That first step…
where should it be?”
Chapter 17
the Speed, the Timer, and the Hurdle
the Speed
“GABRIEL? Wait, did you just slept here? Outside?”
“Oh, hey! Hi.”
Gabriel stood up from sitting on the gutter and did a little stretching. His eyes are half-open. “You’re on your pajamas. You don’t have shooting today?”
“I just had a day off after a long time. But wait, why are you sitting here instead of pressing the door bell? Since when were you here?”
“Last night I guess? I think I was drunk.”
“What are you saying? You always stop after your first can.” Laisa stepped near Gabriel and smelled his breath. She froze for a second but snapped right away. “And I don’t smell alcohol in you.”
“I didn’t drank a single drop, but I feel wasted.”
“What are you saying?” Laisa continued to drag the bag of garbage she went outside for. She placed it carefully next to other garbage bags. “Come. Let’s have breakfast.”
“What are you planning to have for breakfast?”
“Well, cereals?”
“You’ve been eating cereals?”
“Yeah, I have to watch my weight.”
“What? You don’t gain weight!”
“That’s why come inside and cook me breakfast.”
Laisa sighed holding the gate. Gabriel look hesitant for a second, but he still ended up following Laisa to her house.
“So, what are you doing outside my house?”
Laisa proceeded to the kitchen and washed her hands on the sink. Gabriel followed him quietly and surveyed her fridge.
“You know, we left your mansion together. You left to live here, why I left to look for a cheap apartment and eventually found that place I’m living at. But if you think of it…” Gabriel started taking out ingredients. Laisa figured he’s making her sandwiches and smoothies. “I actually haven’t paid an actual visit here. I became curious how your house looks inside.”
“What are you doing? I want to eat rice! And you became curious after 5 years? What a great excuse.”
“Okay. I know you won’t buy that. Then let’s just say I came here to cook you breakfast.” Gabriel threw her a side glance. “And let’s have sandwiches instead.”
“You must have want to leave earlier.”
Both went quiet to the point only the sizzling oil on the pan can be heard on the place. Laisa took her now done drip coffee and started sipping it. “How are you?”
Gabriel took a side glance on her, this time longer. She looked like who wanted to curse but stopped herself since it’s still early in the morning. It’s never good to start a day with a curse word. We should greet each other with a good morning. Laisa’s life motto went like that once. Just to inform.
“I can’t believe I asked you first. I finally lost the ounce of my self-respect left.”
“It’s fine. I just won’t answer that.” Gabriel faced her. Their eyes met after a long time. “I missed you.”
YOU ARE READING
Love, Pour on Me
RomanceA story of 3 different individuals in their late-20's and their views on love. Gabriel Alejandro is a first-year fiction novel editor. Though he is an attractive man, he is single and is only interested in fictional novels and how to pay his overdue...
