Wing Of Change
Chapter 37

Aria realized she was snuggled up against Frank in bed the next morning the moment she opened her eyes.

Frank on the other hand was still snoring away with his arm snaked around her waist and holding her in place.

She leaned in a bit closely and tracing every features on his face with the tip of her finger. His full eyebrow was perfect, falling against each other in a well defined line. She caressed the bridge of his nose leading to his chiseled cheekbone before pecking him on the side of his lips.

“I would have really preferred that k**s on my lips you know?” Frank had told her before poking each eye open, one at a time.

She jolted back a little at the sound of his voice.

“So you weren’t sleeping?”

“I was actually waiting for you to k**s me out of my slumber” he replied with a smile.

“You will have to wait till I brush before you get that k**s”

He grabbed hold of her before she could hurry off from the bed.

“I prefer the undiluted k**s my darling”

He tried to k**s her on the l*p and she duck under the covers while struggling to break free.

“Hold still Aria…or you are going to fall off the bed pretty hard_just one k**s”

Frank was chuckling loud as he continued to pull a giggling Aria under the sheet until they were interrupted with the sound of a knock followed by Mrs. Okoji’s voice.

“Frankie dear, are you two awake yet”

“Just a minute Mom, we will be down soon” Frank had called back at his mom.

“It’s okay dear, I just came to inform you two that breakfast is served”

They heard her chuckle as she await their reply.

“We will be there soon”

Aria took his distraction as an opportunity to slip from his hold and hurried into the bathroom.

Frank gave a frustrating g***n before turning on his stomach. He inhaled deeply before stretching his full form against the bed.

Frank couldnt stop smiling. Waking up to Aria in his bed and knowing she won’t get up and run off was more than he had imagined.

He even woke up with the thought of kissing her in his head. Watching her sleep throughout the night with her head resting against his chest brought smile on his lips and contentment to his heart. He even took a picture of her while she was sleeping.

He reached over for his phone and clicked on his gallery and just kept staring at the picture on his screen.

Frank realized that was the only picture of hers that he owned in his gallery. As he continued to stare closely at it, he couldn’t help but shook his head at his new found favorite person. Her rosy l*p forming a thin line as she lay sound asleep and frowning in between.

This was all he ever wanted and how it took him so long to realize it was something he could never understand.

Fifteen minutes later, Aria emerged from the bathroom dressed in her own clothes only to replace Frank smiling to himself staring at his screen.

“I’m ready, you should get ready too”

He quickly placed his phone away with an awkward smile.

“That’s right. We wouldn’t want to keep my mom waiting”

“I will go check on her while you get ready”

“Are you sure you don’t want to wait for me? I will be quick” he gestured with his hands..

“Okay, you better be quick”

He placed his phone on the night stand and hurried over to the bathroom_, waking around with his buttocks on full display.

She still needs to get used to that shade of Frank Okoji.

**

The journey back home to her house was rather quiet. Both Aria and Frank seem to be in deep thought as he drove in a rather fast speed. He got a call after they both bid his mom goodbye and since hasn’t said a single word.

Aria felt awkward just seating there, not knowing what to do to get his attention which seem to be fixed on the road ahead.

Was he okay?

If only she could read his thought. It would be a lot easier and less frustrating.

She sat up straight and squared her shoulder and turned to face him.

“Are you okay?” Her eyes trying to read his mood still.

“Yeah, am fine. Why do you ask?” He asked, staring wryly at her in return.

She answered with a shrug and slouched back on her seat.

“I don’t know, you’ve been really quiet since you got that call earlier. Did something happened?” She asked one more time looking at Frank expectantly.

His l*p parted slightly but no word made it out as he swallowed hard before his eyes darted back on the road ahead. Frank couldn’t answer not because he has nothing to say but because he doesn’t want to lie to her. He looked conflicted even with his brows slightly hitched together.

Frank knew his silent was causing an unwanted rift between them but he couldn’t help it as he continued to mold over the thought in his head.

Why now? He thought to himself as his hands clenched against the steering wheels and unclenched again even harder.

Everything will be fine.

He assured her again in his mind as he spared her another glance before ignoring her completely. Aria went on to notice how hard his hands were grabbing the steering at that moment. It almost as if a war was going on in his head.

His jaw continued to tightened as his expression went cold. Aria bite down on her lower lips, reacting to how anxious she felt; trying to steady her racing heart.

Maybe she was reading meaning to his silence and just need too relax and clear her head of any doubt. She was certain his mom was more than happy to have them both for breakfast so she couldn’t be the reason for his sudden change in demeanor.

Fifteen minutes later, Aria emerged from the bathroom dressed in her own clothes only to replace Frank smiling to himself staring at his screen.

Maybe the call he received earlier was really to blame after all. Maybe it has something to do with his work at the office but she could not dare to ask him about it. It could be confidential, plus she no longer works for him.

She reached for his hand and held his gaze for a moment with a reassuring smile “I don’t know what could be going on right now but I just want you to know that, am right here if you need someone to talk to”

Frank only replied with a half smile that barely made it to his eyes but he was grateful for her presence in his life. He was no longer alone.

Frank knew he could always count on her but not this time. He was going to deal with this issue the only way he knew how.

Everything was fine until he got that God forsaken call. The last thing he needed at that point was to ruin everything he has going on between them. He can’t risk loosing his new found peace and love.

He glanced at her direction and found that she was no longer staring at him but out the window and he felt a tug pulled at his heart.

A few more minutes of awkward silence and they arrived at her apartment where he dropped her off before walking her to her door step and held her hand before she could turn and walk away.

“Aria wait!” his voice halted her before he turned her to face him.

“I know you replace my behavior a little bit strange at this point and it’s even worst that it’s hard for me to explain the situation to you. I just need you to trust me okay?” His voice was pleading as he held her gaze, his hands resting on both her shoulder.

“Okay” she answered with a small nod.

Aria was sure something was wrong and it worries her to think that it could be something that would put their relationship at risk. The fact that he was trying to explain says a lot.

Frank never explains himself to anyone unless it’s something complicated.

“I will see you later,yes?”

“Okay” she managed a weak smile

He gave her hand a little squeeze and stepped back before walking away from her.

He didn’t even k**s her goodbye.

She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. She wasn’t going to let herself cry over nothing.

Everything is fine..

She remembered his words and straighten up a bit. Aria knew she has to trust his words for everything to be okay.

Unlocking her door and pushing it open, she stepped into the comfort of her living room. It was barely 11pm in the morning so she made for her bedroom and lay down instead with her face buried into her pillow.

Everything is fine..

She assured herself once more.

Everything is fine!