when he heard my brother’s voice. I glanced at the kitchen entrance to see if Leroy saw us, and I breathed a sigh of relief when he wasn’t there. I was still safe. I

myself for being carried away, for

eath. For a moment, it was like I saw a different Marcus. There was something off about h

o!” I avoided looking at him and hurriedly went to the living room. My heart

t an option!

ing room. I only raised my head

ening, C

eturned my gaze to his face. I smiled faintly. I didn’t want to assume. It hurts. “Martin, did you just pa

you, Cl

emed shy. He scratched his neck. “F-For me? W-Why? What’s going on?” I chuckled li

t’s jus

gift? Why not

oy sitting quietly. The TV was on, so I wasn’t s

and Martin f

ing what I interrupted earlier... damn! Stop, just stop! I closed my eyes and shoo

udia

ed at Martin. “Oh

wanted to say something but was hesitan

heart skipped a beat again when I saw Marcus coming out of the kitchen. His e

to cou

my Grandma, and she also looked at us. But before I could look back at Martin, I automatically tu

. his face was dark? I was sure he heard what Martin said. But when I looke

ow that... I’m serious... about you,” Martin said gently and earnestly. I felt nervous, not because of what Martin said but because of t

with pleading eyes. “Are you sure

d like the dream guy, right? I wasn’t in a rush, but here he was, within my reach! However, my darn heart, I can’t understand it! I

choose who we’ll like; it just h

ips at his words. He h

ard time,” Leroy diverted my attention. I hadn’t realized he was

id with a deep and seemingly meaningful tone. I looked at him, an

up, holding her hand fan, “I’ll leave you two

randma. “Oh, thank you, son,” she said be

were the on

hould

udia

ka

ed. “Wh

s just courti

I can cou

wly. It’s ju

His expression was like he c

e he’s the answ

my room. My smile melted, and I felt like standing up a

okes that earned him laughs from Grandma. But sometimes, I glanced at the room door. Waiting.

When Grandma entered her room, I went to the kitchen to find something to put the flowers in. My eyes caught an empty plastic coke bottle. This will do. I grabbed a knife and cut the bottleneck to make the opening larger. I filled

putting in ef

surprise when I heard that suddenly deep voice.

r. His arms crossed over his chest. His face? Serious and

idating. My heart rate suddenly increased due to

there? For what? To see it all the time? Tss, it will wither anyway. Just because it’

up my things. I don’t know why, but I feel nervous. I had my back to him but I felt strongly that he was getting closer to me. So I gla

doing, even though my

; he has an early shift tomorrow.” he stopped in fro

efrigerator. I was surprised by his question. “I-I’ll be sleeping too! So

gree?” I could feel the annoyance

e to

him co

my lips

isappointed. “Tss, you didn’t eve

ermission and my grandmother’s. Who am I to deny him a c

him? I was nervous about his look. “You just met him recently

n him a chance; I haven’t even answered him yet. Call it ‘getting to know each other.’ That’s where I’ll find out if there’s a chance I’ll like him too—” I stopp

He gave me a sharp look. Melting. It made my knees tremble. H

ke I was

lved around that gaze. The only thing t

t’s when I woke up from my thoughts, “I’m leaving. Loc

and held my pounding chest. “What