A Light in the Dark // Flicker Series Part I #wattys2019

Roses at Your Door

Chapter 32
Evie's POV //

I wake up the next morning in a sadly empty house. I immediately notice I have a headache that feels like what I remember to be a hangover, in spite of the fact that I didn't drink last night.

I drank a little every now and then through my early adult years, but when Jaxon started to abuse it and then after I saw the effects it had on him and subsequently us, it scared me and I haven't had a drink since the night we broke up.

But this raging headache isn't due to alcohol, it's due to tossing and turning in my bed and replaying the events that transpired the night before.

I dropped Niall off at his hotel last night, driving since he had been drinking. He was worried about me being alone last night, but I texted him when I had arrived safely at home, and immediately collapsed into bed and I don't remember anything after that.

I have no idea what time Nora came home, or if she came home at all. Even with as smitten as she and Beck are, It's not like her to go home with a guy ever so i'm sure she did come home.

After discovering a note next to the coffee pot, I find out that she did indeed come home last night but has already gone out for an early breakfast with Beck.

Honestly, I'm surprised either of them were up early enough for breakfast. If I feel this bad sober, I can only imagine how they are feeling after their countless celebratory drinks last night.

Last night.

Needless to say, after the dispute between Jaxon and I and the subsequent words that were exchanged between Niall and Jaxon, I was emotionally drained and not in the mood to party anymore.

I wanted nothing more than to come home, cuddle up in Niall's arms and let him melt the stress away. Unfortunately, he had an early meeting this morning and had to stay at his hotel last night.

He promised to call me to check on me this morning, and that we would meet up as soon as his meeting was over.

I stand in my kitchen watching the steam roll off of my fresh cup of coffee, and I over analyze every thing from last night. I re-live every word said, every thought had, every look that was exchanged between the three of us.

As my mind tortures me with this, i'm halfway through a sip of coffee when i'm pulled from my thoughts by the sound of the doorbell.

I open the door, still in my pajamas and robe, expecting to see Niall, but instead i'm greeted by a stranger holding a stunning arrangement of flowers.

"Evaline Michaels?" She blankly asks as I inwardly cringe at her mispronunciation of my name.

"Yes, that's me." I reply, embarrassed by the state that i'm in —fuzzy slippers, messy hair and all.

"Sign here please." The woman instructs. I do as i'm asked and then she hands over the beautiful blooms, lifelessly bidding me a 'good day' and scampering back to her delivery van.

I step back inside, pushing the door shut behind me and walking over to set the arrangement down on the coffee table.

I see a card poking out the top, so I take it, anxiously awaiting to see who this is from but already knowing the answer in my heart.

'Good morning, princess. I realized you would probably still be asleep, so I didn't call before my meeting because I wanted to let you rest. This is just a little something to congratulate you on all your hard work and to tell you how much I love you. These blooms are only a fraction as beautiful as you are, but let them put your mind at rest for a little while and I will see you at 11:00. xx Nialler

Ps. Do your remember what today is?'