Romanticismo Per Caso ❤

Alone (Elias POV)

Well I had only experienced heartbreak once before, but losing Lorena was an entirely different level of pain.  My previous girlfriend, Astrid, paled in comparison.  I met her during my sophomore year of college, and we went on a few dates until I found her partying with five other guys.  Dodged a bullet there, I suppose.

But Lorena, she was a world apart from Astrid.  She was diligent and compassionate, unlike Astrid who I'm pretty sure used me for my answers on college exams.  Lorena was also undeniably more attractive. From the graceful way her hair framed her face to the captivating manner in which she spoke, and that mysterious look she gave people, she was incomparable--a princess in her own right.

I remember my priceless payback for Astrid.  I completely covered her house in toilet paper in the middle of the night and when she walked out hearing the disruption, she was so furious.  I remember the look on her face.  

When I returned home from Lorena's, I stepped inside my house feeling completely hollow.  It was as if she still held a piece of my heart, leaving me with an overwhelming sense of emptiness.  The darkness outside of my house overwhelmed me as the clock read 10 pm.  I immediately chose to snooze off.  

The next morning, I realized that I had to go to work today.  It was frustrating, but I knew if I asked Mr. and Mrs. Offredi for a day off, their answer was probably going to be a refusal.  I didn't rush to get to work today, but I was on time nonetheless. 

When I entered Offredi's, I entered through the back door trying to avoid Lorena's presence.  I knew our paths were bound to cross eventually, but I wasn't ready to face her just yet.  Just as I had put on my apron and hairnet and begun cutting vegetables and fruits, I spotted her entering the kitchen in search of someone.

I made eye contact with her for a second before I quickly changed my gaze, feeling the weight of awkwardness between us.  I focused my attention back on cutting the vegetables and fruits, pretending as if I hadn't noticed her.  

The work day went slowly as I found myself primarily cutting vegetables and drying the dishes.  I always worked in the back, but some days they moved me to the front.  I had forged strong friendships with my co-workers in the back, including one individual that wasn't related to Lorena--Joe, a man around 40 years old.  I contemplated confiding in Joe about my personal issues, but I told myself I should not share my personal issues in a professional setting.

As we were working, I couldn't help but sometimes my eyes would wander, searching for Lorena amidst the bustle of the restaurant.  My eyes were spotted somewhere and there she was.  She gracefully took her orders, her focus unwavering as she interacted with the customers.  Despite my inner conflict, I couldn't deny the attraction of her presence; as much as I resented it, I also yearned for it.  

Towards the end of my shift, I heard a ruckus at the front of the restaurant and investigated it.  I witnessed Lorena angry at her parents.  Her father's stern command to leave echoed through the quiet environment, and she wasted no time in complying.  Though I only heard a segment of her words, they lingered in my mind.

Can you please stay out of my love life? You both are so controlling!

Oh no, what did she say... Was she standing up to her parents, as I once encouraged her to do?  Why did she cause a scene here?  Despite her defiance, I couldn't help but wonder about her feelings toward me.  Was she trying to get a rise out of me?

When I got back home from the long work day, one idea popped into my mind.  Regardless of the consequences, the truth needed to be out.  Even if my father finds out, Lorena's parents deserve to know that I was innocent of any wrongdoing in their restaurant.  It was my father who stole from them, after all.