Chapter 7: Breakfast At Garcellano's

"Can you please stop showing your ass in my room whenever I'm asleep? you creep the hell out of me!" I said annoyingly to Rodney because I almost jumped into my bed when I opened my eyes and saw him sitting there and staring at me. 

"I'm sorry, I just like watching you sleep," he said. 

"You like morning visits and you like watching me sleep. Great. Just. Great. Rodney," I said as I shook my head and got out of the bed. 

"What do you want for breakfast?" he asked. 

"Why? You will ask me out?" I asked him back. 

"If you want," he said and followed me as I left my room to go downstairs. 

I missed breakfast with my family because I slept late last night. I stare at the big empty rectangular dining table as I face Rodney. 

"Look at this, this is your fault. I missed breakfast with daddy and my brothers and sister," I said as I blamed him and pointed my finger to his broad chest. 

"And how is that my fault?" he asked.

"Because you took me home late last night. I mean, look at the time, I am so late with my appointments," I frustratedly said to him. 

"My apologies, what kind of appointments?" he asked. 

"Business, as usual," I just frankly said to him.

"I called Daphne earlier and–" I cut off his words because I was shocked. How does he know Daphne?

"Wait–you talked to Daphne?!" I worriedly asked. 

"Yes, she said that you have no appointment for today," he just simply said and I was so surprised because he talked to my personal assistant. 

"Alright, you caught me there," I said. 

"Where do you want to eat?" he asked. 

"Just here, I'll cook," I said. 

"Are you sure?" he asked. 

"Yes," I said as I checked the fridge to find something to eat and saw the eggs aligned inside. I got four and immediately got the mixing bowl. 

"Did you eat already?" I asked him as he followed me into the kitchen. I don't know why he's following me while he can just sit and wait for me in the living room. 

"No, I haven't," he said.

"Alright, I'll cook for two," I said as I reached the frying pan and the spatula. 

"Let me help you," he said. 

"It's alright Rodney, just wait for me in the living room," I said but he didn't obey me and just sat on the chair beside the big marble table like a child. 

"You're really gonna wait for me there?" I asked. 

"Yes," he simply said but a few minutes later, I noticed that he had already arranged some plates and made a black coffee on the coffee maker machine. It smells so good. 

As soon as I finished cooking, I put the food on the plates that he arranged and grabbed the fork and just simply dug in, Rodney took off his mask and did the same. 

He's not ashamed to take off his mask in front of me now. It's a good thing that he's comfortable with me and we didn't even notice that we were eating on the big marble table.

"How was the food?" I asked. 

"It's great," he said as he took a spoonful and put it in his mouth. 

"Glad you liked it. How was your business? Don't you have any appointments for today? It's Monday, the busiest day of the week," I said.

"My consultant already did it for me, so I'm free for today. What do you want to do?" he asked. 

"Uhm, I haven't thought about it, yet," I said.

"How about we get married today?" he said and I just laughed. 

"So, you can joke around now?" I said. 

"I'm not joking Sushmita," he said and I shook my head to disagree.

"No. My dad would freak out if we rushed things, just let them do their thing. Wait. When and where will the wedding be held?" I said. 

"My dad said that they will arrange everything next week so that we can get married before the end of June," he said seriously.

"Oh, okay," I said and took a bite on my sandwich. 

"Is there someone you wanted to come on your wedding day? Someone you really miss and you want him or her to see at your wedding?" He asked. 

"Why do you ask?" I said and I was really curious about his question. 

"I don't know, maybe you have someone in mind. A long time friend or a relative. It's your wedding day, they should come," he said. The atmosphere began to change, I feel so appreciated. Rodney's words are so comforting. 

"Well, there's one. My grandfather. I was only eighteen when I last saw him," I said. 

"Alright, we will send him an invitation," Rodney said. 

"Thank you Rodney, it's very thoughtful of you," I said. 

"Thoughtful, heh." he chuckled and just poured a cup of black coffee in our cups. 

"Look Sushmita, I'm just trying to be nice. You're the only one who can see this side of mine, no one else," he said.

"Tell me what happened," I said, trying to lead the conversation elsewhere. 

"To what?" He asked.

"To your face," I simply asked. 

His expression began to be serious and mad. 

"I'll tell you when it's time," He said. 

"It's alright, I promise you," I said as I held his hand but he pulled his hand and stood up. 

"Maybe I should go. I'll just call you some other time. Thanks for the meal," He said while putting his mask on and walked away but I didn't want him to leave.  

"Rodney, wait," He stopped walking as soon as he heard me but he's not looking back at me so I hurriedly walked towards him. 

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you that. So rude of me. Are you upset?" I asked. 

"No. It's just that I–" His words were cutted off when I hugged him from the back. 

"Hey, don't leave, please," I begged him. 

He took my hands and he turned around to face me. 

"Why?" He asked as he confronted me with a heavy heart, "Why are you doing this? Are you falling in love with me?" 

"I don't know, maybe, it's just there's something in you that makes me feel better so please, don't leave," I begged him again and he pulled my left cheeks to kiss me torridly. I didn't refuse–I gave in instead. I really love the way he kisses me. That familiar warmth. It feels like I felt it before and I was longing for it for a very long time.