A Break Apart

CHAPTER 22. A Little Something

After making lunch, I dished, from the pot of pottage yam, a plate for myself to devour in the living room.

I almost dropped the food out of fright the moment I saw him, wondering how long he had been standing there. He leaned on the kitchen door frame, clutching a basketball to his hip with one arm.

"You should stop doing that! You scared the hell out of me," I snapped.

He straightened up. "Oh, so you're scared? You're lucky I'm not a bad guy, else I would have emptied the whole house and you wouldn't even notice. Not only that you didn't lock your door, again, you're also insensitive. I came in to find you cooking, and I just left your room! You should be careful honestly."

My jaw dropped at the creepy revelation. "You've been here that long!? Wow... thank God you're not a criminal."

"What?" he said, with a look of dissapointment. "Is that the thank you I get for being a good guy? And I wouldn't blame any criminal who tries to rob you because you're obviously inviting one."

"Alright!" I made an enthusiastic gesture with my free hand. "Thank you, Mr Good Guy."

He rolled his eyes.

"You're hungry? There's yam in the cooler." I played my host card.

"No, thanks. Last time I ate your food I almost died." He jabbed me with a blunt knife.

"Still your fault." I glared at him.

He chuckled. "Just kidding. But I'm full, thanks. A friend's waiting for you in your room by the way."

"Wait, you came with Smart!?" My heart exploded and started raining down a billion heart emojis.

"Why don't you find out for yourself?" he teased.

I quickly dropped the plate of yam on the island, and William moved out of the way with a laugh to avoid being thrown on the floor with the pace I took to my room.

I halted with a gasp when I came in, my lovestruck eyes fixated on the live cotton ball on the floor.

"You like him? Your own little golden retriever."

I turned around, meeting a friendly smiling William. "Are you kidding me? I love him!" I said, and before I could stop myself, I flew towards him.

"Whoa!" He threw the ball he was holding, right on time to hold me in his arms.

"Thank you so much!" I squealed, and the sound of his vibrant laughter filled my ears, it was then I came back to my senses and realised that I was actually nestled in his chest. I gradually pulled away, and our eyes met.

"Uh, sorry... I just, got really excited."

He chuckled. "It's fine, who wouldn't be"-I blushed-"So maybe a proper hug?" He opened his arms, maintaining that friendly smile.

With a giggle, still overwhelmed by the gift, I moved closer and wrapped my arms around his neck, while his respectfully settled on my lower back.

That weird feeling surfaced again, and being in each other's arms, the closest we have ever been-which I was more conscious of than the earlier hug that was caused by adrenaline-it was stronger... and so consuming that it was impossible to think he wasn't feeling the same way. I became convinced about the hug being something more for the two of us than a mere appreciation. But then again, as the ladies' man that he was, the hug might just be a normal thing for him, and I was going head over heels over the simple gesture. Plus, he was too confident to stay mute all this time, if at all he felt something, anything for me. I then feared that my rapid heartbeat would rat out all the sweet things that I was feeling at the moment and, with that, I willed myself and slowly let go. Our eyes met again.