I awoke to the sunlight streaming through the open windows, the slight breeze brushing against the curtains.

I sat up, yawning and stretching my arms, feeling the empty bed beside me.

I glanced at where Kye normally slept, the covers moved and a vacant spot visible.

I took a sip of the water that I left on my night stand and got up to leave, my feet still aching as I walked down stairs.

The smell and sounds of cooking made my stomach rumble and my mouth water, the sizzling sounds making me walk faster.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw Kye, standing next to an old lady.

I watched as he laughed at her comment, his chuckles echoing around the room.

His hands were covered in flour, even his face and neck had bits and pieces of it too.

The lady handed him a spatula, allowing him to flip whatever was on the stove.

I continued to walk quietly, not wanting to disturb them.

But when Kye turned around, a smile still on his face, I watched his eyes soften, nudging the lady and whispering in her ear.

She giggled when she turned around to me, a loving smile directed towards me.

"You must be the girl Kye has told me all about," she said, rubbing her hands on her apron.

I glanced at Kye, who was back to flipping French toast.

"I'm Aliyah," I said, shaking her hand and smiling back to her.

"I'm Joanne," she said, "Kye's grandmother."

A sudden realization kicked in, and I recognized her from the party last night.

"It's nice to see you again," I said, the heat rushing to my cheeks, "I was so tired last night, I just couldn't keep up with everything."

"Nonsense," she smiled, "I understand."

"Have a seat," Kye mumbled toward me, his voice muffled by the sounds of the French toast cooking.

I sat down on the bar stool, thanking Joanne as she gave me a cup of coffee.

Then Kye came over, a plate in his hand filled with French toast and fruit.

"Wow," I said, "this looks really good."

I didn't waste anytime engulfing in the food, moaning into the fork as I devoured the fruit and toast.

"I'm going to take a nap," Kye's grandmother said yawning, "all that cooking has sure made me tired."

"Do you need any help?" Kye asked, walking over to her.

"No no boy, sit down with this pretty girl," she smiled, "I'll be alright."

"Okay," he said quietly, watching as she made her way down the hall.

Kye sat down next to me, grabbing a plate for himself and piling pieces of French toast and fruit as well.

"I didn't know you could cook," I said, stabbing a strawberry with my fork.

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me," he shrugged, his eyes fully trained on me as I moaned into the toast again.

"Like what?" I grumbled, finishing up my last piece.

"That I'm better at everything than you," he smirked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"That's mine," I hissed out, trying to snatch the cup away from him.

"Not anymore," he said, downing the rest of the cup.

"Jackass," I muttered, grabbing my plate and washing it.

The sudden body heat at my back made me suck in a deep breath, and Kye nudged me away.

"Don't worry about it," he said, grabbing my plate and washing it himself.

"No," I started, "I want to help."

"You're best to just stay away," he said quietly.

"Oh-" I whispered out, backing away. "Sorry I bother you so much," I spat.

I watched as he opened his mouth, and then he closed it, his eyes following me as I left the room.

I spent the rest of the day with his grandma, learning new ways to cook and to garden.

We started a flower garden in the back —not like I could keep care of it— but it was nice to spend time with her.

Soon it was sundown, and Kye took her home, leaving me alone in the house.

I walked to the bedroom, showering and changing quickly.

I looked through my drawers, not seeing any shirts to wear.

So I went to Kye's, pulling out a large black t-shirt and putting it on.

When I went to close it, my eyes snagged on something, a black box in the corner.

I pulled it out, opening it to reveal a diamond ring.

"Snooping around?" I heard someone say from behind me, making me jump.

"Don't sneak up on me like that Kye," I breathed, watching as he stepped closer to me, taking the box out of my hands.

"This was my grandmothers ring," he said quietly, opening the box again, "she wanted you to have it."

"Me?" I said, "it's only a fake marriage."

"That's what I said too, but she insisted."

He took the ring out of the box, grabbing my left hand softly and placing the ring on my ring finger.

"There," he whispered, "now it's official."

I took a deep breath, examining my hand, which was still being held my Kye's.

"Thank you," I breathed out, watching as he nodded and let my hand go.

He didn't say anything else as he got changed and sat in bed, waiting for me to join him.

"That shirt looks good on you," he said smirking, the first time I heard him joke in awhile.

I rolled my eyes, sitting in the bed beside him.

"Goodnight Kye," I said, laying down.

"Goodnight," he said, shutting off the lights.

"If you lose that ring I'll kill you," he whispered in my ear, turning over and laying down as well.

I slightly smiled to myself, running my finger over the diamond once more.