Time traveller

Chapter 14

- Yes, mom, I'm doing fine. No, mom, money is not an issue – my boss pays me on time. Yeah, we can only hope the pandemic won't last too long.

- Do you mind if I take a shower? – Erwin asks me at the worst possible moment.

A shiver runs through my whole body. Oh, God, she will want to know! She will ask questions – too many! Here it comes.

- Who is that? Is a man there with you?

I shouldn't lie, but the complete truth ain't the best idea either.

- A friend of mine needed a place to stay for a couple of days and you know the situation right now. I told him it's okay.

I'm sweating bullets.

- Are you out of your mind?

- No, I actually am not. – I respond calmly. - I see nothing wrong.

- And? Does he also share your point of view?

- Trust me, mom, he wouldn't be interested in me, even if I were the last woman on Earth.

- Aaaaalright. But don't come crying to me later.

- I won't...don't you worry.

I wait for the call to end properly and let out a long exasperated sigh. Erwin, who had remained silent once he noticed I was in the middle of a phone call, moved closer.

- Was I supposed to be quiet?

I finally look at him. I'd been avoiding his gaze during the call.

- No...It's...okay, I guess. My mom has always been like this. You get used to it eventually. And, before you tell me it ain't good to lie, that wasn't a lie...for the most part. Not like she would believe the truth. No one would. Hell, I'm not even sure why or how I believe it. Only 'cause you're in front of me in the flesh.

"Lots of pretty flesh." – The thought crosses my mind.

- I understand. Concerning my previous question...

- Yes, of course you can take a shower. You don't even need to ask.

- Thank you.

He leaves me alone with all my thoughts.

- I should prepare something for dinner...Any distraction is welcome...

It's been quite a while since I've had to cook so frequently. If I were alone, I would have just chosen something simple, easily manageable but the task of cooking for someone else is an entirely different experience. I am a bit rusty - nothing that can't be fixed once I take on the usual rhythm. It's literally the same as riding a bike, though the latter might be much simpler in comparison.

- I should also get some work done, while I wait for the dish to finish cooking...

I've been neglecting some of my work since Erwin arrived. It's okay, I rarely have crazy deadlines, but it's never a good idea to race through all the information at once, which is bound to happen, unless I decide to take pity on my future self.

I grab my laptop and begin combing through the documents. I'm done with one excel table by the time Erwin is out of the shower. Did I work that fast, or he spent way too long in there? He's usually way quicker. I wouldn't question it though. He's a grown man and, like everyone else, needs his privacy...for certain things. Well, great, there goes my concentration.

- How was your shower?

- It was refreshing.

- I see...Dinner will be ready soon.