AROUND THE HEART IN 80 DAYS

Twenty Six

Edrei was still in his pyjamas and casually leaning over the stove stirring a pan full of carbonara sauce when she emerged from their room zone. This he knew because the perfume that wafted through the air was stronger than normal days. Must be Sunday.

"Hmm... smells amazing. Are you doing that with rice or spaghetti?"

"Spaghetti." Though he didn't turn from the pot, there was still a sing-song in his tone. Weird. "I was not supposed to make this for breakfast but I feel I should eat heavy for both breakfast and lunch. And we're running out of olive oil."

"I suspected it. I'll tell Benedict to help me get some by tomorrow. I need to run, I'll be late."

That caused him to actually look away from the pot. Jacqueline might dress normally in the nonchalant manner but he had learnt that when it came to her Sunday Masses, she never disappointed. She wore a silky white top tucked into a gracious knee-length green skater skirt then donned on a deep brown overcoat probably for the cold. The cowl neckline of the top was low enough for her to still make it to heaven and still enough to entice a single male. To add to the simple magic, a glorious string of pearls donned the base of her neck. On the top of her head was a scarf with the knot done up in front and behind was her ponytail, brushed up to the 80's lush volume.

She looked like she was actually running late for a cover of a 90s magazine but her being barefoot and stiletto heels in her one fist made his mind wander to some creature more ethereal that he and Rebecca watched during the Disney days.

The 'you look nice' caught in his throat. "You never miss your holy meetings," instead.

"It makes me happy. Maybe I'm used to it."

"How come you never try to persuade me to tag along? Aren't you guys all about drawing souls and whatnot?"

"Oh..." she waved out a hand in the negative. "I feel when it comes to religion it's all about choice. I could drag you but you would only go 'cause you were dragged. It's better to decide yourself like 'hey, I feel I might find my happiness here so I'll try this out' y'know?"

He nodded to that. "Have you made your regular number of friends in a new environment as you normally do?"

"Not this time. That just keeps me outside longer. But Martha agreed to join me here today. So it's not going to be so lonely."

"Well then, take care." He heard her scurry out the door without even as so much as a goodbye followed by her car door slamming shut. He didn't fill her gas tank.
A wicked smile played on his lips as he poured in a small plate of courgettes. Not yet.

In his defence, he wasn't going to do anything to her but she simply made such nasty thoughts so easy to pick up on and it was so hilarious to play along. He wasn't going to lie, he liked this option for a roommate. One star for Becca. Jacqueline already had her shit together and knew what she wanted. She had not tried all that he thought she would as per her purpose of being in his house. That was a bit disappointing however. But it told him in volumes that she had a standard set and it was so impressive.

Life outside Copper Rivet was like it was again. Gym sweat and sweet food. Though he knew how to cook (because Becca made it clear straight up that only she couldn't do the cooking during their childhood days), he didn't like it. But he had someone who made him engage in a silent little competition of who could cook best? And she was a beautiful lady.
At the point they were in, even if Jacqueline Hernandez was a troll, her captivating personality could attract any one at all. Any. One. At. All.

He turned to drain out the spaghetti he brought down from the cooker. That was another problem. Jacqueline Hernandez could attract a lot of people. For instance, his gym membership hadn't surpassed two weeks but he was more than keen on what was going on in the hall filled with biceps on feet. How most of them responded to her greetings and turned quickly to each other to exchange knowing smiles. He usually found himself frowning, which was NOT supposed to be by the way. Funnier than that was that they doing that seemed so petty in comparison to the 'Lord' fellow. And Lord he was indeed. The man looked like he probably swallowed Henry fucking Cavill.