The apartment

He picks the phone and looks to the caller, his expression changing from annoyed to concerned. He accepts it:

-It's me. What happened?

I can't hear the voice on the other end but by the tone it seems like something serious is going on. I sit down on a nearby bench to rest my leg, now starting to hurt a bit. He continues:

-Yeah I submitted them yesterday, is there a problem with the files ?

He turns toward me, and I see his serious face for the first time. He's so concentrated he doesn't notice me staring. His jawline is pronounced and his eyebrows are frowning as he's talking to the person. However, it doesn't make him any less handsome. I wonder who it is to get him this concerned. Maybe work?

-I understand. I'll send a fixed version today. Let me know if there's any other problem. Thanks.

He puts his phone back on his pocket and sits next to me.

-Sorry, it was my job. There is a problem with some files I sent. I have to get back to my house to fix it. I'll walk you to the station before that. Sorry for cutting this day short.

-It's okay. -The situation seems serious, and I don't want to interrupt. I get up and start walking behind him.

We are about to cross the arc when he stops. He looks me up and down, like he's analyzing me.

-Are you okay? - He asks, his eyes showing concern.

-Hm? -I ask, confused.

-You're limping. -He says, pointing at my legs.

I then realize I've been unconsciously ignoring the pain on my ankle because of the situation.

-Oh, I didn't notice. -I say, forcing a smile. - Don't worry, I'm alright. I can keep going.

He doesn't budge, still analyzing my expression. He then crouches and put his hand on my ankle, pressing it a little bit. The pain comes up and I try to not let it show, but I can't fool him. He gets back up with a torn expression, and put his hand behind his head, brushing it slightly.

-I wanted to wait a bit longer before I showed you, specially since I'm still unpacking... but it's fine. Come with me.

He goes to the main road and calls a taxi. I seat down trying to hold back my curiosity of this place. Luckily my excitement was being masked by the discomfort in my leg, so I had a somewhat normal expression. During the drive there Marcus is constantly on his phone, typing so fast I can't follow him with my eyes. I rest my head on the door for a bit, closing my eyes ever so slightly.

-Lys? -I feel a soft nudge on my arm. - We're here.

I open my eyes and we're in front of a fancy white building with glass varandas. I get out of the taxi trying to not let my mouth drop at the sight.

-I take you've never seen a place like this?

I shake my head. He laughs a bit and then offers me his hand.

-Come. - I take it and he pulls me closer, holding me on his arms. We then go into the elevator to the 3rd floor. He opens the door of his apartment. The living room is full of boxes forming towers, covering the couch and the center table. The kitchen however has breathing space, with boxes of only on the corners. The house has tones of black and white, with lights scattered over the place. He guides me through the sea of boxes to his office, where he sits and turns the computer on, pulling up papers from his drawers.

-Just give me a second, I'll be done soon. If you want to rest in my room, feel free. -He smiles and then starts working.

I put my bag down on the armchair by the door and go looking for his room. A big hallway follows the office, with a door open at the end of it. The walls have a few paintings hanging, but no portraits or pictures. I guess he doesn't like them. His room reminds me a bit of his old room at the university. The desk is still the same, and the books are still organized the same way they were. The bed and the shelves however, changed to bigger and fancier models. I seat cautiously on his bed, feeling myself sink on its softness. The white sheets feel like heaven. I lie down on my side and close my eyes just for an instant, being able to recognize the same cologne on the bed sheets as the one he was wearing today. The familiarity makes me sleepy...

As I open my eyes, the darkness of the room makes me realize that I slept more than a couple minutes. I search for a light, hitting my hand on a lamp. The room becomes a dim yellow, and I get back up. My leg is now tolerable, so I decide to go searching for Marcus. The dark corridor stretches longer than I remembered, with a white light by the end of it, coming from the office. I walk into his office and fim him holding a couple documents on his hand and writing them down with the other. I knock softly.

-Oh hey. -he says while stretching on his chair. -This took longer than I expected it to. I apologize.

-It's fine. -I don't want to tell him I casually slept on his bed for hours. -Is everything okay now?

-Yeah, I fixed it. -He says, putting the documents down. - What time is it?

I shake my head, also not knowing. He picks up his phone and pauses for a second.

-Lord, it's almost midnight.

I am in shock that I slept for over five hours. Then it hits me:

-The campus won't let me in. -I say nervously. This is a bad situation. He is also staring at me, thinking about the situation. He closes his eyes momentarily, but his face remains calm. He sighs:

-I understand this might be a universe conspiracy, but Jesus they like throwing you in my bed. -He says with a smile.

I stop, feeling my face burn.

-I can sleep on the couch, it's s okay. - I say fast, trying not to stutter.

He stops me.

-No, you won't. I'll leave the room for you and I'll start fixing the living room.

-But you live here! That's not okay!

-Then what do you suggest? -His eyes are now focused on mine, his face with an amusement expression as if he's mocking me. He knows I don't wanna say it.

-Why do you... -I mumble, and a grin shows in his face.

-I'm just playing with you. The couch is fine, we have a special relationship after all. Don't worry about it.

-Oh this way I'm going to get jealous. -I try to smile. He's surprised.

-You are one entertaining individual. One minute you're red as a tomato and the other your trying to provoke me. What exactly are you trying to achieve here?

-Even I don't know... - I confess. - But my opinion stands, I don't think it's fair for you to sleep on the couch because of me, specially with all the boxes and dust around.

-The bed is big enough for two... - He starts softly. - You see, when you do that it's really hard to turn you down. You understand what you're putting me through here? I can't go against you and at the same time I don't want to hold back. -He comes closer and puts his hand on my chin, pulling my face closer to him, our lips barely touching. - you are one little demon.

I poke his nose to get out of the situation.

-No, I'm just trying to be fair. You're the pervert here.

-Ouch -He says jokingly -My feelings.

I can't help but grin.

-You're the one that started.

He puts his things away and looks at his phone again.

-Its getting late. I think we should go to sleep.

I swallow as he walks me back towards his room. He offers me to use his shower but I feel too awkward to say yes. He then goes inside and I can hear the water pouring. My mind is working faster than light think and not think about him naked, while my heart is pounding stronger than a drums being played at full speed. I try to calm myself down, failing miserably. This is going to be one long night.