Lovers of Freedom

Chapter 12- Like a lonely snowman (pt2)

Mark's apartment had better decoration than mine. He had probably hired a professional to balance all the furniture and photographs. I hadn't seen that many photographs since...I am not sure. A long time ago.

I was flattered to be the first woman he invited to his apartment. Who knows, maybe it was a lie, but I wanted to believe it was true. The house smelled nice like him. He had an automatic air freshener. It was tidy, but not in a freaky way. There were some books around the living-room, some rage sock, and some rogue jacket in the couch. Mark picked it up.

"Please, Annie. Sit down," he said. I sat down, I still was holding the dog in my arms. I let him escape. "Do you want that cup of tea then?" I nod.

Mark didn't have a television in his living room, so I wondered if he was the kind of person to watch at everything online. He also looked like he was feeling a bit awkward. Maybe nervous? I smiled.

"Say, Mark. You need help in the kitchen?" I asked him. He didn't respond and he came back a few minutes later holding a tray with tea and biscuits.

"Please help yourself!" he said, smiling. I picked the cup and served myself tea. "So...what should we talk about?" he said. I had some many naughty things that we could talk about in mind but I just thought of keeping it PG.

"You seem to be close to your parents..." I said.

"Yes. I am very close to my family. I have my parents and my little sister. She is about the same age." He said, drinking his tea, I smiled. Mark moved from his seat and sat next to me. "I thought I would hear you better in this seat. You don't mind, do you?" he said. I blushed and felt butterflies in my belly. His leg was now against mine. He was warm.

"I have two brothers. One in Germany and the other one in Oxford. One is an engineer, and the other one is a professor. He did a doctorate in science but continued researching ever since." I said.

"Interesting...and you work as a music producer then..." he said.

"Well...more like I am a copyright person for the music. That is my main job. My company does represent some artists though. Like Redhome!" I said with a smile. I sipped on my tea.

"Charming..." said Mark with a smile. "Do you miss being back home...in Venezuela?" I denied it.

"I like it here in England. I get to meet fascinating people like you..." I replied, Mark, giggled.

"That's great...I mean nobody had said that before...why thank you." he winked. "I mean...you're amazing too. I worry you're just a dream you know. That I have already lost it and...I am simply a lonely boy. Yeah- you know. I remember when I was a child, my mother used to take me to the forest to do some foraging. That one time I got lost I thought to have seen a fairy. Then I met you. You're like this fantasy creature..." I couldn't understand really what he meant with his I just put my head in his shoulder to continue to listen to him. "and..yes. I was surprised, I was like Mark! You can't lose the opportunity...I was so scared. But you...you're so precious..." and as he continued rambling...I kind of fell asleep.

The sun woke me up. It must have been six in the morning or so. I was in Mark's bed and he had covered me. Winston was asleep on my toes, and there was no sign of him. I felt sleepy and I realised I hadn't slept that well in a long time. Suddenly, the door opens. Mark has made breakfast for me. Toast, beans, egg, bacon and sausage. Usual English breakfast. I never ate in the morning but this was an especial occasion.

"You're awake, that is great!" Mark said. My stomach started rumbling, I was starving!

I pick the toast and give it a bite.