina to her room while Ruben and Priscilla commence unloading the shopping bags from the car. Upon arriving at the room, I turn to Jadi and request his assistance with translation.
“This is your room,” I exhale. “I have placed some towels on the bed. The bathroom is located down the hall to the left,” I indicate, gesturing towards the hallway.
She regards me with a benevolent grin, rendering it hard for me to harbour animosity against her. She was not my partner, nor had she coerced me into this relationship.
“Thank you,” she gestures, her eyes expanding as she observes the room.
She gestures to Jadi, who responds with a smile and a nod of approval. Melina sits on the bed, astonished by its bounciness and comfort, her fingers brushing over the smooth fabric of the quilt I placed for her.
She dabs at her eyes and hastens to embrace me, my body tensing in astonishment. I survey the room, perceiving nothing remarkable about it. It was merely an unadorned space with a sizable window overlooking the garden and a cosy bed.
Uncertain of any alternative, I embrace Melina and reciprocate her hug. Bray observes us with curiosity, resting his head against Jadi’s neck.
“Mother, why is she weeping?” he enquires innocently.
I seek an explanation from Jadi, but he remains mute, merely caressing Bray’s back softly.
Melina withdraws, her cheeks tinged with crimson from shame as she dries her eyes. She then faces the room and commences unpacking her belongings.
“Accompany me,” I state tersely, signalling to Jadi and turning away from Melina.
Fortunately, Jadi sets Bray down and trails closely behind me, as Bray dashes down the hallway to retrieve his toys. Alone with Jadi, I redirect my thoughts, resisting the need to turn around and embrace him.
Foolish link, I murmur to myself.
Upon entering my room, I indicate the dresser.
I have emptied these two drawers for you and created some room in the wardrobe for you to hang your belongings’, I remark nonchalantly.
I turn to see him gazing at the bed, causing my cheeks to flush. Anxious to elucidate the bedding arrangement, I approach the closet, retrieve a heavy blanket, and take a pillow from the bed, thrusting both towards his chest.
“You will be resting over there,” I remarked, gesturing towards the floor.
He gazes at me, utterly bewildered by the alteration of plans.
“What?” I respond with indifference. “The agreement stipulates that we share the ‘bedroom’. It does not specify that we must share the bed.”
He compresses his lips in apparent irritation and nods gravely, aware that he cannot compel me to share my bed.
I feel a twinge of guilt for implementing this minor alteration, yet it was unavoidable. It was enough distressing to share my residence with a wolf, a complete stranger, but the thought of sharing a bed with him was intolerable. He and his kind repulsed me.
“Excellent, now that the formalities are concluded, I shall leave you to unpack,” I state, manoeuvring around him and departing the room.
I observe Bray conversing animatedly with Ruben in the living room, Bray admiring the tattoos on Ruben’s arms.
“Mother, observe!” he exclaims upon my entrance. “Ruben has a wolf tattooed on his arm! Look! Look!” he exclaims with enthusiasm.
I observe Ruben’s tattoos and nod. “Quite impressive,” I remark, feigning a smile for his sake.
Is everything satisfactory? Priscilla enquires as she enters with the last shopping bag.
I squeeze my lips together, alternating my gaze between her and Ruben. I have been preoccupied by last night and the potential that my buddies may not be as I perceived them. I resolve to confront the issue and seek clarification.
