Chapter 3

• Julia woke up the next morning feeling much more relaxed. She had no idea why she felt that way, maybe it’s because she didn’t have to deal with everything that has been going on in her life while she was here. She decided on dropping those thoughts and instead look forward to seeing Craig.
• She was ecstatic with just the mere thought of him, but at the same time nervous because she didn’t know if he’d be in a good mood after last night’s discussion, where he had opened up a rough phase in his life, that she was certain he didn’t want to relive.
• Julia got out of bed and walked into the bathroom in search of a spare toothbrush, but found none. She decided to just use the mouth wash she found in the bathroom. She also washed her face and dried it with a clean towel she found. As she stared at herself in the mirror, did she realize that she was wearing Craig’s t-shirt. She couldn’t help herself as she inhaled the shirt, taking in his scent.
• What was this sudden feeling she’s having? It’s different from any she has ever felt for someone before. She felt so drawn to him, having this strong desire to want to spend her happy and sad moments with him.
• But this can’t be love or is it? She mentally asked herself.
• She eventually dragged herself out of the bathroom to go look for Craig, rather than remain there and let her brain be on overdrive, searching for answers she still wouldn’t get. When she got to the living room, she didn’t find Craig like she thought she would.
• “He must still be asleep.” She muttered to herself and decided against going to his bedroom to bother him by waking him up, that would be rude.
• Thinking about it, she had no idea which door led to his room and here she was having this crazy idea of going to wake him up. Shaking her head, she smiled at how silly and messed up her thoughts had been since she woke up. It would be better if she distracts her mind by going to the kitchen to make breakfast, she hoped Craig wouldn’t mind.
• While making breakfast, Julia heard footsteps coming. She turned around and saw Craig in view. He was wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans, his hair was slightly wet indicating that he had just showered. She could still see his stubbles, which she had come to love and of course, those beautiful eyes that looked more brighter than they were last night. She could stare into those eyes forever.
• Too bad she wouldn’t be seeing her prince charming after today or would she? That was up to her to decide.
• “Julia, is that you?” he asked, looking so vulnerable. Julia instantly felt sad and wished he had his sight.
• "Yeah, it’s me. Good morning.” She croaked, forcing herself to reply. Her voice wavered because she was already teary.
• “Are you okay?” he worriedly asked, noticing the waver in her voice.
• “I’m fine. Just dealing with these onions, gosh they sting!” she lied, clearing her throat.
• “You should’ve have bothered. I was going to make breakfast for the both of us.” He said with concern.
• "You cook?!” Julia asked, not hiding the surprise that was evident in her voice.
• “Yes, I do. Why do you think I live here all by myself… I learnt to do a lot on my own, so I wouldn’t have to be a burden to anyone.” He replied, walking to the breakfast bar and taking a seat on one of the stools.
• "Wow! Then I really did impress you with my meal last night.” She said with heavy sarcasm.
• “Believe me, your meal was really tasty. I could eat that all day and not get tired.” He complimented, making Julia stare at him with wide eyes.
• Was he being serious or did he just say that to make her feel better?
• Hearing such compliments from him made her happy. She’d like to hear him say more, as his compliments made her feel special and also because she wants to hear more of his mesmerizing accent.
• “If you’d like, I could teach you the few meals I can manage to prepare.” He continued.
• “Really?!” she replied with much enthusiasm.
• “Yeah.”
• “I’d really like that.” She replied.
• “What are you making for breakfast?” he then asked her.
• “I’m surprised you’re asking.” She said with a smile.
• “Sandwich, right! I totally forgot.”
• After breakfast, Julia left for the bathroom to take a bath. She got into the bathroom to run the bath before going back into the room to undress. She wished she didn’t have to take off Craig’s t-shirt, as she felt so comfortable in them, but she had to because it didn’t belong to her.
• She peeled off the shirt and was only on her underwear when she heard a knock on the door, before she could say anything, the door swung open and in came Craig with her clothes and a toothbrush in his hands. Julia instinctly covered her breasts with both her hands.
• “Julia?” he called out but got no response.
• Julia internally prayed that he doesn’t realize that she was right there in the room.
• “Julia?” he called out again.
• Craig took some steps towards the bathroom, but he halted in his steps when he heard the sound of running water. He came to the conclusion that she was taking a shower, so he took careful steps towards the bed and placed her clothes and toothbrush on the bed before leaving the room.
• Once he was gone, Julia let out a sigh of relief. What an awkward situation that was. Craig would’ve seen her naked if he weren’t blind. She looked at her clothes and noticed that they were clean, she couldn’t believe that he had done it.
• When did he take them out of the room and why didn’t she notice that they weren’t there?
• ‘Well, instead of standing here and thinking to yourself, why don’t you go have your bath before another awkward situation happens.’ Her subconscious said. She took her items and rushed into the bathroom.
• Julia went to the living room when she was fully dressed. She noticed another presence in the living room with Craig. He had a dirty blonde hair with a spiky haircut, sharp facial features and blue eyes. He was good-looking, but his looks reminded her of Jeremy, she shivered at the thought of Jeremy.
• The thought of Jeremy brings her much unhappiness, but he is of course her reality and she needed to stop fantasizing about Craig, as that has been the only thing she has been doing since she got here.
• "Julia!” Craig called, startling her.
• “Are you alright?” he asked sounding worried.
• Julia didn’t know that she had been so deep in her own thoughts, until she saw the look of concern on both their faces.
• “Yeah, I’m fine… I’m sorry I zoned out, I had a lot on my mind.” She quietly replied.
• “Is it something you’d like to talk about?” he asked, worry still evident in his voice.
• “No, it’s nothing to worry about. Don’t mind me.” She replied, forcing a smile on her face to prove it.
• "If you say so.” He said, not wanting to push harder.
• “This is my best friend, Tyler.” He continued, introducing his one true friend to Julia.
• “It’s nice to meet you, Tyler. I’m Julia.” She said as she exchanged a handshake with him.
• “Same here. Craig told me about the incident you encountered last night. I came with a mechanic for your car, like he asked to.” Tyler said.
• “Thanks a lot. I really need the mechanic right now.” She breathed with a polite smile.
• From their exchange in pleasantries, Julia realized that Tyler wasn’t English like Craig, he was an American, she could tell from his accent. Tyler introduced her to the mechanic. She took them to the spot where she left her car and the mechanic started with the repairs.
• While Craig, Tyler and Julia had cookies and hot chocolate, they talked about trivia matters waiting for the repairs to be finished. Julia hadn’t had such a fun company in a long time, as all she did was work. Chatting with these men, made her realize how glad she was that her car broke down, it gave her the opportunity of making new friends.
• The repairs was finished after almost an hour of waiting. Craig was such a gentleman that he insisted on footing the bill. Julia was extremely grateful for that because she had no cash on her, only her credit cards.
• “Thanks a lot for letting me spend the night here. You’re an angel.” She said to Craig when both of them were alone in the living room.
• “You don’t need to thank me. I did what anyone in my place would’ve done. Besides, I did enjoy your company.” He replied.
• A warm blush rose on Julia’s cheeks, hearing Craig confess that he enjoyed her company as much as she enjoyed his. She had no idea if he was going to accept her next request, but before coming to her own conclusions, she decided to give it a try.
• “Craig?... Would it be okay with you, if I come to visit whenever I’m free?”