*Andrea*
I didn’t want the morning to come. I didn’t think it would be here within the twinkle of an eye. My head was on top of Alejandro’s chest.
Maybe it’s because it is the first time we lay in my room together. After all, it’s different. It didn’t feel like the regular night we always had. We have spent so much time together in the past, but this felt special.
I listened to his heartbeat, which had suddenly became my favorite sound. Slowly, I raised my head. He was still asleep. My hair fell on his chest, and I brushed it to the back.
I smiled as I stared at his handsome face. His brows were perfectly arched, his nose straight as it should be. Some strands of hair fell on his face, and I brushed it up, careful jog to not disturb his sleep.
It was still dark outside. I reached for my phone on the table close to my bed. It was 5:30 am. I placed the phone back. Alison is an early riser and would soon be up.
Though I did not want to, I knew I had to wake Alejandro from his sleep so he could get going, but I couldn’t bring myself to. We had a long day last night, and I wanted him to get all the rest he could before we began the day’s job.
As I watched his chest fall and rise, I felt at ease. Alejandro had slowly become my home.
I lifted my hands to his face and slowly traced it on his smooth skin. His skin felt soft under my fingers. I soon moved to his brows, the bridge of his nose, and then to his lips.
It was soft, and I wanted to taste them.
Slowly, I leaned down and placed a quick peck on it. I smiled afterward, feeling fulfilled. Slowly, I moved away from him and gazed at his face.
Alejandro’s eyes suddenly flutter open, startling me for a second. “You are awake,” I said, and he smiled. I felt his firm hands wrap around my waist, and he slowly pulled me to himself.
“What do you think you are doing?” I looked everywhere but his eyes, “what does it look like I am doing?” I asked him back.
He suddenly turned to me, and my back pressed against his chest. I felt a bit disappointed that he was not kissing me or anything.
“Let’s sleep some more.” He said, holding me closer to himself. Slowly, I drifted into sleep.
Morning sun leaked into the room through the window, which had its curtain pulled apart. I slowly opened my eyes, blinking rapidly as I tried to adjust to the brightness.
“You are finally awake,” a deep voice that I recognized quickly as Alejandro said.
I sat, leaning against the frame of the room. “Oh my, did I sleep for too long?” I asked, still rubbing my sleepy eyes.
When we had gone back to sleep together earlier, I didn’t think I’d be the one sleeping in.
“You did not,” Alejandro said. I could finally make out his figure. He was seated on the sofa in my room, one leg crossed over the other. He held a newspaper, which he spread apart.
It was still morning, and he was already oozing coolness.
I ran my hand across my hair and stood.
I strode slowly across the room and stopped in front of the mirror. My eyes widened in horror, and my hands flew to my mouth.
I looked miserable. My hair was like a bird’s nest.
I couldn’t look like this in front of Alejandro. I quickly began brushing my hair with my hand. “Why didn’t you tell me I look miserable, like a clown,” I said to him.
He lifted his eyes from the newspaper and held my gaze through the mirror for the briefest moment, “because you look beautiful.” I scoffed.
“That’s your way of making a mockery of me, right?” I said I was still trying to brush my hair.
I soon gave up. I’ll comb my hair properly when I take my bath. I stared at him through the mirror and asked in a low voice, “Did I snore?”
A sly smile appeared on his face, “did you snore?”
“Come on, answer me,” I said.
He lowered the newspaper and slanted his head to the side, “you didn’t.” He said, and I turned to him. The poster on the side now had a tear on it.
“That’s a relief.” I placed one hand on my chest and sighed. We may be together, but I still want to be perfect before him. When I noticed the sly smile still hanging on my face, realization hit me.
He may have lied.
“You aren’t lying to me right now, are you?”
“Of course not; it would not be nice to tell you the truth and how you almost made me seal your lips.” He said.
I walked towards him and hit him playfully on his shoulder. He caught my arms at my second attempt and pulled me down.
I was seated on his lap before I could decipher what was happening.
He leaned towards me slowly, and I closed my eyes, waiting for a kiss. After a few seconds of waiting in vain and not feeling anything on my lips, my eyes flutter open.
Alejandro picked something from my hair. I felt my cheeks burn up in embarrassment, “what were you expecting?” He asked, and I tucked some strands of hair behind my ear.
“Who said I was expecting anything?” I said, and attempted to leap away from his hold, but he held me down.
His lips met mine.
I pulled away from him when I heard footsteps.
Alison. How did I forget about her? “You need to hide,” I said. No matter how much Alison liked Alejandro, I know Alison would not be pleased that I allowed him in without her knowledge.
I walked to the door and made sure it was locked properly. “Hide in the bathroom,” I said as I heard the steps get closer. I placed my back on the door.
“Why should I?” He asked.
I raised my hands and then dropped it. “Why should you not? She doesn’t know you are here.” I said. I had told him about this last night, and he understood.
“Oh… don’t worry, she has already seen me. She knows I am here.” He said.
“What?” I was stunned. How? When?
This! Thud!!
I leaped away from the door, startled. “Is Anna still asleep? Wake her up; breakfast is ready.” Alison said. When I heard her retracting steps, I inhaled sharply and exhaled.
“See,” Alejandro said. He folded the newspaper in two and placed it on the table. “Now go freshen up. Your mouth smells bad,” he said and winked at me.
My face reddened. This… how could he say that?
“I’ll be at the dining table. I still need to make sure Alison has fully accepted me.” He said.
He placed a peck on the side of my face and stepped out, leaving me standing at the side like a statue.
I held my hands close to my mouth and blew air into it. I then placed the hand on my nose. “It doesn’t smell.” I think Alejandro needs to treat his nose.
I hurried into the bathroom and took a quick bath.
Alejandro sat on one side, and so did Alison. They seemed engrossed in their conversation and didn’t notice when I walked towards them, “You had to take your sweet time; what if the food got cold.” Alison scolded me as I sat on the chair beside Alejandro.
“Well, I never said you shouldn’t eat without me,” I said.
“Oh wow. Such an ungrateful girl. We waited for her for nothing.” She said to Alejandro.
Alejandro remained silent and didn’t comment on her statement. He didn’t want to pick a side.
Throughout breakfast, Alison didn’t mention anything about Alejandro staying over. She seemed fine with it. I was glad she was. She seemed to like Alejandro, and I was happy they got along.
After breakfast, Alejandro left to freshen up in his house. “I’ll see you at the office.” He said, placing a small kiss on my lips.
“It’s still the weekend; why are you going to the office?” Alison asked when Alejandro left.
We were both in the kitchen doing the dishes together. “Well, we have something important to work on.”
“Hmm, I see.” She said.
“I promise you it’s not what you are thinking,” I said. I was already aware of what was going on in her head.
“I didn’t say anything.” She said, “I know, but you…” I stopped and sighed. It was no use arguing with her.
“So, how did he end up in your room? I watched you go into that room alone last night, and I was awake for about two hours. I didn’t see you leave your room. So how?”
She seemed curious as she should be. Last night, she had some type of online job that kept her up in the sitting room.
“Well, he came,” I said, and that was all I could say.
She wiped water off one of the plates and kept it on the rack; it clinged on the other plates.
“He just came on his own; you didn’t call him over?” She asked.
I shook my head, “no, I didn’t.” I said, and her mouth was left hanging. “Why does this look like those online novels where the male lead would do anything to be with the one he loves?” She asked, and I stared at her as if she had gone crazy.
“Well, well..” I wiped my wet hands on the apron I had on before gently taking it off. “I have to prepare for work,” I said, and walked away.
Alejandro had a meeting with Jane. He has always wanted to do business with her. They have met a few times but have never concluded. She was a well-known woman, and I sometimes envy her.
She was just twenty-five and had her entire life set before her. I remember how difficult it was for Alejandro to meet with her first and how she had carried herself. I took in everything about her. The way she walked, the way she spoke.
She carried herself with so much poise.
“Where did she say she wanted to meet?” Alejandro asked. I stood before him in his office with a blue file.
My eyes scanned through the file as he spoke; I lifted my head to answer him, “We picked the location for the meeting this time,” I said.
Her P. A. had always been the one deciding where we would meet, and this time, she has allowed us to do so today.
I told him the restaurant I picked, a seven-star restaurant that she owned.
We were still in the middle of our discussion when the door pushed open. The click of heels was followed by a lady’s voice, “I didn’t think you’d be here today, Alejandro.” Clara said.
“What are you doing here, Clara?” Alejandro asked. I began to walk away but stopped before I could get to the door.
Why should I leave? Alejandro was my man, and we were officially in a relationship now. It is clear that Clara is a rival.
I walked back and stood in the position I was before.
Clara was seated on the sofa at the side of the office.
“What are you doing here, Clara?” Alejandro asked again.
“Well, I came to see you,” she replied. I scoffed. Alejandro wasn’t sick, so why was she coming to see him?
“Why? I don’t remember calling you.” Alejandro said, his voice cold and unwelcoming.
“We had an unfinished conversation.”
Alejandro knew she was stubborn and would not leave until she had done what she wanted.
“Okay, go on.” He said.
“I don’t want to speak in front of strangers.” She said, looking at me, “Leave!” She ordered.
“Why should I?”