TWO

It was weekend, Nathan decided to do some exercise since it was a sunny, peaceful bright day, birds flew everywhere singing, his house was mourning, he was really bored staying in and went outside his gate to take a walk down to market square.

His new restaurant was equipped and furnished with everything he needed. He wanted his restaurant to look like it was in the city, something new and different attracts people and make them interested unlike the food stalls outside roaming in the town.

He got to the market square everywhere was crowded but not so crowded like the city that was over populated. As he was exploring, looking around he bumped into a lady who held some vegetables and beverages in the shopping bags.

“I’m sorry, Ms.…” He bent to pick the bags and ingredients on the floor. The lady rose her head to see the one who bumped into her.

“You!” she exclaimed at the sight of him.

His eyebrows lifted in question as his blue sparking eyes recognize her immediately. They rose up and he handed her the shopping bags.

“Did you trail me here to accuse me again?” He frowned as he questioned her, he was curious.

“No! absolutely not,” she proclaimed. “I’m really sorry for that day, I said a lot.” She apologized.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left too.” He smiled.

He actually smiled, he promised if he could meet her he would scold her. “How did she get here? Does she live here?” He had many questions but he wondered if he asks won’t he get a beating this time, instead he kept mute.

“I should be the one apologizing not you, if you didn’t leave I wouldn’t have calmly listened to my son’s explanations, I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you,” she confessed sincerely.

“It’s okay, you were scared of someone abducting your son” he accepted her apology and asked “Do you live here or on a vacation?” as they walked out of the market down the road. He helped her with her bags.

“thank you,” she gave him the bags. “I lived in the city for years and decided to come back home, what about you?”

“Yes and no”

“Yes, no” she repeated, confused.

“Yeah! I was born in the city but my parents were native of this town.” He said politely and they stopped at the front of the house small gate.

Decided not to ask further questions, she looked at him held her breath as he stared back. He was broad, fit, handsome had blues ocean-colored eyes. “You shouldn’t do that,” she whispered to herself. And looked away.

“Do you live here?”

“Yes”

“Coincidentally, we live next to each other” He explained as he points to his duplex.

“Thank you for rescuing…...saving my son.” She corrected herself.

“Your welcome, see you again, I’ll get going.” He smiled and waved to each other goodbye as they went in their homes.

As she gets in she dropped the foodstuffs she bought from the market in the kitchen, she called Neil.

“Neil, come to the kitchen.” As she sat down on the chair in the kitchen.

“Yes, Mom, you called me.” He sat down besides the refrigerator.

“Guess who I met today at the market?”

“Who? “Neil confused.

“I met the man that save you from down the day we were coming home”. She smiled at him.

“Wow! Where does he live?” excited he stood up and lean forward.

“Beside us” She looked out the window and he glanced outside

“Mom, can I go visit him please…. Please Mom I need to thank him again?”

He begged awaiting curiously if she would allow him. “Please mom!”

“Alright, but be careful, he’s a stranger okay?”

“Thanks mom,” He rushed out of the house beside theirs, He got to the front gate and pushed it forward when he realized it was closed not locked, he walked to the front door and rang the doorbell. A man opened the door and smiled.

“Good evening sir, do you remember me?” He asked politely. Nathan allowed him in and gestured him to sit. “I don’t forget I encounter, Neil, right?” offering him an orange juice.

“My mom told me you live…. Our new neighbor, it’s really good to see you again, sir” he smiled. “Always thank you for saving me, I’m very grateful to your sir” He stood and lowered his head.

“Thanks, but it’s okay, sit, my name is Nathaniel Bernard, you could call me Nathan. We can drop the formalities since we’re neighbors now. We’ll be seeing each other very often.”

Neil…It’s Neil Trevor, that’s my full name, I want to ask for a favor if you don’t mind…” He hesitated “Uh Nathan?” He moved forward on the cushion.

“Speak…Sure, I’m all ears.” He permitted.

“Actually… if I have any problem with my assessment and assignments, need some pretty good motivational advises, I could count on you, right? Can we be friends?”

Nathan chuckled “Absolutely, so that’s your request, it’s okay. I’m sure we’ll be very good friends in the future.”

“Thank you.” He stood up again and stoop to bow but Nathan stopped him.

“I don’t need so much formal appreciations, I’ll settle for handshakes,” then they shook hands.

Neil studied Nathan- His features, he might be a next participant on his mother’s companion list, he has been searching for candidate. He just had to get to know him more and thorough.

Nathan was a perfect choice to have, he was caring, handsome, manly and absolutely strong, Neil prayed he was single, no-lover man. He had a love… connection at first sight for this mysterious man.

“Could you tell me more about yourself?... Are you married… Nathan?”

“No, I’m single and I’m an ex-marine planning to open a restaurant here in town.”

Neil sighed in relief, at least he’s not married and he’s very good. “Cooking talents, interesting.” He paused “How old are you, Nathan?”

Nathan laughed, he understood what the little man was trying to do. “You don’t ask people such personal questions but I’m 36.”

“Cool, my mom is 32 years and I’m twelve years.

“interesting, a young… not young, good mother, Nathan thought looking at the teenager. Neil was a little tall, wavy short hair like his mom just that his mom’s hair was really always piled up in a bun and pony, he wondered how long his mother’s hair was.

Well, he’ll try stick to ally with the son first than try getting on with the mother. He grinned wickedly.

The adventure just began.

LATER IN THE MORNING

Neil and Nathan played chess and Nathan scored him through the whole game, he won, Neil was inexperienced when it comes to playing the chess. After a game they were in the kitchen, they sat in the center four chairs and a table decorated beautifully, the kitchen was very wide.

“It’s not fair, I didn’t even win at least once in the game.” Neil wailed.

“Sorry, little man but everything is fair in love and war, so it’s a fair game, no cheating remembers” Nathan defended, his blue eyes twinkled, “come on, it’s getting late.” He opened the refrigerator as he stood up and held over a jar of strawberry jam. “Here you go,” handling it over to Neil in a shopping bag.

Neil jumped in excitement, “thank you so much, this is one of my favorite jams but it’s my mum’s favorite.”

“Run along now, your mum won’t like you staying up late in a stranger, you know?” Nathan reminded him.

“No, you’re my friend now” Neil corrected. He ran outside, promising to see him tomorrow. Nathan nodded and grinned as Neil ran out the gate.

Celeste and Carly were already setting the table for dinner with their father sated at the dining table. Neil ran in and locked the door behind him.

“I’m home! He announced as he sat down, he dropped the bag after placing the jar on the table. “Mom, can you believe Nathan is a chef.”

“Who’s Nathan? Oh… is that our neighbor’s name?” she asked as she sat down beside him, Carly did the same sitting on the left-hand side beside him. “I told you to, don’t call adults by their first names.” She scolded him.

“I’m sorry, but he permitted me too.” He replied

“He gave me this,” he presented the strawberry jam. “He Is my friend now. I hope you don’t mind he’s…

“Why would she?” Come on sis, he seems to be a nice guy” Carly interfered.

She gritted her teeth, looking at her sister with a scrawl expression and smiled. She wondered why her sister is somewhat excited about the new Mr. Bernard Nathan neighbor next-door. She’d better avoid him, suspecting her sister in scheming match making plans.

“Alright, since he’s our neighbor, you said he’s a Chef right?” Carly added.

“Yep, he said he’s going to open his restaurant soon,” Neil ate after replied. “I had so much so much fun today. Nathan is a nice man he asked me questions about my new school and some motivational talks.

“I can see that little man; you can invite him to dinner anytime. Mr. Trevor smiled.

“But he’s….” Celeste was speechless. She definitely doesn’t want that eye…blue sparkling eyes staring at her in her own domain.

Mr. Trevor smiled as he looked up to her, “What is the matter, Celeste? It’s not that bad to invite your neighbor for dinner is it?”

“Nope, he might even cook us one of his fabulous delicacies since he’s a chef. “Carly giggled mocking her sister.”

“Thanks, grandpa and aunt Carly, I’ll tell him after I return from school tomorrow.” Neil excited and ran to his room.

Carly cleared her throat “Jack will be here tomorrow, that’s why I invited our new neighbor.”

“I see, they will get along well since they’re men after all, I would love some company too.” Mr. Trevor added and they went to their rooms leaving Celeste at the dining table.

Celeste thought- If Neil should get too close to their new neighbor; she was scared the father Neil has always wished for would showcase in Nathaniel Bernard. She should probably lock her heart since she did that for theTwo

It was weekend, Nathan decided to do some exercise since it was a sunny, peaceful bright day, birds flew everywhere singing, his house was mourning, he was really bored staying in and went outside his gate to take a walk down to market square.

His new restaurant was equipped and furnished with everything he needed. He wanted his restaurant to look like it was in the city, something new and different attracts people and make them interested unlike the food stalls outside roaming in the town.

He got to the market square everywhere was crowded but not so crowded like the city that was over populated. As he was exploring, looking around he bumped into a lady who held some vegetables and beverages in the shopping bags.

“I’m sorry, Ms.…” He bent to pick the bags and ingredients on the floor. The lady rose her head to see the one who bumped into her.

“You!” she exclaimed at the sight of him.

His eyebrows lifted in question as his blue sparking eyes recognize her immediately. They rose up and he handed her the shopping bags.

“Did you trail me here to accuse me again?” He frowned as he questioned her, he was curious.

“No! absolutely not,” she proclaimed. “I’m really sorry for that day, I said a lot.” She apologized.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left too.” He smiled.

He actually smiled, he promised if he could meet her he would scold her. “How did she get here? Does she live here?” He had many questions but he wondered if he asks won’t he get a beating this time, instead he kept mute.

“I should be the one apologizing not you, if you didn’t leave I wouldn’t have calmly listened to my son’s explanations, I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you,” she confessed sincerely.

“It’s okay, you were scared of someone abducting your son” he accepted her apology and asked “Do you live here or on a vacation?” as they walked out of the market down the road. He helped her with her bags.

“thank you,” she gave him the bags. “I lived in the city for years and decided to come back home, what about you?”

“Yes and no”

“Yes, no” she repeated, confused.

“Yeah! I was born in the city but my parents were native of this town.” He said politely and they stopped at the front of the house small gate.

Decided not to ask further questions, she looked at him held her breath as he stared back. He was broad, fit, handsome had blues ocean-colored eyes. “You shouldn’t do that,” she whispered to herself. And looked away.

“Do you live here?”

“Yes”

“Coincidentally, we live next to each other” He explained as he points to his duplex.

“Thank you for rescuing…...saving my son.” She corrected herself.

“Your welcome, see you again, I’ll get going.” He smiled and waved to each other goodbye as they went in their homes.

As she gets in she dropped the foodstuffs she bought from the market in the kitchen, she called Neil.

“Neil, come to the kitchen.” As she sat down on the chair in the kitchen.

“Yes, Mom, you called me.” He sat down besides the refrigerator.

“Guess who I met today at the market?”

“Who? “Neil confused.

“I met the man that save you from down the day we were coming home”. She smiled at him.

“Wow! Where does he live?” excited he stood up and lean forward.

“Beside us” She looked out the window and he glanced outside

“Mom, can I go visit him please…. Please Mom I need to thank him again?”

He begged awaiting curiously if she would allow him. “Please mom!”

“Alright, but be careful, he’s a stranger okay?”

“Thanks mom,” He rushed out of the house beside theirs, He got to the front gate and pushed it forward when he realized it was closed not locked, he walked to the front door and rang the doorbell. A man opened the door and smiled.

“Good evening sir, do you remember me?” He asked politely. Nathan allowed him in and gestured him to sit. “I don’t forget I encounter, Neil, right?” offering him an orange juice.

“My mom told me you live…. Our new neighbor, it’s really good to see you again, sir” he smiled. “Always thank you for saving me, I’m very grateful to your sir” He stood and lowered his head.

“Thanks, but it’s okay, sit, my name is Nathaniel Bernard, you could call me Nathan. We can drop the formalities since we’re neighbors now. We’ll be seeing each other very often.”

Neil…It’s Neil Trevor, that’s my full name, I want to ask for a favor if you don’t mind…” He hesitated “Uh Nathan?” He moved forward on the cushion.

“Speak…Sure, I’m all ears.” He permitted.

“Actually… if I have any problem with my assessment and assignments, need some pretty good motivational advises, I could count on you, right? Can we be friends?”

Nathan chuckled “Absolutely, so that’s your request, it’s okay. I’m sure we’ll be very good friends in the future.”

“Thank you.” He stood up again and stoop to bow but Nathan stopped him.

“I don’t need so much formal appreciations, I’ll settle for handshakes,” then they shook hands.

Neil studied Nathan- His features, he might be a next participant on his mother’s companion list, he has been searching for candidate. He just had to get to know him more and thorough.

Nathan was a perfect choice to have, he was caring, handsome, manly and absolutely strong, Neil prayed he was single, no-lover man. He had a love… connection at first sight for this mysterious man.

“Could you tell me more about yourself?... Are you married… Nathan?”

“No, I’m single and I’m an ex-marine planning to open a restaurant here in town.”

Neil sighed in relief, at least he’s not married and he’s very good. “Cooking talents, interesting.” He paused “How old are you, Nathan?”

Nathan laughed, he understood what the little man was trying to do. “You don’t ask people such personal questions but I’m 36.”

“Cool, my mom is 32 years and I’m twelve years.

“interesting, a young… not young, good mother, Nathan thought looking at the teenager. Neil was a little tall, wavy short hair like his mom just that his mom’s hair was really always piled up in a bun and pony, he wondered how long his mother’s hair was.

Well, he’ll try stick to ally with the son first than try getting on with the mother. He grinned wickedly.

The adventure just began.

LATER IN THE MORNING

Neil and Nathan played chess and Nathan scored him through the whole game, he won, Neil was inexperienced when it comes to playing the chess. After a game they were in the kitchen, they sat in the center four chairs and a table decorated beautifully, the kitchen was very wide.

“It’s not fair, I didn’t even win at least once in the game.” Neil wailed.

“Sorry, little man but everything is fair in love and war, so it’s a fair game, no cheating remembers” Nathan defended, his blue eyes twinkled, “come on, it’s getting late.” He opened the refrigerator as he stood up and held over a jar of strawberry jam. “Here you go,” handling it over to Neil in a shopping bag.

Neil jumped in excitement, “thank you so much, this is one of my favorite jams but it’s my mum’s favorite.”

“Run along now, your mum won’t like you staying up late in a stranger, you know?” Nathan reminded him.

“No, you’re my friend now” Neil corrected. He ran outside, promising to see him tomorrow. Nathan nodded and grinned as Neil ran out the gate.

Celeste and Carly were already setting the table for dinner with their father sated at the dining table. Neil ran in and locked the door behind him.

“I’m home! He announced as he sat down, he dropped the bag after placing the jar on the table. “Mom, can you believe Nathan is a chef.”

“Who’s Nathan? Oh… is that our neighbor’s name?” she asked as she sat down beside him, Carly did the same sitting on the left-hand side beside him. “I told you to, don’t call adults by their first names.” She scolded him.

“I’m sorry, but he permitted me too.” He replied

“He gave me this,” he presented the strawberry jam. “He Is my friend now. I hope you don’t mind he’s…

“Why would she?” Come on sis, he seems to be a nice guy” Carly interfered.

She gritted her teeth, looking at her sister with a scrawl expression and smiled. She wondered why her sister is somewhat excited about the new Mr. Bernard Nathan neighbor next-door. She’d better avoid him, suspecting her sister in scheming match making plans.

“Alright, since he’s our neighbor, you said he’s a Chef right?” Carly added.

“Yep, he said he’s going to open his restaurant soon,” Neil ate after replied. “I had so much so much fun today. Nathan is a nice man he asked me questions about my new school and some motivational talks.

“I can see that little man; you can invite him to dinner anytime. Mr. Trevor smiled.

“But he’s….” Celeste was speechless. She definitely doesn’t want that eye…blue sparkling eyes staring at her in her own domain.

Mr. Trevor smiled as he looked up to her, “What is the matter, Celeste? It’s not that bad to invite your neighbor for dinner is it?”

“Nope, he might even cook us one of his fabulous delicacies since he’s a chef. “Carly giggled mocking her sister.”

“Thanks, grandpa and aunt Carly, I’ll tell him after I return from school tomorrow.” Neil excited and ran to his room.

Carly cleared her throat “Jack will be here tomorrow, that’s why I invited our new neighbor.”

“I see, they will get along well since they’re men after all, I would love some company too.” Mr. Trevor added and they went to their rooms leaving Celeste at the dining table.

Celeste thought- If Neil should get too close to their new neighbor; she was scared the father Neil has always wished for would showcase in Nathaniel Bernard. She should probably lock her heart since she did that for the past 10 years she’s capable of doing it till her son forget a fatherly love.

past 10 years she’s capable of doing it till her son forget a fatherly love.