The writer and the boxer - a sweet romance

Chapter 1

"I'm sorry," I say as I dip to collect my bags that had fallen from my hands. In raising my head I meet hazel eyes peering through lens. They do not seem like prescription lenses but he squints a little as our eyes locked. I walked right into 'him' while fishing for my keys in my purse. All over the floor were parcels and fabric bundled together.

"No problem. I should be apologizing," he says and he also dips to help with the few scattered items that has been displaced from my bags. The last bit that draws his attention are a new pair of blue lace underwear which I bought with my friend Michelle. I flush a whole new hue of pink which is hidden under my golden skin. My eyes flit about as I am thrown into a fit of embarrassment. Having no where else to avert my eyes, I stare at the elevator wishing that it would open and swallow me whole.

"Uhm, thanks," I say and I hastily remove the blue from his fingers. Lace interlocking hands with fingers holding 'delicates' that, for some unknown reason, looked perfect together but he was a stranger fondling my intimates. A mental note to wash and re-wash those items where made. I did not know where his hands were before. However I do know where it could have been if I had enough courage to speak out.

"You are most welcome," I hear from a masculine voice that seemed to sing in my ear.

'When was the last time I heard such a voice emanate from any male personnel' I wondered and knew that it had never happened before. I never tangled with the male intimately. Ok, not never just sporadically. My lifestyle did not permit me to wallow in fun activities. Not for a want of excitement, I was just an introvert, and not much people accepted that part of me. I'm silently having a conversation with myself as the stranger stood by watching on with a crooked smile. I was brought back to reality by his next few words.

"Sorry to embarrass you like that," he said.

I replied a tad bit hastily, forgetting my speech, "De nada," and selected my floor on the elevator.

We stood side by side awaiting the elevator doors to open and I could sense the palpable silence stretching miles as we both try to avert our eyes. After that 'lacy' debacle I felt shy around this stranger, and then it occurred to me, 'he was a stranger'. An unfamiliar face in the building. I felt tempted to ask if he was a new tenant but my tongue refused to dissipate its heaviness. I needed to become more confident with myself but the fear of rejection stilled my tongue and my played in my overactive mind. I took solace in the numbers blinking to the top of the elevator, aversion once again from not staring directly into his eyes. Hoping the 'stranger' would be a gentleman and await the other 'ping' of the neighbouring door, I stepped forward as I notice the panel light signal the doors 'being opened' on the elevator. Once inside the comfort of the confined space I breathed a sigh of relief, and in the moment I stepped to press my floor 'the stranger' placed one leg in the same space. He turned to smile at me as we both stretch for the selection panel. His floor was three, I was taking the second. I took a step back after my floor selection, and viewed 'the stranger' from behind.

His shoulders were broad and thick legs were encased with denim that had (what looked like) the perfect slits made from the knee to the ankle of the jeans. He also had on a pair of flip-flops that exposed well manicured toes. I shifted a bit as I became aware of my own feet that were in need of a good scrubbing. I vowed then to take control of my feet and even give it a finishing with any nail polish I may have around the apartment. My self-consciousness stemmed towards my hair and I brushed aside a blonde weave strand, feeling a bit awkward in 'the stranger's' presence. He turned towards me with another smile and a curt nod as I stepped away and towards the opening doors. Gladly welcoming the number 2 that lit up, confirming my separation from his scrutiny and also his judging eyes.

"Enjoy the lacing," he called as the doors closed and my cheeks heat with embarrassment.

How dare he make any reference to my undies, and I scrunched my face as I eyed the blue peeping from the bag, now feeling more comfortable in my own space without his hazel eyes peering at me. I leaned on my door frowning to myself as my hand automatically grasped the blue and raised it to my nostrils. Laughing, I threw it back into its bag and tried to comprehend exactly what scent I should be basking in as all I remembered was how 'the stranger' looked and not what he smelled of.

I somberly walked across to my window and stared out, not really focusing on anything special. Just thinking to myself why I let Michelle talk me into buying new underwear, much less new blue lacy panties with matching bra. "Ha," I said too loudly as I was alone in my apartment, for the knowledge of 'the stranger' missing the perfectly matching bra just dawned upon me. He would have been even more smug with his lacy comment if he only knew that the underwear had a twin that was nestled in the bag.

Why did I even care if 'the stranger' knew about my matching 'pantalones'. I always spoke spanish when I became nervous. Why would a brief interlude with some man I have never seen before have me nervous even in the seclusion of my own home? I shook off the thought and turned my attention to the rest of my evening, settled in my cozy nook. Notepad, pen, and computer was the way I passed my time. I settled in for my evening of writing and delved into the world I created for others.

AN. Wasn't that the most embarrassing moment ever?

Share one of your embarrassing moments with me.

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