Chapter 8

I STEPPED INTO MY APARTMENT, surprised to see everywhere dark but then again it's my birthday, I knew this was not ordinary. As I switch on the lights I find a bunch of people in my living room scream "happy birthday Claire". I wasn't surprised at all, Rebecca does this every year so I kinda know what to expect. I acted shocked cause I didn't want them thinking I wasn't surprised.

" mom?!" I see my mum walk out to me with open arms.

"Happy birthday my darling" she pulled me into a tight embrace. "Can't believe you're thirty already, makes me feel old."

"No mum, fifty-two isn't old, it's totally the start of life and you don't even look it, you look more like my age" I kiss her cheeks. "I'm so glad you came down here".

" I wouldn't miss it for anything, your dad couldn't make it but he sends his wishes"

"You being here feels like I have both of you present"

"Happy birthday bestie, " Rebecca placed a happy birthday cap on my head.

"Where'd did you get all these people beccs?" I realized I didn't know half the crowd in my living room.

"Well, I invited strippers, guys that once crushed on you, guys that are still crushing on you, girls who just want to have fun and guess what!"

"At this point, nothing would surprise me"

"Well you will be, trust me, it's in your room"

"My room? Presents?"

"Yea a big one, but that is after you are drunk, been strip teased, only then are you allowed to go in there. And don't worry, no one, not even your mum knows I kept the present there, the door is locked, I'll give you the keys once you're wasted"

"But..."

"Time to get the party started!" She started playing disco songs from her phone connected to my apartment blue tooth stereo.

I Walked around my living avoiding a lot of people. I am not ready to chat with people I don't know. Rebecca is officially the craziest friend ever. Strippers? I didn't see that coming. I tried searching for my mum and then I saw her having a conversation with strangers in my house. The lights in my living room suddenly went dark leaving only the disco light on. I suddenly felt an arm around my neck. I turned to see who. Strippers. Solid-body strippers just how I like them. The three of them only had white underpants on, brown-skinned and handsome. Rebecca made a good choice. They stand in front of me doing all the striptease thingy. Maybe I should relax and enjoy this. Rebecca brought shots and I drank five of it immediately. My throat burned, reacting to the liquor. I was finally in the mood to party. I trailed each of their abs and v line torso in amusement. It made me wish Damon was here, I want to see him look at me while I flirt with not one but three guys, then he'd punish me afterward for that, by fucking me to the brim.

I took more shots and became the stripper myself, except the stripping. I gave the strippers a lap dance. This scenario briefly reminded me of the old me. I was drunk on the highest but still sane. Knowing I've had enough I walk up to Rebecca to ask for my keys. I've done all that there's to do in the ritual. Cut the cake, make a wish, had fun with strippers, danced like a deranged animal and etc.

"Hey, thanks for all of this beccs, I really appreciate it"

"You're welcome bestie"

Unlike me, she wasn't high or even tipsy in the slightest.

"I'm heading in"

She handed me the key to my room from her bag.

"Tell my mum she can sleep in..."

"I already planned all of that, go get your present"

I was kinda ecstatic to know what Rebecca has in store for me, I hope it's not another stripper.

I open the door then walk into my darkroom. I closed the door before turning on the lights. And when I did, I saw rose petals on the floor, on my bed and the most gorgeous man on earth, totally naked on my mattress. Damon. just the sight of him made my sex wet.

I launched my self in his arms.

"You totally made me believe you were going back home," I said in between hungry kisses.

"I meant it when I said I want to spend your day with you"

"Was this Rebecca's plan or yours?"

"Both actually"

"I love you"

"I love you too Mrs. Ice"

"Now this is a good way to wrap up my birthday"

I took off my jeans and T-shirt and everything I had on until I was naked like him. I crawled on top of him and felt his skin react to the contact. His erection was slowly rising.

"I see you want me just as much as I want you champ" I stare at his continuous rising cock.

"It can't get enough of you wifey"

My eyes flutter shut as I hungrily kiss him, I growl, settling him between my thighs, I grab his cock, teasingly rubbing it over my wet clit.

"You are amazing," he says breathlessly.

He rolls on top of me, trapping me beneath him.

"This doesn't change the fact that you're sleeping over at my place tomorrow angel, I have one more surprise for you"

"There's more? You don't have to.."

"I want to. Whatever it takes"

"You already have my love, you've made your way in"

"Let me do more"

My fingernails dig into his spine as he slides his hand between my thighs, gently stroking my soaked lips.

"You are so wet for me angel"

"Looking at you does that, you have my body under your spell"

"And I intend to keep that forever"

His mouth covers mine again, his tongue delving deep as his hands grip my waist to an arc. I spread my legs apart ready for him.

"Fuck" he exhales the word

My entire body begins to quiver with electric pulses once he slid his cock inside me. We moved rhythmically as I wrap my legs around him. I kiss him deeper, my fingers In his hair, his hands still gripping my waist hard. I play with my nipples.

"You want me there" he didn't wait for me to reply before feasting on my nipples. Manhandling it just the way I like it. I let my hands roam all over his huge muscles, my tits burned in pleasure making me beg for more.

He kissed me like a deranged animal and I loved the fact that he knew when to be gentle and when to be rough. Cause I like them both. He increased the pace of his thrust, reaching every corner of my sex. I tilt my head slightly to deepen the kiss, his lips exploring my mouth, his cock exploring the inside of me, his hands on my tits.  He stares into my eyes with a lusty gaze that could melt a glacier in a heartbeat, then pulls in for more. The solidity of his body is incredibly powerful. I was on the verge of my release and he knew it. He gripped my hands tight against the headboard, making each thrust count until we collapsed. We kissed on our way down the climax.

"You're driving me nuts angel" he kissed my forehead.

"And so are you champ."

"Let's get you cleaned up"

This was the best birthday in 10 years.

I WOKE UP TO THE SOUND OF DAMON'S BREATHING, he looks so calm, innocent and baby-like. It was seven in the morning and I decided to quickly run through Ari's assistant mail to me. Denika gives me weekly reports every Friday. I basically got Ari jobs and attended few classy functions with her like tomorrow's black-tie event for movie stars and the ASMAs but Denika is always with her. Going with her to interviews, shoots and the likes. I was happy that the NOVA shoot was a success coupled with the excellent turn out of her itch free interview with Sunrise TV. *keep up the good work, don't tell her this yet, I want to tell her tomorrow instead, i got her the lead role. Send her my regards and thank you * I shut my laptop then head to my living room. I was shocked to see it extremely spotless. God! I love Rebecca, she knows I hate dirt and managed to get everyone out and made my place tidy. I have no idea how she did that. I saw a note on the center table.

*hey, I'm sure you enjoyed your night and that the last present totally aced your day, I'm driving your mum to the airport, her plane leaves at nine. Call her when you can. Xo*

I fix myself a cup of coffee before heading back to my room.

I decided to reply to birthday text messages from a couple of people at work. Nick inclusive. I saw the wristwatch he wrapped for me on my desk but didn't get the chance to say thank you in person cause i had plans with Damon. I slept off, snuggled under his arms, feeling his breath over my head.

"WHEN DID THE NIGHTMARES START?" Forty-five years old Dr. Grace said.

It felt weird talking to a stranger about my dreams, the only person i trusted with that was Rebecca and Damon.

"Two years ago"

"Do you know what triggered it?" Her voice was calm and soothing.

"I was going through a bad phase before then and it sorta started" i wrapped my hands together in anxiety.

"Damon told me you sleepwalk" She leaned forward and i simply nod.

"How often does that happen?"

"It stopped and i thought it was gone until recently" i felt my hands shaking

"I think the nightmare drew it back"

"I lost my daughter recently"

"Are the dreams related to her?"

"Yes"

I summoned the courage to ask her this

"Is it really possible to kill myself or hurt someone while I'm sleepwalking? I brace myself for the ugly truth.

"There are several cases of homicidal and suicidal cases, so, it's very possible to harm yourself or someone close to you. Have you been any of those?"

"I slit my wrist years back but my friend came to my rescue before the worst happened, other times she was there to stop me before i do anything to myself. Damon witnessed once."

Reality struck me, how am i supposed to sleep in the same bed with Damon when it's not safe. What if i kill him? I fight back my tears but they came running down.

"Don't cry Claire, it can't be cured but can be subdued with close medical attention, very few sleep who sleepwalk end up dead."

I don't know if that's supposed to make me feel better, i didn't beg for this, how the hell did i end up sleepwalking. Why! Just when i thought i had it going good with my life, something bad pops up. The session ended and i didn't feel better. No one is safe around me. My best friend and my...boyfriend, they are in danger and they don't even know it. I walked into the lobby oblivious of Damon's presence. I stepped outside and he circles my waist with his arms.

"Hey, what's wrong? You look like a ghost"

I didn't say a word in the car.

"What's wrong Claire?" His voice is laced with concern and i couldn't help breaking the silence.

"Let's break up" i sniffle

"Why do you always say that word like it's nothing?" He straightened

"It's something to me, Damon because i need to protect you! It's for your own good, don't argue with me and just leave me alone, leave me alone Damon!"  I shouted, tears streaming down my eyes

"Don't shut me out Claire, let me in" he placed his palm on mine "let us fight this together"

"This is not a game on TV Damon, let me go, go back to your perfect life, I'm too messed up for you and i can't recover, my daughter was..." I stopped halfway

"Your daughter?" He leaned forward.

"Stop the car Thomas, stop the car!"  I stepped out of the car into the dark rainy atmosphere.

"You can trust me, Claire, i love you"

"Love is not enough Damon, it can't cure me"

"Let me try, give me a fucking chance to try Claire"

I hurried back to kiss him hard, soaked from the rain.

"I love you so much but i need to make sure you're safe first, i need to think thoroughly about this"

I walked away.

DAMON

I STARED AT HER UNTIL SHE DISAPPEARED OUT

of sight. She's hurting and i fucking hate the fact that she wouldn't let me in. Space? I'm not going to fucking give her space. Protect me? From what? Her sleepwalking? Does she think she's going to hurt me?  The only way we can survive this faze is if we work together. I love her, with or without her demons. She's my other half and she needs to get that into her stubborn head that she can't get rid of me, ever.

CLAIRE

IT TOOK EVERY OUNCE of energy to make it to the black-tie event with Ari. I didn't want to come considering the whole Damon and I fight, but then, i love Ari and tonight is one of the nights she gets to meet the higher-ups in the game. I watched Ari pose on the red carpet looking stunning as ever in her outfit.

We went inside and i took her to meet some of the shot callers.

"You are a promising lady Ari, Ice agency has the best talents signed,"  Tyler said in his husky middle-aged voice.

"Thank you, enjoy the rest of the event," i said, motioning Ari to our spot.

"Before i forget, i have a surprise for you "

"Can i date Fred now?" She beamed at me.

"Don't be silly, you know you can date whoever you want, just don't be a slut. That's not the surprise. I got you the lead"

"OMG," she covered her mouth afterward kissing my entire face.

"We are in public Ari" i jokingly said

"I don't care, you are amazing Claire, Thank you so much"

"You deser..." Something i saw cut me off.

My body froze seeing Damon link arms with Megan. They are both exchanging affectionate expressions and it made my blood boil. He didn't even mention it to me that he'll be attending this event but then again, i didn't tell him too. He already got back with Megan barely twenty-four hours since i spaced out? I suddenly regret coming here. I don't blame him for getting back with Megan, in fact, I'm happy he did but why do i feel so hurt. They kissed each other in front of everyone, i could tell from their eyes they loved each other. They are a perfect fit.

"They are so perfect for each other" Ari found my gaze settling on them.

"I need to use the restroom" i saw them kiss again and Damon's eyes meet mine sending me into a frenzy. I head outside instead.

*something urgent came up sweetie, i need to go, Greg will take you back home* i texted Ari.

DAMON

I STARE AT MY REFLECTION regretting what I'd done, Megan kept kissing me off guard and now Claire will think otherwise. I messed up again. It's one in the morning and she's not picking my calls. Part of me wanted to drive to her place but i don't want her to get mad. I walk back to the living room, i finally sat down after pacing back and forth for minutes.

THE SOUND FROM MY PHONE WOKE ME UP FROM THE COUCH, i picked without looking at the caller thinking it was Claire calling.

"It's not what you think Claire" i heard sobbing

"It's Rebecca Damon, she's in the hospital, it's bad Damon."

My chest started beating fast while i looked for my car keys.

"Tell me what happened Rebecca"

"She called me around ten that she wanted to talk, she didnt sound like it was important so i told her I'll be back after midnight cause i was on a date, it took longer than that and when i got to her apartment, i saw her lifeless on the floor. She slit her wrist and has lost a lot of blood, she's in a bad shape and Damon, she's pregnant"

My chest tightened. A baby. My baby. Don't you fucking die on my watch Claire, I won't allow it. I love you. I'm not one to cry but tears began to make their way down. I'm finally happy, i found my happiness. God, please keep her safe. I drove off like a lunatic from the driveway.