Maid For Him

Chapter 14

Reese***

It was Wednesday afternoon. My day off. The day I was going to spend underneath my covers, nose deep in any Wattpad book I could get my fingers on.

Gaby had left for work about a hour ago and I was sitting on the couch drinking my morning coffee and watching re-runs of The Fresh Prince of Belair.

I sighed to myself. I had this beautiful day and I was wasting it. I should be doing something productive, like seeking an apartment to rent or something.

Half an hour later, I was fully dressed and heading for the mall. I know I'm supposed to be apartment hunting but it doesn't hurt to window shop from time to time. 

The first place I stopped was at the ice cream parlor, deciding to treat myself to a large tub of strawberry ripple ice cream.

I was stuffing my face when someone blocked me from the sunshine coming through the window. I looked up and almost choked.

"Stacy?"

She flashed her blond hair over her shoulder and smiled at me. "Hey girl. What's up? When did you start eating ice cream?" She looked at the tub with disdain in her eyes. "This is going straight to your butt and thighs. I'm sure you don't want that."

I laughed lightly. "Girl. I just ran a couple miles this morning and decided to treat myself."

She wasn't even listening to me. She had a lip gloss in one hand and a hand mirror in the other. She applied her gloss and I sat there watching my ice cream melting.

"So?" She snapped the mirror shut. "I ran into Aaron the other day and he tells me you guys broke up. Give me the details girl! Did you find someone hotter? Or maybe you couldn't handle his stamina?" She pushed her eyebrows up and down.

I felt a pang of pain at the mention of Aaron's name. I had tried so hard to push him to the back of my mind but here she goes bringing him up. If only she knew why we broke up. She would probably have a heartattack.

I tried my best to push back the tears and smiled. "That's a story for another day, Stacy."

"Another day, huh? You never call me."

"I've been busy."

She hissed her teeth. "Busy with what? Since you transferred schools you never have time to hang out with us anymore. It's like we're too local for you now. Not to worry though. You can make it up to us. A bunch of us are going clubbing tonight. How about you join in on a guaranteed fun night?"

I was sweating like a dog on a hot day. I have never set foot into another club ever since the night of the incident.

"I-I have plans tonight."

"What kind of plans Reese? What? You think you are better than us now because you live in a big house and go to better college? When did you become so stuck up?"

My ice cream had turned into a milk shake by now. I swallowed a few times, trying to hold back the tears. I have told them so many lies, it's hard to keep track of them.

"Excuse me. Can I talk to you for a moment Reese?" I have never been so happy to hear Rickel's voice before. I couldn't stop my lips from spreading into a smile.

Stacy was drooling when she saw his abs through his muscle shirt. I've never seen him dressed like this before.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your man, Reese?" Stacy did not hide the effect his body had on her.

"He's not my-"

"Hi. I'm Rickel." He took her hand and kissed it lightly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Rickel." I watched her cheek turn into a bright shade of pink.

"The pleasure is all mine. If you don't mind me saying, you have beautiful eyes." He was turning on the charm like fireworks and she was giggling like a teenager.

Rickel smiled at her and winked. "If you two are finished talking, can I borrow my girlfriend now?"

"Of course. We were done talking anyways. You lovebirds can get out of here." She squeezed my hand as she ushered us out.

"He's a keeper." She whispered as I was placing the tip on the table.

I didn't have time to respond as Rickel had already taken my hand and was leading me out of the parlor.

"What was that about?!"

"Oh come on Reese. Just thank me for saving you back there."

"Save me? You did no such thing!"

He stopped and stood in front of me. "Oh so you wanted to go clubbing tonight then, right?"

"Well.....you didn't have to say you are my boyfriend. You are my boss for Christ's sake!"

"Oh. I could go back and clear things up." He started to leave and I grabbed his hand.

"Please dont."

He didn't even try to hide his smirk. "Let's get something to eat then you can tell me all about the college you attend."

I rolled my eyes at his sarcasm but followed him anyways. I breathed in and out slowly, trying to calm my racing heart. This was too much for me to handle all at once. I needed to put up my masks or my emotions would betray me. I couldn't let that happen now..... not when I was getting closer to Rickel.

"Here's your order." The waitress announced. Rickel got a salad, a small serving of chilli and some green juice totally opposite to my burger, fries and milk shake.

"I absolutely love chilli. I have to order it with every meal I eat out." He took a spoonful. "So delicious. You want to try?"

I didn't have a choice. He was already shoving the spoon toward my lips.

I took it.

A few seconds later, I was spitting it into a piece of napkin and gulping down my milk shake to get the taste from my mouth.
"This is awful!"

"Apologize young lady. This is good chilli. What? You think you can make it better?"

I looked at him queerly. "You do know I'm from Puerto Rico right? I can make you a chilli you won't be able to forget."

He laughed genuinely. "Oh really? I guess I'm having chilli for dinner tomorrow night."

He watched as I bit into my burger. "You need to start eating healthier. First ice cream now burger and fries? You are digging your own grave."

I hit him with the perfect comeback. "You work almost every day and you hardly get any rest. You are digging your own grave."

He smiled. "Touche."

We chatted and laughed about food and lifestyle while we ate. I was happy to have steered the topic away from what happened in the ice cream parlor.

We were almost ready to leave when he asked, "Why did you drop out of college?"

"You. You are the reason I'm not in school."