Chapter 7.

Mirabel's Pov.

It is naturally soothing to wake up to the soothing orchestra of birds or to the early morning rays from the shining sun. I had imagined waking up to any of the aforesaid scenarios today and not to the banging sound of utensils or the smell of burnt bacon and cheese.

Another bang of silverware and stream of curses had me jumping out of bed. What was going on?

Slipping on my bedroom shoes, I yanked the door open and walked down the hallway only to break into a light cough as smoke assaulted my lungs.

Jesus, is there a fire outbreak happening in the house?

My unspoken question was answered a second later when I saw Dexter sprint out of the Kitchen, almost crashing into me.

"What's going on?" I asked as I rushed over to the drapes in the living room and quickly parted them. I then opened the windows and balcony doors to allow the morning breeze to sweep out the smoke.

"A little cooking disaster, I dare to say."

I would have noticed the unusual pink on his cheeks if I hadn't noticed his ripped muscles that were on full display today. Lord have mercy and definitely not after insulting him yesterday. He had opted for khaki pants and an apron. No shirt.

"Please can you put on a shirt and why are you cooking?" I questioned when I managed to pry my eyes away.

I decided not to wait for his answer though and hurried to the kitchen to open the drapes there as well. Why couldn't the man just stick to wearing his suits?

"You won't call it cooking if you see the by-product,"he called after me.

I have never seen him in the kitchen, now I know why.. but he was trying to make an effort today.

"Why would you bother though, you could have ordered or woken me up if you were that hungry"

I asked from the kitchen. The air wasn't that stale in here but the smell of burnt

bacon lingered.

But in as much as i tried to erase the image of his ripped muscles out of my mind, I just could not. So i opted to reminisce Dwane's instead when we went to the beach during their summer vacation

Dwane has some fine abs also. I reminded my conscience.That image was working until a hot breath fanned the nape of my neck.

"Are you meditating or what?" his close soft voice sent ripples of shiver down my spine.

I spun around and ended up bumping into his chest from the close proximity. "Not at all." My voice came out in a light squeal to my surprise.

Dammit I thought as I scurried over to the fridge. What was he thinking, sneaking up on me like that?And could he put on a shirt already?

I wanted to chastise the oblivious man but found solitude in a cold bottled water.

I was about to ask about my mom's whereabout when she walked into the kitchen with a shocked face.

"What's going on in here, are you guys OK?" She asked. Leaning on the isle, Dexter crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her.She was behaving so unlike herself not being able to look into my eyes and i had hoped it wasn't because of our tiff last night.

"Yep," I said in half a whisper, still clutching the bottled water to my chest.

I made for the kitchen door but the man blocked the entrance with one hand before i could walk out wagging his eyebrows towards my mom. He had already been under the shower and his mild-musky scent was engulfing my thoughts.

It is definitely getting to that time of the month, running hormones I reasoned.

"I'm sorry about last night." I apologized, hoping she would at least look at me this time around.

"Don't worry about that, we all have our mood days and yesterday was just out of it"mom said in one breath and even faked a nonchalant shrug.

I nodded. They didn't probe me for answers and he let me slip out of the kitchen.

When i got to the bedroom, I shut the door after me and leaned against it to talk some sense into my traitorous mind and body.

"You should only beat for Dwane alone, no arguments raised about that" I said to myself in front of my mirror pointing to my heart and he his your mom's fiance.

Talking about Dwane, i dashed towards the bed and scoured the sheets for my phone.i had fallen asleep while i was supposedly waiting for Dwane's call.

I released a deep sigh when i found the ash padded pouch. Swiping a finger across the screen, my heart resumed its harsh thumps from last night when i saw several missed calls and texts all from Dwane.

I was too chickened out to read the messages so i called him instead.

"Love?"

"Hey, I've been calling you" he said

"Sorry, I fell asleep. What happened? Are you OK?" I bombarded out anxiousness.

'Heavens babe, tune it down with the rap.' he said chuckling, i nodded although Dwane could not see me

"I am fine" Something about the way he sighed over that response didn't sit right with me so I dared to ask.

"oh but why didnt you pick up my calls yesterday?  I didn't mean to burst the news out like that " I tried to explain

"Mira , I'm so sorry about last night. The news came to me as a shock and I just needed space and time to think about it, I'm really sorry babe and I support your decision okay" he said

"I'm sorry to, I even... Nvmd" I wanted to tell him about me rejecting the university's offer but decided to say it when we meet.

"When are you coming over" I asked

"I won't be able to come this week, im travelling for an important partnership meeting with my mom today so I would be coming back next week but definitely when I get back I'll come over" Dwane explained

"Mira? I and Dex are stepping out okay "

I cussed under my breath when i heardy mom's voice, followed by the creak of the bedroom door.

'okay, have fun" I shouted

"I guess I have to come apologize to your mom when I get back from my trip" he said

"Dwane you know I love you right?"

"Yeah and I love you too" he said "gotta go talk to you later".

"Okay text me when you get there" I said before he hung up the call