The Translator

Chapter twelve.

My first week in clinical went well. Everyday Sebastian texted me. Every night we spoke on the phone about how our day went. He was supportive and caring. There was very little sexual banter between Sebastian and I, which was both sad and surprising. I did my best to concentrate all my mental efforts on my schoolwork. I got myself into a routine. Sebastian's texts always served to elevate my mood. Everyday i texted him that i missed him and that I could not wait to see him again. I felt as though I was in a long distance relationship. I really wanted to see Sebastian even if it was only for a few hours on one of my days off. As I was leaving the hospital with my clinical group celebrating the weekend, I heard someone calling my name from a distance.

"Asteria!" a male voice called.

"Joel?" I said turning around.

"How have you been? How's cardiology treating you?" Joel said sounding excited

"Really good" I said "I think that i was just psyching myself out about it. I quite like it. How is Plastics?"

"Heavy at times" He admitted "not as many Boob jobs and tummy tucks as i thought. Mostly wound dressings and tubes"

"Boob jobs?" i giggled "i didn't think you would take Plastics to see that stuff"

"Why cause i'm a bit of a fruit Miss Prince?" He laughed correcting his posture.

"You said it not me" I joked back "Just didn't think it interested you"

"Better than medicine" he said

Joel was my ex-boyfriend. We dated in university for about a year before he told me he was gay. We remained close friends. Joel was wonderful, funny and attractive. However, it made no sense of either on of us to be in a romantic relationship that had no intimacy. He treated me so well when we were together and i was so focused on companionship that i hardly noticed the lack of sexual desire. I just wanted someone to love me, Joel fulfilled that need. He came out to me later on, i respected him and appreciated the honesty. I thought that it would be weird, staying friends after a break-up. As time passed our romantic past seemed to drift away. He was quite the academic and great to do group projects with and a wonderful friend to talk to.

"Did you have an exciting weekend?" Joel asked

"I met this man at work a few months ago and i spent the weekend with him" I confessed. I could not help but smile at the thought of Sebastian.

"Wow! Who's the lucky man?" Joel Asked

"His name is Sebastian and he is absolutely perfect" I said putting my hand to my heart.

"Wow! your really head over heels for this Sebastian guy" Joel answered "I don't even think that you were that head over heels when we were dating"

"Maybe he's the one" I said feeling elated.

"Maybe, Don't get too excited though cause it may be too good to be true. Remember Asteria, love isn't build over a few months. Love takes years to flourish" Joel warned.

"Don't worry. I'm putting myself first but you can't blame a girl for getting excited" I said walking out the door and waving.

"Just be careful Asteria . I would hate to see you throw away your education over a fling" Joel called turning the other way.

Joel was right. He would be proud to know that i put my education first. Sebastian definitely respected me more for that. I was allowed to get excited over this new love. Sebastian could be just a spring fling or he could be the love of my life. I wanted to explore that. Sebastian was mysterious, intelligent and always kept me on my toes. The great thing about Clinical placements is that you were only on the unit 7-3 pm Monday- Friday. Shift work had not yet had the opportunity to take over my life. I wanted to make time for Sebastianon the weekends, pending my homework was done. My clinical schedule was perfect for that. My research would only take me a few hours. The weekend was full of free time.

As soon as i got home i decided that i would get all my research done, so that if Sebastian called to go out i was not thinking about all the work that i would have to get done by Monday. Sebastian knew my schedule, he would call if he felt like it or had time. I just wanted to be prepared. I got home a little after 4 pm. I worked diligently at the kitchen table researching and preparing for my first patient research on Monday. I could not help but check my phone frequently for texts or calls from Sebastian. 630 pm rolled around as i finished my patient research. I made myself a sandwich for dinner. There was an Aerial Yoga class that i usually dropped in to on Friday nights. I took pride in keeping my body healthy and active. I loved Yoga and dance but as school became more and more intense, I found that i had to take less classes to compensate. Today, i was going to make sure that i made it to Yoga class. I changed into my Lulu lemon leggings and top then grabbed my yoga bag. I walked out to my car. I threw my bag in the passenger seat. Then checked my phone one last time. Sebastian messaged me not more than a few minutes ago, my face lit up and my heart was overjoyed.

I'm working late this evening. What time do you go to bed on the weekends?
Sebastian

I'm an Adult, no bedtime for me on the weekends. lol

Asteria

Can i see you later? or are you busy with schoolwork?

Sebastian

I'm done.

Asteria

Later it is

Sebastian.

Sebastian didn't specify what later meant. I decided that i would go to my Yoga class anyway. If he said that he was on his way or in the parking lot i would have gone back into the house to change but there was nothing. My body needed a good stretch. Yoga was my jam, this was my time. I drove down to the Yoga studio. I was greeted by all the other regulars that had not seen me in a long time, oh how i missed this place. Even two weeks seemed like forever away from Yoga. I didn't want too many questions, so i decided that i would delay mentioning Sebastian to my Yoga family. Our relationship was still rather fresh. It felt amazing to stretch my horribly stiff muscles. I normally pride myself on being flexible and graceful but i had miss the last two Fridays and it showed.

"What have you been doing these days?" Asked Kristen

"School mostly" I said sticking to small talk.

"We've missed you and your flexyness" She said.

"I'm gonna try to be here more often, i need some me time" i responded.

"School can be really tough, especially nursing. I have a lot of nurse friends and the schooling is intense" She empathized.

"Sometimes i need a break but nursing school is hard" I agreed.

I finished the class and slipped out without chatting any further. I made sure that i waved to everyone so that they didn't feel ignored before making myself scarce. I wanted to make sure that if Sebastian called that i was at home. He mentioned that he would call later. I hoped into the car and drove home. It could have been Sebastian but i felt like listening to slow, romantic songs. My mind felt at ease, tonight was not the night for anything fast or angry. I switched to a lighter playlist. I sang all the way home with the window rolled down. I skipped getting a coffee on the way home from McDonald's, which i usually did. I wanted to make sure that I was ready for Sebastian if he called.

Sebastian waited till i got home at 830 pm before making his appearance. I was playing the piano when i looked over at my phone, surprisingly it was ringing instead of the usual text message buzz. I looked down at my phone, Sebastian's name and face came across the screen.

"You want to hang out with me" He asked

"Maybe, what time are you thinking?" I asked coyly.

"Soon, Look outside" He laughed.

Suddenly, small rocks started to fly at my window.

Tap! Tap! Tap!.

I rushed to the window to see a smiling Sebastian looking up at me. I quickly hung up the phone and opened the window so that he could hear my voice.

"Where's your guitar?" I giggled

"Bring one down to me and I'll play it for you" He called up to me

"Really? have you prepared a song to serenade me with?" I asked

"I'll think of something" he answered

I looked at the guitar that i had sitting in the guitar-stand in the corner of my room. I wanted to see what Sebastian would come up with. His romantic, spontaneous gesture made the butterflies in my stomach fly around in all different directions. I grabbed the guitar and met him outside on the front lawn.

"What works better for you, would you like me to go back up there or stay here" I said pointing to a patch of grass in the front yard.

"Why don't you go back up to your room" Sebastian suggested "That way i can really serenade you"

"OK" I said excitedly as i ran up to my bedroom window opening the curtains wide.

Sebastian examined the guitar first, as though trying to evaluate it's quality. He place the guitar over his knee carefully checking the tuning and making some small adjustments. Then he looked up at me and smiled, hesitating for what seemed like forever before breaking into a beautiful acoustic version of 'Some kind of Beautiful' by Sky. Sebastian wasn't perfect but i was impressed at how talented and romantic he was, first with the piano and now the guitar. He had talent that seemed to come out of nowhere but came in handy at the most perfect of times. I fell silent as i listened to every note as he played and I hung on to the sound of his harmonious voice. I smiled widely as he played the song in his entirety. I felt an overwhelming amount of emotions over take my body, as i started to feel tears of joy run down my face. Sebastian made me feel like i was the only person in the world that mattered in that moment. The look on his face told me that he could tell I was crying, but didn't miss a beat as he played. When he was done, he placed the guitar in one hand opening his arms wide.

"I take it i did a good job by the reaction your having" He laughed.

"It was amazing" I choked, trying to speaking through the tears

"Can i come in?" He asked with hopeful eyes

"Of course" I whispered taking a deep breath.

I ran down the stairs to meet Sebastianat the door. He handed me my guitar as soon as i opened the door. I took the guitar and stepped aside, giving him room to walk in and take his shoes off.

"So what did you have planned?" i asked looking to Sebastian for direction.

"Anywhere with you is fine by me" he answered

"How about McDonald's Richie Rich" I said

"If that's what you want, i am not opposed to it. You seem like a classier girl though, with more exquisite taste" Sebastian answered.

"I suppose that i go there enough by myself" I laughed "When i'm with you i prefer to make memories"

"Aside from concerts and restaurants, where is your favorite place?" Sebastian asked with curiosity

"your gonna laugh Sebastian" I said

"Tell me!" He demanded

"The dance studio" I answered.

"I see" He said pondering and rolling his eyes

"Why don't we go to your favorite hangout, I'd love to learn more about you" I said

"Really" He said as though i was saying something that he wasn't expecting.

"Yeah! I would like to get to know YOU better"I explained.

"You sure?" He asked "I really don't think that what i enjoy is up your alley"

"I may not be a tech genius and I know you are a private person but i would really like it if you opened up to me a little" I said in a calm, even tone voice.

"OK" he said deep in thought "Hop in my car and we will go then"

"Lead the way" I said as i straightened my posture and followed Sebastian to his car.
Sebastian's demeanor took a sharp change after i suggested we do something he likes. Was he embarrassed or shy? He seemed so confident and in control all the time, i could not picture Sebastian afraid or embarrassed. Sebastian opened the door on my side then walked over to the driver's side. He sat in the car in silence for a few minutes before starting the car and rolling out of the parking lot. I sat in the passenger seat without saying a word, occasionally stealing a a glance at Sebastian. Hoping that his face would soften and the fun-loving Sebastian would return. I could see by his reaction that he preferred to do things for me. However, a relationship should be 50/50. I wanted to know more about him, why was i being made to feel like i had done something wrong. Sometimes i felt that pressing him for personal information made him feel uncomfortable. There was a side to him that he didn't want to share with me for some reason. I could feel myself falling for Sebastian. I didn't want to fall for the perfect gentleman that Sebastian seemed to be. I wanted to fall for the person inside. I wanted to know who Sebastian was.

Sebastian seemed to be deep in thought as he drove to his destination, he barely seemed to know that i was there. He turned the radio off, forcing me to sit in complete silence. I was curious about how he felt in regards to my request. He was complying but he acted as though he was being forced. I decided to break the ice.

"Are you OK Sebastian? Do you feel like i'm asking for too much right now? You seem off" I said looking at him with a soft smile.

"I'm fine, Ana. It's not you at all" Sebastian said keeping his face tight "I understand why you want to know more about me. However, there are certain parts of my life that i have never shared with anyone before. We have only been together for a few months and you are asking me to open up like a patient to a psychiatrist so you must understand my reservations here"

"I'm sorry Sebastian. I didn't mean to upset you. If you want to take things slower i can work with that too. I'm just curious" I explained.

I noticed that Sebastian was driving out of the city. The buildings became fewer and fewer as Sebastian took a highway out of town then turned on to a paved side road. I could feel that he was not in the talking mood, so I decided to sit back and enjoy the ride. Sebastian drove into a small farm not more than 20 min outside the city, He stopped in front of a large gate. He got out of the car, and walked to a small key pad to the left of the gate. Sebastian keyed in a code and the gates broke free. Sebastian came back to the car and looked me in the eye, speaking softly and calmly.

"This is an old farm that I purchased several years ago. When I want to get away from the busyness of the city I come here" Sebastian said leaning across the gear shift, coming in close.

"Thank you for bringing me here Sebastian, It means a lot to me" I said putting my hand over his.

He smiled and kissed me gently on the lips.

"Let's go inside" He said with a half smile.

"OK" I answered , trying to match his demeanor.

Sebastian parked the car in front of and old farm building. Sebastian took my hand and we walked over to a door located on the side made of heavy metal. The building looked like something that a farmer would use to store tractors and trailers. The building was rectangular with a dome shaped roof. The building was so large that i had trouble seeing the back, the darkness certainly didn't help. There was a key pad located on the door, Sebastiankeyed in the code carefully placing a hand over top so that i could not see the code as he typed. I heard a click as the door-lock released. Sebastian turned to me like Willy Wonka opening the door to the chocolate room for the first time.

"You can't tell anybody that you saw this" Sebastiansaid sternly.

"I won't" I replied "I promise"

Sebastian opened the heavy door slowly, walking in first then holding the door so that i could follow him. The room was extremely dark. Sebastian Turned to a panel of light switches and turned on each one on, one at a time. My mouth nearly dropped to the floor as i looked around the large white room. The whole building was just one large room, the roof was dome shaped like the roof outside. The place had 2 floors but it had a loft like open concept like a fancy mall with multiple floors. The first floor was full of robotic inventions and fancy computers. The sound of buzzing computers resonated throughout the building like crickets in a swamp. He was right, computers and robotics are definitely not my jams but i could not help but marvel at the amazing display. I think that Tony stark would be in heaven if he was here. Sebastian had successfully impressed me beyond my wildest dreams, yet again.

"Why is this so top secret?" I asked

"These inventions are in their infancy. Sometimes when I have an idea I like to come here and see if I can make it a reality. Not everything that I make is successful" Sebastianexplained.

"Sebastian, this is amazing. I can't even comprehend most of what you are doing here, but I'm in awe" I said.

"This is my happy place" Sebastian said throwing his hands up and twirling around in the center of the floor "This is me, right here"

"Are you gonna show me some of what your working on?" I cried

"Come right this way, Ms. Prince." Sebastian said

My happy fun-loving boyfriend had returned.