𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 | 𝗆𝗂𝖽90𝗌 𝗌𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗅

𝟎𝟏𝟑

THE SMELL OF WARM WAFFLES filled Ellie's nose, the brown-wooden kitchen filling with steam as the waffle maker was opened, revealing the plush bread inside of it. She glanced at the steaming cup of coffee sitting on the table in front of her; a mix of whip cream and honey coating the top layer. It smelled like heaven as she sat with her legs pulled to her chest at Mateo's kitchen table. She watched him, studying his every move as he pulled the waffles out of the maker and onto a shiny blue plate. She had never really examined him before like she was now; from the dragon tattoo that went from his wrist to his muscle filled bicep, to the scar that ran the back of his neck. His skin glowed in the slowly rising sun, like a vampire.

His loose gray sweatpants clung to his waist as he spun on his heel, walking towards the table where Ellie sat, slowly sliding the plate across to her. He sat besides her, resting his elbows on the marble table.

The buzz from last night caused more of a headache than Ellie had anticipated; normally she wasn't always such a lightweight, but Mateo had made sure the girl had an ice cold cup of water with her meal, eyeing her as she inhaled the waffles.

"A cook as well, huh? What can't you do?" Ellie teased, biting down on the bouncy bread, it melting in her mouth.

Mateo's lips formed a smile as he glanced out of the window, "You sure you want me to take you back to your friend's?" he asked, and Ellie nodded.

No matter how much she loathed the idea of having to spend her morning either talking or arguing, she didn't want to feel so bad anymore. She missed how it used to be; no fights, just skating and peace.

"It's all good, Mateo, they're all probably worried sick," she sighed, resting her forearms on the table as she looked at him.

Mateo sighed with a stern nod, "Well, I'll be in LA for a few days, if you need anything..." he smiled at her, earning one back from Ellie.

As silence filled the room, Ellie cringed. She could not handle the awkwardness right now.

She cleared her throat as she swallowed the waffle she had politely stuffed into her mouth, "So... if I may ask," Ellie inhaled, eyeing the hallway behind Mateo. It was dark, except for the little light that came from under a closed door, "Your mom..? Is she-"

"Sick. Cancer, unfortunately," Mateo exhaled, clasping his hands together and leaning his chin on them, "She refuses to go to the hospital and stay there... so I offered to get her a caregiver, and while she was rather reluctant to the idea, it was either that or the hospital" Ellie listened carefully, a sadness washing over her heart as she watched Mateo's face fall ever so slightly.

"I give the caregiver a week off every month, though.. to come see and take care of my mom myself," he shrugged, looking back to his mother's closed bedroom door for a moment.

His face filled with heartbreak for a moment, but he was quick to shake it off. He inhaled a deep breath through his nose, standing up from the table with a squeak from his chair. Ellie could sense his uncomfortableness as he sniffled, walking towards the kitchen to abruptly begin putting away the items he had used to make breakfast.

Ellie gulped as she stood with her plate, the waffles being practically gone. "You're absolutely sure you want to go to see your... What is he? Your ex?" Ellie smiled as she placed her plate into the sink, looking up at Mateo who had to be nearly 6'3, "Mhm" she grinned, leaning against his counter.

"Thank you, seriously. For letting me stay and making me breakfast," she exhaled happily, earning a soft look from the man.

"Anything for you, Bonita" a blush crept up Ellie's back as she watched Mateo pick up his keys off of the counter and move towards the door. She quickly brushed it off though, running her hand through her hair as she followed him. She couldn't even begin to think about flirting with anyone right now, all that sat on her mind was Estee and Fuckshit.