9.

-HER-

“Thanks for the food,” I spoke before getting out of his car. He dropped me at the office after we were done eating. He was mostly silent after we talked about his company. I decided to not bother him too much.

After reaching office, I submitted the details and renewed their application for separate properties and set off for home. I was aware that nana was still upset with me after we had the talk in the morning.

She wasn’t home when I got there. She must have gone shopping or for some errands so I didn’t bother calling her up. I had bought myself some cold coffee on my way home and decided to settle with it while I checked my phone.

It soon proved to be the wrong idea because as soon as I saw Derek’s messages, I chocked on my coffee. It read:

Derek: Can we meet? Please, it’s important.

Apart from his message, there were a couple of calls. I instantly got busy wondering what was bothering him all of a sudden. He was finally with Amanda- the girl he loved the most. Why would he need someone like me?

At first, I decided to ignore his text but my blind feelings for him had me checking his messages anyway.

Me: I am free tonight :’)

I found myself pressing the send button without much thought. He instantly read my message before the word typing appeared under his name. It made my heart stutter. He had never responded to me so quickly.

Derek: Sure, do you want to come over at my place?

My heart throbbed in my chest as I hit the reply button and typed.

Me: Sure :D

The message was sent before I could contemplate on it.

Derek: Cool, see you then!

I sat staring at the messages for several moments. I snapped out of my daze when I heard nana enter the house. She’d be mad furious if she ever found out that I was going to Derek’s place tonight.

Even though I was an adult independent woman who was capable of taking major decisions of her life, it was my nana who'd scrutinize and criticise them the most. I knew that she did this because she deeply cared for me but sometimes, she became a pushover and I didn’t like it.

I was head over heels for Derek while she loathed him very much. She never liked him. If I told her that I was going to Derek’s she would set the whole house on fire.

“You’re home,” She commented as soon as she found me propped up on the couch with coffee and phone in my hands.

“Nah, am I still halfway from office,” I shrugged before sipping my coffee. She rolled her eyes at me, “You definitely missed out on my sense of humour. I blame it on your mother,” She muttered more to herself before she went into her room. It was my turn to roll eyes.

“Come, help me cook dinner! I have decided to risk my life and give you free cooking classes,” She called out for me from the kitchen after some time.

“Nah, I’ll pass tonight. I am going out,” I told her. She was soon in front of me, staring me down with her judging eyes, “With who?” She inquired.

“I am just meeting a couple of colleagues from the office,” I lied to her with a straight face. She narrowed her eyes at me as I finished my coffee.

“Alright,” She muttered before walking away. I sighed in relief before I went to my room and changed. I left without giving her any details but I knew she'd fish them out from me later.

I was soon at his apartment door, knocking. He instantly opened the door for me. His face lit up as soon as he saw me. My heart beats quickened as soon as my eyes fell on his perfect smile.

He easily towered over me. I had to tilt my head back slightly to look at his face. Unconsciously, my eyes travelled to his head but disappointment coursed through me when I found no horns - wait a sec! What was I expecting? He is not Theodore.

I was somewhat confused at myself for randomly thinking about him but I ignored it.

“Thanks for coming,” He told me as he let me into his apartment.

“Where is Amanda?” I asked him when I didn’t find the blonde there. He sighed before rubbing his face, “She has gone abroad,” He grumbled before eyeing me from bottom to top.

I was instantly self-aware. Was he checking me out? Was he finally interested in me?

“And?” I pressed, wanting to know more. I wanted to know if I still had any chances with him. I still found it hard to get over him after everything I had done for him.

“We are fighting again,” He finally revealed. A frown instantly climbed on my face, “Wasn’t it a couple of weeks ago when you two made up? She moved in with you, didn’t she?”

“Yes, you know how we are… she is not talking to me that’s why I called you,” He mumbled and I collapsed on his couch. He kept standing, eyeing me in an odd way.

“Okay… what are you doing anyway?” I asked him, looking around.

“Nothing much. Do you want to watch a movie together?” He offered.

“Sure,” I chirped before he disappeared into the kitchen to bring popcorn and food.

“What would you like to watch?” He asked, sitting near me before reaching for the remote and switching the tv on.

“Whatever you like watching,” I shrugged, turning my attention solely to the television while munching on some popcorn. He put on some action movie which I generally avoid. I didn’t even bother to know the name of the movie as he settled on the couch just beside me.

I tried to concentrate on the movie but I often found myself staring at him. I finally got to see him after so many days. For some moments, I was finding it hard to believe that I was actually seeing him.

He used to spend so much time with me when Amanda and he were fighting. I always made him my priority just so that he could understand how much I loved him and how much I cared for him.

After he got back with Amanda, he stopped talking to me completely. I used to text him and he hardly replied. Once he told me to stop texting because Amanda didn’t like it when he talked to me. It hurt me but I stayed away because I didn't want to cause trouble in their life.

“When is she coming back?” I asked when I couldn't pretend watching the movie anymore. Besides, I had too many questions for him. At this, he turned to me.

“Next week,” He answered.

“Would things go back to normal after she comes back?” I asked and he sighed deeply before answering, “At this point, I cannot say anything, Anna. We fight very often now,”

“What do you guys fight about?” I couldn’t have helped but asked. He shrugged, “Just everything. The other day she got mad at me because I followed a girl on Instagram while she wouldn’t even post a picture of us on her page!” His voice clearly hinted away his frustration.

“Maybe, if you two just talk your problems ou-“

“I am done with her,” He gritted.

“Are you sure?” I asked after a momentary pause. He looked at me heatedly, “Yes,” Before I could say anything, his lips were on mine.