BACK TO YOU (Fully Updated)

Summer, Six Years Ago

Summer, Six Years Ago

It was my usual, ordinary day of field work.

We were at Hayward, Raul Preston and I, inspecting the area of a thousand square-meter land where a new home for orphaned kids would soon be built. I was holding pages of blueprint and showing my best friend-slash-business partner where the additional structure for a mid-sized learning center for the children would be constructed.

"So the courtyard is out?" He asked.

I nodded, pointing to the updated plan. "Yes. According to Mrs. Ross they wanted the school situated right in the middle. So I made another design and drew a modern round house for them, with the school becoming its core. The small gym and basketball court will be included there, too."

"It's really good, man," he stated, studying the drawings. "Has Mrs. Ross seen this?"

"Not yet. I'm headed to see her after this. You should go with me. Unless, you want to be somewhere else," I ribbed, wanting to get a rise out of him after discovering from a colleague that he met a woman during a client meeting in SF this weekend and refused to tell me anything about her. Said I might jinx it.

Raul frowned as we walked to our pick-up trucks but playfully punched me on the arm. "Shut up now, or you'll never hear the end of it when it happens to you." Rubbing his palms, he smirked at me. "And I can't effing wait for that day."

I shook my head while rolling the blueprints. "Huh. Good luck with that."

Tapping my shoulder before heading to his truck, he spoke seriously, "Luc, all I can say is that, it's new, and I'm still overwhelmed by it all, and I just want to process it first, and get to know her more." He drew a deep breath, "Don't worry, man. You'll meet her soon."

I gripped his shoulder firmly, showing that I respected his decision, and hopped inside my vehicle.

We drove the five-block distance to the old orphanage, and while we did I couldn't help but think about how this was the first time my best friend was not sharing anything with me. Believe me when I say that my feelings were not the least bit hurt about this-I trusted Raul. It was just that, my curiosity was getting the best of me, and I wished to know just what it was about this girl that he was willing to sacrifice our you-tell-me-your-secrets-and-I'll-tell-yours-'coz-that's-what-best-friends-do status.

Then I remembered his words earlier and I scoffed.

You'll never hear the end of it when it happens to you.

When it happens to me. Me.

Could it? I seriously doubted that.

And I wasn't really searching for someone. I was still young, just beginning to enjoy the benefits of earning a living and being single. I wanted do whatever I want. And hurting a person in the middle of my current disposition was most definitely out of the picture. I much preferred honesty. At all times. So at the moment I emphatically chose not to be pressured, and not to be committed.

We parallel-parked our trucks in front of the old orphanage and got out, followed Raul along the concrete pathway under the stifling heat of the sun. I heard on the radio that the highest temperature today would reach 97 degrees, many thanks to climate change.

I let him ring the doorbell and we waited side by side, and while doing so I heard the commotion of the kids inside the house and couldn't help but smile. I loved children. Had my share of babysitting the dozens of nieces and nephews from my cousins in San Diego. I couldn't help but think about how lucky they were to have parents caring for them; taking them to baseball games, watching them sleep... they were the fortunate ones.

The kids here though... Well, I would like to believe that they were fortunate enough to be sent here. Eating three meals a day, and not living on the streets being exposed to the world's cruelties.

The door opened and we were welcomed by a tall, slim lady in her late fifties, with long, red, curly hair and round, golden-brown eyes. Her smile was so warm it can easily put anyone at ease, all the reason why she was suitable for her occupation.

"Architect Brandon, Engineer Preston. What a nice surprise. Please, do come in." Mrs. Adelaide Ross stepped on the side and allowed us to enter the worn confines of the house. The floorboards creaked with each step and I looked up to see dilapidated ceilings and turned my head to the left and spotted torn, faded, cream wallpaper. I was so glad everyone here would soon be transferring to a new home.

"Thank you, Mrs. Ross. We're actually here to present to you the new plan. We hope we're not interrupting anything," I said with concern.

Her lips formed an "O" and her eyes lighted with excitement. "Well then, what are we waiting for, boys? Let's all discuss this in my office," and she gently herded me and Raul further into her home.

We came out of the office thirty minutes later with a very satisfied Mrs. Ross following behind us. The plan was approved and construction will start the next week. The three of us were standing on the entrance foyer saying our goodbyes when the door burst open and a person managing to carry three, chock-full of grocery bags huffed and went straight to Raul. He or she was covered by the bags so I couldn't make out a face. Just a white shirt, jeans and black Converse sneakers.

"Could you help me out with these, Raul?" A soft, melodic voice requested. A woman. Now I was doubly curious.

"Give me that. Goodness, Chloe, you shouldn't have carried all these by yourself," Raul reprimanded, taking all the bags away from the mysterious lady. And, finally, I caught a good view of her face.

A stunningly beautiful face. Sporting a deep auburn, pixie-cut hair.

Huge, green, green eyes, the greenest I had ever seen, equally staring back at me.

Soft cheeks so rosy, I was killing to feel them with my fingers.

Pretty, upturned nose that complemented her small, heart-shaped face.

And pink, supple lips, which were beginning to form words I wouldn't expect to come out from her first.

"Hi. I'm Chloe Madison. I teach the kids here." And she extended a hand, eliciting a subtle surprised look from me.

I swallowed, trying to find my voice, and held what she offered. It was soft, warm. And strangely, fit perfectly with mine.

"Chloe Madison," I repeated, relishing her name in my tongue. She had a beautiful name. "I'm Lucas Brandon."

"And what brought you here with Mr. Engineer today?"

That stimulated my brows to gather quizzically at the bluntness of her question, and I couldn't help but smile admiringly at that. Gripping her hand a little tighter to emphasize my answer, I gently spoke, "Actually, I'm Mr. Architect. Just presented to Mrs. Ross the updated plan for the new house."

Her bright, green eyes instantly softened, bizarrely making my heart melt. "It's very nice to meet you... Architect Brandon, and I hope--"

"Call me Luc," I interrupted. Only people closest to me could call me by my nickname, but with Chloe-ah-I didn't know. At the moment, it just seemed right.

"Luc," she echoed, and I smiled at the hint of sweetness with the way she said my name, and my heart thumped a different beat.

This was weird. I never felt the strong urge to wrap my arms around someone before and never let go.

Turned out today was not so ordinary, after all.

Mrs. Ross and Raul cleared their throats, reminding me all of a sudden where we were, and we unclasped our hands from each other. I immediately sensed the incompleteness throbbing at my chest.

"We'll see you next week, Engineer Preston. Architect Brandon," Mrs. Ross sincerely expressed, leading us to the opened door.

Raul waved and ran to his truck, and I nodded at Mrs. Ross respectfully, then finally turned my gaze to Chloe, who was standing right beside the kind, elderly woman.

"See you," she murmured, giving me a little wave.

"I can't wait," I whispered a little more quietly, carefully memorizing her unbelievably beautiful, smiling face, before turning around and walking back to my truck.