Waking up the next morning, Áine looked around the room, finding herself in Amaru's bed. She looked to the left side of the bed, seeing him not there.

She yawned and rubbed her eyes, got out the bed. She walked to the adjoined bathroom and found her toothbrush she had over at his place.

She looked in the mirror and saw  her makeup was wiped off and clothes were changed. She didn't care that Amaru had changed her. They shower multiple times together on some days.

She ran the toothbrush under the water after squeezing a pea of toothpaste and brushed her teeth. She quickly walked to the toilet and peed.

When she was done she washed her hands and rinsed her mouth. Deciding to quickly shower, she hopped in and cleaned herself up.

Thoughts ran through her head about last night's dinner date. Ronan was her friend and that was never going to change. If he thought he stood a chance with her, then he was out of his damn mind.

And it wasn't because he had children with her enemy. It was just the dynamic of the situation and relationship. She wasn't going to be playing stepmother to no kids.

Washing off the shower gel off her body, Áine hopped out and wrapped a towel around her body. She walked towards the closet and grabbed clothes; Amaru's clothes. It was sweatpants and a t-shirt.

She grabbed his cocoa butter moisturizer and lathered the body butter on her body. When she was done,  she wore the clean clothes and headed to the kitchen for something to eat.

The smell of breakfast lingered in the air. It was her favorite; waffles. She walked into the kitchen and found Amaru with his MacBook in front of him, shirtless.

"Good morning ". She cheerily greeted him walking to the stove.

"Morning". Amaru dryly responded, barely paying attention to her. His focus was all on the MacBook in front of him.

"Are you still mad?". She asked, grabbing her food and taking a seat across from him on the kitchen island.

"Nope".

"Then why you being so dry?". She whined, looking at him and he still hadn't looked up.

"Just busy with work". He drawled out.

"Amaru..."She called out looking at him.

"What Áine?". He frustratedly questioned, still not looking at her

"Áine? You never call me that".

"What do you want?". He finally looked at her. His brows were furrowed showing he was annoyed.

"Damn". She pouted, feeling her throat all clogged up. Her feelings were hurt.

"Can we talk?". She asked him while stared at each other. Amaru scoffed, and closed his MacBook, giving her his undivided attention.

"Look I'm sorry about rocking here unannounced—". She started but Amaru smacked his lips, catching her attention.

"What's that for?". She asked, placing her hand on her chest. She really didn't like how Amaru was acting with her at the moment.

It was hurting her feelings how dismissive he was being with her.

"Why did you come here?". Amaru finally asked her. Áine could only stare with no explanation. She had no idea why she rocked up at his place.

"See? You can't give me solid reason as to why you came over here". He spurted out.

"That doesn't give you a reason to be mean to me". She sadly expressed.

"You know exactly why I'm acting this way! I don't have to spell it out to you". He scowled and grabbed his MacBook.

"We not done talking Amaru ". Áine told him.

"Well I'm done talking". He informed her, walking down the hallway and to his home office. Áine frustratedly sighed and looked down at her untouched food. She didn't even eat. She pushed away the plate of food and stood up following behind Amaru.

She barged into the office, causing the door to hit the wall. Amaru looked up, seeing a angry Áine.

"Don't be banging shit!". He growled at her, standing up. Áine stood in front of him with her arms folded on her chest.

"I will tear up this whole room if I want to!". She yelled back at him as well. Amaru looked at her with his brows furrowed. He looked down and shook his head, a low chuckle escaped his lips.

"I must be outta my gotdamn mind". He said to himself. It clicked to him why he was acting the way he was. He walked back to his chair and took a seat.

"Look Áine if you don't feel the same way, it ain't no problem. I ain't the type of man who is going to force you to feel the same way. I can take rejection quite well". He calmly explained, looking at her.

"Áine? Boy you know that ain't my name". She couldn't help but saying. She hated it when he called her by her name. It was either Ney or babygirl.

"That's all you got from what I just said?". He kissed his teeth , rolling his eyes.

"What did you expect me to say after that bombshell you dropped huh?". She questioned with her brows raised.

"Didn't expect you of all people to avoid me".

"You gotta understand that I don't get where the sudden feelings for me are coming from. Especially from you. First you, now  Ronan. I'm conf—".

"Who the fuck is Ronan?". Amaru interrupted with a mug on his face. Áine froze, while staring at him.

"W-what?". She stuttered, blinking back to reality. Amaru realized he sounded jealous, so he could a deep breathe and collected himself.

"Who is Ronan?". He calmly asked.

"A friend. A childhood friend". She clarified. She didn't why she did that but she felt the need to. There was nothing going on between them.

"Look, I'm not looking for a relationship and you know that. My last one didn't end so good. I'm still learning myself, still building myself up. Before I can be in a relationship, I want to it to be effortless ". She told Amaru who blankly stared at her after her whole speech.

"Like I said, I ain't the type of man to force a woman to be in a relationship, so you can be with whoever you want to be with". Amaru commented, opening up his MacBook and going back to this work. Áine sat and pouted all while she watched Amaru work.

Somewhere in her heart, she felt a pang of hurt and she didn't know or understand why.

°•°•°

Later that evening Áine was in her room, getting ready for bed. She had done her skincare routine for the night, dressed in cute  pajamas and candles lit around on her night stand.

She had music playing in the background that would put her to sleep in no time.

Her phone dinged, causing her to grab it. She saw Ronan's name plastered across the screen. She didn't want to answer but at the same time she was seeking attention.

She positioned the phone where he could see her face.

"Wassup beautiful ". Ronan stated flashing his pearly whites. Áine couldn't help but smile at how cute he looked. On his head, he had a durag and a nose ring in his left nostril.

"Hey Ro". She greeted backed.

"What you up to?". He questioned.

"I'm about to sleep". She responded.

"Girl what? It's only ten".

"I'm tired, especially after  last night".

"Yeah, it was wild", he chuckled, "you got in safe last night huh? Sorry I couldn't call to check up on you. I was busy with my kids  since last night". He informed her causing her to raise her brow in question but she didn't really ask.

"That's fine and yes I got in safe ".

"So is that where you live cause I asked myself why I was picking you up at your moms".

"No I do not live with my mom if that's what you asking. And that is a friend's place. He wanted to show me something".

"He?". Ronan asked, displaying a Soulja face.

"Yes he". Áine didn't have time to be lying to nobody about anything that's why she was letting him know.

"You got a problem with it?". She asked him, slightly yawning in the process.

"Nah, I ain't got no problem. As long he won't get in the way of my pursuing you". He said making her chuckle.

"Ronan are you actually serious? You still on about this?". She asked him.

"Áine I'm serious as a heartbeat. I want you. I want us to give this relationship a chance". He told her.

"No".

"No?".

"I'm not ready to be in a relationship. I already told you that".

Just a lil filler