Boss in the Sheets

Chapter 14: Epiphany

V came back home two days later, she was relieved to finally be here. After such a long stressful journey, relief is only a part of what a person would feel, especially when plans don't bend to our will.

It's amusing how poor life treats us, with so much disrespect, yet things sort of end up in our favor, somehow. There's always a big picture we can't see.

Al and I went to the airport to pick her up. He knew it would lighten the day, and it did. She smiled the whole trip to her favorite Italian place in town.

I suggested going home first so she could freshen up a bit, and we could be luggage-free, but since pasta was implicated no one would listen.

V's favorite spot was empty, something that cheered her up even more, It was a table next to the window, with a view she liked, but I find it very mundane. It was very simple and normal, we can see the natural flow of life through it, and maybe realize how complicated simplicity can get.

It was a few small buildings, The one in front had this little French coffee shop where couples have cute dates, sometimes fight, sometimes it's just an old man reading a journal, or maybe watching ladies walk by. The one on the left was a tiny art gallery, where new artists hold exhibitions, and sometimes our colleagues hold their first exhibitions. I've never been invited to one before, but I can say Al did. On the right, there was a cute little park with students on the grass having picnics, others reading the rest kissing or displaying affection.

V took the booth, it had the best view of the park and the coffee shop, and she preferred it to chairs, If she ever became a queen she'd change the throne seat into a booth, I'm sure of it.

The vibe I got from Al this evening was a bit off, but not too awkward, but just enough that V wouldn't notice. He also refrained from touching me the way he used to, but he kept teasing me, so it's not like he's distancing himself entirely.

However, I went along with this stiffness, hoping that this was just a phase and it would pass.

V was telling us with her exciting voice about her overwhelming adventure in LA. The city of Angels, as she likes to call it,

" Los Angeles, can't be a normal place, the beaches are too pretty and the weather is too nice, Angels must be living there." V declares

She always complained about the cold winter here, but in the warm LA, "cold weather" is not a valid expression.

V is a very proud Chinese girl, she may have visited China maybe twice. But I bet her ancestors are looking down at her with pride.

And to keep herself in touch with the culture she takes it upon herself to visit Chinatown as frequently as she can. Hence, when she was there she made an appearance and loved it.

She even met some guy there, who was significant enough to make it to her conversation. So now, I understand what she meant when she described the vacation as adventurous and fun. She didn't deny that she liked him, he asked her on a date and now they're in the talking phase.

I never thought things could happen this simple and easily in relationships, I don't know If I can even let things just go with the flow like she does, I honestly would like it to be less tense about things happening. But I shouldn't let Rose be the one in control, maybe let feelings lead me for once.

"You know, this vacation made me realize that people make places home," V declares.

"Oh! What made you say that, was it us or Matthew?" I said teasingly.

Matthew is the guy she met in LA, and he keeps texting her

Al gave me a gaze I hoped he wouldn't give me, a gaze of a refugee seeking asylum, a soul asking for an embrace, a home. His eyes were full of hope and faith, it felt like he believed we were each other's home and his eyes wanted to convince me.