Chapter 164: Wherever You Go
"Let’s stop for today. I don’t think you can take anymore…" Hayden said decisively as he reached out and started stroking my head comfortingly.
That tender and loving action only made my tears fall faster than before as it reminded me of the gentle touch of my mother and the kind words of my father. Hayden pulled me softly against his chest and wrapped his arms around my body. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried into the crook of his neck.
Hayden stroked my back comfortingly as he whispered sweet words of comfort to me.
At that moment, I could understand a little why Hayden thought that perhaps it would have been better to keep me forever in the dark. Knowing the truth hurts so much and it made me question the life that I’ve led so far and everything that I thought I knew. It was like the reality that I was used to had all been a lie.
However, regardless of what Hayden or my father wanted for me, I have already chosen a different path.
I’m sorry, father. I know that you wanted what you thought was best for me and you wanted to keep me safe and away from everything. However, that isn’t the life that I want or have chosen for myself. I’ve chosen to be with Hayden, and I’ll face life proudly with that decision that I’ve made. If you and mother are watching over me, please don’t worry anymore. I’m certain that we’ll figure something out.
…
I cried so hard that I must have fallen asleep in Hayden’s arms. Thankfully I didn’t have any work to do today and no classes to teach. When I woke up, Hayden was still by my side. I found that quite surprising because usually he would have gone out by now.
"You don’t have to go to work?" I asked.
Hayden spent another night at my place and showed no signs of leaving in the morning. Unlike yesterday, I had classes to teach today. Hayden’s eyes were on his phone, and he seemed to be focused on something.
"I don’t. I’ll go wherever you go today," he replied simply with his eyes still on his phone.
"I have classes to teach at the art school…" I said.
He’s not thinking of coming along, is he?
"Great. Let’s go," Hayden said before he got out of his seat and headed for the door.
"You’re coming along?" I asked in slight panic.
"Didn’t I just tell you that I’ll go wherever you go today?" Hayden replied and he was already walking out the door.
"Wait! Hayden!" I called after him.
True to his words, Hayden really did go wherever I went that day. Together we went to the art school, and he sat in all of my classes. Obviously, I found his presence extremely distracting at first but slowly I got used to having him just sitting there in the corner of the room. Ever so often my eyes would wander in his direction, and he would smile at me.
Fortunately, the kids were more interested in Hayden than they were intimidated. Perhaps it was his height, his beautiful face, or the way he was dressed that drew the kids to him. Perhaps it was all of those things combined along with his cheerful spirit.
"Are you our new teacher?" a girl asked sweetly as she looked up at him.
"No. I’m just here to observe today," Hayden replied with ease as he crouched down to speak to the girl at eyelevel.
"Are you our teacher’s boyfriend?" another girl asked curiously.
"No…he’s not," I cut in with my firm reply before Hayden could say anything.
"Really?" the girl asked, disbelief clear on her face.
Hayden just turned and squinted his eyes at me, and I had a feeling that some punishment was coming my way.
Thankfully, the classes came to an end without any further event. I wasn’t sure why Hayden wanted to come along with me today, but I decided not to ask. It felt weird at first but having him here with me wasn’t a bad thing. I got to see more of him, and we got to spend more time together. I wonder when he would head back though.
"Are you done for today?" Hayden asked.
"Yup. I just have to put these books away and then we can go back," I replied with a smile.
"Let me help you. They’re heavy, right?" Hayden readily offered.
"That’s ok. I’m almost done," I politely declined, although I appreciated his offer.
"Just let me do it…" Hayden said stubbornly as he took the books from my hands.
"Umm…thanks…" I mumbled before showing him where I wanted the books to be lined up on the shelf.
After that Hayden took me out to dinner before heading back to my place. I enjoyed our dinner date so much and it made me feel like we were a real couple. Although, we haven’t really discussed our relationship or made anything official yet. I was happy enough that Hayden was spending time with me.
However, when he escorted me back to my place and he headed for the shower, I began to wonder when he would head back?
"Umm…Hayden…are you staying over tonight?" I asked when he came out of the shower.
His blond hair was a darker shade because it was wet, and the sight of his muscular naked body made me blush slightly before I quickly averted my eyes. Seriously, the white towel that he had wrapped around his hips did not provide enough coverage. My heart started beating faster and I placed a hand over my chest in an attempt to calm it down.
"Do you want me to stay?" Hayden asked before he walked past me casually.
"That’s not what I was asking..." I mumbled.
Despite what he said, I could tell that he was settling into bed comfortably and that he was probably staying the night. Maybe…he’s free so he’s going to spend another night with me?
That was what I thought…
--To be continued…