One Way Ticket | a love story

Chapter Fifteen

The couch was getting really uncomfortable under me and raindrops were hitting the window glass, making the apartment feel cozy and homier than it already was. I laid there, my eyes closed due to my whole body's laziness. A warm smell of pancakes hit my nose once I was fully awake and stretched my lips into a faint smile. I heard the clicking of dishes in the kitchen and opened my eyes, sitting up finally and pushing my hair back. Mona's back was facing me in the kitchen while she made the pancakes in a large pan. She turned her head slightly as she heard the couch creaking with me standing up.

-Good morning! Pancakes? - She was smiling widely at me but I was too tired to think at the moment so I just nodded, not hearing her too clearly.

I waddled to the bathroom lazily and splashed my face and neck with cold water, then ran my hands through my hair, looked in the mirror and sighed. Why didn't I leave last night? I should just put my shirt on and leave. 

Wait, where's my shirt? The scars on my stomach caught my eye and I gulped, biting the inside of my cheek. Slowly made my way back to the living room and grabbed my shirt, then slipped it on. In my head, I was hoping she hadn't noticed the scars but it only lasted a few seconds when she broke the silence between us.

-Where did you get so many scars? - Mona asked and brought me a plate with already rolled up pancakes. - The ones on your stomach. - She added while looking at my face.

-Ah...nowhere. - I simply didn't want to tell her because she would be sorry for me and cling to me so much more than she has already been doing. - I'm going home now. I have class today. - I got up from the couch but she grabbed my arm, her body close to mine.

-Didn't you feel anything last night when we were pretending to kiss? - She nibbled on her lips. - You had to, I saw the sparkle in your eyes.

I didn't speak, just pushed her body away from mine before going out of her room. The guy from yesterday was standing in front of her door. In silence, I walked past him and down the stairs. He watched me and I felt his stare until I took a turn down the hall, then followed me down the hallway. I was obviously his target all along, not Mona. He didn't care about her anymore. He believed that I would care if he came to me and death stared at me or hit me. 

Sometimes even the physically buff guy has a weak mind because he hadn't trained both his body and mind. I have been training my brain since I've come here and training my body came next. It has been going well and most people in my life agree. My arm and leg muscles are built well and the number of protein drinks I used to drink did their thing. His little complexed brain wasn't going to make me scared or develop any other feeling towards him but hate. The way he treated women triggered so much anger in me. But I wasn't supposed to be in this situation.

I went out of the dorms without looking back and walked home to change for the scheduled meeting I was going to come to today. Yes, the letter had arrived and I replied to the boss, but he preferred if we talked and discussed things face to face rather than over emails and calls. So I opened my umbrella and walked down the street. Since it was 8 am there was still time to go there and talk with my new boss. I have already accepted the job because who wouldn't. But I have to check everything from top to bottom to know if it was actually a good idea and if this was a place I wanted to work at. 

As I entered my apartment, the door was unlocked. How and who the hell came into my apartment when nobody has the spare key? Carefully I stepped inside, looking around cautiously. Once I entered the living room, I found out who it was. Arthur. Laying on the couch, his mouth open as quiet snores echoed through the room. With a shake of my head, I shut the front door, slid my shoes off and went into the bedroom. Upon changing into a shirt, long coat, pants and some polished shoes, I went out as quietly as I came in and sighed, carrying my studying bag for class after the talk. I didn't send a message, I want to see how it looks without me telling them I'd come today. The most real situation there would be shown if I came unannounced.

The hotel was pretty close so walking wouldn't be a problem. Soon I came and looked at the tall building that stood in front of me, reading the sign to myself. 'The Landmark London'. This thing is huge, and I mean it with the whole world. Huge. The orange building will leave a significant scar on my soul because of its scary beauty. It wasn't that tall but the details made me stare in slight shock. The man at the entrance stared at me as I approached him and smiled.

-Hello sir. - He opened the door for me and I went inside, stunned by how different the outside and inside felt. The outside was very matt and sort of old, almost abandoned. On the contrary, the inside was luxuriously decorated, sparkling to the point where I saw my own reflection. Tens of lamps enriched everything with their yellow light, making everything look more expensive than it already was. I walked through the large lobby while looking around and listening to my echoing footsteps. 

A person was sitting at the front desk and looked up as my tall figure's shadow washed over them and the table they were sitting at. A smile spread across their face, revealing their feminine personality trapped inside a masculine body. It suited them very well though.

-Good morning sir, how can I help you today? Have you booked a room? - They spoke with a voice so gentle it would melt anyone's heart, including mine. The very short hair, shaved sides and small locks falling over their forehead cupped their face perfectly. Their sharp jawline and full pink lips moved as they spoke, leaving my heart skipping several beats.

-I came for a job interview. The boss himself sent me an email. - I reached for my phone while talking and showed them the email, staring at their face as they looked at the phone and read the email. They were wearing a nice neat black shirt, pants and probably shoes on their body. A plate with the name Sam was hooked up on the shirt pocket. That's a beautiful gender-neutral name. 

Shortly, they looked up and our gazes met. - I'll lead you to his office, sir. - They smiled and went off the reception desk and after saying 'Allow me' walked in front of me to the office. The door was black and leather. Sam knocked on the door and opened it for me as the boss shouted loudly to come in.

I went inside and the door closed after me. The room was pretty dark, only the computer screen and a window let in some lights. A man was sitting at the table and looked up at him, a smile spreading over his face. - Oh Noah, hello! - he smiled widely and got up, holding his hand out. I gladly shook it and sat down. - Sit down, please. - he added to which I sat in the comfortable chair on the opposite side of him.