Chapter One: Elevator Guy

It’s summertime. I felt the sunlight scorching on my face. I checked the clock with my eyes half-closed and was shocked that it was 2:22 in the afternoon. Wow! That was a very good sleep. I closed the curtain since the brightness from the sun is blinding. I woke up this late because I just finished the most wonderful story I have ever read last night and I couldn’t even put my book down. That was worth it, though.   

I wore my eyeglasses. My day is about to start. 

My errand for today; I have to visit my dad from work. Dad just got promoted from his work. He’s now the Vice President of the Buena Ventura company he’s been working for ever since. From all I know, that company is an automobile company. They sell some cool cars and some car stuff. I won’t get deeper with that since I don’t have any clue when it comes to those things. 

It’s me and my Dad’s tennis day. We love to play Tennis in our free time, well, in my dad’s free time. It’s always my free time when it’s summer. Wednesday is a good time for other activities outside his work since it’s not a busy day in his company, so he’s using that time to get some physical activity. 

My summer would not be complete when there’s no Tennis Wednesday. I am sporty despite being a bookworm. Aside from books, I love to play tennis as well.

I quickly took a shower and prepared myself for this day.

I’m just wearing a tennis skirt that my mom insisted on me to wear and a simple t-shirt. I blow-dried my hair then put it in a ponytail. 

I am good to go. 

I’ll walk to the building where my dad works. His office is a walking distance away. It’s just a few kilometers away from our house.

I’m used to walking and that does not bother me at all, I used to walk when going to school before. Since we live in a metropolitan area, we’re surrounded by buildings and malls and the usual city life. My dad uses his car because he doesn’t like walking when he’s wearing his suit.

I quickly gazed at the surroundings when I arrived at the building. It was not my first time going here, but it will be the first time to witness my dad’s office.

I rode the elevator. I checked my clock again and it was 3:45 pm. We usually go to the tennis court at 4 pm. 

The elevator was about to close when someone hurriedly blocked the elevator with his both hands. It opened and I was astonished for a bit. 

“Wait!” He exclaimed. I pushed the open button furthermore to let him in.

“Sorry.” I said, still shocked by the incident a few seconds ago. My heart was beating fast.

“No, it’s okay. There’s nothing to worry about. But thank you for letting me in.” He said as he fixed his tie. He smiled at me. I just smiled back. I never saw someone look this happy when they’re about to get caught in an elevator. 

Judging by his appearance, he must be an employee here. He looks young, maybe in his early 20's. He’s tall and has a nice posture. He kinda looks goofy, though. He had dimples on both his cheeks and his eyes disappeared when he smiled at me.

I looked away. It’s not nice to look at strangers for that long. He might think that I’m creepy.

“Ahjdshgdhjada?” He said, which was different to understand. I couldn't even catch a single word. 

“Uhm. Are you talking to me?” I asked a stupid question as I adjust my tennis bag on my shoulder.

 “Yes, it’s just the two of us, who else could I be talking to?” He chuckled. I smiled at him awkwardly and lowered my head. I know that was stupid for me to ask. 

“As I was saying, which floor are you?” He said while pointing at the elevator buttons. I just realized that I haven’t pressed any button earlier but the floor I’m going to is already pressed.

“Uhhh. Twen-twenty-ninth floor.” I stuttered. I’m not used to talking to people. Talking to people, especially strangers, make me so anxious. Like this one.

“That’s my floor, too. May I ask what your appointment here is?” He looks at me. He still has a smile on her face, not just a simple smile but a cheerful one. He’s tall so it looks like he’s leaning down on me and I can’t look at him for so long because I’m getting awkward.

“I’m just here to visit my dad. We’ll play tennis.” I said while pinching myself on the thighs. I’m nervous. I feel like I’m oversharing when I told him about tennis. I adjusted the tennis bag on my shoulder again. 

He widened his eyes a little like he’s thinking of something. I realized his eyes are close to light brown. Like hazel, maybe. It was beautiful; it’s making me want to look at it more. It was Hypnotizing. 

“You must be Mr. Dy’s daughter, correct me if I’m wrong.” He said while looking like he just solved a puzzle. He looks cute, though. 

I widened my eyes as well with the silly thing that I thought. It was crazy for me to think that way about a stranger. I cleared my throat and pinched my thigh again. 

“Uh. Yes. I am his daughter, how did you know?” I asked, distracting myself from my previous thoughts.

“He told me that he’s into tennis and that he plays every Wednesday. Oh, here we are.” He said as he pointed to the elevator doors opening. I wanted to wave him goodbye because I appreciate our short chit chat even if it was our first time talking. But he walked fast and I was a little distracted when I saw my dad’s name on his office door.

I wonder if I can see him again, that guy in the elevator, I mean. This is the first time a human being has talked to me and has been friendly to me. It was a nice experience. I didn’t even get his name.

I shrugged my shoulders. It’s not a big deal anyway.

I just continued walking to my dad’s office and I was surprised by how it looked.

It was big like a suite hotel room, with a big flat-screen television that I don’t know when he will get to use and a couch that can fit ten people. He’s the vice president but it looked like he’s the CEO or something. 

I saw my dad sitting on the couch while tying his tennis shoes. He’s already ready for our Tennis game.

“Hello, dad!” I greeted him with enthusiasm.

“Hi, Bliss! Let’s go?” He said as he stood up. I nodded. And we’re on our way to the tennis court.

----

We’re at the tennis court now and just finished a game. As usual, I won. I’m all sweaty and sitting here on the floor while hydrating myself with a sports drink.

“Goodness, this is tiring.” My dad said while catching his breath. He sulked and sat on the bench beside me. I laughed at how sulking looks right now.

“You’re getting old.” I teased him. He just smirked and wiped his sweaty face with a towel.

“Yeah, I can feel it. I’m really getting old, you’re now in college. Time flies really fast.” He said while looking at me like he’s about to get sad. I looked at him and made a sad face. I just realized that while I was busy growing up, my parents are also growing old.

I hugged my dad for a little bit even if we’re still sweaty. This kind of moment is rare so I’ll grab this opportunity to be sweet to him.

“But, I’m still your baby right?” I said as I hugged him tighter. He laughed at my question.

“Of course! Who else would be my baby aside from your mom?” I laughed with him as well. What he said was sweet, but also very cringe-y. 

We talked about many other things, like my college university, what degree or course would I take, and what my plans are for college. He gave me advice about college life and of course acting all strict with “no boyfriend until you finish college” and such. Typical father moment. His jokes can really crack me up. 

It was a nice conversation. We always talk whenever he has a chance, my father never made me feel neglected despite him being busy at work. It felt refreshing to talk to him about topics like those. 

After the tennis session and a father-and-daughter bonding session, my dad dropped me home and he went back to his work because he’s not yet done with working. What a hardworking man.

I decided to read a book again since I don’t have much to do yet. Reading is one of my passions. Classes in college haven’t started yet so I have to make the most out of my summer. When I said making the most, I meant by reading a lot of books. 

I slumped in my bed and started reading. While my brain wandered off in the fictional world, I suddenly remembered that guy from the elevator. I took a trip down my memory lane of his smile, his dimples, and his hazel eyes that disappeared when he laughed. I closed the book aggressively. He does not have the right to be in my thoughts right now. 

“Bliss, pull yourself together!” I said as I opened the book again and continued reading. 

“Okay. It’s just a happy crush.” I convinced myself.