The head resting on my shoulder made me smile as I hurriedly typed on my laptop. After that session the previous day he had been more than shy to even look at me let alone talk to me. But, this morning he'd been okay, letting me dress him without a fuss which was a first. He only did that when he was too out of it to even know what was going on, that was mostly after his episodes, as they called them. He'd groaned out loud once he saw Quint who just smiled and put his headphones on.
I don't know why he thinks there's anything going on between the two of us aside from mere friendship. I've really never thought of Quint as anything more than a brother...a very stubborn one at that. There were also times when I was jealous of his relation with my own dad.... isn't that how brothers are?
The documents sent to me seemed to be in order but it was always good to counter check. I trust Wales, but we are all human, prone to anything. I'd have let Quint work on them but he is one without the patience to run over things carefully.
**********
Four five hours on a plane wasn't long but after having slept in a not so great angle the whole while and having had less sleep before, it became the longest.
We met Wales, Riley's secretary who seemed to be a twenty eight to thirty two years old man who looked more professional than most. But he also looks more of a bodyguard than anything, well maybe he was both.
There was a lady behind him who bowed to nearly ninety degrees when she saw us. Dressed in all black, hair slicked in gell and tied into a ponytail...introduced as the head of security. She and two other men behind her picked our bags and walked away.
"Mr. Stephan, boss Olsen, boss Bellan!"
Yeah, Quint had also come with us.
Apparently, now he was more invested in the business and letting go of that extended family of his. It was great for him. Sometimes pining over something could be a problem to one self. Also, now Riley wasn't going away that often. But then, there were still times they went away together.
Don't mind me but I am one jealous person when it comes to those two. When together, it feels like everyone else is a side piece and they are the main ornament...if you understand what I mean. Like no one can gain access or even compare.
Wales led us to the waiting cars, Asha, the head of security opening the door for us.
"Clear the other car for me."
"Mr Olsen!"
"I am too tired to be watching a saccharine parade."
"How many cars are there?"
"Five...but the atta..."
"He'll take one. The rest can take taxis or something, arrange it for them. If they come we'll just be ready for it."
"Yes boss!"
Guess I can sleep on Riley without feeling embarrassed at being clingy. But should I be worried that I wanted him to be there to see it, I am being petty, I know. More worried about it than a possible attack from someone I didn't know.
I could see Wales sighing before beckoning Asha to give out some orders. Now I know I am not the only one that didn't want Quint out, huh!
This place showed much about how far the five had developed themselves here. Once we arrived, Quint excused himself and took the stairs going up together with a guard carrying his set of luggage. Riley took me to the landing of the stairs headed down.
"You stay in the basement?"
"You can say that. Everyone took a floor, the ground flour is communal but the rest belong to each person. First Kristoff, second Barnard, then Rashid and lastly Quint. Before we moved around a lot because of ambushes and what not but now we have our own home."
Looking at the landing area decorated as the living room and then two more doors one for the bedroom, the other as his office.
The dark color scheme spoke much of him but I need to get throws and pillows around. The scent around was his so I wasn't going to change that but we needed a bit of color.
One corner of the living room had an easel stand and several unfinished paintings, beside it was a sewing machine and several mannequins and different rolls of fabric.
"Don't worry about the easel, I'll have him move it back to his room or the communal area."
"I don't mind. I don't want him being uncomfortable even at home."
Just not when I wanted to be alone with Riley, that would make me mad. But looks like I can make my own pieces to throw around, just had to deal with the learning measurements then I'm good to go.
But right now, I just want to sleep more, preferably in his arms and not wake up soon.
"Should I help you shower?"
"Riley! I want to be able to walk."
He'd made my legs feel like noodles just yesterday in the bathroom back home. I don't want that again...not soon anyway.
"I thought you said you wanted to sleep for two days straight."
"Yeah, but not from such and such activities."
"What activities babe, I thought we were just showering."
This bastard. I took off and locked the door behind me. I don't want to talk to him. If he wants to enter this bedroom, he has to grovel... At the end, my stomach grovelled more. He walked down the stairs just as I was opening the door looking at me before smiling...having on casual wear. Where did he shower from?
"I got you some food. Sea food is more popular here so I had them prepared. Check if anything's to your liking."
"Prawns and shrimp too?"
"Yeah!"
Well, questions on where he had showered from...wait, milky fragrance, I liked it and only one person I know loves it more. That was Rashid, okay then, no big deal. I'll just stuff myself and try not to think that my imaginary rival was just a few floors up.