(Listening : Bryan Adams ft. Melanie C - When You're Gone)
At first glance, the kitchen looked the same. No new appliances, no changes. I opened the fridge and sighed at how meticulously it was stocked with food and drinks. When would this man realize I didn't need this? As I closed the door, I noticed a note stuck on it and pulled it out curiously.
"Adonis said you're an amazing cook, so I couldn't resist and bought whatever I could find, Sugarflake. I thought you might want to prepare a nice feast with all this and invite ONLY me. You can invite the others too if you don't want to be rude—but don't invite that Teddy!.."
The rest of the note was scratched out like someone had yanked it away mid-sentence, but even that much was enough to make me laugh.
How this guy managed to be so sweet despite the blockheads around him, I had no idea—but he really was one of a kind. Looks like I'd accused Kerem unfairly.
I put the note back and checked the other cabinets. The snack cabinet was even more impressive than the fridge, especially when I saw dozens of my favorite chocolates. My eyes lit up. There was another note on top.
"A small precaution, in case you need fancy sentences when you're alone."
He'd basically bought out every chocolate aisle in Izmir and called it a small precaution. My fondness for Rüzgar was growing by the minute.
Smiling, I folded the note and slipped it into my pocket. With nothing left to check in the kitchen, it was time for the bedroom.
I opened the door and stepped inside, but despite the bright midday sun, the room was pitch dark. Confused, I looked toward the window.
Black curtains! The black curtains I'd been meaning to get forever but kept postponing out of laziness. That was actually brilliant.
I was about to walk toward the window to open them when a sudden light made me look up. I froze, hands flying to my mouth in shock.
"Oh my God!"
"Do you like it, Sunshine?"
I turned toward the whisper behind me, even more stunned.
"Kerem! You… but… how?.."
He laughed at my excitement.
"I came a bit before you. After what happened last time, I wanted to surprise you while you were here this time."
He raised his eyebrows expectantly.
"So? Do you like it?"
My eyes sparkled with joy as I jumped in place and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"'Like' doesn't even cover it. I love it! It's incredible."
I pulled back and looked up again. The projection on my ceiling showed the Northern Lights in my favorite colors, with stars shimmering brilliantly across the sky. I felt like a little kid, ready to squeal with happiness.
I don't think my smile had ever been this wide. Without taking my eyes off the ceiling, I asked,
"But how did you know? I never told anyone."
"One of the books you were looking at in the bookstore had a picture of it on the cover. When I saw you staring at it in awe for minutes, it wasn't hard to figure out you loved the Northern Lights."
I giggled and turned to him.
"I actually read that book as a kid, but I reread my favorite parts every time I see it. I never imagined that habit would turn into a surprise like this."
I stepped closer and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, Hotshot. This is one of the best gifts I've ever received."
He hugged me back.
"I'm glad you liked it, Sunshine."
When I stepped back, his phone rang. He glanced at it and silenced the call.
"I wish I could stay and enjoy this view with you longer, but I have to go. The guys are waiting."
I nodded, understanding. He kissed my cheek lightly.
"See you tonight."
After he left, I smiled faintly and sighed deeply once the door closed behind him.
In the past, I would've enjoyed having the house to myself, but now all I could think about was what the hell I was supposed to do alone in a house without him.
Since the day he told me the apartment was ready, I'd been trying to get used to the idea of being alone again. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the ache in my chest at the thought of not seeing him when I came home at night or woke up in the morning.
I'd tried reminding myself of how hurt I was during the days he ignored me and kept his distance, hoping it would help—but the sweet surprises, his funny stories over meals, the comments he made about guys I liked while watching shows together, and dozens of moments where I was simply happy beside him erased all those bad days instantly.
And now, all I wanted was an excuse to live together again—but unless a miracle happened, that wasn't possible. And that hurt even more.
Contrary to what he thought, my grumpiness wasn't because of the vacation—it was because our homemate days were over.
What I couldn't understand was why he'd brought up that "last night" idea in the first place. Our living arrangement was ending either way. What would one more night change?
Shaking my head with a tired sigh, I turned off the projector and headed for the door. Sitting around brooding like an owl wouldn't get me anywhere. I'd find out his reason when I went to see him tonight.