XANDER

CHAPTER 2

I slammed myself on the couch as I roamed my eyes.

Damn, I am so tired! I just finished decorating and fixing my things. And I could finally take a bath later and eat. Renovating this small apartment all by myself is not easy at all! Chelsey offered to help me, but I insisted. I love to work alone; it will be more time-consuming if I let others help me.

I am pretty proud of myself for the drastic changes that I made, from the ceiling to the floor, bathroom, sink, appliances, and furniture. I am home, somewhat.

I faced the door when I heard knocks. I bet it is Chelsey. I still did not want to stand up, but someone knocked again. I groaned and stood, composed myself by not showing how irritated I was, and opened the door.

“Hi.”

And I am wrong about thinking that it is Chelsey. I smiled at the guy and greeted him “hi” before asking him what I could help.

“I uhh live across you; I am Kell, the brother of Hiro. I bet you remember him.” He smirks.

I nodded at him as an answer. Though, the moment I saw his face, I knew he was the brother of that police guy. Their faces resemble a lot.

“You can come in, you know?” I said and moved to my right to give him a way to get in.

“No, thank you. It will be fine. I am just here to give you these.” He softly said and showed me paper bags of McDonald’s. Why have I not noticed it immediately?

“Why would you give me these?” I asked.

He raised his brows like he was amazed by my question. “Woah.” He laughed.

“Okay. I uhh sorry about it. I am just really wondering why you have to give me those.” I said directly.

“My brother thought that you hadn’t eaten yet. So he called for delivery, and he asked me to give you these.” He smiled and moved the bags closer to me.

Okay. I want to be thankful that I have food to eat now, but it is from that officer again, and I am uncomfortable with that.

“He will not take a ‘no’ for an answer,” Kell told me before gently dropping the paper bags down on the floor beside my feet. “Bye…?”

I offered my hand and smiled a bit. “Nica.”

“Bye, Nica.” He said, almost whispering, and looked at my hand before shaking it. “Hiro’s right. You are so beautiful.” And he left.

I watched him walk away until he went inside his house before getting in. I put the paper bags on the table and tightly closed my eyes.

It would be best if you told him that you have a boyfriend.

I groaned as I sat on the chair and recalled what happened earlier in the restaurant. I did not really want to accept the white rose, but he told me he was just thankful for meeting me. It is kinda awkward, and I started to think that he is sweet to every woman he meets? Is that it?

I shook the thoughts off and opened the paper bags; there were nuggets and burgers, while the other paper bag had fries and drinks… and a white rose. Okay. I am starting to think that he is weird.

I stood and got my phone, dialed my boyfriend’s number, and waited for him to pick it up.

“Hi, love! How are you?”

“Hi. I am fine. I had just finished fixing my stuff, and I just felt exhausted.” My brows furrowed. “Where are you?” I asked, for I heard loud music like he was at a party.

“Oh, I am at Chris’s house. He threw a party because his parents were not home.”

I know Chris; he has been his best friend since he was a kid. But I never got to bond with him even though he is my boyfriend’s best friend.

“Well yeah. Just be careful there. I just called to say that I miss you.” I said and sat again on the chair, opening the box of nuggets.

“I miss you too, baby. I’ll talk to you later or maybe tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Sure. I love you.”

“I love you.”

I was the one who put off the call because I knew that he would not. I had a second thought of calling my mom, too, but in the end, I did not. I thought I would disturb her if I called, like what she always tells me. I sighed after putting down the phone. Sadness was again filling my system, so I started eating and told myself just to continue reading the novel I started until I fell into sleep.

…

“Hey. Morning beautiful!”

I turned to look at the familiar voice and smiled. “Hi. Good morning.”

He jogged to me while wiping his sweat because of cleaning his gorgeous red car. “You going somewhere?” He asked.

“Yeah. I will go to Xander State for a while. I’ll pass some documents.” I said while looking away. He does not have any shirt, and, yeah, his body is perfect, but I am not used to that kind of sight.

“Hiro will be here later. He will fetch some food that I cooked. He can drop you there, you know.”

I sighed. “Thank you, Kell. But I am fine. I always ride a bus.”

He chuckled. “Are you aware that you are my brother’s type?”

“I don’t know. And if I am, then I am flattered. I have to go.” I answered and made sure that my door is locked before walking away from him.

“You know you should date him at least!”

I looked back at Kell when he shouted those and shook my head. “Maybe you should continue cleaning your car.” Then I continued walking.

I walked past on Chelsey’s apartment and stared there for a few seconds before going on. She surely needs more sleep. She told me yesterday that there was a party.

Just when I was almost at the gate, the familiar gorgeous black Ford car appeared in my sight. And its window rolled down, exposing his handsome face.

“Good morning.” He greeted, and moved his glasses up to his hair. “You uhh, going somewhere?”

I nodded and pointed somewhere, anywhere! “Xander State. I have to pass...” I showed him the papers I was holding. “Some documents.”

“Great. It will be on the way to the bank I will head to.” He moved out of the car, and I knew that he was not in his uniform but only in a plain white shirt and jogging pants paired with a nice pair of Nike running shoes. “I can drop you there.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Of course. I will just get my food from Kell, and off we go.”

I just nodded, and he opened the door for me before driving into the subdivision directly to Kell’s apartment. Kell is already waiting with food containers in his hand. All I saw in the clear containers was green. He must be very strict about his diet, maybe because he is a cop or has an image or body to maintain.

“You both be careful,” Kell said before getting in.

Hiro rolled his windows up and started driving. The food actually smells good. I am starting to feel my hunger. And it is adorable for Kell to make food for his brother.

“By the way…” I started. “Thank you for the McDonald’s last night,” I said without looking at him. I noticed that he glanced at me and locked his eyes on the road after.

“You are welcome. I hope those are your choices too.”

“Yeah. But you know, you didn’t have to do that.” I finally said.

“Why?” He said while looking at me. And this time, I looked at him too.

“I have… a boyfriend. I uhh, shouldn’t entertain other guys.”

He sighed and looked back at the road. “I was mesmerized by your beauty the first time I saw you.” He said, almost whispering. “Add that you, obviously, are an open book.” He shrugged his shoulders. “But well, yeah. I should respect your relationship with your guy.” He smiled.

I nodded. “Thank you.”

He did not speak after that, and the silence made me uncomfortable. I busied myself watching the road until the green light turned to red.

“You should try all the restaurants around Xander State.”

I nodded and secretly thanked God that he broke the silence. “Yeah. Sure I would love to.” I sighed. “You will get money from the bank?”

“No. I will deposit for my home there in Austine.” He smiled at me and chuckled. “And yeah, for Kell also. You know, I have to make sure that his future is secure.”

“Where are your parents, by the way?” I asked. “If you do not mind.”

He started driving again and frowned a little. “They’re in heaven.”

“I am sorry about that.”

“No, it’s fine. I am all Kell has. And I am a cop. I do not know until when my days will be over. That is why I do everything to ensure that his life would still be good without me.” A sad smile appeared on his lips, and he pulled the car’s hand brake. “There, Xander State University.”

I held his hand and smiled. “He is lucky to have you. You will die as an old policeman for sure.” I laughed.

“I wish I would.” And he gently squeezed my hand. “Here.” He brought out a card and gave it to me. “That is my number over there and the police station landline. If you need help, you can call me anytime.”

I smiled at him and nodded. “I am very thankful that I met you here in Xander.”

…