bapa: from here to eternity

chapter 17: winner

Chapa POV:

I just woke up in Bose's penthouse, quickly checking to see if he was lying next to me. Thankfully, he wasn't. I felt relieved and then glanced across the bedroom to see him sitting in a chair, sleeping. The clock read 6 am—very early. It was Sunday, and I had a lot to prepare for the art exhibition on Wednesday. I decided to wake up Bose because he probably had to work today, and I was in desperate need of some breakfast. I shook him awake, and he jumped a little.

"What's happening?" he mumbled, looking disoriented.

I couldn't help but laugh. "You should see the way you wake up. It's hilarious."

"Don't laugh," he said, but he smiled, his eyes still half-closed.

"Can you make some breakfast for me? I don't know where anything is in your kitchen," I asked.

He sighed but got up and headed to the kitchen. As he washed his hands and started making some eggs, I struck up a conversation. "I never got to thank you for protecting Sage and helping us out."

"It was no trouble at all," he replied, cracking eggs into a pan.

"What are you planning to do with Elena?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"I removed her from the system last night and mailed Ms. Ambrose she quit. That way, other paintings can have a place at the exhibition," he said, flipping the eggs with a practiced hand. "By the way, your painting was the best I saw out of all of them."

"You barely even looked at it," I retorted.

He chuckled. "I didn't want to look at it back then because you didn't want to see me anymore, but of course, I saw it when you were out of the classroom. You might really have a chance of selling it for a lot."

"You're just saying that because we're friends," I said, doubting his compliment.

"So, we're friends now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you can say that," I replied.

We both went quiet, a comfortable silence settling between us. After a minute, he served the eggs. "Here you go."

"Thanks," I said.

"I'm going to get ready, alright? I'll see you in a bit." Bose said.

It was now 6:30 am. I ate my breakfast, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

After a while, I realized my phone was still in Bose's bedroom. I knocked on the door and slowly walked inside. Bose was probably still in the bathroom. I searched for my phone but didn't see it. Suddenly, Bose emerged from the bathroom, fresh from a shower with a towel wrapped around his waist.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.

"Looking for my phone," I stammered, feeling my face heat up.

"It's on the table in the living room," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

I couldn't help but stare at his muscular chest and defined abs. His skin was glistening with water droplets, and his shoulders were broad and strong. The sight of him made my heart race. I never knew Bose had this kind of body.

"Oh, okay," I said, but my eyes were still on his muscular body that drew all my attention.

Bose chuckled softly. "See something you like?"

"Shut up," I muttered, feeling my cheeks burn. Then I quickly turned to leave, trying to hide my embarrassment.

As I walked away, I couldn't help but think about how awkward yet strangely comfortable it felt to be around him.