Walls

Chapter 3 part1

"I thought you are going to call us this morning?" I heard my Dad's voice over the phone.

"Dad, I told you. I've fallen asleep." I promised my dad before I left that I would call them once I got here but things happened and I just cannot tell my father. That wouldn't help his worry. If he knew he would surely order me to take the first possible flight and go straight home. I cannot do that.

"I can see that jet lag isn't disturbing you a bit. Okay, so how are you there?"

I know, even back in the Philippines, I never had a problem with sleeping. I can sleep the whole freaking day and can still sleep at night. But of course, I would have difficulty but I end up sleeping again. I just have a bigger love and endurance with sleeping than most people.

"I'm okay here Dad. My place here is enough for me. Its fully furnished. I got a nice view of the city in my balcony. Then later I would go to the groceries to fill up my supply."

"Okay, don't forget to take care of yourself okay? Keep safe. If anything happens call us asap. Anyway, how was the result of your exam?"

"The result will be out next week Dad."

I took an exam to be a licensed USRN here in the states. The result would be out in exactly a week. That is my turning point. If I passed, I would work in the hospital my friend's aunt was in. She reserved a spot for me. If not, I would have to find another job.

"Okay, just don't forget what I told you okay?"

"Yes dad. Don't worry. Ill hung up already. Tell my siblings I said Hi. Bye Dad. Love you."

"Okay. take care."

I pressed the end button and got my purse. I shall go to the groceries now.

After making sure the door is locked. I went out.

****

After organizing my groceries in the cabinet, I had the urge to cook something.

I was in middle of thinking what to cook when I heard a knock on my door.

I peeked through the peek hole and found Jace standing outside.

"Hey its Jace." He said as if sensing I am in the peek hole.

I opened the door and saw Jace's smile grew.

I welcomed him inside with a smile.

"What brought you here?" I asked. He's becoming a regular visitor.

"Nothing." He shrugged and went straight to the kitchen.

"Oh.. your house I see." I teased him.

He just laughed.

"You done with groceries?" He asked me with a glass of water in his hand.

"Yep. I just finished organizing it in the cabinet." I said while leaning in the kitchen counter.

"Hmm. So what are you up to?"

"Well, I was thinking of what to cook before you came in."

His face lighten.

"I can help you with that."

"For sure. So? anything to suggest Mr. Chef?" I teased again. I don't know, but I just feel so comfortable with him even though we just actually met only last night.

"Well what do you prefer to have?" He asked.

"I don't know exactly. But I want to have chicken."

"How about Chicken Parmesan?"

"Okay."

"Chicken with orange and lemon sauce?"

"Hmm.. sounds better?"

He smiled.

"Ill teach you."

"Sure thing Chef."

He just laughed and checked my kitchen and cabinet.

He nods to himself and prepared the ingredients.

He taught me how to cut things up and guided me as we cooked the dish.

He prepared brown rice while I was stirring the sauce for the chicken.

"So Chef, what is your specialty?"

"Pasta.. anything with pasta. But I like to say my Carbonara is my special bullet"

"Oh! That's my favorite!" I exclaimed

He laughed.

"I'll let you taste my Carbonara next time." He said to me smiling.

"Hah! That better be good! I have a very hard to pleased palate when it comes to Carbonara." I said laughing

He laughed.

"Looks like I better be ready then. I am about to present it to a very hard to please lady over here."

We both laughed and prepared the table together.

"This is delicious!" I told him after I took a bite of my chicken.

He just smiled.

"You know what? I guess you and I are gonna be the best of friends forever!"

"Only so you can convince me to cook for you every time." He said laughing

"I didn't thought of that!" I defensed. "But that isn't such a bad idea. I might do that."

"I'm very hard to convince, I tell you." He said smiling.

I paused and faced him properly.

"Jace?" I asked using my sweetest voice. "Can you come over tomorrow morning and cook me a delicious breakfast?" I asked while batting my eyelashes.

I reached for his hand and held it close to my face and smiled at him sweetly.

"Please?"

I swear I saw him flickered. As if I've done something that sent electricity to his body. But he recovered quickly and chuckled.

"Okay." He said

I laughed. "That was easy!"

"Hey that was hard! I thought over a second!"

"Yeah. Very hard to convince." I said mocking him, taking another bite of my chicken.

I felt so comfortable with him as if I've known him since ages. Then I wondered, what if he is already taken? What if he only sees me as a friend?

I can't help but feel sad.

"Why? Something wrong?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"I just remembered something."

I smiled at him as he returned it wide a sweeter smile.

***