25 - Lee Smith
1818 Words
A couple of weeks later.
Aside from our dates every Saturday, Oliver always comes to the restaurant to send me home after my shift. Normally, he would tell me beforehand if he’s going someplace for business and won’t be able to show up for a few days. Today was the first time he failed to show up at Tracy’s, without notice. Aya and the boys all asked me about him being absent. He didn’t send me a message. Though we’ve exchanged phone numbers a long time ago, we haven’t really communicated that way before. It’s mostly face-to-face conversations. As I stare at my phone while sitting against my bed at home that night, I can’t help getting worried. Was he ill? Is he not feeling well? Aside from that time we had a misunderstanding, he never missed coming to Tracy’s during weekdays. Maybe he’s sick? That’s my main assumption. I tried thinking back on yesterday. He seemed fine, though. Maybe he’s overworked? It’s normal to get sick once in a while.
Ugh! I sighed. Overthinking won’t do any good. Should I give him a call? Or should I simply send him a message? What would I say anyway? Why didn’t you come today? Ugh. To be honest… I already felt that it’s too much to ask him to keep coming every day. Not that I asked him, but still… I thought he would eventually lessen the times he would come to see me. It’s been over four months already. Maybe he’s starting today? No. That can’t be. He would’ve said something yesterday. I sighed. How hard is it to send a message?
After staring at space for more than half an hour, I decided to go to sleep already. Maybe he’ll show up tomorrow. If not, maybe I’ll send him a message tomorrow.
It was a restless sleep that night.
The next day, I have my heart in my throat. I was jumpy every time a customer walks in. I was hoping it was him. By the time the clock turned eight, I knew he won’t be coming. My friends didn’t pry much and tried to assure me that he must have his reasons.
An hour after I got home that night, I finally sent him a message. I waited for half an hour before I succumbed to sleep. I didn’t sleep well last night, so it was easy to fall asleep this time. When I woke up the next day, still nothing. I tried really hard not to think much. It was Saturday now. He’ll show up if there’s nothing going on. If he doesn’t show up, that means he’s truly busy with something.
After dinner, I was just browsing websites on my phone when it rang. I sat up on my bed. It was him. I exhaled before answering the call.
“Hey.” I greeted.
“Hi.” He replied but remained silent. I made a humming sound as a response.
After a while, he still hadn’t replied.
“Are you busy with something?” I finally asked. He hummed his response.
“Are you alright?” I followed up.
“Yeah.” He finally spoke again.
“You sound tired. Get some rest.” I noted. The fact that he’s not speaking like he normally does made me comment that way. I heard him sigh.
“I miss you.” Hearing him say that made me smile, despite myself.
“You, too.” My reply was almost immediate. I scratched my head.
“I’ll see you as soon as I can.” He promised.
“Yeah? Take your time. Rest well. Don’t skip meals.” I sounded like a nosy girlfriend, reminding him on how to take care of himself.
He hummed his response again. And I did the same.
“Good night, Lee.”
“You, too.” He didn’t hang up immediately. When he did, I was finally able to relax. He did have his reasons. I’ll pray for him.
When Monday came, I don’t know what came over me. I ordered food for takeout as my shift ended at Tracy’s. As I stand across the street of Oliver’s company, I lamented at my stupidity. What if he’s not even there? I winced.
I took out my phone and called him. It took him a while, but he did answer.
“Hey…” He greeted.
“Hi. Are you at the office?” I was just guessing because there’s a window up ahead that still has lights on. If I actually counted the floors, it could be his office’s floor.
“Yeah…” A pause as he rummaged through something. “Are you home already?” He asked.
“Nope. Can I come and see you?” I figured the best way is to simply blurt it out. I mean, we’ve been dating for months and I still find it difficult to initiate conversations with him, unless the topics are very ordinary.
“It’s already late. It’s dangerous outside.” There’s hesitation in his voice.
“Actually, I’m already near your office. Right across the street.” I would feel really bad if I am unable to bring him the food I bought. And not only because I already spent money on it.
A pause, then his question, “You are?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll tell security to let you in. Straight to my office, alright?”
“Alright.” I could hear the excitement in his voice, and that made me smile.
I crossed the street and found the security personnel looking at me.
“Evening. Name, please?” One of them asked when I neared the entrance.
“Lee Smith.”
Both of them nodded. “Mr. Taylor is waiting for you, Miss.”
“Thank you.” I walked straight to the elevator and waited until I reached his floor.
Surprisingly, he was there as soon as the elevator door opened.
“Hi.” I greeted him with a tentative smile. I’m not really sure about his mood.
He took note of the paper bag in my hand and my appearance before he came forward to give me a hug. I felt him planting a kiss on my head. I can only return his hug with one arm. I wouldn’t dare to drop the food I brought. Well… I still did, as soon as he pressed his lips against mine. I gasped in surprise but that only served for him to deepen the kiss.
When he finally stopped, I was almost catching my breath.
“I missed you.” He whispered as he continued to hug me, our foreheads touching.
I already thought about it and have decided that I won’t ask him anything. He can offer the information when he’s ready.
“Have you eaten? I brought you food.” I suddenly remembered the paper bag and bent down to take it. I fussed around for a minute, making sure the packaging is still intact. Glad I didn’t bother bringing drinks.
When I turned to look at him, I found him staring at me.
“Come here.” He stated.
In my fussing, I have moved out of his embrace. I walked closer to him and he wrapped an arm around my waist. He just stared and I only stared back. It was a while before he held my hand and dragged me to his office.
We sat on the sofa and I took out the food I brought.
“When did you have dinner?” I asked. He didn’t answer. When I turned to him, I saw him simply staring. I raised an eyebrow.
“Around six. You?”
I nodded. “Around then as well.” I opened a bowl of soup, took one of the spoons and handed it to him. He didn’t bother with the spoon and directly drank the soup from the bowl. I can’t help smiling. I handed him the other bowl of soup. He shook his head, though. I stared at him. He doesn’t really talk much when he’s so busy or when he has a lot on his mind.
I offered him a meal set, but he only stared at me. I shrugged and decided to feed him. He really looked so tired. I feel like he’s going to drop any second.
“You should rest after this.” I stated, as I scooped another spoonful of food. He propped his head on his hand, leaning on the sofa. He softly hummed his agreement.
I fed him in silence. I offered him the soup again when he’s done with the rice meal. I insisted.
“I’ll just finish a few papers I already reviewed. It won’t take long.” He informed me as I start eating the other meal set. Technically, I don’t usually eat at night. I would just drink milk and nibble on a couple of biscuits before going to bed.
“Go ahead.” I replied, thinking whether he plans to go home after. At this rate, he shouldn’t be driving.
“Do you sleep here in your office?” I suddenly asked.
“Yeah, there’s a break room.” He nodded towards his left. I noticed a door beside the bookshelf. I nodded. That’s good.
I surveyed the sofa. There are soft pillows on the sides. I could camp here. I already knew that I can almost sleep anymore. The environment doesn’t bother me.
I tidied up the table after eating and went to the bathroom. I find it weird that he’s got the bathroom on his right and the breakroom on his left. I didn’t bother him and slowly walked around his office.
His office is fairly ordinary. Of course, I wouldn’t know how much the furniture and the decoration cost. Not interested about those things.
I took off my coat and made my way to the sofa. I took off my shoes and prepared to lie down.
“Should I send you home?” Oliver’s question made me look at him.
“No need. Can I sleep here?” He didn’t answer but I already lied down on the sofa.
The soft rustling of papers serves as white noise as I start to feel sleepy.
Roughly ten minutes later, I was startled when he carried me.
“What…? Put me down.”
“Sleep on the bed. I’ve got pajamas on the closet; would you like to change?”
I opened the door for him, and he put me down on the bed.
“I’m okay with this.” I replied.
“If you feel uncomfortable, go get changed, alright?”
“Alright.” I went under the blanket and lied down on one side of the bed. I really am sleepy. He was rummaging through the closet before I closed my eyes.
- Writer
