4 Chapter 4: Goodbye

The sun's rays illuminate my entire room, and the sound of passing cars makes my dream fade. I stretch a little in bed, but one arm around my waist and the weight of someone on my back does not allow me to stretch completely. I open my eyes, confused, and after a few seconds, I realize that the guy who is staying on my couch has kept me company all night. I carefully turn in his arms to face him. The bruises on his face are still a little visible. I would like to see him without them because he is obviously a very handsome man with his features. His breathing is deep, and I know he is sleeping peacefully. I try to get out of his grip, but he grunts and squeezes me harder as I move.

I need to go to the bathroom!

When I can't resist holding on much longer and accept that I really can't escape his grip, I shake him slightly until he finally opens his eyes little by little. They look at me tired and a little confused, but in the end, he releases his grip to stretch out a bit in bed.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep," he says in a hoarse voice. "I haven't slept this well in a long time" I wonder why he couldn't sleep" I have them too," He says as if he reads my mind, and I look at him confused. "Nightmares," He clarifies, "But apparently, the angel who saved my life now also gives me the peace of mind I need to sleep."

His words send an electric current down my back, I feel my cheeks getting hot, and I want to hit myself for it; I think I ever blush when I'm next to him. Does he make those comments on purpose?

"Ehhh... I need to go to the bathroom" is the only thing I dare say to escape the situation.

I get out of bed and get my toothbrush and toothpaste to take advantage of the bathroom trip and brush my mouth. Then I run out of my room like a coward. Once I finish using the bathroom, I wash my hands and go outside. Next to the bathroom door is Don Eugenio, a chubby, bald man in his fifties who has lived in this hostel since I entered and who does nothing but meddle in other people's lives and insinuate himself to me all the time.

"Good morning Norita" The way he pronounces my name makes me grimace

"Good morning," I try to avoid it, but it gets in my way, forbidding me to pass.

"They go around talking about how you've got a man in your room," He says and takes a lock of my hair to put behind my ear. I lean back to try to avoid him. "It would be a shame for Mercedes to find out. It would force you to pay for a room for two, and we both know you don't even have enough to pay what you owe.

The disgust I feel for him gives me the courage to say the following...

"You'd better mind your own business. I don't spend all my time talking about the shit you put up your nose" My words take him by surprise, and I know that my comment has upset him.

"I'd be careful what I say" He puts a hand on the bathroom door, cornering me. "Many times, I've offered you my help" He looks at my body from top to bottom, licking his lips. "You know what you have to do to get it."

It gets closer and closer to me, and panic begins to take hold of me. I try to push him away by putting my hands on his chest, but it is impossible.

"What's going on here?"

Don Eugenio separates from me almost instantly and turns to the person who has interrupted our discussion. From a predator about to attack he pass to a frightened prey about to be eaten, I can see how his face changes almost completely. The man in front of us looks at him in such a cold and threatening way that even I freeze in my place.

"Nothing," He says, finally trying to regain his composure. "I was saying hello, wasn't I, Nora?

I nod my head. He turns to leave, but as he passes me, he leans over to whisper in my ear, "I'd be careful if I were you.''

I swallow hard and try not to let his words affect me.

"What do you think you are doing?" I pull Jake into the bathroom when I see Don Eugenio enter his room, and I close the door behind us. "They can't see you if the owner finds out that someone else is sleeping in my room, she throws me out," I whisper.

"Well, yesterday you didn't tell me anything, and I had to pee and shit," I hit him in the arm "ouch!" He complains, rubbing the affected area

"Well, don't talk like that" I cross my arms.

"I just say that I had to use the bathroom several times, and I don't know if anyone saw me," I look at him, upset, and he rolls his eyes. "Anyway, that son of..." I gave him a warning look. "That idiot" fixes it. " Did he do something to you?

"No," I say, and he just nodded.

I open the door slightly to peek out. "You can come out."

We left the bathroom and quickly walked up the stairs to enter my room. I go to the kitchen and open the fridge, only to see that there is nothing for breakfast.

"I have to go to the supermarket to buy breakfast."

"I accompanied you," Says, and I deny...

"What part of they can't see you don't you understand?"

He puts his hands in front of him and makes puppy dog eyes...

I try to say no, but he's an idiot who knows how to use his charms.

"It's okay..."

___________________

"Jake!" I call him, but he's lost on his phone. I say louder this time, and he looks at me, confused, "Do you like pancakes?" I ask, showing him the box with the mixture I have in my hands.

"Everything that is food is welcome," He says, and I laugh.

I throw it in the shopping cart he pushes and takes the syrup. I also take bread, butter, and milk.

"Nora?" I recognize that voice right away...

"Hi Kevin," I turn to him with a smile.

He bends down to kiss me on the cheek. His smell floods my nostrils, and without realizing it, I lean forward to smell him better.

"Don't you work today? Maybe we could move up our date," He suggests with a smile.

"I would love to, but I go to work later" I give him a smile of apology.

"Ohhh...well, don't worry," He winks at me, and I feel my cheeks blush. "I look forward to the weekend for our date."

I am about to answer, but someone at my back interrupts me.

"Do you like grape juice?" Jake asks.

I turn to look at him. He has a box of grape juice in his hand and the car in another. However, he doesn't look at me but looks very seriously at the guy next to me.

"Hmmm..." I'm starting to say, feeling uncomfortable for the way they both look at each other, "Jake, this is Kevin, Kevin, this is..." Jake interrupts me

"The man who sleeps in his bed," Says so casually that I choke on my own saliva.

I look at him as if he were crazy and just wanted the earth to open up and swallow me up to get out of this uncomfortable situation. Besides me, Kevin looks at me, not knowing what to say, the sadness and disappointment in his eyes.

"Ohhh...well," he smiles at me, a smile that doesn't reach his eyes," I have to go."

"No, Kevin, wait..." I mean, but he's already left the store.

I hear Jake laughing behind my back, and I turn to him, feeling anger coming over me.

"What is your problem?" I push him, but he doesn't move an inch.

"Did you see his face?" He holds his belly in his hands as if it hurt. "I think he lost interest in you," I give him an annoying look and walk past him, bumping his shoulder into mine.

"Come on! It was just a joke," He yells, but I'm already out of the supermarket.

I can see Kevin's car about to leave the parking lot, and I stand in front of it. He stops just in time and lowers the glass, holding one hand to his chest.

"Are you crazy?! I could have crushed you!"

I ignore his scolding tone and circle the car to stand by the driver's door.

"Let me explain..."

"Nora, you have nothing to explain to me."

"But I want to do it," I say, and then I shut up.

How do you explain to the guy you like that a stranger came to your house at 3 a.m. beaten to shit?

"He..." Kevin looks at me with his eyebrows raised. "He..." I babble again.

I had no idea how to explain the strange situation without scaring him. So I took the easy option.

Lying.

"He's my cousin," I finally said.

The moment those words came from my lips, I regretted it. I wouldn't say I liked the lies, but I didn't want Kevin to end up walking away from me because he wouldn't believe me if I told him the truth or because he thought I was crazy to accept a stranger into my home.

"He stays in my house for a few days." I look away, playing with my hands nervously.

"Well, in that case, I'm sorry if I made a show of jealous boyfriend," he says with a smile, that smile that made me nervous.

At the mention of the word boyfriend, I felt my heart racing more than usual. I wanted to tell him that we would only go out to eat once, but I didn't dare say a word, so I got out of the car so he could get out.

"Goodbye, freckles," He says with a smile.

I wave goodbye with my hand as I watch him leave the parking lot. I let out a sigh before walking towards the boy who comes out of the store.

"I thought you were gone," He says when I stop in front of him.

I shrug my shoulders and ask, "How much did it cost?" I point to the bags he had in his hand and start looking for my wallet.

"None of that," He says, "I'll pay for it."

"But..." I try to protest, but I'm interrupted

"I'm staying at your house. It's the least I can do."

"Well..." I accept not very safe

_________________

"That's not how it's done," I say, laughing as I watch him try to turn a pancake with a fork and only get it to break. "That's why we have this" I take the spatula and turn the pancake. "Do you live alone? How do you survive?"

"Well, I make an exquisite cereal with milk" He takes two fingers to his mouth and kisses them. I can't help laughing and shaking my head.

"Well, at least this one didn't get burned" I mean by putting the pancake on the plate.

He does what I say, and I put the food in front of him, serve the coffee and take a seat at the other side of the table to eat as well.

"Ummm..." He licks his lips. "What do you think about living with me so you can cook for me every day?"

I shudder with laughter and bring the coffee cup to my lips. It felt good to have some company. I close my eyes and let out a little moan as I feel the warm liquid run down my throat. I open my eyes and see Jake looking at me with a raised eyebrow and fun in his eyes. I feel my cheeks warm, so I look away. We finish eating, and he gets up. I watch him walk to his backpack and grab it. Then he looks at me with a closed mouth smile.

"Well... I think it's time for me to go."

I don't say anything. I look at it. I felt the need to ask him to stay, but that was something my pride would never allow me to say out loud. Was it too crazy to want a stranger to stay with me?

He takes out a notebook from his backpack, tears out a page, writes something on it, and then hands it to me.

It is a phone number.

"If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me," He says, and I nod my head.

I look at the little paper between my fingers and then lookup. I feel my chest heating up and my heart starting to beat faster than normal. That little gesture had managed to touch my sensitive side.

"I'm serious, Nora. I know your life is not easy," It gives me a serious look.

I give him a sincere smile. I feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I don't let any of them go. It feels like I can tell him everything I've been through without fear that her attitude towards me will change. Without giving me time to react, he grabs my wrist and separates the space between us to merge into a hug. His aroma intoxicates me, and for a moment, I find myself closing my eyes and clinging to him. We separate, and I feel an emptiness settling in my chest. He goes to the door, but he gives me one last look over his shoulder before leaving.

"It was a pleasure, Nora."

And without saying anything else, he closed the door behind him. Suddenly my house felt lonely and empty.

I'm alone again.

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