Chapter 8

• "Move in with me," Shawn says, after a long while of watching Neriah go through the vacancy spot available on the newspaper.
• It's been four days since they got the eviction notice and so far there has been no luck on finding a new place for Neriah to move to. Most of the apartments are either too expensive or have already been given out to others. Shawn bought and brought in the newspaper earlier today and Neriah has spent all her hours on it calling the numbers on the houses that are available and Shawn has tried to be the most supporting around her.
• She immediately looks up at him, "What?"
• He gets up from his chair and moves to sit close to her, making their bodies touch. "Move in with me," he says again.
• "You live with your mom," she points out to him without even bothering to look up.
• He laughs, but manages to shake his head, "My mom lives with me, there's a huge difference. So move in with me."
• "I can't Shawn."
• "Why not?"
• She drops the newspaper and looks up at him, "You live with your mom-"
• "Neriah -"
• "Let me finish." She did not mean to snap, but that's what she does "I can't live with you because you live with your mother and I wouldn't even if you didn't because that's only going to bring you more problem."
• "I don't understand," he frowns down at her.
• "This is the second house I'm losing right? We are still not sure it'll be my last so let's say I move in with you and then Cainan evict us, I don't only lose a place to stay, but you and your mom does as well so I'm sorry, but I'm not doing that to you."
• "So what can I do to help?"
• "You're already helpful by being with me at this moment. So help me look through the houses listed for rent and check to see the ones affordable."
• "Okay, that easy," he collects the newspaper and begins to look through them while Neriah goes to the kitchen to make pancakes.
• Shawn stays, looking through the newspaper and ticking the houses that seemed affordable when his phone rings, the called ID is unknown and he begins to wonder who is calling.
• He answers it and places it on his ear, "Hello."
• "It's been four days. Do you need an angel to tell you to come to work?"
• "Mr Inferno, how did you get my number?" Shawn asks a little surprise and a little sceptical.
• "Do not answer my question with a question Shawn."
• "Well I haven't thought about your offer besides the last time I saw you, I punched you so I ask again how did you get my number?"
• "I have my ways, ways you'll never know. And I should be the one complaining because I was the one who got punched and had to walk around with a busted lip for days, you."
• Shawn presses his lips together and scratches his head, "Why do you want me back as your PA?"
• "I don't," is his quick response, "your girlfriend threatened me remember?"
• "My girlfriend threatened you four days ago, why are you calling me now?"
• "Cause I like to keep my word,"
• Shawn's teeth clench because knowing Cainan he has always been an excellent diverter especially when it comes to uncomfortable subjects just to keep his pride, "We can do this all day if you keep acting like an ass Cainan." There's no telling where the courage or boldness came from because even Shawn is shocked at what he just said.
• There's a long silence at both ends for a couple of seconds, "You just took my name and called me an ass, but I'll forgive you."
• "Why?" Asks Shawn with a deep frown on his face.
• "Because I need you in my office, you're like the little sidekick that magically knows things, the last six others I hired sucked and the last one didn't know how to create a memo. I need you to take care of things, as usual, I'll double your pay if that's what it'll take."
• I rub my jaw, "As tempting as it sounds how am I sure you're not going to fire me the first chance you get again?"
• "Because I'm the one rehiring your ass." He growls.
• "Fine, I'll think about it."
• "What? You're still going to think about it, after all, we have said?" He exclaims exasperatedly.
• "Who's that?" Neriah asks, walking into the room with two plates of pancakes in her hand.
• Shawn slides the phone from his ear, "Cainan wants me back as his PA, said he'll double the pay."
• "Really?" Neriah eyes widen with excitement, "What did you say?"
• "Told him I'll think about it."
• She sets both plates down and sits down beside him, "I think you should take it."
• He chuckles and shakes his head, "He hates you."
• She affirmed his word with a nod, "He hates that I called him an idiotic billionaire, besides this, is your life at a job you love and I don't want you passing it up because of me."
• "What do you think I should do then?"
• She takes his hand between hers and softly squeezes it, "Take the job, make the most of it."
• "Your girlfriend is right," Cainan says as Shawn brings back the phone to his ear.
• Shawn scoffs aloud, "Fine I'll be at work at 8 a.m. tomorrow."
• "And I'll be expecting you."
• The call ends and Shawn drops the phone before looking up at Neriah. "Hope I'm not making the greatest mistake of my life."
• She squeezes his hand again, "Not as long as I'm here."
• "I love you Neriah." He says, then realises he's never said that to her before his eyes find her and are locked in for a while and seeing she's having a hard time coping with her response, he nods, "I love you very much and you don't have to say anything you don't mean but what I feel is real and true and I won't take it back for anything in the worl-"
• "I love you too Shawn," she answers, cutting him off, her eyes glittering with tears although her face holds it's broad smile, "it's crazy but I love you. You give me strength and courage and I'm glad you are the one, I've been waiting for the right moment."
• He pulls closer and kisses her lips deeply and pulling away he smiles, placing his forehead on hers.
• "Pancakes?"
• "Sure!" He replies, bringing her hand to his lips and lacing it up with kisses.
• She picks the plate from the table and hands him his before taking hers.
• "Did you find any good but affordable apartment?"
• "Just one and we can check it out tomorrow."
• Neriah grins at him weirdly and he begins to wonder what he's missed, "We are not checking it out, I am. You will be going to work."
• Just then his mind goes back to the call with Cainan. "Fine, you'll go alone, but I hate the sound of that," he admits with a low growl.
• "I'll be fine."
• "Can you just say you won't so I can follow you instead of going to work?"
• I chuckle, "No, but I promise I'll be fine."
• He pulls closer and kisses her lips, "I'll take your word for it then."
• The next day Shawn prepare for work and Neriah gets ready to go see the new apartment Shawn finishes early and like he promised Neriah yesterday when the clock ticks 7:30 on the dot, he knocks on the door and waited for an answer. About 30 seconds later the door opens and it reveals Neriah in a jean trouser and a brown long sleeve. Her thick brown hair is packed into a neat bun and her face laced with a little touch of makeup. She looked beautiful and today is no exception to Shawn.
• "Morning," he says, stepping into the room.
• "Morning how are you?"
• "I'm good and you?"
• "Great. You're ready?"
• She nods, picking up her small purse from the armchair in the centre of the parlour. "I am now."
• "Great."
• Shawn is wearing a Navy blue suit and trouser and a black shoe. His hair is still the low cut it had yesterday, but the little stubble that was on his face yesterday is no longer there.
• He wraps his arms around her waist 5and leads her out. They both walk to the road and he stops a taxi for Neriah, he opens the door for her and she enters, "Whatever happens, promise you will call me." He says, staring down at her with brown eyes filled with expectancy.
• She gives him a small smile, "I'll try."
• He leans down and kisses her forehead before stepping back to close the door. Neriah wave at him and he does the same and when her taxi is out of sight he stops another and enters.