Thirty and Single.

Chapter 7.

A week passed without me talking to Colton. Every time I tried my best to avoid him. I was at home relaxed and watching TV suddenly I heard someone knocking on my door. I went and opened the door. He was there looking so handsome in his white T-shirt and some khaki shorts. I wanted to close it but it was too late.

"Genesis, I know you have been avoiding me." He said. Yes! It's true. I have been avoiding you. "Uh...hi Colton." I said.

"Hi Genesis. Please can I come in?" He asked.

"Uh...yeah! Please come in." I told him and he walked in and we sat in the living room. After an awkward moment of silence he asked "Why are you avoiding me?"

"I...I am not avoiding you. It's just...it's just that I was busy with work. I have this...Uh...this article that I...I...I am supposed to publish and it's....it's keeping me really really busy." I lied.

He chuckled and said "You're really bad at lying."

Shoot! How did he know I was lying?

"You stammered a lot. I knew exactly you made up all that. Um...Genesis, I am aware that you like me." When he said that my heart did somersaults.

"And I like you too." I felt a but coming. "But as a friend." There it was! "I know you have been going to dates and looking for the perfect guy. I...I am not that perfect guy Genesis. I have so many flaws and I am not good with relationships. I will break your heart."

After him saying all that my heart was already broken. How many times does he want to break it? I felt tears in my eyes but I couldn't cry in front of him. I had to be strong.

"Um...it's...it's alright. I totally understand you." I told him politely trying to hide my shaky voice.

He took a deep breath and said "I am so glad you understand Genesis. I do believe you'll soon find your soulmate."

I just smiled falsely.

"Friends?" He asked.

I swallowed hard and said "Yeah, friends."

He smiled at me and said "Uh, I have to go now. See you soon Genesis." Then he left. I locked my door and sat on the floor. I couldn't hold my tears anymore. I cried so hard. How dare he come to my house and friend zone me? And he looked just fine! Didn't he think he was hurting me? I hate men! I continued crying and crying. I felt really sad. I felt like maybe I was cursed or something.

I called my mom and told her everything. "Hush baby girl. Maybe he wasn't meant for you. You'll get your soulmate soon."

"Please mom, stop with the soulmate shit!"

"Okay darling. I am sorry. Get some rest, drink plenty of water and focus on your job. The time when you don't expect someone to come."

"I don't need that someone anymore! I have made up my mind."

"Oooh, okay baby. Whatever you say. Eat some dinner and get some rest. Tomorrow is another day. Good night. I love you."

"I love you too mom. Good night."

I forced myself to eat dinner then went to bed. The next day I called in sick and just stayed at home. I ordered for takeouts and focused on work just like my mom told me. Around midday I heard a knock on my door. I knew exactly who it was. I didn't get the door.

I kept my phone on flight mode so that I didn't talk to anyone. I don't know how sleep took me. I was woken up by a loud pound on my door. I rushed to the door and opened it. Thank God it was Brooklyn.

"Genesis are you alright? I called you several times but your phone wasn't available." She said with so much concern when I opened the door.

"I am fine. Please come in."

"Uh...what happened here?"

My living room was a mess. "Nothing, I was just trying to work on that new story."

"I thought you were sick. Aren't you supposed to be in bed?"

I looked at her and I found myself crying. "Oooh sweetie. What's wrong?" She asked.

I told her the whole Colton story. "I am sorry love. I think he isn't meant for you."

"But...but I really like him. We...have so much in common." I said in sobs. She pulled me into a hug. I don't know for how long we hugged but I really needed that hug.

"Oooh, I almost forgot. There's a new guy at the office. His name is Corey. He seems nice. I think you guys should be friends." Brooklyn said. I think she was trying to lighten up my mood.

"Uh, I am not sure if I can now be friends with the opposite gender." I honestly told her.

"Ooh. I get it." She said that and we continued talking about other things. She cooked me dinner then left. Before I went to bed I found myself peeping Colton's house through my window. His lights were off. I think he is sleeping. I did my skincare routine and went to bed.

*****

The next morning I was walking to my car then I met Colton. I think he was coming from jogging because his tank top was covered in sweat. I don't know why but I found it sexy. "Good morning Genesis." He said with a smile.

"Good morning Colton."

"Are you alright? Yesterday you didn't go to work. I knocked on your door but you never opened."

Oooh so he has been watching me.

"Uh...I am fine. I guess sleep took me off. I didn't hear you knocking."

"Okay. I am glad you are fine. Have a great day at work and that dress looks really good on you." He said with a smirk and walked to his house. I found myself smiling the whole way to my office.

"Wow! Today somebody is in a good mood." Brooklyn said when I got in the office. I didn't realize I was still smiling. "Good morning to you too Brooklyn." She chuckled and said "That dress is so pretty." I smiled widely and said "Thank you."

I sat behind my desk and turned on my desktop. It was really acting weird. "Um, Brooklyn I think my desktop isn't working." I told her. She looked at me and smiled then said "Worry out." She picked her phone and called someone.

A few minutes later a good looking man walked into our office. His hair was jet black, he had these beautiful brown eyes and a beard. He looked at Brooklyn and smiled at her then he looked at me. He had the most beautiful face. He smiled. He smiled at me! Then gazed at Brooklyn. "Hi Brooklyn, you said your desktop was acting up?" He asked.

"Um...actually it's my friend's desktop that is acting up." When she told him that he turned to look at me. "Hey, I am Corey, the new guy from the IT department." He introduced himself with a perfect smile.

"Hello. I am Genesis." I said. "Beautiful name for a beautiful lady." I found myself blushing. He came to my desk and checked on my desktop. "Uh, your desktop needs a new updated software." He told me.

"Alright. I hope it won't take long updating it. I have some work to do." I said.

"Worry out." He told me and started fixing it. I decided to leave him so that he can do his job. I went to get some coffee. I was surprised to see Colton talking to Quinn. He looked to where I was and our eyes met. He smiled at me which made Quinn look. I grabbed my coffee and went to the break room. After an hour I went back to my office.

"I am done! Your desktop is as brand as new!" Corey told me when I got in. "Thank you so much Corey." I thanked him and he left.

"Aww, I think Corey likes you!" Brooklyn said. "Nope! That's not true." I told her. "Didn't you see the way he looked at you?" She asked. "Um...how did he look at me?"

"He looked at you like he wanted you, which was so sexy." She said with a smile. I chuckled and said "You're just imagining things."