Touch Of Solicitude

SIETE

We waited for him to finish cooking; it was a simple meal, with bacon, eggs, french toast, the typical breakfast. "Eat," He stated, placing the meal on the table, "Thank you for the meal," We both started to eat while Lina went out to fetch me clothes.

I felt flustered with the tense atmosphere, "You can rest assured and let your guard down. You don't need to worry," He chuckled, "What?" My voice raised, immediately composing myself.

"No, I mean, thank you, for not abandoning me somewhere," I stared at my plate, avoiding his gaze; he then placed his utensils at the side, "I had fun last night, it was a great time to spend our birthdays together and most of all..." I slowly looked up.

He was resting his head on his hand, acting as a stand, "You made my time worthwhile," A smile appeared on his face, "It makes me want to expect more from you," He then picked his utensils and went back to eating.

He had a great time last night when I barely even remember what we just did. This man is more straightforward than I thought. If possible, I do not want to cross paths with him again.

He must have noticed that I only took small bites, making him question me, "Is something wrong?" He questions; I subtly shake my head, "No, nothing is wrong, it's just that I haven't drunk that heavily ever since my breakup." I just realized how many glasses I drank yesterday.

Drinking liquor does not do any good; I should quit; alcohol leads me to weird places. As the tension rose, I opened up a topic as I observed the insides of the House, "Is this yours? The House, I mean. It's simpler than I thought," I started, "It's not mine, a friend allowed me to stay in one of his getaway properties. I'm moving in with someone," It made me think twice, why the hell would he bring me here when he has someone that he is dating.

"You're in a relationship," His head tilted, trying to process what I said, "I consider us in a relationship, however, I am not sure if she considers us in a relationship." I slowly nodded.

"You do have a lover, why would you bring me here, what if she sees us. She will misunderstood the situation and will think that you're cheating on her with me," My panic made him laugh out, "Relax, she's not that type of person, I am sure of it," He emphasized his last remark as if he was sure about the woman he was talking about.

"Even so, you have a lover-" I stopped with my statement as he placed eggs on my plate, "Eat, also, she's not any lover, we're engaged, soon to be married, I hope..." He mumbled the last part.

No one spoke after, just in time, Lina came back, entering the front door with a paper bag in her hand, "Here, these are office appropriate clothes, you should change into these," She handed me a paper bag, I awkwardly looked at him, "You can take a shower here," I then smiled and proceeded to his room and showered quickly.

After dressing up and spotting my clothes, I immediately shoved them in the paper bag and got out of the room, "Well then, thank you very much. I owe you this time, I will also compensate you," I rummaged to my bag and was about to give him some money when he pushed away my wallet, "I don't need your money, in return, you can just treat me to a meal some other time," He smiled and reached out his phone.

Why have we come to this situation? I never planned to meet him again, that is why I wanted to compensate him; why is this man too stubborn in meeting me. Lina must have noticed that I was still pondering my decision; she walked out to him and gave him a business card.

"Please formally contact Miss Kim for a formal appointment," She started pulling me to the exit, "Should I take you to work or call a cab-" Lina interrupted.

"We have the company's car to take us to work, thank you very much for the offer," She repeatedly bowed as we exited, "Oh, I understand, take care," I heard him said from a distance as he waved bye.

We entered the car with Lina driving off, I soon received a call, the caller ID appeared to be my Mother, if I pick this up, she will once again bug me to get married, this cycle never ends, "You should pick up the call, your Mother also called me that's why I woke up to pick you up," Hearing what Lina said made me thought that this might be an important call, "I understand," I soon picked up the call.

"Mother-" She instantly cut me off, "Great timing, are you fine now? Where are you? Are you at work?" Questions were heard from the other line.

"Yes, I am fine, still kicking and breathing, I am on my way to work, is something wrong?" I worriedly asked, "Nothing's wrong. I just want to ask you something," Her statement made my eyebrow raise.

"Yes, what is it?" I responded, "Do you remember Luigi?" Hearing that name feels nostalgic at the same time tragic.

"Luigi?" I pretended, "Luigi, your childhood friend whom you grew up with but left because of his Father. Do you remember him?" I heaved a deep sigh; why does Mother remind me of every detail.

"And what about him?" I was aware that my tone raised, if possible, I do not want to talk about him, it is not because of anger because he left, I am mad at myself, "He recently returned to Ylury," I froze in my seat and could not respond immediately.

Luigi, he is back. That child- no man, he is finally back after two decades, is he back for good, for what? What will he possibly gain from going back here after leaving me?