Exes' Baggage And More

Chapter One Hundred Fifty Eight

Macy stepped out of the elevator. She walked slowly towards her unit. In accordance with Hani's words, She chose to go home. She had contacted Gil to forward an important document that she had to check. And even though she chose to go home, she didn't know when and how to face Andrew.

She stopped right in front of the man's unit. She looked closely at the door. Either Andrew has gone home or he went to another place after St. Haven. She sighed and massaged the back of her neck. Oh, she shouldn't be like this to Andrew.

She looked back at the door then turned around and entered her own unit's door code. However, when she opened the door, she heard the sound of the elevator opening. So she turned towards the hallway to wait and see who came.

Her eyes widened when she looked at the figure of her boyfriend who seemed to have just returned from the supermarket. In his hands, he is carrying two large eco-bags. The man also seems a little surprised to see that she has gone home -because it's only half past four while the working hours of St. Haven usually ended at six.

Andrew walked back and Macy was still standing frozen in the doorway. Her hand was still gripping the door handle tightly.

"Mace..." the man said quietly. Carefully testing the waters. "You came home early."

Macy mumbled. Well, this is really awkward. She glanced at Andrew then the two eco-bags in his hands. The man had spent quite a lot of money and she had a hunch that it wasn't just for his needs.

Andrew realized that she was paying attention to his shopping bags. "Oh, I went shopping. I'll separate the things I need, then I'll deliver yours. After that, I might be able to cook dinner."

She looked at his lover. The writer looked awkward talking to her.

"Besides, we also need to talk some more, right?" the writer continued.

Macy took a deep breath and nodded.

Andrew smiled. "Then, wait for me for about twenty minutes-"

"Let's have dinner at your apartment," she interrupted quickly.

The man spends too much time at her apartment. Besides, she feels too safe if they talk in his apartment. She was just afraid she'd do the same thing she did during their conversation at St. Haven.

"Oh? Oh... okay."

*****

Macy took her time. Either she did it on purpose or she planned it. After all, it makes no difference. She went to clean herself and changed into something more comfortable. After that, she checked the email sent by Gil since the man said that he would make dinner.

So, they can talk afterwards. Hani will feel disappointed with her and with what she is doing now, she knows it.

She glanced at the digital clock on her desk. It's almost seven o'clock. She had been stalling for a long time. She made sure that the last email was sent then turned off the laptop. After that she grabbed her cell phone before leaving the room.

She then walked slowly towards the foyer. Heck, she even repeatedly turned to look around her apartment. Deep in her mind, Macy cursed herself.

Hell! You just have to go to the front unit of your apartment, Macy Bianca Cruz. Not moving to another country that you didn't even know was on the map!

Macy sighed then put on her sandals and opened the door. She closed the door slowly and walked about six steps to the door of Andrew's unit. Then, after a few minutes of fighting with her own thoughts, she rang the doorbell. The man had indeed told her the unit door code, but she wants to be polite.

Soon, Andrew opened the door. The man smiled at her. Honestly, it made her feel guilty for shouting angrily at him.

"Hi...," said Andrew. "Come in."

The writer opened the door wider and let her in before he closed the door. She took off her sandals in the foyer. Andrew still smiled at her and walked first into the hallway.

"You came just in time. Everything is almost ready," the man commented.

Macy followed Andrew to the living room. "There's nothing I can help you with?"

"No, love. It's almost done, thank you."

Her heart skipped a beat when she heard that. How many days has she not heard that call from Andrew? She saw her lover who walked straight to the kitchen; opened the fridge and took out a large bowl of salad. She then glanced at the dining table that had been set.

Her boyfriend cooks chicken steak with mushroom sauce. It comes with a bowl of onion soup and garlic bread. Hell, he even prepared a bottle of wine. It was as if he was trying to say that he was apologizing to her.

The editor-in-chief sighed. Andrew glanced at her as he poured the salad dressing that he had prepared into the bowl.

"Are you okay?" the man couldn't help but ask.

Macy turned around and nodded slightly.

"Then sit down. I just have to prepare the salad."

She obeyed Andrew's wish. She sat facing the man who was stirring the salad at the counter and then prepared it on a serving plate. Her lover smiled at her as he brought the salad plate and placed it in the middle near the basket filled with garlic bread. Then he opened the wine bottle and poured it into their glasses.

This is a romantic dinner. If they would just forget their debate at St. Haven this afternoon.

Andrew sat in front of her. "Try it. I asked for my mom's recipe for the jam and soup. I don't know if it's close enough to what my mother used to make though."

Macy stared at the man for a while before she grabbed the spoon and tasted the warm soup. There's a special taste of butter and she can taste some spices such as basil and rosemary.

"How is it?"

She glanced at Andrew. "It's nice. It's delicious,"

The writer smiled with satisfaction. And they started the dinner. Andrew was satisfied with his cooking today. Although he had to call his mom to confirm the recipe for mushroom sauce and onion soup, it was all worth it.

On the other hand, Macy couldn't enjoy her dinner comfortably. She knows that the man is better at cooking than she is, so she's not worried about his cooking. Only, she did it on autopilot. She is even sure that she answered arbitrarily to all the questions asked by the man.

And fifteen minutes later, Andrew realized it.

"Is there something on your mind, Mace?"

Macy glanced at Andrew, then let out a short breath. She put the fork and knife to the side of the plate.

"Is the taste not to your liking?" asked the man.

She shook her head. "No, everything is delicious. I just have no appetite even though I'm hungry. That sounds weird, doesn't it?"

Andrew sipped his wine slowly. He looked at his girlfriend closely. Oh, he knows that the woman must feel awkward. After their argument this afternoon, it was really hard to pretend that all is well. Again, he tried too hard and it made Macy feel uncomfortable.

"Do you want us to talk straight away?"

Macy watched the man closely, then nodded. The sooner they get this done, the better. She even started having trouble breathing. Her stomach felt like it was full that she might throw up at any moment.

"Okay. You can wait in the living room. I'll tidy this all up. Shall I make some tea too?"

*****