Exes' Baggage And More

Chapter Twenty Five

Macy tidied her briefcase. The conversation with Andrew about the launch of his trilogy novel went quite smoothly. Although the Writer wanted some changes to the event. Macy said that she would inform the PR team that handled the matter regarding the changes that the man wanted.

She closed her bag and glanced at the watch on her wrist. It's six o'clock, almost dinner time. And she remembered that she ran out of food. So, before going home she had to stop by the supermarket first.

"You're going straight home?" as if the man just waited for his cue, he asked.

Macy raised her head and looked at the man. "I have to go to the supermarket first. Ah... what time will David be back?"

One of Andrew's eyebrows rose. He sighed. "I think it will be quite a while. I intend to ride with you. But if you want to go to the supermarket first..."

"Eh? Ride? Y-you want to go back with me?" she asked for a confirmation, silently hoping that she heard wrong.

But Andrew nodded. Confirming what she just heard is absolutely correct. "We're neighbors, aren't we? Anyway, my work is done here. And I think we can have dinner together after the meeting. But if you want to go to the supermarket, well... I'll come along."

Macy's eyes widened. Oh, the man was really serious about dinner he said a while ago. She honestly doesn't know how many times they have eaten together. But one thing is for sure, she still felt so awkward around him. Especially with the relationship they have. At work, they are Editor and Writer, but other than that they are just neighbors.

Even so, Andrew looks so comfortable around her. A complete opposite of what she is. She knows that the man can distinguish between professional matters of work and personal matters.

However, Andrew's attitude toward her only made her even more awkward. Somehow the Editor feels like she must respond to every treatment the man is given her.

"Uhm.... I actually planned to just have dinner at home but..." Macy sighed again. "If you don't mind, I know a good food stall. It's not a fancy place. But the food there is good. I mean, if it is-" Macy doesn't have a chance to continue because Andrew interrupted her by his response.

"Okay!"

"O-okay?"

"Okay, let's go to the shop you mean. It's fine with me. I already told you that I'm not a picky eater."

She then stood up and grabbed her briefcase. Followed by Andrew who rushed to her side. The man then raised his hand to her.

Macy frowned, not understanding what the man meant.

"Give me your car keys. Let me drive, because you look tired."

*****

Andrew followed the GPS directions to the address previously entered by Macy. Well, he must remain vigilant so that he doesn't take the wrong path and lead them astray. It seems like he's been abroad for too long, making him forget that Manila has changed a lot. But strangely, David can still remember his every way even though his cousin always follows him wherever he moves.

After almost struggling with listening to GPS directions, Andrew finally parked the woman's car on the side of the road which is designated as a parking lot. He looked around. There were so many people walking on the sidewalk. And if you look at the area, this is a tourist spot.

He sighed. Oh, he doesn't like crowded places. But he had no choice since he presented himself to go with the woman.

Then Andrew turned to Macy who was asleep in the passenger seat. Well, it seems that the Editor has worked really hard today– without overtime. At first, Macy was still awake and occasionally they chatted along the way. But after ten minutes, he found the woman asleep.

"Hah.... maybe dinner at the apartment was the best." he muttered.

However, they had arrived already. If they had to go back to their unit, it would take more time.

Andrew unbuckled his seatbelt. He cautiously touched Macy's shoulder to wake her up. "Macy, we've arrived."

Slowly, Macy woke up. She squirmed slightly and looked out the window. Suddenly, she turned to Andrew. "Oh, sorry. I didn't know I fell asleep."

"It's okay," Andrew said with a small smile. "Besides, it looks like you need some sleep. Shall we go home?" the man asked, still willing to drive back if the woman wishes to go.

Macy shook her head. She took her bag and took out a box and took her glasses out of it. "No need. We're hungry after all, aren't we?" she said as she put the glasses on and combed her hair using her fingers.

Andrew just watched her closely. He can easily tell that Macy still felt a little awkward around him.

"Why?" the woman asked when she noticed that Andrew was staring at her too long.

"I don't think I've ever seen you with glasses. Even when in St. Havens." The man confessed.

"Oh. I don't always need it. I wear it only when checking the script and at night only. My eyes get

tired easily," Macy explained. "Um.... shall we go out now?"

Andrew nodded. He turned off the car engine and pulled out the key. Macy climbed out first, followed by Andrew. After the car alarm went off, Macy showed the way to the food stall she was referring to. While the man only followed her.

None of them dared to talk. But every now and then Macy turned to make sure that the man was still walking behind her. Tonight, the place is much more crowded than usual. The place is usually jam packed during weekends not weekdays. But maybe because of the tourists, even weekdays are jam packed. Usually, more tourists will come when the summer season is approaching.

Macy turned her head back when they had to break through the crowd. She could see that the man felt uncomfortable with the crowd. That was when her steps stopped.

"Are you okay?" she asked; eventually thinking that going to this place is a bad idea.

The man nodded his head. "I just don't really like crowds, especially as large as this."

"I'm really sorry, I should have said that we were coming to the tourist area."

"Do not worry. Is the shop close?" asked Andrew who occasionally pays attention to the people walking around them. Oh, this crowd is making him paranoid and anxious.

Macy took a deep breath. "We have to go through two more alleys," she said as she held out her hand.

Andrew's eyebrows rose when he saw the woman's hand stretched out to him.

"Hold my hand. There are too many people here, there's a big possibility that we could be

separated. And you don't really hit this area too much," Macy answered his question.

The man smiled faintly. "I'm not a tourist, Macy. Even if I get lost, I can contact you."

But Macy just shrugged her shoulders, her hand is still hanging in between them, waiting for Andrew to take her hand with him. Andrew, knowing that the woman will not waver, decided to take the hand in front of him.

*****