168 Woke up (1/2)

When Ivan woke up the next morning he felt something warm and soft in his arms. It was an unusual but comfortable feeling, making him unwilling to wake up or move since he didn't want to lose this warmth. But his alarm was merciless. Its shrill wake up tone did its best to make sure that he couldn't pretend, not to hear it.

Together with the movement of the woman in his arms, he had no choice but to open his eyes. What greeted him was the beautiful face of Celine, who too had opened her eyes and was looking at him smilingly.

”Good morning.”, she greeted him in a soft voice.

”Morning.”, Ivan responded while the images of yesterday started to float up inside his mind.

Yesterday after the much longer shower than necessary, they had moved onto the bed and continued. Only when they both had felt completely satisfied, they had fallen asleep in each other arms. It had been the most enjoyable thing he had ever experienced and if not for the alarm telling him that he had to get up to go to school, then he surely would have gone for another round this morning. Instead, he had to reluctantly let go of the woman in his arms and get up from the bed.

”Continue sleeping.”, he then told her, ”I have to school, but you should rest some more.”

She smiled happily at his caring words. But she shook her head too. ”No, I have to get up as well. Lara told me that she would come back this Saturday and I'm planning to throw her a party then.”

”Huh? How come she didn't tell me?”, he said in surprise. He had talked to her nearly every day and while he knew that they had progressed well, she hadn't informed him that they would be back so soon.

”I think she wanted to surprise you.”, Celine chuckled.

”Then is it alright for you to tell me about it?”

”If I didn't, then how could we throw her a welcome back party? Although I can contact most people you know, I would have to do it through others, so I think it would be better if you would help me.”

”Sure.”, he readily agreed. He liked the idea of throwing a party for Lara's successful dungeon exploration. While talking to her lately, he had realized how happy she was to go adventuring again. She seemed to be more alive and active. Something he really liked to see.

”So what do you have planned?”

”Nothing too special. I thought we would just invite those we are close to and hold a small party here at the villa.”

The idea sounded good to him. Neither he nor Lara was the type who would enjoy big parties. A more familiar setting would be more comfortable for them.

”Sounds like a great idea.”, he readily agreed and then asked, ”So how can I help?”

”I can do most of the work, but it would be helpful if you could invite some of your friends, your mentor, and your master. ” Celine told him. It was just as he expected. She was always very well organized and willing to take matters into her own hands. He also wasn't surprised by the people she had mentioned. In fact, they were just about anyone he knew, that she wasn't that close to. He wasn't sure, but he thought that she had met Lara's family more often than him, with the exception of Carl.

”Then I'll do that today. Just send me the relevant information, so I can give it to them.”

”Great.”

Having finished the topic, Ivan made his way into the bathroom, to take a short shower and get dressed.

”Do you want me to join you?”, Celine asked cheekily but Ivan hurriedly rejected her. If she really did, then there was no way, that he would be at school in time.

After he had finished, he asked Celine if he should wait for her to which she agreed. She wasn't the type who would usually need a long time in the bathroom, so they soon were going downstairs to the kitchen.

”Let me prepare the breakfast.”, she offered, while indicating for him to sit down and wait for her.

”No, we can just do it together.”

”So you know how to prepare breakfast?”, she asked him while lifting an eyebrow questioningly.

He felt embarrassed at her question because he truly never had prepared breakfast. The only thing even remotely similar was when he had prepared food while being in the wilderness and that had been in a completely different setting.

”I can learn?”, he said tentatively.

She looked suspicious but agreed, ”Alright. Then let's just make something simple.”

And something simple they made. Just some bread and bacon and eggs. So there was little he could ruin. And it was done quickly, which was necessary since he didn't have much time.

After breakfast, he then said goodbye and went to school.

He hadn't reached the school gate yet when his phone signaled that he had a new message. It was the information concerning the party. Just the time and that everyone could wear casual clothes. He responded with a short notice that he had received the information.