Love At Last

NEW YORK

Cayden dropped me off at home, but I was too annoyed to even say ‘thank you’. I just alighted and went in.

On getting in, nana was waiting for me in the living room.

“Hey nana, good evening,” I greeted and sank into the couch. I felt a bit fatigued.

“Good evening,” she responded. “I hope you didn’t get caught up in the rain,” she inquired with concern.

“No nana, I’m fine,” I spread out my arms, closed my eyes and relaxed more. “Where’s Jacek?”

“He’s sound asleep. You don’t expect him to still be awake, do you?”

“Nah,” I chuckled.

“Jarod was here,” she said and I opened my eyes swiftly. ‘Could he have come to apologize? Did he remember what happened?’ I thought instantly. “He did?” I asked. “Yes,” she affirmed and I sat upright.

“Why?” I asked.

“I should be asking you that,” she said. “He waited a while for you to return and left few minutes ago,” she added.

“He did?” I was surprised that the Jarod who got into a fight earlier would come to my house and wait for me. “What did he say?” I asked.

“I think you also have to tell me that. He said he had to see you and talk to you about something. He really didn’t tell me what he wanted to say to you,” nana explained. “The whole time he kept asking if you went out with an umbrella,” she added.

“So, he didn’t state the purpose of his visit?”

“I didn’t stutter.” “So tell me, what exactly is going on?”

“Going on?” I feigned ignorance. “Jarod was here, you should have asked him,” I said.

“Lily?” she called out.

“Nana”

“Why did Jarod come here?” she asked again.

“I wouldn’t know, ma,” I replied politely. I walked to the dispenser and fetched some water from it with a glass I found on the dining table.

“You sure you have no idea of why he was here?” nana asked me with every iota of doubt in her voice.

“I don’t,” I affirmed strongly to get rid of nana’s suspicion.

“Okay, I’m going to take your word for it. But then again, I sensed something”

“What?”

“I think Jarod likes you,” she said and I burst into a hysteric laughter whichmade me choke on the water I was drinking. I coughed so hard, I didn’t expect nana to say what she did.

“Jarod what?!!” I exclaimed. “Nana you can’t be serious,” I rebuffed firmly.

“I am serious though. He does like you,” nana insisted.

“Why would you say that?” I asked.

“He couldn’t stop asking and worrying whether or not you took an umbrella with you. I tried calling, but your line was not reachable,” nana explained.

“Nana come off it please. Jarod is my friend, worrying about me is totally normalplease,” I scoffed in disbelief. ‘How could nana even say something like that?’, I thought.

“That’s very correct but trust me, Jarod could have feelings for you,” she said without a doubt.

“It’s fine nana, I’ve heard you,” I yielded. I was in no mood to engage anyone in any argument at the time, the brawl I had with Cayden at his, was more than enough for the day. I walked out the living room and headed straight to my bedroom where I found Jacek sound asleep.

“Oh, my baby,” I cuddled Jacek in my arms and pecked him multiple times.

The next morning, I got ready and went to my bakery. At exactly 6:30 am, I was already taking orders and delivering them appropriately. My staffs were all present except Jarod, which was very unusual of him. I just assumed he was too ashamed to face me after what happened the previous night, and didn’t bother to call him. I still felt disappointed and angry at him that I didn’t think twice on whether or not to call him, I just wasn’t going to!

As usual, the door bell which signified the door opening and closing, rang continuously as those were the busiest hours of the day. I decided not to think of Jarod or any one and just faced my duty. I had other things to think about – the supervisor’s visit. I instructed each and every one of her workers to be in their best behaviors.

In no time, the supervisor arrived and I served him to the best of my abilities. He was impressed with my performance, and that earned me a good record on his slate. He commended me and told me the competition was in three days.

On hearing the competition was in three days, I was reminded of Cayden and his ‘situation’. ‘He turned me down so I don’t have to bother myself with him’, I thought. I decided to forget Cayden and focus on preparing for my competition that was in three days. For a moment, I wished Jarod came around.

Around 6:30pm later that evening, the bustling hours of the day gradually came to an end. There were less customers to be served, invariably less work to be done.

While I sat down to look at the records on the day’s sales, the door bell rang and I saw Cayden walk in.

“Hello,” he smiled cheerfully at me. I did nothing but scoff.

“What are you doing here, mister?” I asked.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

He sat beside me, all smiley. “How’s today been?” he asked.

“Good enough,” I replied and took a quick glance at him. “Why’re you here though?”

“Nothing much. Just stopped by to see you,” he replied.

I paused what I was doing to stare at him properly, “to see me?” I asked.

“Yeah, weird?”

“Not really.”

He cleared his throat; I knew something was up. “What is it?” I asked him.

“I booked my flight back to New York. It’s tomorrow,” he said to me.

“You have a lady?” I was surprised. It was just yesterday he told me to help him find someone. Did he find someone overnight?

“Yes. I have one in mind”

“Who?” I kept my eyes fixated on the screen of the tablet I had in my hand.

“You,” he replied almost immediately.

“Oh, congra…,” wait a minute, did he say ‘me’? “Excuse you?” I raised my head to glare at him, “what did you say?”

“I booked your flight tickets also,” he added.

“Booked flight tickets? I don’t get.”

“I want you to come with me,” he said.

“Come with you?!” What exactly was this guy’s problem? I had suggested to him and he refused, so what was he saying now? “I don’t get,” I voiced. “I thought you rejected my offer yesterday.”

“That was yesterday,” he blurted and I scoffed.

“You’re joking right?”

“Not really.”

“I can’t. in fact, I won’t,” I turned him down explicitly.