𝐔𝐆𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇

TWO

ANA

I close the door behind me and throw my coat on a plastic foldable chair as I slide off my shoes. I walk into my studio apartment and switch the light on, revealing my small kitchen and living room. I feel relief wash over me. Home sweet home.

I'd moved into this place five months ago, yet my single suitcase lay next to my inflatable mattress, the kitchen empty with one dirty dish and fork in the sink, and two foldable chairs occupying the living room. Even though small, my apartment seemed so huge with such little furniture. 

It was a sad sight but I tried to not think too much about it. If I did, I'd start crying and I'd never stop. I didn't plan on living here for long. I just needed to get away, and I needed somewhere to stay. All I wanted was to run away from my old life. Choosing myself may have saved me from the situation I was in, but I often wonder for how long. It's one thing to escape and live, but it's another to stay and survive.

I walk into my room and grab my t-shirt and sweatpants from my suitcase when I hear the familiar chime from my phone. I walk to the living room, digging through the pocket of my coat to retrieve it.

I check the caller ID and am greeted by an unknown number. I hesitate a little.

The first two people that pop into mind are that guy I gave my number to at work. Doubt creeps up on me. That was two weeks ago. The second man, well, he's the one I've been running from.

My thumb hovers in between the green and red buttons until it slides over the green one. There was only one way to find out. Let's hope for the best.

"Hello?" I ask.
"Hi."

I close my eyes in relief. It wasn't him. Instead, I heard a voice I had only heard briefly two weeks ago.

"You're Alex." I sit down on my chair, putting the call on speaker.

"Ah," I feel my stomach flutter. Besides his attractive physique, the first thing I noticed was his voice. It was deep and raspy as if running my nails through soft and filed wood, which only sounded better through the phone call. At first, I was intimidated by him. It matched his physique, tough and firm.

"So you do remember." He chuckles. "Mhm. There's a reason I told you to call me." I say, pursing my lips. I hear Alex chuckle. "I must admit I found you interesting when I saw you. I was simply too afraid to make the first move. This is the first time you've done this?"

"It depends if you believe me or not. Because I can sit here right now and tell you the truth, which is no, and you may not believe that."

Bold. Very bold of me. Too much that I want to crawl out of my skin. Perhaps I shouldn't have said all that.

I'm making spirals on my thigh with my finger, anxiously waiting for a response. I hope I haven't gone too far to make him hang up on me. "I believe you, Ana."
"You do?" I chuckle.
"I do. I think you're fearless."
"You think I'm fearless?"
"Indeed."
"It was just a leap of faith."
"Something I couldn't come close to doing. That's why I called. You're admirable."

"All I did was desire to know you."
"And now here we are, talking while I'm asking Google for good icebreakers."

I giggle. For someone who looked so classy and elegant, he sure was awkward. I liked it. "What are your hobbies? Let's start from there."