Tina woke up early. It was 4 a.m. She felt the bed beneath her and opened her eyes slowly. Across from her, she recognized a figure sitting on the couch. Confused, she blinked. When did I get home? she wondered.
He sat there, reading one of her books—Facts on Science. He must be into science, she thought.
He noticed she was awake and dropped the book.
"You're awake," he said, standing and moving to sit on the edge of her bed.
"Yes... You're the driver, right?"
He chuckled lightly. "Not exactly. I just felt like playing that role that day."
"Oh." She looked puzzled.
"I'm actually a surgeon at City Hospital," he continued. "I gave you my card, but you didn't call. So I had to look for you. What happened?"
He looked at her intently. She avoided his gaze.
"I've been busy."
"With school?"
"Just been down lately. Got a lot to deal with."
"I know."
"You know?" She looked up, finally meeting his eyes.
"I'm sorry if it seems like I stalked you, but I went to your school the other day. I saw you having what didn't look like a great conversation with some guy. I figured... relationship problems?"
Tina shifted her gaze to the floor, ran her fingers through her hair, and sat up.
"Okay. That's in the past. I don't want to talk about it."
"Sure, sure." A pause. "So, what are you studying?"
"Computer Science."
"Nice. Planning to work where?"
"A bank."
"Interesting. Your apartment is really pretty. I walked around a bit while you were asleep."
She stiffened at that. I was asleep... and he walked around? What did he see? Did I snore? Did I look weird? She couldn't help worrying. Why did it even matter to me? And yet, deep inside, she hoped he saw something admirable, even attractive.
"I live here with my friend," she said finally.
"I noticed. It's a nice place."
"Thanks."
"Uhmm, are you feeling okay now?"
"Yeah, I am."
"That's good. If you're fine, I should head out. I'm starving."
"You don't have to leave. I can make you something to eat."
"That would be nice—if you're up for it."
"Sure."
She headed for the kitchen. He followed her and sat by the kitchen table while she started making noodles.
"Billie Eilish in a relationship with Nat Wolff? Okay..." Edward said, scrolling through his phone.
"Damn. I thought Billie was gay! No way. Nat, let Billie be, please," Tina replied.
"You listen to Billie Eilish?"
"Yes! Birds of a Feather, Wildflower, Chihiro, TV, I Love You, Ocean Eyes, Six Feet Under, Hit Me Hard and Soft, Everything I Wanted, Happier Than Ever... I know all the lyrics, word for word."
"That's a long list, shawty. But you forgot Lovely."
"Oh my God. Forgive me, Lord! How could I?" she gasped, laughing. Edward joined in.
"So you listen to her too?"
"Not really. I'm just into her Ocean Eyes. They're... pretty."
"I swear she made that song for herself."
"And then she sang Blue, after saying she hated the color."
"She dyed her hair blue once."
"Girl's being ironic," he said with a smirk.
Tina couldn't help admiring him. His dark, low-cut hair, his masculine build—he looked good in his clothes. And those legs? Long and attractive in their own right.
"The egg's burning, Tina," he reminded her with a teasing smile.
She snapped back to reality, embarrassed. She'd been staring. She quickly turned off the cooker and dished out the food.
After they ate, he said, "That was delicious."
"Thanks," she replied with a shy smile, avoiding his gaze.
"I'll head out now. Need to get ready for work."
She followed him to the door.
"Thanks for the hospitality," he said.
"I should be thanking you—for bringing me home and making sure I was safe."
He pulled her into a gentle hug, pecked her on the neck, and ruffled her hair. She didn't pull away. He had been kind.
"Goodbye," he said, walking out the door.
"Bye," she whispered, waving slightly.
"Call me soon!" he called out as he entered the elevator.
"Alright. Get home safe."
She shut the door behind her and returned to her room. She meant to take a bath, but she loved how she still smelled of him. Her hair looked beautiful, his touch lingering. It was almost 6. She slipped off her gown and fell asleep again.
---
The doorbell rang for the fifth time at Victor's apartment.
He stirred, annoyed and exhausted. "Are you not going to wait?" he grumbled as he dragged himself to the door.
There stood a postman, holding an envelope.
"Good morning, sir," the postman greeted.
"Yes?"
"This is for you," he said, handing over the envelope.
"What's that?" Victor asked, hesitant.
"It's for you, sir."
"Okay."
Victor took it, eyeing both the postman and the envelope suspiciously before closing the door.
"I wonder what this is," he muttered.
He sat on the couch, placed the envelope on the small side table, and opened it. He pulled out the letter and began to read.