They were almost finished when Nora's phone started to ring. "What the fuck? Why don't people let me have my food in peace." She cursed and then picked up her phone. Her expression changed instantly when she saw the caller ID and excused herself to answer the phone.
"A bad temper she's got," Penelope said and giggled. "Yeah, but she's soft at heart," Damen said and wiped his mouth with the napkin. Penelope looked at him. "No... no, no. I wasn't saying it like that." She put her hair behind her ear. “I only meant… I – uh… I—” Her sentences were inscrutable. "All right, all right. Calm down, missy." He tried to put her at ease. “Why do you panic about such little things?” He put a meat slice in his mouth. She just shrugged in response and sipped water. Slowly. Very Slowly. Nora came back and dropped her phone on the table. "What happened?" asked Penelope.
"Uh—my agent is at my house. I was trying to change my apartment, somewhere close to the office. He was out of town. He came back today and was trying to call me since morning. I was just super busy and couldn’t take his call. I totally forgot about that.” she said and drank from her glass. "Sorry, guys but I need to go." She said hurriedly. "I'm really sorry, Penny. I would never have to go like that if this wasn’t important." She apologized again. “Sorry.” Penelope hesitated for a moment but then waved her hand in the air. "Yeah, no. I got this. It’s just fine." She smiled and watched her leaving the restaurant.
It was now only two of them. They stayed silent for a moment. Damen cleared his throat and said "I was just messing with you this morning. Nothing personal." She nodded and gave him a small smile.
"Right." He said and took a long sip of his drink not knowing what else to say.
Suddenly there came a light sound of rain hitting the window. She turned around to look outside, it was actually raining.
"Oh, no." She anxiously said. "What happened?" He asked.
"It's raining. I don’t even have my umbrella. How will I go to the bus stop?" She was still looking outside the window. “It didn’t show on the forecast that it would be raining today.”
"I can drop you."
She turned her head almost instantly to look at him that she felt a little dizzy. "What? No." she refused. "I can book a cab." She said and grabbed her phone. "Why not? It's not safe okay. You know how things are. Also, I don't think you can get a cab at this hour." He checked his wristwatch.
“What?” She raised an eyebrow at him. He looked confused. "No, I mean... I don't mean that only because you are a girl. No, no.” He tried to put words together. “I'm just saying that… uh- since I'm here I can drop you, why bother to take a cab?" He said rapidly. His palms were all sweaty and he felt a little uneasy saying all those things at once.
She looked away and pressed her lips into a thin line. “I – uh…” She scratched her temple then finally gave in looking outside the rain. “Okay.”
"Good. Should I order you a drink? Anything?" He asked, feeling relaxed now. "No, I'm good," Damen asked for the bill. “Here, I can pay for my meal.” She took out her card. But Damen refused to take it saying that he was going to pay for it anyways. After that, they came outside and sat in the car. Penelope entered her address on the GPS and he started driving.
"So... um. How was it?" Damen tried to make small talk. Again. Although he knew he was terrible at this he still tried. "It was good." She said and looked outside. "Right," Damen said and played light music on the radio to avoid awkward silence.
The rain was getting heavier with every passing minute. The car turned right. It was a blocked road due to construction work. “It didn’t show on the GPS.” He shook his head and reversed the car. He checked for another route. It was 5 miles longer than the other.
“When did you come here? New York. Like um… before joining the office?”
“Um, about a week probably.”
“You knew anybody here?”
“No. Not really.”
“You came here for the job only?”
“Uh-huh.” She clicked her tongue.
“So… um,” He scratched the back of his neck. It was getting difficult for him to keep this conversation going with her replying with single words. “What are your plans for the weekend?”
"Oh, shit!" She screeched and then put her hands over her mouth. He applied brakes and looked at her "What happened?"
"I left my file and my bag in Nora’s car. Shit, shit, SHIT!" She hit her forehead with her fist. “Hey, hey. Calm down.” He said with wide eyes.
“Marissa is going to kill me!”
“What? Why?”
“Oh, God. Why am I so stupid?” She squeezed her eyes shut, face palmed herself, opened her eyes again, and groaned in frustration.
“Hey…” He did not know what he was supposed to do.
"You are not understanding."
"Make me understand." He rolled his eyes.
"Ugh-- I have this really important report to submit in a day to Marissa.” She started explaining slowly. She was so furious with me today and now I have lost the file. Oh, my God, she is going to kill me the instant I showed her my face.” She whined irritatingly.
“HEY!” He raised his voice and grabbed her both hands to prevent her from hitting herself anymore. Her eyes had become glossy. He felt his heart racing in his chest. He looked into her eyes and then his gaze moved down to her lips. They were pink and soft.
Shut up, Damen. Focus. He thought to himself.
“Calm down. Okay?” He caressed her hands. “We can handle this thing. No big deal.” He paused for a moment. “What about… I go to Nora’s after dropping you. Her house is on my way back home. I’ll get your file and bring it to you tomorrow.” He inhaled and then exhaled. “And then, I’ll… help you making your report.” He smiled.
Sweat droplets had emerged on her forehead, and her palms had become cold. He gave them a gentle squeeze.
"B-but why would you do that? You don't have work to finish? Or any other plans. I don't want you to ruin your weekend for me. I can ask Nora or… Eric to help me." She said in a small voice.
"I really have no plans. And I would love to help you to figure things out. I know that's not how bosses sound generally… but yeah, I'll help you. And after all, we are friends now. I can do you this little favor. Don't worry."
“Friends?” She looked into his eyes.
“Yes? Are we not?” He chuckled nervously.
"Mm... Okay." She said after a moment. She looked relieved. Damen smiled at her, staring her in her eyes. "Uh... you can leave my hands now." She tried to pull them back.
"Huh? Oh, yeah... yeah. Sure." He fumbled and immediately left her hands started the car. He felt a little embarrassed.
Why did such a perfect moment end like that? I’m such an asshole. He mentally slapped himself.
"You said something?" asked Penelope. "Me? No. No." He said without looking at her. His eyes focused on the road. It was still raining. Moments later they were outside her building. "Yeah, just there." She pointed towards the building. Damen nodded.
He stopped the car. "Thank you very much.” She smiled. “Wait.” He checked the compartments and then the backseat. He moved to grabbed something from there. “Here.” He picked up a small umbrella and handed her.
“I – uh… I don’t need it. Really.”
“Take it,” He insisted. “Please.”
“Um, thank you.” She took it from him.
She opened the umbrella and safely got out of the car and walked towards the building. She waved him goodbye and then entered the building. He sighed after watching her getting out of his sight and then drove away.
*
She climbed the stairs when she remembered she doesn’t have her keys. “Oh, what should I do now?” She faltered and stopped in her tracks. She checked the time on her phone. It was late. She reached her floor and stood in front of Hailey’s door. She was still thinking about whether to knock on the door or not when the door swung open revealing Nathan on the other side.
He looked surprised. “Um, hello?”
She had her hand raised in mid-air to knock on the door. “Hi…” She waved.
“Uh…” Nathan expected her to say something but when she didn’t, he asked her, “Do you need… anything?”
“No. Yes.”
“Huh?”
“I- uh… forgot my bag at my friends' place. I don’t have my keys.” She fidgeted.
“Oh…” was all he said.
“What should I do?” She almost whined.
“Oh.” He said and then shook his head. “You can get an extra pair from Grace downstairs, girl.”
Relief washed over her face. “Of course.” She put her hands together. “Thank you.” She beamed and walked downstairs. She took small steps towards Grace’s office. Mr. Grace was sitting on a couch reading a book. He closed it and placed it on the table in front of him when he saw her standing in the doorway.
“Yes, Miss Bloom?” He smiled at her.
“Uh—Mr. Grace…” She came inside the office. “I -uh… forgot my bag at my friend’s place. I do not have my keys. Do you have an extra pair of keys to my apartment?”
“Ah. Okay.” He stood straight and walked towards the cupboard. “You can give a copy of these to Hailey.” He said while searching for the keys. “Here,” he finally found it. “Return them to me after handing over the copy to your neighbors.” He handed her the keys.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.” She took them and went upstairs. She unlocked her apartment and hanged the keys. She was still holding the umbrella. She stared at it for a moment then put it adjacent to the shoe rack with her umbrella and walked inside. She entered the bathroom and removed her makeup. She filled the bathtub with warm water and took a long soothing bath. After that, she wore her trousers and tank top and slid under the sheets. She read a book for some time and then slept like a baby.
***
It stopped raining shortly after he dropped her at her place. The car stopped at a red signal. He starred out of the window at the almost empty road. The sky had begun to clear out. The wind was taking the clouds away. It was a bit chilly. How can be someone so scary and scared at the same time? He thought to himself and smiled. The car behind him honked causing him to stop smiling and to focus on the road. He came out of his thoughts. “Sorry!” He waved his hand lightly out of the window and accelerated the car. He was going to Nora’s house now. He took out his phone and dialed her number. She picked up after the second ring. “You have reached Nora’s voicemail. Unless it is extremely important that you’d die if you didn’t seek my expertise don’t say anything. Have a good night and let me have one as well.” She had her nose pressed between her fingers. He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Oui, madame.” He shook his head and continued, “I’ll be at your pl
Sunlight kissed her eyelids good morning. It was a bright day. Everything was looking more alive and fresher. She pulled sheets over her face and then turned over. Her phone buzzed under her pillow. She opened one eye and looked around. She had slept peacefully last night but was still tired from the wearying week. She checked her cell phone. There was a text message from her cousin sister, Flora. “Hello, dearest. I’m going to Ohio with Auntie Betty. I’ll come back in a week. I would have called you but then I thought you might be sleeping. Anyways. I’m hoping to see you soon. I love you. -Nana.” Her grandmother had asked Flora to text her on her behalf. Flora was 10 years older than her and had two kids. She had always been a supportive person in Penelope’s life. When everything was falling apart, she helped her get things together and rooted for her success. There were other messages from Nora as well. The first one was an hour later the tim
4:47 p.m. All of her work was done by 5 in the evening. Damen hadn’t said anything to make her more nervous than she already was. He was trying to get work done as soon as possible. All the awkwardness and tension had settled down. “Should I send it just now or schedule it for tomorrow morning?” She looked at him. He was sitting beside her. “Schedule it.” There were empty noodle bowls, and some snacks lying on the table. She scheduled the email and powered off her laptop. She stretched her arms over her head and slouched back. “Thank you.” She put her glasses over her head. “For helping me. That too on the weekend.” He tilted his head to look at her. She was smiling at him. He gave her a half-smile, “It was nothing.” He looked away, “You are my friend.” “Let me treat you to a meal.” She excitedly said. He raised an eyebrow at her. “What?” “I’m gonna eat until you are broke.” He widened his eyes. She laughed in response.
10:16 p.m. She didn’t say anything all the way back to his home. The car slowed down in front of his house. He parked it in the garage and moved out. He took out the suitcase and walked inside the house. After a minute or two, he came back. She was sitting still. He opened her door and bent down to pick her up. “I can just… walk.” She looked at him with no expressions. “Like that?” He gave her a disappointing look. “Yeah. I mean… just lend me your hand.” She stretched out her hand. He grabbed it and helped her in getting out of the car. She was leaning on him trying to walk but couldn’t. She couldn’t put pressure either on her toes or heel. He picked her up without letting her say anything. She put her arms around his neck awkwardly. He walked inside the house quietly. He entered his room and carefully dropped her on the bed, grabbed two pillows, put them under her foot, and stood straight. There was a moment of silence. He scratched his neck
“Here, take your medicines.” He came out of the kitchen with an apron around his waist. “Oh,” He stopped right in front of her chair. “She slept again?” He put his hands to his sides. Her mouth was slightly opened and she had her eyes closed. He waved his hand in front of her face. “Hey!” He poked her arm. “Penelope!” He tried again but there was no response. He sighed and put medicines in his apron’s pocket. “How is she always sleepy?” He shook his head and sighed again. The clouds had covered up the sky. He chose not to wake her up and sat on the chair beside her. He wiped his hands on the apron and leaned back. “I don’t want you to suffer.” He said in a hushed tone. Almost inaudible. “I know you don’t want me to help you. Still, you are stuck with me here.” He smiled sadly and looked at her. He slowly put a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He kept looking at her. Sadly. “I’m sorry you broke your foot because of me.” He said and leaned back in his chair
2:03 a.m. He got up to drink water. There was light coming out of her comforter. He poured water for himself and took his time to drink it. He kept standing there watching her shuffling under the sheet. He slowly stretched his arm and grabbed the comforter and then jerked it off from top of her. A shriek left from her mouth which he stopped by putting his hand over her mouth. He took her phone from her hand and faced the light towards the ceiling. “What do you think you are doing?” He turned on the screen and read the time. “It’s freaking 2 in the morning.” His eyes widened. “Why aren’t you asleep?” “I couldn’t sleep.” She said sheepishly. “It was just too dark for me to sleep.” He rolled his eyes. “Let me put you to sleep.” He jumped over the bed and laid down next to her. “Here.” He patted his shoulder. “Lay down.” She looked at him incredulously. “What?” He grabbed her arm and pulled her down. “Don’t rush your filthy brain.
“I was just thinking about coming home today.” She said on the phone. “You sure? Is there any problem?” Hailey said on the other side of the line. “No, I mean… I just— you know. How long can I stay here? And I miss you.” “I miss you too, love. Okay. Should I ask him to take you back here?” “No, no. I’ll just talk to him.” “Okay, hon. I love you.” “I love you too.” She smiled. She took support from the crutch and walked out of the room. She lightly knocked at the door to the study room and creaked it open. He was standing in front of the window, looking outside. She entered the room and looked around. The room had a dark ambiance just like the rest of the house. The whole room was carpeted. There were bookshelves on the front wall from top to bottom. A wooden ladder in the corner. The west wall was an accent wall with nothing but one gigantic painting of the back of a woman in a white dress. The details were incredible.
July 29th. 5:30 p.m. The air hostess asked all the passengers to tie their seatbelts, the plane was about to take off. She was sitting nervously in her seat, fidgeting with her fingers. She looked outside the window for one last time, she was about to leave her hometown. Her eyes became glossy as the plane started moving. She took a deep breath after closing her eyes and rested her head on the seat. * 10:45 p.m. The plane landed on the airport and the passengers came out after collecting their bags. There were only a handful of passengers on the flight. It wasn't as dark outside as she thought it would be. She came out of the terminal dragging her suitcase and holding 2 small bags on her both shoulders. She looked around but found no one who might have come to pick her up. A man came near her and said in a foreign accent "Miss Bloom? Are you Penelope Bloom?" He had grey mop-like hair,