"Ese, your dreams are astonishing." Samuel commented after hearing Alex's plans.
Alex looked into the distance and said calmly, "if you can't even dream big, how can you even think about making it big?"
Samuel laughed. "You're right. Anyway, the blueprint you laid out seems easy to follow. But are you sure you'll be able to manage your internship with this?"
Alex shook his head. "I have no idea. That's why I hit you up." He then stared into Samuel's eyes and said seriously, "I trust you, Sam. I know you'll make it work even if nothing seems to be going right and I am not there."
Samuel felt warm in his heart hearing that.
Being from an immigrant family, he had been looked down upon despite achieving great things. It was only this dude in front of him who never discriminated and treated him like an actual person.
Samuel swore when he was a kid that he wouldn't let any harm befall Alex, even if it meant he would need to put his life on the line.
Alex was his best buddy and Samuel had not found anyone as genuine as him. After he left Texas, life had been lonely and now that he was back and talked about the business thing, Samuel had a fire kindled within him to do epic things.
How cool would it be when both him and Alex became rich? They could party anywhere they want and go anywhere the fuck they wanted. Life would be so chill.
Samuel felt his throat get heavy, but keeping his emotions in check, he put on a big smile and thumped his chest.
"Rest easy, my friend, and go get your doctorate without stressing so much."
Alex got up and gave a friendly hug to Samuel. "It was nice meeting you. Give me your number, I'll contact you in January after your graduation."
Samuel gave his contact and after exchanging a few more words together, both bid each other farewell and left.
Alex was happy to have met his old friend. Samuel was a trustworthy dude and had never let him down. He was a fun person and also a family guy who understood relationships and how to maintain them.
Samuel also didn't have any habit of drinking or smoking, he was money-minded and that made him even more genuine in Alex's opinion.
Being content with today's interaction with his old friend, Alex decided it was now time to go home.
He checked the time and it was 7 pm.
'Time sure flies quickly when you're enjoying the moment.'
Before heading home, Alex took a detour once again and visited an old bakery around the corner.
He bought some fresh sourdough bread, croissants, and a few pieces of pastries.
He had no idea what his wife liked or anything in general about her except for the fact that she loved him a little too much, wasn't a Blessed, liked getting groped during kisses, and her name being Melissa.
In his mind's to-do list, Alex added that he needed to know more about Melissa.
Paying the cashier money, Alex walked back home while holding a paper bag full of food.
Once he reached, he was about to press the doorbell but refrained from doing so.
From what he knew about Melissa, she would immediately jump on him without thinking twice and this could ruin the food.
Thus, Alex first put the food a few feet away from him and then rang the doorbell.
As expected, he heard loud and rapid footsteps. In the next second, the door clicked open and…
"Husbanddddd!~" Melissa jumped on Alex and attached herself like a koala on him.
Alex successfully caught her and felt proud of himself for being right.
Melissa wrapped her arms around Alex's neck and hugging him tight, said, "I missed you…"
Alex had no idea what to reply to that, so he instead rubbed her back and noisily sniffed her hair. "You smell good. Did you do something?"
Feeling surprised her husband noticed it, Melissa pulled herself back and said, "Yes. I just showered and used the shampoo in your bathroom."
She then put on an annoyed face and continued, "I was waiting for you to come so we could shower together, but you didn't even after an hour or two. It's been four hours since you left, you know? Is this what you mean by coming back in a 'bit'?"
Alex tried to avoid a landmine by saying she smelled good, but accidentally ended up stepping onto another.
'Is this what happens when you're married… or is it a general thing when in a relationship?' This was the question that popped out in his mind, instead of solutions that could ease the situation he was in.
"Husband… you listening?" Melissa poked Alex's face.
Alex shook his head. "I am sorry, when you started staring at me, I got lost in those beautiful eyes of yours and couldn't pay attention."
Melissa was about to scold Alex for saying he wasn't listening, but then her open mouth stayed open as she was surprised with the sudden wholesome thing Alex said.
Melissa immediately forgot she was going to scold him and being all smiles, said holding his face gently, "you know… our eyes match. They're literally the similar blue color, just a little different shade."
Alex nodded. "I can tell. Anyway, let's head inside. I got us food, I'll cook, you prepare the bed and we'll eat and sleep."
"Done." Melissa said and got down after giving Alex a kiss on his cheek.
The two headed inside and Alex made a few sandwiches with sourdough bread.
He toasted them with olive oil, put some cold cuts, cheese, butter, greens, and did a light toast again to have the cheese be melted and bind everything together.
He then warmed the croissants and cut them in the middle to apply butter.
Alex paired the dishes with peach iced tea and holding a big tray full of food, walked into the living room to see Melissa lying on the couch with a blanket on.
Everything was neat and tidy, there was popcorn and water on the table in front of the couch, tv remote, along with a cute Melissa just behind them, waiting to be hugged and kissed.
Looking at this scene provided a weird sense of comfort to Alex.
Melissa, smelling food, immediately turned around to look at Alex standing a few feet away, holding a big tray in his hands.
"Oh, wow! Looks delicious!" Melissa licked her lips seductively and said.
Alex smiled. "Thanks. I put some more effort in this since I was cooking for you and made it more presentable."
Hearing that, Melissa turned to look at the food and commented, "Oh, dang. The food looks good too! Good job, husband!"
"What?"
"What?"
"…"
For a second there, Alex's brain refused to process the interaction that just happened.
It was only after a few seconds did he realize Melissa was licking her lips not because of the food, but because of him.
'Is my wife a pervert?' Alex wondered. But then putting aside his thoughts, he walked towards her and put the tray on the table.
"What movie are we watching?" Alex changed the topic as he sat down on the couch beside Melissa.
"I haven't decided yet. Hmm… how about…" Melissa scooted towards Alex and sneakily put herself in his embrace and had him hug her.
She then looked up at his face and said with a smirk as something brilliant popped up in her mind, "…how about we watch Finding Nemo and kiss every time we see a fish?"
"…"