Chapter 9 9 Accidental Kiss

"I will when the time is right," I said, staring at Hollis, who nodded his head in response, understanding the weight of my words. An awkward silence surrounds us as we finish our conversation, both lost in our own thoughts. The tension in the air was palpable, making it clear that there was much left unsaid between us. A yawn escaped from my lips, breaking the heavy atmosphere as my eyes got heavy from exhaustion. Today was filled with odd surprises and unexpected emotions, leaving me drained and in need of rest. "It's getting late; you should go to sleep," Hollis suggested, breaking the silence. I nodded my head but lingered a moment longer. "Where should I sleep tonight?" I asked, suddenly unsure of where I belonged in this unfamiliar place. Hollis smiled warmly. "You can take my bed. I will be sleeping in the living room ." I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me at his kindness, feeling a sense of comfort in this moment of vulnerability. But sleeping on a completely strange bed that too my furry bosses made me feel a bit uneasy. Hollis must have sensed my hesitation, as he quickly reassured me, "Just for tonight, tomorrow I will have the spare room cleaned and furnished for you to use during your stay." He reposted, walking to his bedroom, with me following closely behind. "How about I sleep in the living room tonight?" I said, feeling uneasy about sleeping on his bed. Hollis smiled warmly and replied, "You're my guest, and I want you to be comfortable. Just for tonight, but tomorrow the spare room will be all ready for you. Don't worry about a thing." With that, he opened the door to his room, the room that is adored by him and his wife, their faces beaming with happiness. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the reminder of his loss. This man standing before me seems like a completely different person than he is in the photos, full of life and joy. "Make yourself comfortable," he says as he walks in somewhere and gets out, holding spare clothes and a laptop in his hand. "See you in the morning for breakfast," he added with a smile before disappearing down the hallway. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease as I settled into the room. I sat on bedside photos of his wife and him, wondering about the story behind their smiles; they both seemed so much in love. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for Hollis, who lost his love of life and is now alone with two children, all alone in the world. It's ironic how people like me are caught in abusive relationships while others like Hollis lose their loved ones unexpectedly. Life can be so unpredictable and unfair at times. I also feel sad for his wife; she seems so beautiful in those pictures, but she has to leave the world too soon, leaving behind a grieving husband and two young children. It's a reminder to cherish our loved ones while we have them, as we never know what tomorrow may bring. I sighed as I shook my head in disbelief at the cruel hand of fate playing with our lives in such unexpected ways. I need a shower to wash away the heaviness of these thoughts weighing on my mind. I scanned the room and saw a door and an entrance room that seemed to be a walk-in closet. My mouth popped in awe as I saw rows of neatly organized shoes, clothes, and accessories, all perfectly arranged on shelves and hangers. The space was divided into two parts, female and male, with each section reflecting a different style and taste. Dresses, heels, and delicate jewelry adorned one side, while suits, ties, and polished shoes filled the other. I moved my hand, touching one of the dresses, feeling the soft fabric between my fingers, and imagining myself wearing it to a fancy event. But I shook my head and remained myself; that was not mine to take. These clothes must be Hollis's wife's, and I had no right to intrude on their personal belongings. Hollis must have kept them as a reminder of her, a way to keep her memory alive in his home. It was a touching gesture, and I felt a pang of sadness for his loss as I carefully stepped away from the delicate garments. I walked out of the closet and closed the door behind me, feeling guilty for even considering trying on the clothes that were a souvenir of his late wife. Forget the shower; I just want to sleep. I stare at the bed, and no matter what Hollis says, I feel wrong sleeping on his bed, but the bed seems so comfortable that I can't resist lying down for just a moment. As I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine the woman who once wore those clothes, her presence lingering in the room. But as sleep overtook me, a warm scent of Colombo enveloped me, bringing a sense of comfort and peace. But my peace was short-lived as I awoke to the sound of crying coming from the next room. I opened my eyes and got up from the bed, startled, and walked quickly towards the source of the sound, my heart pounding with concern. It must be Max crying again, I thought to myself, hoping he was okay. As I entered the room, I saw him in his crib, tears streaming down his face. "It's okay. Did you have a nightmare?" I picked him up and held him close, whispering soothing words to calm him down. "Mama..." Max whispered, burying his face in my shoulder. "Hailey..." I corrected him as I rocked him gently, feeling grateful for the chance to comfort my son in his time of need. "Mama..." Max repeated, his voice barely audible. I smiled, knowing that no matter what he called me, I would always be there for him. As he calmed down and finally fell asleep in my arms, I felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over me as I put him in his crib, planting a kiss on his forehead before turning to leave. "Max..." I stopped when I saw Hollis running inside the room with only his towel and his hair dripping wet from the shower. "What's going on?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. "He is sleeping," I said softly, gesturing towards Max's crib. "I just had a bad dream, but he's okay now," I reassured Hollis before quietly leaving the room to let them both rest. "But why do you like these?" I said, staring at Hollis's wet hair and toned physique, feeling a surge of desire wash over me. I couldn't help but stare at his wet body shining in low light, feeling a sudden rush of heat spread through my body. I quickly averted my gaze, trying to regain my composure before saying, "You should probably get dressed before you catch a cold." "Sorry… I just took a shower to wake myself up," Hollis replied, grabbing a towel to dry off. "No problem, just be careful next time," I said with a smile, trying to hide my embarrassment as I tried to walk away from the tempting sight in front of me, but to my worst luck, I slipped on the water covering the floor, with my body falling on top of Hollis and our lips accidentally meeting in a brief, unexpected kiss.