CHECKLISTS

Kristen Comes of Age

I put the large box of God knows what on the living room and made my way to the kitchen and started putting the whip creams and the tubs of ice cream on the fridge. I went to the wine cellar and carefully placed the expensive wines on the available racks. One of these costs more than three months worth of my salary and I can't afford to break any of it.

Maybe that's Henry's little game. He wants me to mess up so I'd have to quit or worse, ask for his forgiveness and in return, he can revise the contract and I'd be the latest targets of his childish pranks.

What he pulled off earlier was very confusing. I've always known him as a composed kind of guy, a gentleman. Then again, I only saw him on tv and movies. That's also the reason why I took this job. I thought it would be easy since he's that type of guy. And even if I had a huge crush on Clark Kent, Henry's silent demeanor would put me in my place. An errand girl. Only needed when they don't feel like walking the short distance of a coffee shop from wherever they would be.

"Kristen?" Henry called out, his accent so thick. "Is that you?"

"Yup!" I yelled back.

His flat doesn't really have much doors except for the master's bedroom, my room, a toilet near the kitchen area, the storage room, his office and the one to the balcony. There's this one big living room and on one side is where my room and his office are. On the opposite side is Henry's room and to the left of my room is the door to this apartment while the balcony is on the right. Very basic interior, really. Not too much of a flat as well which is understandable because Henry doesn't really live here.

That thought brought smile to my face.

I stumbled through the living room the same time Henry stepped out from the balcony.

He was shirtless.

And just wearing boxers.

I gulped. He sauntered to where I was, a wine glass on one hand. I felt the hairs on my arms standing on their ends as he got closer.

He stood in front of me. I was literally looking up and his hazy blue eyes were so intense that it pierces through your inner walls. As if he could strip down all your built up defenses so he could really, really see the inside. And I'm terrified of being seen.

His tongue swiped on his lower lip then he bit it, making me question whether I'm dreaming or not. He drank the remaining wine til the last drop without his eyes leaving mine.

And just like that, he started walking away from me. He carried the box that I placed outside his bedroom inside with him. He shut the door without looking back.

**********

"Yes, mom. I'm alright. Don't worry," I said.

"Don't worry?! He's drunk and you're alone with him! I don't care if he's famous I'm gonna kill him if he touches you-"

"Mom!" I exclaimed, "He won't! He's probably passed out already. And I locked the door." I whispered-screamed to my phone.

She sighed. "Kristen, if anything happens," she paused. "If you feel uncomfortable at all, just come back home. I can work on double shift again."

Tears threatened to escape my eyes as I realize how much she's willing to sacrifice again just so I could finish college. I can't fathom the thought of her exhausted and withering just because I won't be able to get a good job if I don't have a degree, diploma or certificate or whatever craps the companies need nowadays. I don't want her to work for the rest of our lives.

"No, mom. I'm fine. He's really a nice person," I said slowly, trying hard to keep my voice from shaking. "He just broke up with his girlfriend, that's all."