Morning. The sun rose through the windows, golden rays sliding across the floor and slowly waking Toma.
Laura was still asleep in the other room, wrapped tightly in her blanket, only a small tuft of hair peeking out.
Tomas opened his eyes.
He lay there thinking about last night—watching movies, her hand on his chest, the touches, the talk in the park…
For the first time in his life he felt warm feelings for someone, and he had absolutely no idea how to deal with them.
Suddenly he sat up in bed.
"Today's still a free day. I'm going to the city."
Laura began to wake up. She opened her eyes.
She had to go to work today.
Her thoughts drifted to Tomas, to their movie night, to the hugs…
Her heart started beating like crazy.
"I think I'm starting fall in lov—"
The thought cut off. Her face burned, she dove under the blanket and kicked her legs like an excited little girl.
"Time to get up!" she told herself loudly and jumped out of bed.
She got dressed, rushed to the kitchen—empty. On the table, a note:
"Went to the city to take care of a few things 😊 have a good day"
She felt a little disappointed not to see him in the morning, but the smiley at the end made a smile appear on her face as well.
She thought: My phone was broken… I didn't really have anyone to text before. But now there's Tomas… maybe I should buy a new one, but I have work today. Later, on a free day.
She ate quickly, got ready, and ran out to work.
P
A few hours later Tomas returned by bus from the city center.
Walking home, he passed the Obsidian bar.
"Maybe I should go in for one drink? Think about the list… and definitely not because of Laupra."
His heart still beat faster.
He entered. Not too many people inside.
The bartender recognized him instantly and shouted across the room:
"Hey, look who's here! Been a while! And you don't look as sad as last time!"
Tomas responded coldly yet politely:
"Hello. I'm not sure anything has changed. Could I get a table for one? Something to drink—nothing too strong or too weak."
"Of course! Same as always—the corner table with one chair?"
"Good, thank you," Tomas nodded and walked over.
Suddenly Laura popped out from behind the bar—looking gorgeous, hair tied up, eyes wide in surprise.
"TOMAS!!!" she squeaked, waving both hands.
Tomas, a bit embarrassed, gave a small nod and lowered his gaze.
The bartender caught their reactions, raised an eyebrow, and smirked at Laura:
"So you two know each other, huh?"
Laura went red to the tips of her ears:
"Y-yes… we know each other!"
She hurried to Tomas.
"Hi! I didn't expect to see you here!" she said, barely catching her breath.
"I wanted to have a drink. Maybe you can recommend something?"
She narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Oh, I hoped you came because you wanted to see me!"
Tomas looked straight into her eyes:
"I did. I wanted to see you."
Laura froze, her mouth slightly open, then blinked rapidly.
"Uh… I can bring you my favorite drink!"
"All right. By the way, what time do you finish?"
"In about three hours…"
"I'll wait. We'll go home together."
"Okay!!!" she almost squealed, her heart pounding wildly. "I'll be right back!"
She ran to the bar.
The bartender greeted her with a huge grin:
" Feeling hot, huh?"
"Shut up!" she hissed, still smiling ear to ear.
A minute later she returned with a glass.
"This is gin with tonic and lemon—simple, but fresh and really good!"
Tomas took the glass and smiled gently.
"Thank you. Don't mind me, I'll just sit here and wait until you finish work."
"All right! If you need anything—call me!" she winked and ran off.
Laura's thoughts:
"Why does my heart shake every time I look at him?"
Tomas was left alone. His mind drifted:
"I came up with the list right at this table. Back then nothing mattered."
He pulled out his notebook. His eyes turned cold again, empty.
Laura saw the notebook from the corner of her eye—and the look on his face struck her like a knife.
"Why… why does he look like that?"
Tomas crossed out points one the list pppllp1 and 3.
"2 – a good restaurant, 4 – a beautiful place… why do I think of Laura immediately? Maybe I should do these with her."
Suddenly a blonde woman approached him with a flirtatious smile.
"I see you're finishing your drink… maybe we could have another one together?"
Laura heard it—the towel cracked in her hand from how hard she squeezed it.
She rushed over and bumped the blonde slightly with her shoulder:
"Did you like your drink? Want another one—I'll bring it right away!"
Tomas closed the notebook, smiled faintly (he noticed her jealousy):
"Thank you for the offer, but I'll pass," he said calmly to the blonde.
Then turned to Laura:
"Yes, I really liked your drink. I'd like another."
Laura gave the blonde a victorious crooked smile and hurried off.
The blonde, frowning, walked away.
Laura returned with the second drink:
"Why did you turn her down?" she asked with narrowed, irritated eyes.
"Because I'm not interested in her," he said, looking straight into her eyes.
Laura almost dropped the glass.
"I… I have to go work… one more hour and I'm done!" She fled.
"The way he looked at me… my heart almost stopped!"
Tomas opened the notebook again. Wrote "9" and added:
kiss Laura.
He closed it quickly, embarrassed.
"Why did I write that…"
The bartender came over:
"So, buddy, another drink?"
"No, thanks. That's enough."
"I heard you know Laura?" he asked with a grin.
"Yes i know a little bit, she said you helped her a lot. That you're a good man."
Tomas stood, bowed his head slightly:
"Thank you for taking good care of Laura."
The bartender laughed:
"No problem! Laura is kind hearted and good worker, i can see she cares about you. I hope you take good care of her too!"
"Yes, sir."
Bartender take empty glasses from Tomas table, and walks away with big smile
Laura rushed toward bartender:
"What were you talking about?!"
"Just guy stuff! He's a good kid.
Laura smiled, i know he's have good heart.
Bartender start looking around the bar, "looks like not many people here, i think you can finish your shift!"
She squealed and ran to Tomas:
"I'm done! I'll change in a second!"
"All right, I'll pay and wait outside."
Tomas went to the bar. The bartender waved him off:
"Your drinks are on the house today! Don't forget to drop by again!"
"Thank you. See you next time."
He stepped outside. Night, cool air.
In front of the bar— a black car with tinted windows, engine running.
"They're following i have to do something Laura soon comes out and if they see her..."
Tomas took out his phone, flash—took a photo of the license plates.
The car sped off immediately.
A few seconds later Laura ran out:
"Not tired of waiting?"
"No," he smiled.
"Shall we go home? Or maybe…"
Her stomach growled loudly.
"Spicy ramen? There's a 24/7 shop nearby."
"YES! I REALLY WANT SOME!!!"
They heated the ramen and ate standing by a high counter.
"Divine! The best food at night!" Laura devoured hers.
"I agree."
After done eating they started walking home shoulder to shoulder.
Tomas suddenly stopped, pulled out a new phone still in its box:
"This is for you. I remembered your old one broke. I put my number inside. If anything happens, if you feel someone's following, if you're in danger—call me and I will—"
Laura threw her arms around his neck before he could finish:
"Sometimes I think I'm dreaming when I'm with you… I wanted to buy a new phone too, because when you're not around, I want to know how you're doing and what you're doing…"
Tomas stroked her back:
"Now you can."
They stood there hugging in the middle of the empty street, as if time had stopped.
They came home, went to their beds.
Tomas's screen lit up:
Good night ❤️
His heart pounded like crazy.
He replied:
Good night.
Laura pressed the phone to her chest, heart racing, smiling softly as she closed her eyes.