Fine Wine & Hennessy

Chapter 1: How I see

    Xoemi
I adore the way the way the curtains protect me from the outside world. The harsh sun and bright skies would scream at me to move if they could. They cannot. That would be absurd, right? Why would those glorious creations want to talk to me anyway.
9:00 am? Why do I keep waking up at this time like I've got somewhere to go? Wait, do I? No. No work today. It's Sunday, my designated mental health day. Not like I do anything but sleep. Regardless, it's much needed quiet time. That's if my mind would give me a few hours to just rest. Always chatting it up. On my stomach, my favorite sleeping position, lazily scanning the room. Only light to be seen is what the shades allow the sun to show. Very little, I must add.
I can't say I want to leave this apartment today, I do not. I just know this small fridge across from me is vacant of anything edible. What a complete drag. Maybe I have some ice. Nope. I forgot to set some after scarfing it down last night.

I live in a small studio in Connecticut. The cheapest way of living here. I don't even know how I get by myself. I reside in a quieter area thankfully. East Hartford, not as loud as a busy street in the center of Hartford, that's for sure.

"Corey what are you doing in my room?"

That's so Raven is on. It really comes in handy when I need a show to watch in the background. 
11:15am
Have I been just staring at nothing for that long?
Alright girl.
Get up.
Sluggishly, I roll off of my bed, slipping on my bedroom slippers. You truly don't realize you have to pee really bad until you stand up. Quickly scurrying to the bathroom, I rest my head on my hand staring at my phone, scrolling though every and anything really. The idea of having to remove myself from the now comfortable toilet made me groan. Eventually I do, completing my hygiene routine & dress myself in a basic pair of sweats with a hoodie. It was beginning of spring, but still felt cool outside, sort of like fall, my favorite season.
On Sunday's, I normally run a few errands, make myself dinner & call it a day.
••••
Trader Joe's was my go to for grocery shopping next to stop and shop. I wasn't some organic freak, but they had a lot of things I liked. I looked down at my phone where I wrote in my list. If a list wasn't made prior, I would be stuck in here for hours just walking up and down aimlessly.
Due to my concentration on the screen I didn't notice a person trying to talk to me. "Excuse me?" I finally heard. Looking up, I met the gaze of man who held a calm smile on his face. "Do you mind if I just get a bottle of Coconut Aminos? You're kind of blocking it." He politely asks. Without hesitation I move to the side, mumbling sorry. This man was so tall compared to myself, had  fair skin, freckles under his eyes, and dreads that was tied at the top of his head. The stranger must've caught my stare and smirks a bit then turns his attention to my list. "It looks like you need a bottle too, according to that." He chuckles and points to my phone. I smile a bit, embarrassed that he sees my corny list. "Yeah I guess I do." I respond lowly. The man takes another one and places it in my basket. That simple move gave my nose enough time to inhale the magnificent cologne that cloaked his skin. I inhaled slightly causing a shiver to run down my spine. His hand sticks out toward me. "Roman. What's your name?" I smile a bit shaking his huge hand. So smooth, wow. "Xoemi." I simply respond. We locked eyes and it felt like time froze. His beautiful green-hazel eyes sparkled looking down at me. "A unique name. You live around here?" Roman questioned as he began walking, naturally I followed suit. "I do. In East Hartford, how about you? Haven't seen you here before." Trader Joe's was a place you'd have regulars and faces were familiar. I definitely would have seen him. He grabs a 24 case of alkaline water with no sweat & smirks at me. "I just moved out here from New York, I didn't know CT had such beautiful women like yourself." Instantly my eyes darted elsewhere. Crap. Don't act stupid Xo. In all honestly, I haven't had a man be this polite & direct before. It was so attractive. I debated whether to just say thank you or have a cute comeback.
I took the risk.
Stepping up to him, I tangled his hoodie string around my purple acrylic nail. Looking up at him I reply lowly. "You've clearly just been in the wrong area."

Roman

Call me corny, but you ever just see your future in someone during the first meeting? I left the grocery store in a daze.  Xoemi. Watching her car pull off I smiled at the idea of seeing her again. After her bold move, we exchanged information and proceeded grocery shopping. We played eye tag the whole time until she checked out & me following after. The drive home was calm through Manchester, my new home. I lived in a luxury apartment alone & the scenery surrounding was so beautiful. Compared to cramped NY, CT was very nice.

I get inside my place and pack away the groceries. A neat freak was an understatement for me. I liked to have everything organized and labeled. Especially in the kitchen. It just is calming and well, the aesthetic, you know?
My choice to move out of Queens was primarily for a change of scenery and a great job offer here. It's a remote position that requires me to be in this state, but it pays very well.
Was I leaving much behind? I mean my mom will be ight. She has my brother & sister with her and I'm only two hours away.
I continued my Sunday with my normal routine of working out, doing laundry, and meal prepping for the next two days.
•••••••

As the day came to an end at
11:30pm
I looked at my phone.
She hadn't reached out yet. Not that I was expecting her to stop her day to text me, but I was curious about this woman.
How did she spend her Sunday? Did she go out? Maybe she likes the gym like me & got in a workout? Sunday cleaning? Did I...cross her mind? It's been a while since I've given any woman my time of day. I had took a year of focusing on myself and figuring out my next move after repeated failed attempts at relations.
I've only been in CT for two months now and the idea of finding someone never even crossed my mind.
I definitely grew a contact list of friends very fast out here, but...this encounter was different.

My thoughts were disrupted by my phone ringing.

Incoming call: Xoemi