Capture My Heart

Friday night

The rest of the week went by relatively fast. I was so thankful for. Casey and Roman invited me over for dinner and I accepted. I hadn't had dinner with them in a while and we were do.

Roman opened a beer and handed it to me.

"So, he sent you roses and you have never met the man," Casey asked me.

"Yep."

"That is so weird. But then there is C."

"Yep."

"Who is friendly than distant?"

"Yep."

"That is even weirder," she responded.

"I just feel like I screw things up every time we are around each other."

"How so," Roman asked.

"Like one minute he's laughing then the next he acts so disappointed in me. I'm afraid to even say anything to him," I sighed taking a sip of my beer.

"Maybe he's afraid to get to close to you," Roman suggested.

"Or maybe I'm horrible at guys," I mumbled.

"Sera. You are not horrible," Casey reassured me.

"Casey, look at me. I have only gone out with guys a few times and they either go running for the hills or it's a major disaster. Obviously, I'm not dateable," I sighed feeling down.

"Sera, that's not true and you know it," Roman told me.

"Ro, I am destined to be alone with plants or cats. I haven't decided yet," I said tapping my lips.

"Well, here this should make you feel better," he said handing me an envelope.

I opened it and it was a check. I gave them a soft smile, "thanks guys."

"Hey you earned it. Let's eat," he suggested as he got up.

Working at the gallery helped. Now I was able to make rent and utilities. I just wonder what my paycheck would be like on Monday. I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it.

After dinner with Roman and Casey I left their place and made my way home. At least I had the weekends off just relax.

I opened my door and sitting on my counter was a slip. I picked it up and it was a receipt, rent paid in full for the rest of the year.

What in the world? I held onto the receipt and went down to the manager's apartment. I knocked on the door and Joe answered.

"What is this?" I shoved the receipt in his face.

"A receipt."

"I know that but it says paid in full for the rest of the year."

He shrugged, "I received a check for you with the rent money."

"Who sent it?"

"I don't know. It was a cashier's check."

I looked at him confused.

"Sera, apparently someone wanted to help. Just accept it. You deserve it," he reassured me.

"Joe, it's not right," I said to him.

"Why?"

"Because I feel like a loser," I sighed.

"Sera, you are not a loser. If someone wants to help you, let them. You're a good person. You never cause trouble. You deserve kindness," he explained.

I looked at him then nodded. I turned and walked back to my apartment. Why anyone would help me, is beyond me.

I went back to my apartment and walked inside, plopping down on my couch, trying to figure out who paid my rent. This was so bizarre.

I heard a knock at the door. Now what?

I got up and answered it to see C standing there smiling, "so I was in the neighborhood and thought I would drop by."

I looked at him confused.

"Can I come in?"

"Oh, right." I stepped aside and waved him inside. I closed the door right behind him.

He looked around and I stood there fidgeting then he held up some discs in cases, "movie?"

"Uh, sure." I took a deep breath as I walked over to my DVD player and tv and turned both on. He removed his coat and placed it over the back of the chair. I turned to find myself face to face with him. My eyes widened as he held up the cases.

I gulped and took one from him and opened it. I placed it in the machine and closed the drawer. As it started I walked back over to the couch and sat down. He followed taking a seat next to me.

Why did I feel so nervous? I mean I have sat next to C before. I glance to see him making himself comfortable and I became more erect in my posture.

As the movie played, I finally relaxed. We got through the first movie then started the second. I didn't realize how tired I was until I fell asleep. Guess two jobs will do that to you.

I slept peacefully and when I woke up the next morning, I was on the couch alone. The tv was off and there was no signs of C. I got up and went into the bathroom, well sort of. I opened the door, screamed and promptly closed it.

I quickly went back into the living room and sat down. Oh god.

The door opened a few minutes later and I looked up in horror at C.

"Well, that was unexpected," he said rubbing the back of his neck.

I stood up and fidgeted, "I am so sorry. I had no idea anyone was in there. I thought I was alone." I rambled.

He chuckled.

"It's okay. You fell asleep on the couch, on me. You looked peaceful so, I didn't want to wake you, which in return I fell asleep," he explained.

"Oh."

"But I must get going. I got a lot of things to do," he said as he grabbed his coat and pulled it on. He said goodbye and left.

Oh my god that was embarrassing. He probably thinks I'm so crazy person who just walks in on someone in the bathroom, constantly. Note to self make sure I knock from now on.

The rest of the weekend, I didn't hear from C and I didn't bother contacting him. I already felt awkward and embarrassed as it was. I didn't want to make things even worse between us.

All weekend my mind kept drifting to who had paid the rent. It bothered me that someone would do that. Growing up, when someone did something for you, it always came with an ulterior motive. I learned that the hard way.

One of the foster homes I ended up in the family was reckless and disturbing. The minute someone did something for you, they expected something in return and usually it was inappropriate it.

Luckily, Roman was in the same foster home and stepped in, protecting me from their advances. Because of it we became great friends and he stuck with me. I was forever grateful to him.

I learned then that a few people were genuinely kind to you never expecting anything in return.

Just thinking back to that experience left a nasty taste in my mouth, making my face contort weirdly.

As the weekend drew to an end, I decided to get ready for Monday. I don't know why but I felt like something was going to happen. Please let things go smoothly.