Chapter 17 - All Too Well (Present)

My eyes jam-packed with amusement when Daniel confided that this house belongs to him. Wow! A college student with his own property and it's not that impossible to infer since he came from a wealthy clan. Standing inside his room with a minimalist style – I found myself.

“Feel at home.” he take off his jacket and shut the door, I loosened my shoes and the furry carpet soothing through the thin layer of my socks.

“Your parents gave this house to you?” I asked, starting up a casual conversation, he grabbed the TV's remote and switching through online, searching a movie to watch.

“Yes, a birthday gift.” I nodded simply, I'm skittish to asked on what age does his parents bestowed this thing but I'm started guessing – maybe seven, sixteen or twenty. Daniel's qualities are purely foreign to me.

“Stay put, and I'll grab the food.” A cute tone volumed and made by the doorbell, Daniel stood up. My expression twisted back, I haven't noticed that he did a delivery request, since we've been together. Snugging my body and sit on the fluffy mat – crossed legs, resting my back on the couch and a short delicate glass table in front, that became a chest level from my posture.

My vision scanning, a well spacious bedroom, and behind this couch, there's an interior design separating the bed from his mini living room and an en suite. Definitely, this area will give you a cozy and intimate feeling.

I groped my phone and there's no new message. Romeo must be really busy and adjusting from his new job that he never got time to send me a text.

Daniel's back, holding a box of pizza and on top – two other small boxes of something I couldn't recognize, with two tall plastic of cold beverages with pearls. He slides it all on the table before me.

“What are you? a magician?” I besieged, as I extended my arm for him to sit down.

“No, why?” he clutched and rested beside me.

“I thought you were – food just arrived on time.”

“Yeah, about that I've called earlier before I saw you standing outside of the library.”

“And it's good for two – for you and Gelli?” and suck the plastic straw, slurping. He opened the pizza and the smell of ham and cheese exhilarating my nose and pineapple – oh? I hate pineapples.

“No, for you and me,” he answered, eyes darted on the food and unsealed the other two boxes – both cheesecake.

“That's some kind of ironic, but what if I said no.” I chuckled, shifting my complexion to Daniel, reducing the volume of the flat screen, and said, “You didn't say no.” and he came upon my gape and smirked slightly. I looked down, compressing my lips.

Is that how his mind works? With such critical thinking, maybe? but he's like an alien to me, I don't know him well – but Daniel's nice and easy to get along with.

We remained in that position watching TV comfortably. I keep glancing at him secretly when his sights are deeply concentrated on the movie. He groaned when the main character was executed by the villain, and he fumbled the last slice of pizza and averted my sight back on the screen.

“Don't mind if I'll ask you a question?” Daniel breaking the silence, I nodded and the plastic cup placed on my bended knee, swirling it.

“How long are you and Romeo have been together?” I wasn't expecting that there will be someone interested in my relationship status, especially him.

“One year and counting.” I smiled.

“Why'd you asked?”

“Just getting to know you.” he moved his lips and I checked my phone, it's nearly eight. I stand up but lost my balance and fell into the couch, I groaned – my left leg cramped.

“What happened?” as I extended my leg and started to revolved my ankle, he grabbed it and he did by himself. His hands so warm and tender massaging my foot.

“I should go.” he didn't say any words and assisted me, after I laced my shoes we get into his car. I enjoyed his company as I didn't keep in mind the time, we've watched two movies and there are several text messages from my boyfriend. The drive was modest and I keep punching my twitchy leg slowly. Daniel shifted his eyes from the road and asked, “How's your leg?”

“I'm better, I could feel pain but bearable.”

“Good.” and altered his route entering the next block to my apartment, “Don't mind if I'll ask you another question?” he added and sights on the street.

“Sure.”

“What is the occupation of Romeo's parents?” my eyes froze, was that still part of ‘getting to know me?’ or to know more about my boyfriend.

“His mom was simply a housewife and his dad works on a car shop.” and he looked at me, meeting my raised brow.

“How about your parents?” and that's a clear question of ‘getting to know me.’

“My mom's a public teacher and dad's working on a bank.”

“They must be a very busy person.”

“Sometimes, but they can keep up all their responsibility. I bet your parents too.” he parked his car and his slim lips formed into a grin.

“Thanks!” and as I'm about to open the door, he locked it.

“What?” I asked, raising my left brow. His optimistic complexion still painted and he rested his arm at the back part of the seat.

“I hope to see you again..” his eyes drizzled with a question to be answered – he's waiting, but he did not ask me that as a question.

“Of course, we're on the same group and there are plenty more tasks to do.” and pulled my things from the back seat, to keep a distance from his cute alluring face.

“No, I mean, hanging out with me just like we did today.” he released a shy chuckle, I bit my lip and think twice.

“I can't promise you that – ”

“Please?” he cut me off, his voice so gentle that I couldn't resist. That sounds so lonely – that he was lonely, I just nodded.

“Sure, as long as I'm available, Why not?” He smiled and unbuckled the seatbelt, and walks to my door, and opened it.

“What's this drama, Daniel?” I joked, we both laughed. Why is he acting a bit strange – something, maybe sweet? – or it's just part of him that I haven't discovered yet.

“Nothing, is that something you wanted me not to do?” he responded, then he snatched my left belongings from the backseat and I tapped his shoulder as ‘thanks’.

“Is that Romeo, right?” face from across the highway, I shifted my look – and it was Romeo.

“Maybe, that's the thing you shouldn't do if my boyfriend's around,” I told him and I waved my hand, Romeo manages to nod. Daniel went back inside his car and roared it to life as Romeo crossed the pedestrian.

And I haven't say goodbye as he abruptly leaves.

“How's it going?” I asked my boyfriend.