Love Through Pain by Ancelli Page B

stepped into his home.
    Jazmine could feel her heart speeding up as he gently set her down on the wooden floor. Javier still had his hands around her waist. She stepped back, breaking their connection and looked around the living room.
    The walls were painted in olive green with beige trimmings. In the middle of the room, he had a brown, suede sofa, two matching recliners, and a mahogany center table with two small vases. A flat TV was mounted on the wall above a glass fireplace.  There were shelves on the right with his military coins and pictures of his Chief Petty Officer pinning. There were plants in every corner of the room. She could see the kitchen from where she was standing; it had all stainless steal appliances, and the stove was mounted in the middle of the island.
    I’m going to enjoy cooking, she thought, smiling.
    He took her hand and gently pulled. “Let me give you a tour.”
    They strolled over to his dining room. The walls were decorated in dark colors. The elegant table seated six, and in the middle, there was a bowl of fake fruits. On the wall there were two flags; one was a painting of an American flag and the other only had one star.
    “What flag is that?” She pointed at the one she didn’t recognize.
    “Really!” He smirked. “It’s the Puerto Rican flag.”
    “Oh.”
    “Come on, let me show you where you’ll be sleeping.” He grabbed her hand and strolled out the room.
    She followed, glancing at the pictures on the wall along the hallway. She pulled back, touching the frames with her fingertips.
    “Which one are you?” She pointed at the picture of two boys.
    “That’s me.” He pointed to the boy on the left . “And that’s my older brother, Jose.”
    She kept looking at the pictures.
    “That’s my abuelito y abuelita.” He continued to the door.
    “That means your grandfather and grandmother .” She excitedly grinned, happy that she remembered something she learned in Spanish class.
    He chuckled. “Yes, I need to give you some of my language lessons .” He moved ahead of her, opening the door to a bedroom.
    Jazmine passed by him and entered. She was in bedroom heaven ; a blue comforter covered a California King sized bed with about eight pillows. The walls were decorated in blue, and beige colors. As she entered, her feet sunk into the plush rug. There was an office space toward the right corner, with a desktop and printer. Exactly what she needed to do her work.
    “Your house is lovely .” Her fingertips touched the wooden post on the bed.
    “Thank you .” He bent, picking up a pillow off the floor and placing it at the end of the bed. “I’m going to go get your things, make yourself comfortable.” He opened the door, leaving her in the room.
    She strolled into the bathroom, observing her surroundings. It didn’t have a bathtub, but the shower was huge with a sitting area. 
    “It’s not too big.” He’d startled her. Jazmine hadn’t heard him return. Maybe it was the soft rug.
    “It’ s good enough.”
    “We’ll be sharing the bathroom.” Javier stood , framing the door with his hands on either side.
    Surprised, s he turned around, putting her hands on her hips. “What?”
    “I only have one bathroom.”
    “What about the other room?”
    “This house only has one bedroom.”
    She raised her brow.
    He laughed . “You’re staying in here, and I’ll be sleeping in the living room.”
    “Javy , no. This is your home. I’ll sleep out there.”
    “What kind of man would let a pregnant woman sleep on a sofa?” She went to say something, and he lifted his index finger. “The decision has already been made.”
    “Aren’t you going need another bedroom soon?” She pointed at her stomach.
    “I’m transferring in six months ; I’ll get a bigger place then.”
    Jazmine stared at him, and she wanted to ask him where he was moving to, but decided against it. This way, it would be much easier to let go and move on.
    “I’ll leave you to do whatever