Episode 11

I feel the softness of the bed. I open my eyes, the light hurts me, and the dizziness is slight. Where am I? What time is it? Is there any food? I'm hungry!

I sit up in bed, his eyes focus on mine, and I can't help but smile at him.

"Where are we?"

"At my house."

"Your house?" That was really unexpected.

My curiosity was piqued.

"Yes. Are you feeling better? I thought you would stay asleep."

"I was asleep?"

He smiled slightly. It made me a little uncomfortable to inquire further.

"Yes. You slept the whole way."

"Ah."

We were silent for a few seconds. I rubbed my eyelids and yawned slightly.

"I'm hungry."

"Are you over your hangover?"

I laughed.

"I guess so."

He nodded.

"What would you like for dinner?"

"Whatever."

"Okay. Let's go to the kitchen."

I got up from the house, my feet were barefoot, and the floor wasn't cold.

"Let me go to the bathroom. I need to go!"

I peed so much. How much alcohol had I drunk? Well, at least now I was more clear-headed, and the control over my body was excellent.

How did I end up at my boss's house? I couldn't help but think.

Christian's house was magnificent. Minimalist. Modern. Luxurious. Very big. I got a little excited to be here! I hid it inside me.

"What are you in the mood for? Something sweet? Spicy? Light?" He looked at me attentively.

"Bread with jam would be good."

My answer seemed to surprise him.

"Just that?"

"And a glass of milk too."

"Sure."

He opened the refrigerator and took out a carton of milk. From his pantry, he took out the toast and the jam. Blackberry!

"Thank you!"

I took a slice of bread, opened the jam, and started spreading it. I took the first bite, it tasted great. Delicious! I drank some milk.

"Is it good?" He was curious.

"Very good. Delicious!"

He smiled. He looked down at his watch, checking the time.

"It's twelve o'clock at night, and you're having bread and jam after a drinking binge. How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Like the alcohol hadn't affected you. You look so carefree!"

I nodded. I bit. I chewed. I crunched. I swallowed. Very sweet!

"This jam is really good; I've never tried this brand before."

"Are you changing the subject on me?"

"No. I like the jam. Actually, it's not rocket science. I am carefree! I feel like I had fun at the party tonight, and your mom is amazing."

"You like my mother?"

"She's cool."

I thought I heard him sigh.

"You both had a lot of fun. You ended up quite drunk!"

"I don't remember."

"But I do."

"Well, we had fun, and that was good. You don't drink?"

I took another bite of my toast.

"Yes. But not much."

"Do you consider yourself a moderate drinker?"

"Exactly."

"I used to moderate myself, but since my parents died, I don't know, sometimes I feel like drinking allows me to express my pain in a fun way."

"Express your pain?"

I chewed. It was very crunchy. The sweetness cheered me up.

"Yes. As everything happened so fast, I had to learn to survive with unexpressed pain."

"You're saying that because you were left alone."

I nodded.

"Actually, Raul moved in with me for a while, and he helped me to cope. I went back to school. I finished my studies and now I'm doing an internship at your company. It's great!"

His gaze seemed to be processing my words. I finished eating my bread. I drank milk. I savored it. I licked my lips.

"Do you like how your life is right now?"

His question seemed interesting to me.

"Yes. Although I have pain, I also have an opportunity to be happy. It's up to me if I like the life I lead! That's why I drink. To let loose from time to time."

"You are very interesting, Julen."

"I've been told that."

"Do you want more?"

"Can I finish your jar of jam?"

"Don't you think it's too sweet for this time of night?"

"No. It's never enough when you're looking for happiness. I feel great!" I wagged my eyebrows and smiled broadly.

"As you say."

I took a spoon and put it in the jar. I scooped out some jam and put it in my mouth. Sweet! Delicious. Syrupy.

"And how did you learn to dance?"

"My parents loved dancing. They taught me."

"Now I understand why my mom and the girls wouldn't leave you alone. They took you dancing a lot, didn't they?"

"Yes. That tends to happen to me at parties. Girls want me to dance with them, and I like it."

"How popular you are."

I nodded. I ate more jam. I tasted it. I enjoyed it!

"And you don't know how to dance?" I asked him.

"No. I'm like a rock."

"That's too bad. Dancing is fun."

"Why would it be fun? You just move your feet and that's it."

"No. It's not just that. Dancing is about enjoying yourself and having fun! I think you think that way because you don't know how, but if you did, you'd think differently."

"You think so?"

"Of course."

I finished drinking my glass of milk.

"Will you teach me to dance?"

"Really?" He doubted his proposal.

"Yes."

I walked around the counter, and he approached me. He extended his hand and took mine.

"Julen. Will you dance with me tonight?"

It was unexpected! Sudden! Super sweet!

"You..."

"Ask Alexa for the song you want to dance to."

Was this really happening? I swallowed sweet saliva. I felt so funny!

"Alexa. Play Divine by Lunar Isles," I asked the smart speaker.

"Playing Divine by Lunar Isles," she replied.

I got down from my seat. Our hands were intertwined, and I didn't feel strange with him.

"Just try to feel the rhythm of the song. I didn't ask for a cumbia or a salsa because that's an advanced level. This song is smooth and has retro vibes. Just move your arms and your body to the rhythm you feel."

I let go of his hand. We started moving.

"So far, I'm confirming that you are indeed short," he said.

"I'm five foot seven."

"And I'm six foot one."

"You're a giant!" I joked.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Maybe."

I smiled broadly.

"How do I turn?"

"Your right hand will be the guide. Every time you want to turn, you have to push your partner's hand and pull for the turn. Like this movement." I showed him. I took his hand again.

"Just that?"

"Yes. Try it."

He nodded.

He copied my movement, and it wasn't hard for him to turn me. I offered him my other hand, and from there, another turn was born.

"Did you find it difficult?" I asked.

"No. You are a good teacher."

"Now, you just have to practice."

He nodded.

We continued dancing a couple more songs, and then when Porcelain finished playing, he approached me. He wrapped me in his arms. He rested his face on my neck, and the scent of his shirt made me nervous. What was going on? Why was he hugging me so suddenly?

"Thank you for teaching me!" He whispered in my ear.

He moved his face away from me and rested his hands on my shoulders.

"Thanks for the bread and jam!"

Our eyes met, an opportunity to melt into "just one." My heart was melting from feeling his hands on my shoulders!

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