OUR BABY

OUR BABY 2

ELY

He gets in the car, and I watch as we set off after a roar from the engine.

"Thank you," I said quietly, without looking at him.

"You don't have to thank me. I couldn't leave you like this, wet."

My mind processes those words inappropriately, making me open my eyes, and my cheeks heat up without permission. He smiles sideways while he looks back at the front, not realizing what his statement has made in my head. I think I shouldn't talk to Julia anymore; it hurts my mind.

"Where can I take you?" he asks when we reach a traffic light, and his hand goes to a button on the dashboard. I realize it's the air conditioning, making the car a comfortable temperature.

"East, Glendale," I say, and he nods, putting my directions into the GPS.

We remain silent as I look out the window at the city lights and try to calm the emotions that my companion unintentionally produces in me. I remind myself that it is impossible, and even worse, he has feelings for my boss.

"So, Elizabeth, how long have you been working for the Williams?" he asks, breaking the silence, making me turn my face towards him quickly. I thought he was going to ignore me.

I cleared my throat and settled myself in my seat, running my hands through my black dress pants.

"I... it's been almost two months," I answered as he turned to look at me. I don't understand why he generates these emotions; it's only the second time I have seen him. 'Of course, it's the second time you look at a man like him, and even better, you're in his car,' my mind reminds me.

"It's your first job. I mean, you look very young."

The conversation continues.

"Yes, it is. It will help me with my studies." I see that we have reached my street. "It's there." I pointed with my finger, two houses ahead, where mine is located.

He slows down to park at the side of the curb. Without letting me think, Mr. Black gets out of the car and walks towards the door on my side to open it. I don't know how to feel; no one has ever done that gesture with me, and it feels... good.

I turn to look at him, and he shows me that radiant smile that makes my cheeks heat up. He extends his hand towards me, and I have no choice but to take it. I can't snub him. He took my hand with great delicacy, and I thought I was going to faint. He's one of those gentlemen that no longer exist.

"Would you like something to drink?" I invited him in gratitude, looking in the direction of my house. It's something my parents taught me, and as much as the emotions the man in front of me generates in me baffle me, I must reciprocate the kindness of taking me home.

Mr. Black looks at his watch and then in my direction. "Okay, I still have some time. After you."

I nodded to head to the house. I tried to open the door, but I confused the key a couple of times. How can I not do it if the man next to me has his gaze fixed on what I do?

"That's it!" I said excitedly as I heard the door click, eliciting a small laugh from my companion.

"Please come in." I pointed to the furniture while I left my things in the small closet at the entrance. I notice how he walks around observing everything.

"Would you like a coffee or a soft drink?"

"Water, please." He asks, and I take a bottle from the fridge.

"Architecture," I hear him say when I arrive in the living room and find him looking at the plans on the table and a few books on the subject.

"Yes, I'm in the sixth semester," I said, taking a few steps closer to hand him the bottle.

He raises both eyebrows in surprise. "You know, I'm an architect," he says after a short silence, takes a seat, and his gaze returns to the plans.

I couldn't have guessed it. It's such a coincidence that he's an architect. I wonder what world I live in, and I don't know.

"In your studies?" my mind questions.

"I also went to UCLA," he says smiling, and I know he can see the name of the university on my agenda. "I graduated four years ago."

"Oh!" I said in my mind. I would never have imagined having things in common with him.

We started a pleasant conversation about his time at university. I told him a little about my life at university; he listened attentively to every word, making me feel comfortable.

He was, of course, the popular guy—captain of the football team, friend of the "cool" teachers and everyone. He probably dated the most beautiful girls at the university, as well as being admired by girls like me.

"Well, Elizabeth, I have to go. I have a trip to Spain tonight, but I would love to help you with your history of architecture exam and with whatever you need. You have taken me back four years and made me forget..." He falls silent, and I wonder what he was going to say.

"I don't want to be a bother." I bit my cheek from the inside. I shouldn't have told him that this subject had been complicated for me for several reasons.

"You won't be." He shakes his head as he takes my phone and types something on it. His movements are so surprising that they don't give me time to react.

"Ready," he says as a notification sounds on his phone. He picks it up and writes something on it. "Got you," he says, showing my name next to my phone number on the screen of his cell phone.

"I'll write to you and make everything easier."

I don't know exactly what he means.

"Thank you, Mr. Black," I said as I watched him walk to the door.

"Oh, no." He laughs. "Elizabeth, as you just told me, I am only six years older than you. Leave out the word 'sir' when you talk to me—or tell me, do I look like a sir to you?" he asks, amused, and I shake my head.

"Then just call me Alex. Once we've settled the matter... I'll see you later." He nods and gives me a smile at the door before closing it.

I let out a deep sigh. I don't know what just happened. He spoke to me, and it was as if he had known me forever.

"Achu!" I look at my clothes and I still feel my pants wet. I walked to my room to change the no longer so wet clothes for my pajamas.

I hear my parents have arrived; surely my father went to pick up my mother from some event.