He's Hot - I'm Not

Chapter 05

CHAPTER 05

            I checked once more before I lock the door. I always double check before I leave the house in the morning. Keys, phone, organizer and bag. Good to go. I headed straight to the office to work on the next month’s lining with Hilary and Jeremy. After lunch I should go to the stores to find accessories for Frank’s campaign photo shoot. That is all for today’s plan so far.

            Everyone seems so busy today. Some clearing off for the last month’s deadlines, some working on current projects and some even setting deadlines for this month’s lining. Hilary is running around the whole building with project files while Jeremy kept arranging some title cards in an order.

            I helped them with the scheduling, line arrangements and the project proposals until it was 12 and headed out to grab something for lunch. Time flies faster when you really enjoy your food. By the time I was at Frank’s apartment it was 1.30.

            And now I’m waiting in the car until he comes out or at the very least, answer the phone which I’ve been calling for several good minutes. Either he left it somewhere or he is taking revenge for what happened yesterday. I walked into the apartment and knocked on his door. Waited few seconds in silence and knocked again. Still silence… “Frank! It’s me Mindy! Open the door!” I yelled at the door. Few minutes passed… anytime now. “Open up Frank. We are late!” after another few seconds, several loud bangs and angry stares of two nosy neighbors, the door finally opened. And here stands the Frank Epstein still dreaming, literary with eyes closed. And why is he still wearing the clothes from the other night? “Morning…” he mumbled. Am I mad at him? Give me a good reason not to be. Just one!

            “Not really. 2 pm is not morning in my book.” I calmly replied.

“Hmm” he mumbled while attempting to open his eyes.

            “Hung over?” I questioned raising an eyebrow.

            To which he replied “hmm” and went back into the house and fell onto the couch leaving the door open. Taking that as an invitation I entered. I couldn’t help looking around the apartment as it was very spacious and luxurious. Designed to suit the contemporary art and modern living its interior was decorated fabulously.

            “And I came home at 5 in the morning.” I heard him mumble again. As it was obvious, he had been sleeping on the couch. I knew that he is not a non-alcoholic. But I did not know he gets this drunk driven. For some strange reason it disappointed me. “Never took you for the drinking type.” I said looking away.

            “I’m not, the drinking type. Whatever that means.”

“Yeah I can see that.” I replied.

            “I told you! I. Don’t. Drink!” he glared at me and continued, “It’s just last night. I wasn’t myself… last night. That’s all.”

“Uh huh. Okay… so… um… are you coming now or not?” I asked, confused.

            After staring at the ceiling for a few good minutes in an awkward silence, “Give me a minute. I’ll get ready” he replied. And I waited.

                                                               ***

            By the time we finished going through store to store matching proper accessories, it was getting dark. After dropping Frank and going back, I realized that I had missed my tea time and how I desperately craved for one. So I decided to stop at the café on the way.

            Just as I entered the shop my phone started ring. It was Frank. This is the second time he is calling my cell phone, which he would and only would do if it was urgent. And I answered, “What is it?”