“You fumble.” Elle orotund.

“Why didn’t you involve the police? You, of all people, you are most opined. You could have called me at least to deal with him!”

“Exercise patience, crazy woman! You can’t even deal with your husband. Don’t blame me if he does otherwise.” I warned.

“Well, I was just joking.” Elle chuckled over the phone. “You used to be high-opined about men that give no fuck about women. Now, what happened?”

“I do not know, but that doesn’t mean I would have beaten him up even if he could if he wanted to. Perhaps I reckon he won’t try that again.”

“So, tell me about this mysterious man. How is he? You said he gave you his card. Are you going to call him?” Elle’s voice.

“Ugh! It took all the pride in me to do that. His name is Drake Benson. He has emerald green eyes and jet black hair mixed with stands of Grey. It beats me he’s quite charmed with his moderately tanned skin and height. Come to think of it, he’s good-looking, but he’s not my type.”

“Don’t tell me you’re falling for him already?” Elle could tell from just listening to my words.

‘I’m never descriptive about guys. Why am I this way now?’

“Look, let me relax before his mechanic calls me,” I told her, and then something popped into my mind. “What about Ryan? Hearing from him?”

“He came last night with a truck of roses, a basket of fruit, a heart full of poems, and an empty pocket.”

“Really? Wow, who knew he could be that romantic?”

“It surprised me. I couldn’t say no. Last night was epic!”

“Typical Ryan. It’s so unfortunate that he knows your weak points. And I imagine you ran into his arms and welcomed him back as usual?”

“Stop saying it like that, Ally. Our children were there, and I had no choice.”

“You always have a choice, Elle. Anyway, I respect your decision. I’ve concluded by employing Ryan.”

“Wow?!”

“Yes, he would work directly with Evelyn as my assistant manager. Tell him to see me first thing on Monday morning.” I sent my gaze to the piled files on my desk.
“This would be this only chance. Don’t forget, I don’t trust him, but I’m doing this because of you.”

“I promise he won’t disappoint. She blushed with excitement. God bless you, Ally. I’d inform him right away.”

“Okay, then. Bye now.”

“Bye.”

***

A Month Later,

9:00 p.m.

“Alexa Torres. He blushed. Only if I knew you were the one. I wouldn’t have acted that way the other day.” Drake told me.

“C’mon, I already told you to forget the past. Let bygones be bygones.” I pressed, placing my hand on his. With this, he held my hand and kissed it. I blushed, and we ended up staring into each other’s eyes intensely. Drake is serious about this relationship, and this is what I need.

“I hope you will tell me the charms you used on me I tripped for you so easily.”

“Do you want to know?” We shared eye contact, and I leaned closer till we were close enough.

“Yes.” he held onto my face, paying attention.

“It’s in your eyes. Because eyes are the windows to the soul.”

Drake softly chuckled at my joke. “You know I love you.”

“I remember the first day we met. Funny how time flies. It’s up to a month now, right?”

“Yes, it’s exactly one month today.” He answered. “And ever since, you refused to introduce me to your family. Like every time, it’s sorry, sorry, sorry? Or is there any other man in the picture?”

I rolled my eyes at his words. “Come on. What do you mean by Is there any other man in the picture? You know there’s no man in my life. I just want us to take our time. I don’t want us to rush anything and besides, you have not taken me to your house either. Or is there any other lady?”

He smiled at me and tenderly placed my hands on his lap.

“Just let me know before things get toxic between us. So there won’t be any hard feelings.” I warned.

“Wait, so you’re trying to give me the taste of my poison?” Drake kindly admitted.

“Yes.” I agreed.

“No, I know your trick. I would love to introduce you to Cassy, my daughter. She’s been dying to meet you like ever since I showed her your picture.”

“Really? So you showed her my picture?” my cheeks flushed from too much laughing.

“Yes, why won’t I? Cass could be anything. Sometimes, she could be my mother and I, her son. It’s funny how time flies.” Drake explained. “We should go on a date this weekend. Probably Saturday. I just feel that since we are adults, there’s no need to delay things. Do you have any plans for the weekend?”

“No, not at all. Let’s make it tomorrow since today is Friday night. It would be better that way. So, I have to go now. Time is far spent.” I gave an unfocused stare, peeping outside, around us.

“Can’t I sleep over?” He almost sounded like a child.

“Hahaha! Sleep over, where?” I tried not to laugh but drew him closer with my eyes glittering with sparks of joy. “No no no, come on. Leave.” I pressed. “I don’t want your daughter to be worried. I don’t want it to be like I’m the one who wants to turn you into a night crawler.”

“Cassy is a big girl. She can stay home, and care for herself, alone.” Glancing at each other, we smile slightly.

“Awwwn... The only thing more incredible than your smile is when you smile at me. You’re everything to me.”

“You’re so sweet with words.” I yawned mid-sentence. “You should be a poet.”

“Yes, I would, eventually. All because of you.” Drake inclined his face toward mine, with his hands by my sides. Placing a sweet, simple, and short open-mouth kiss on my lips. It felt soft and soothing. I wanted more, but I just had to leave. I didn’t want him to get used to it. Perhaps this is our first kiss. Our lips clicked apart with a smile. I felt the rush of helplessness while sinking into the warmth of his hand.

“So, be careful.” I pulled the door handle and stepped down. “My regards to Cass!”

I closed the door and bid him goodbye before walking into my house, which was a vast mansion. Drake drove out of the compound and I entered, feeling tired already. It’s been a long day.

I switched the key light in the living room off because I guessed others were in bed already.

“So... Is he your new boyfriend?”

The knocks of my heels stopped as I looked around, wondering who it was. It was a little dim. I couldn’t see clearly but that voice. Oh, I guess it was the mysterious boy living in my house again.

A smile spread on my lips when I confirmed he was the one.

I swallowed my breath. But this time, more were released than before. Especially now that I’m in a relationship.

“Since when do you care about my personal life?” I studied him with peripheral vision.

“Since the day we met, Alexa.”

“What do you care?” I wondered.

“I see the way he looks at you. I think he loves you.” Chase replied in earnest.

‘Was I dreaming? Did I just hear Chase? Blood soared into my ears, suddenly went deaf.’ I shook my head with enough force to dislodge the picture of understanding Chase from my mind’s eyes.

“You... You know?” my jaw dropped in the puzzlement.

“Yes. I bet now things would get more interesting.”

“What do you mean?” I frowned.

“I could see both of you from my window and it’s good to know you found someone who understands you and makes you smile. Have you ever thought about giving him a chance?”

“I thought you had a thing for me,” I asked. The concern in my voice was obvious.

“He is a better suitor than I am. I mean... There is nothing in my name. I want you to figure out yourself with him if it works out. You should make your own choices about whom to be with and who not to.” Chase hurriedly explained, and there was an awkward silence between us. I just stared at him as our eyes fixated on each other.

“Friends?” Chase offered me a hand. I looked at him, stunned and unsure.

Should I shake his hand or walk away?

“Friends,” I replied, shaking his hand.

“Good, I would be your friend, regardless.” Chase broke into one of his most charming smiles. “Let’s give him a chance and I hope you don’t forget that I need a chance, too.

Chase followed as he came up from behind.

“So, now that we’re friends. What should I help you with?” he raised.

“A massage, if possible.” I smiled.

Of course, I wish to prolong my time in semiprivacy with him. Someone I used to hide from.

“At your service, ma’am,” Chase answered as he kept in step with me till we got upstairs with me.

I opened the white door to my room and motioned him to get in.

“After you.” He offered. Grinning from ear to ear and obliged without missing a beat.

I stepped in, anyway. Not that I trust him completely, but I’m sure he won’t bite. Chase closed the door behind us while I proceeded into the bathroom to take a warm shower.

Chase waited patiently till I stride to my bed with only a towel on.

With olive, almond, coconut, and jojoba oils on my body. I laid flat on my stomach while he started rubbing the essential oils on his palms together, fast in friction. I lowered the towel with my mid-sized breast buried in the bed. It felt a little weird. My air conditioned room was cold enough to make any tired person doze off in an instant but, I still wanted this.

With my rested body on the bed, Chase started from the small of my back, working his way up to the sides of my arm. None of my maids can do this. I usually get my massage done in the spa, but this isn’t going badly.

“Have you done this before?” I murmured amidst the relaxing feeling.

Using his entire arms, elbows and forearms, a wave of relief wiped out all the stress and pain in me.

“Yes, but I’m not a professional. I used to massage my grandmother almost every night before going to bed. Especially her feet.” Chase pressed his knuckles with slow movements all over my arm and shoulders.

“What happened to her feet?” A sheepish look crossed my countenance. Though, I was half asleep.

“She could hardly work because of diabetes. She also struggled with asthma for so long, which made her sad and depressed. My Grandma would sit down crying sometimes.” He paused, as if being emotional, then he continued. “My grandmother would cry till morning.”

Smoothening, smitten, and stretching the back of my neck and shoulder blades.

“...What made her cry?” I raised an eyebrow.

“The pains. The pressure of living with sickness and poverty. But that was a little out of her problems.”

Just then, Chase noticed I was already asleep.

“You look so pretty when you sleep.” Chase whispered as he applied a little pressure to my spine. Tracing it upwards and downwards with both thumbs.

A soft sigh escaped him while he stopped.

Not knowing that I wasn’t asleep, Chase brought out his mobile phone and gently took a shot. A fulfilling smile spread out on his lips while he stood closer, still admiring.

It took a lot to act like this, but I stayed still.

“People cry, not because they are weak. But because they have been strong for too long. My grandmother was the strongest person I ever knew.”

He put his phone back in his side pocket and kept his gaze on me with my exposed body, slightly covered in the blanket.

“The human heart is a touchy subject. It’s the most delegate thing in our body and we give it away. And yet, we are surprised when somebody breaks it. I hope that won’t be your case, Alexa. Sweet dreams.” I felt his presence subdue as Chase disappeared behind the white closed door.

My heart beat faster with a sudden feeling of nervousness.

‘He must have gone, right?’ I lifted an eyelid before opening the other. ‘Pheew! That was close. For a moment, I thought he would do something bad.’

I took in a breath. Chase looks so different from when I first met him. As if he’s changed over night. I darted my eyes back and forth before locking up the door and opening my windows, as usual. I put on my nightdress and went back to sleep. This time, with the lights off.