Their Meeting (6)

Mark went home all smiles and giddy that night. He has not only seen the love of his life, nor has she not only served him with dessert and wine, but she also laughed out with total abandon in his very sight. He was full of her images as he drove his armored official car back to the headquarters. Although he knew that Fem was a bit drunk, her laughter was natural that it enchanted him all the more. It lingered on his ears as his mind replayed the scene of her over and over.

But one thing he regret tonight was that he wasn't able to ask her phone number and ending the night with uncertainty. Had he mentioned to her bringing her cellphone tomorrow? Why did he not follow-up asking her number then? Ha! And she nodded about going out with him tomorrow but just when he was about to leave, she said she will drink and sleep and not go anywhere? How was that?

He went straight to shower upon stepping into his quarter. His quarter was a two bedroom apartment, a large study room, wide living room, complete kitchen, bathroom with jacuzzi and a large balcony where he can hang dry his clothes. All courtesy of the government.

After shower, he sat on his bed and texted Bryan.

[Is she already asleep ?]

Bryan's reply came five minutes later. They were tidying up the tables and chairs in the dining hall.

[Not yet sir, she's helping the girls tidy up the dining hall]

[ Can you ask her phone number now. Send it ASAP]

[I'll try sir. Otherwise, wait till tomorrow.]

[ K. Try hard. I need it now]

While waiting for Bryan's message, Mark browsed his video gallery and played each one of them. He cannot help smiling with so much love and longing for her.

Truth be told, he is a tough police Major who can manage to command every cell of his subordinates' body. His commanding power is respectful yet terrifying. They both respect and fear him wherever he was assigned. In the headquarters, even his superiors notice this gift and ability to do things efficiently and effectively at a quickest possible time. This earned him to be potentially enlisted as one of the best candidates for the highest rank in the entire police force at his young age...26 years young at that!

After 30 minutes, Bryan 's message came.

[Sir, she locked her room already. I guess she's asleep now. I was at the bathroom when she entered her room.]

[Get it early tomorrow when she wakes up.]

[Yes Sir!]

However, Fem slept like a pig that night. She was so tired and had drunk a bit last night. She was awakened by the call of nature. She got up supposedly just to pee and return to bed. However, when she glanced at the clock, she was shocked to see it was already 11 o'clock. Is this clock working? How could this be possible? She picked up her cellphone to double check the time. Indeed its 11:03 AM!

She grabbed a bath towel and a pair of underwear then headed to the common bathroom which was perpendicular to her room.

As soon as she stepped out of her room, she side glanced a tall figure slowly pacing at the living room. She froze as she held those pieces of clothes over her chest! The man quickly straightened up and looked at her. His eyes were tender and his lips curled up as he crossed the gap between them.

"Good morning madame!" He greeted her as he bowed from his waist.

" What's good in the morning! Madame your face! " She said as she bolstered to the bathroom then bolted the door with a loud bang.

Mark chuckled and turned back to the living room. He sat down on the sofa to wait for her.

Actually, he arrived quarter to 11 thinking he might need to ask permission from her boss Ernest. However, the house owner left to the North Province early that morning with his driver. While he was on his way, Bryan texted him that Fem hasn't waken up yet. He was also the one who let him into the house. The helpers went for holiday since it was Sunday. Bryan and Manuel stayed to watch over the house at the same time do their laundry.

Mark was worried that Fem really intended to sleep and not go out with him. He made up his mind to come over and wait for her no matter what time she wakes up.

Seeing this sight of her just now, it was already a big bunos for him! He got to see her fresh from the bed! Indeed, women are most beautiful when they just woke up! What a beautiful lovely day it is!

He texted his brother.

[Hey bro, I'm going out with Fem today! Wish me good!]

[JP: Hmmmmm, then wish you good!]

[How are you and Ysabel doing?]

[JP: She's processing her legal papers. Mr. Lee doesn't want to see me yet.]

[Hahahaha....!]

JP didn't reply anymore.

After the exchange of text messages with his brother, Mark heard the bathroom door click open. He was tempted to turn his head to look at her but being a military man, he was supposed to act a gentleman. He tapped his fingers on his head to recall all logarithmic formula he has learned from high school. None of them emerged in his mind but a woman who is wrapped in bath towel coming out from the bathroom. He shut his eyes hard and leaned his head on the headrest of the sofa then inhaled a long deep breath.

After less than ten minutes Fem came out from her room wearing white loose hoodie top and dark green skinny jeans. She wore a bright red cap and in her ears were white head sets connected to her phone which was hidden in her front pocket.

"Are you waiting for me? Or do you plan to stay here..I'm heading out for a walk." Fem towered over the man who was leaning his hardened body on the sofa with shut eyes.

Mark caught the faint smell of her feminine scent. He breathed in then stood up as soon as he heard her melancholic voice. For her, her voice was tough and distant, but for him, this voice invited challenge and thrill to conquer and explore.

"Thank you for granting me this wish my dear lady. Let's go!" He extended his hand for her to hold but he forgot that she was distantly cold to him.

She looked at his hand and smirked as she rolled her eyes. She was reminded to set the rules first before they leave.

"Rule number 1: No touching

Rule number two: No long staring.

Rule number three: Don't hide when answering phone calls." She said without pausing in between rules.

"Kind of wierd rules you made up! What's the consequence if I break any of them?" Mark silently laughed.

"Rule number four: Breaking rules 1-3 means no more chance next time." She said as she strode towards the shoe rack by the entrance door. She put on her white sneakers.

"I suppose we aren't going to a formal date right, Major Arevalo? Or do I need to wear a certain proper dress?" She said cheekily.

He was again flabbergasted by her humor. First of all, she dressed like a Christmas Tree then set her own dating rules and wore her sneakers before asking me about my plan for this date? He looked at her in disbelief.

"What?" She eyed him wide.

"Do I have a say on this? You've set the rules by yourself. Mine is just to obey. Its okay also to dress up like a Christmas Tree, after all it's Christmas time. " Mark said putting his hands on his pocket. This has become his self reminder every time he is with her especially now that she has set her specific rules.

"Exactly what I was expecting to hear from you, Major Arevalo! Let's go catch some wind!" She fixed her cap in place then called out for Bryan to lock the door.

"If I don't come back by six o'clock , call the police and report that I'm kidnapped!" She told Bryan who was holding the door frames waiting for them to disappear.

"Hahahahahahaa!!!! " Bryan laughed hard.