When hope grows

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏

It's good to be somewhere away from my relatives. Somewhere they can't judge me, can't see me, and can't find me. I will always own Ivan a favor for what he did for me.

This bedroom seems abandoned. As Ivan said his sister had been staying here with him for the past five years but now she got engaged and stay in the house she and her fiancee built last year.

Only the necessary things are placed, which makes it relaxed for the eye. I haven't left this room since the moment Ivan showed it to me. All I wanted was for my family was to leave me alone and now that I finally am I don't want to ruin it. I'm away and somehow I feel calmer, a hot shower is the best thing I could give myself to calm my body and mind after the stressful day I had. I was in a dilemma as to whether I should go to Nathan for help. We cut things off and I don't need him in my life anymore. I think I made the right decision of choosing to be here instead of Nathans's apartment which is familiar to me. I need to be in distance from the things and people that hurt me in the past.

This room contains a private bathroom on it which means that I will have my personal space tonight. The thought of having Ivan, my second boss, accidentally seeing me with a towel was what I was fearing the most when I decide to take up his offer. The whole situation is complicated but cohabitation brings it to another level.

To my surprise, some shampoos are positioned in the corner shelf shampoo storage so I strip down from my work clothes and get in the shower. This shower is designed with the epitome of technology in it. It has a touch screen control thermostat display. I press for it to let the water run but it doesn't.

"Ivan" I yell at him and I hear him crack the bedroom door open so I rush to lock the bathroom's door before he can enter.

He tries to come in. "I'm inside with...um nothing" I hurry to inform him.

"Okay...that's good to know. How can I... help?" Hearing his response makes me realize that what I said to him sounded cunning and lewd.

"No um, I set it wrong. I mean that you can't enter the bathroom because I'm...naked" I can't believe I'm having this conversation with him. "Anyway I think the shower has some problem"

"What kind of problem?"

"I'm not sure the water doesn't run" I explain as I press the digital valve shower controller again.

"Grab a towel and let me come inside to see" it's not like he hasn't seen my body without clothes but I'm thankful that he doesn't remind me of it. His respect for me impresses me every time.

I unlock the door and let him in. At first, his eyes roam my figure. And so do mine. He let go of the tuxedo he was wearing at work and now he is with an ordinary t-shirt and sweatpants. He is strangely casual. I haven't seen him like this before.

This is the most awkward thing in the world. I take the fabric on my fist, being sure that it won't leave my body. His glare brings fire to my body and I don't like my reaction to him. He is the first who collects himself and walks in to fix the problem.

"I don't know how this damn thing works. My sister installed it here I'm a more traditional guy when it comes to these things" he continues to tap some commands on the screen but still nothing.

He takes out his phone and dials someone's number. "Hey, could you tell me how that bullshit on your bathroom works?" He utters profanity to his sister, I guess.

"Just some friend" he shyly answers and turns his face away from me. Yes, friend. Friends who hooked up in the past.

"I tapped it"

"When did that broke?" Is it broken? So I guess I will have to shower somewhere else? Where? In Ivan's bathroom? This is getting more and more awkward.
"No I don't remember you saying to call him" he throws back at her and without a goodbye, he ends his call.