ELOISE
Bacon and eggs are the only things I know how to make for breakfast. Since nothing was in the fridge and all the pots are smiling good morning at me, I decided to make up something quick and nice.
The maids won't run my errands if I send them. I won't blame them much: it was mom's orders.
Mom entered the kitchen for a glass of water when she saw me having breakfast. First, her expression was telling how much of surprises she was getting just by looking at my handiwork and my natural red hair.
"Good thing you remembered you can't cheat nature." She mumbled the words. Grabbed her water and went back upstairs.
I wonder why she was sweating so hard, early in the morning. Yes, she gyms but not as early as this time of the day.
Or was she....
Dad came down next, sweating like he'd been in hell since yesterday. He wasn't on t-shirt and as always, his abs never dies. Sometimes, I wonder if I'd ever find a man as good as my father.
Hey, I'm not comparing, okay?
I just likes how dad takes care of mom. Never fights with her. Never say things that would offend her. Always abstain from abusive words. Pets her like a doll. Shower her with gifts and love. And how the both of them won't stop making sounds at night when I'm trying to get some sleep.
Dad is just the best man in the world.
Dad was still trying to catch his breath when he pats my shoulder and walked pass me to get water from the fridge.
He gulped a few contents and finally breathe out. "Your mother is a tigress." He pats my shoulder and left the kitchen.
And all I could do was furrow my brows. I have no idea what he meant by that. And why he was running down to get water like he was going to die without it.
I shrugged my shoulders. Maybe they're both trying a new dumbbell in the gym, I don't know.
I finished breakfast and left early for work. Maverick was on his way to the boardroom when I arrived. His personal assistant, Austin, holding some files behind him.
He told me I am fifteen minutes late and I roll my eyes at his silly way of saying good morning dearest sister.
I report my data analysis to his personal assistant before going to my office to start up the day.
Work today was very stressful that I even end up skipping lunch. We had a lot of meetings with some foreigners and investors, coming from different parts of the world and I sat there between my brother and his assistant, watching how he closed a huge amount of deal.
He is always a winner. Don't compromise him.
I returned home almost 9:30. Before I had my cold shower and late night dinner, it was few minutes to ten.
A wide yawn that told me am in for a long night sleep kicked in and I saw myself crashing on the bed, face buried into the softness of the pillow.
Before I could close my eyelids, my phone buzzed from somewhere. I tried ignoring it a couple of times but the caller is persistent.
I reached for it when I searched for seconds. No caller ID. Not even a name or location.
Who calls someone at this hour?
I'm not the kind of person that does late night calls but I took it anyway. "Who's this?"
That was when I knew who it was.
George.
"Hello, stubborn angel. Good evening."
I'm not ready for a fight right now. I'm not ready. I'd better put that energy into sleep. "Do you have a death wish? What did I tell you about calling at night?"
His breathing is so close to the phone that I could hear it. "You said no calls past ten. It's only… ten fifteen."
Exactly the more reason why he shouldn't be dumb to understand. "That's still past ten."
"Ah," a soft chuckle followed. "But technically, it's barely past. Surely you can forgive fifteen minutes?"
This guy is a crazy joker. I gave him the rules last night and he's disobeying them. "I should hang up right now."
Of course he knew I wasn't confidential enough. "But you won't."
I'm already stressed out from work and now, this?
I took a deep breath, looking up to the ceiling. "You're impossible."
His gentle laughters crackled his breath, "Not impossible. Just hoping to hear your voice before the day ends. How was work?"
Now, he wants to know more about my day?
I hesitated at first, then muttered, "Exhausting. I only just got into bed."
"Then let me be the lullaby. Tell me, what's the worst part of your day?"
He really wants to know? Okay, then. I'll tell him. "You. Right now."
He laughed so hard I could almost feel it. "Harsh. And here I thought I was the best part."
"Pffft." I rolled my eyes. "You're delusional."
"Perhaps. But I'd rather be delusional with you than sensible with anyone else."
This guy.... he's not just a sweet talker, he is something. Something I'm still trying to decipher.
I snort, unexpectedly, then covers it with a cough "Don't make me laugh." I can't believe I almost did.
"Why not? Laughter looks good on you—even over the phone." his voice slurred. Kinda sultry.
"You can't see me." I rub my temple.
"True. But I can hear it. And it's the first honest sound you've given me tonight." those words made me pause for a while.
First honest sound I've given him tonight? So he was really enjoying this chat? "...You talk too much."
He chuckled, "Only when silence feels wasted."
I flip over, cradling my head on the pillow. Somehow, his words sounds amusing. "You really don't know when to stop, do you?"
How did he always manage to have all the best pick-up lines for my every statements?
"If I stopped, I'd miss this—you, laughing at me instead of scolding me." he is cheeky. Cheeky man.
A soft laugh escapes my mouth, "You're ridiculous."
"And you're finally smiling. I'll take that as a win." how did he know? And why am I being so stupid, laughing at his jokes?
"You're still breaking the rules." I remind him but my words came out slurring because of sleep.
"Then punish me tomorrow. For now, just… rest. I'll hang up first." he said when I first yawned.
My voice gets quieter this time: showing how much tired I was today. "Fine. Goodnight."
I could feel him smiling from the other side. "Goodnight. Sweet dreams, stubborn angel."
I didn't know when my phone slipped off my grasp but I surely fell asleep along the line.