Maybe in a Dream

Chapter 4

As the door swung open, it revealed an open concept room. As I continued to walk through the home, I saw one of the most spacious kitchens I think I have ever seen in my life. I continued to explore the apartment, walking into the living room that had two hallways on the sides, one leading left and one leading right. I first walk down the left hallway, where I saw two doors. I open the first door which revealed a modern looking bathroom with a large mirror and lights behind it. "jeez I only see these types of mirrors in really nice hotels" I spoke to myself. The shower was spacious and had glass walls as well as a glass door, the tiles were a dark grey almost black stone. In fact the entire house was themed this way, dark grey, black, light grey, many dull monotone colors. it reminded me nothing of my apartment, it was so simplistic there was barely any decorations around besides an occasional plant or painting that looked as if it were worth hundreds maybe thousands of dollars. I left to see what was behind the second door, and to my surprise this room was a bit more personalized since it looked to be a bedroom. wait this must be Simon's bedroom, even knowing that I shouldn't intrude on his personal space the curiosity was eating me alive. I thought, what kind of things could he be interested in. There is no harm in wanting a little background information about this random guy you just met from a dream you had that you are now moving in with, you know? I strolled around the room taking in all of the decor, one thing that caught my eye was a record player. I glanced to the right of it to see a shelf full of records, old to new. His room was quite organized and honestly I hadn't expected anything less from someone like him. my fingers grazed the old record player, pondering where he could have gotten such a beautiful piece and if he actually used it frequently. As I was lost in thought, I felt a sudden shadow over me, "I see my record player has caught your eye" I snapped out of my daze and turned to him quickly. "Simon! I'm so sorry for intruding I was just looking around" I spoke frantically as if he had accused me of snooping through his things. "don't worry there is no need to be flustered about this, I'm actually happy to see someone else that is interested in this way of music." I was a bit confused as to why he wasn't getting upset, I mean I was technically snooping around his room. Simon grabbed one of the records off the shelf and carefully got it ready to be played, being sure he did not scratch the record. a slow relaxing melody startped playing as Simon turned the dial and the music grew louder. "what's this? it sounds beautiful" I asked while fully enthralled in the sound. "Oh, you really think its beautiful? I'm glad, I am the one who made it after all." he smiled, "you had a record made for your own music? wow, that must have taken some serious money" "yes, it may have taken some money since I am not a big musician now but I can always hope I will make it big one day." his hopefulness could make me believe anything that he said could have a chance at happening, it was incredible. "I really do like it, it's very relaxing to listen to I could fall asleep to it and have the most pleasant dreams" I chuckled. He flashed a sweet smile back at me, "let me show you where your room is, you will be staying in the guest room." as we walked Simon explained that when he originally bought this house he didn't intend on ever having anyone else stay with him for long periods of time, much less move in. In a way it made me feel a little special that he was allowing me of all people into his home.

We entered the right hallway which looked identical to the left, two doors, one a spacious bathroom and the other a large bedroom. The bed in there could fit at most 4 people, I felt like I was getting more than I had bargained for, or even more than I can accept. "are you sure about this, I mean this is a really nice room" "what is it not to your liking?" "no no that's not it it is very very nice, I just almost feel like it's too nice for me to accept." "well where else are you planning to sleep? the couch?" Simon laughed under his breath, "don't worry about it, it is the only other bedroom in the penthouse after all. There is no need to feel bad about anything, I offered to take you in so I am going to do just that." His words put a smile on my face, and even though he sounded so reassuring I still couldn't help but feel a little bad. "Hey.....thank you..." the mood suddenly changed and I felt so grateful towards him for all he has done for me up to this point. "Oh, no problem" he seemed to be a bit flustered by my thankfulness, I wonder if this isn't something he gets told very often. I started to unpack my things after Simon went into his bedroom to relax, though I wasn't able to finish unpacking everything. "Shit I almost forgot about that date!" I rummaged through the boxes of clothes attempting to find something nice to wear. "What's all the commotion going on in here? Holy shit why are there clothes everywhere" Simon suddenly appeared at the bedroom door, wearing a t-shirt that fit him just right and sweatpants. "Si I just forgot that I was invited out tonight by some friends so now I have to find something to wear and as you can see it isn't going too well." "Oh, I can help you with this" Simon crouched down beside me starting to rummage through the clothes. I should've been focusing on the task at hand but, how could I when he's right next to me? Before I had realized I was in a daze Simon called to me, "Eve? Hello? You in there?" "Oh yea sorry just spaced out" "I think this would look nice on you" it was an off-white floral dress, kind of short, and form fitting at the top. "Wow I forgot I had that, I honestly haven't been going out much recently with work and everything I haven't had time" he smiled and threw the dress to me. "Well then this is a great opportunity right?" I caught the dress and looked down at my feet, "yea I guess it is" "you guess? Come on I bet you'll have tons of fun tonight" "fingers crossed" I crossed my fingers and turned to the mirror holding the dress up in front of me. "I think this will be perfect" I smiled, before I even knew it I heard the door shut and Si had already left the room. I changed into the dress and only then did I remember that there were strings in the back that needed to be tied, and after about 15 minutes of struggling I was down to my last resort. "Simon!" I called out to him holding up the top of the dress, he was leaning against the counter in the kitchen scrolling on his phone when he looked up at me. "It does look nice on you.." Simon whispered to himself "what was that Si?" "Nothing, what were you calling me for?" "My dress...there are strings in the back and I can't tie them. Can you help me please" Simon stood up leaving his phone on the counter as he approached me. "Let me see" he grabbed my shoulders and turned me so that my back was facing him. His hands on my bare skin was enough to make my cheeks glow pink. "Do you mind holding up your hair?" He asked, and with one hand I held my hair up in a makeshift pony tail. His fingers brushed the back of my neck as he grabbed the strings of the dress, gently tying them together. "There that should be good, do you need it tighter?" "No it's good, thanks" I just about stumbled on my words, I would've made it weird if he knew I was flustered about him touching my shoulders and neck. I turned to face him and we stood just staring for a moment. "Something wrong?" Simon asked, "no sorry I should finish getting ready" I snuck back behind my bedroom door "have fun let me know when you leave" Simon said with a smile as he walked off. I let out a sigh, debriefing what just happened. touching my shoulder as if his hand were still there. what the hell is wrong with me? I barely know this guy.
I finished getting ready and left quickly, i have to admit I was a little embarrassed. I can't believe I was flustered by a guy I just met a few days ago. I may be overthinking it just a little but, it seems like he could talk to me like he's known me for longer than he lets on. But that's impossible, unless...my thought was interrupted by my date approaching me.
Honestly the location he picked for this date was a little different from other dates I had been on but I don't mind a change of scenery every once in a while. "Hello are you Evelyn?" "Yes, are you Jace?" "Yes I am, I've heard a lot about you from Angie" hopefully good things, "I've heard a lot of things about you too, good things I promise" I giggled. "I would hope so, should we go inside?" he smiled and held the door open for me to go in first. A bar. I wasn't really expecting anything too fancy on a first date, but a bar? Really I shouldn't judge him based on his choice of date location. We sat at the bar and he immediately ordered drinks for the both of us, both a beer. The bar tender slid the drinks to us, I'm not the biggest fan of beer but he pretty much gulped the whole cup down in one sip. I stared at my glass, it would be rude to waste a drink that I didn't pay for. I chugged the beer and honestly it was just as disgusting as I remembered, I coughed slamming the cup back down on the counter. Jace laughed at my disgust, "is it really that bad?" "Sorry I'm just not that fond of beer" I replied still recovering from the glass. "My bad, did you want wine?" "That would be great thanks" I laughed in relief. as the night went on we chatted about our current situations, jobs, a little bit of family life. I was starting to have a good time, the last thing I remember from that night is being put in the back seat of Jace's car. Then a blurry face.