It's 9 in the evening.Ced is chilling in the pool area — drinking wine.The water is so cold,she just got out from it a couple of minutes ago and now she's wrapping herself with a towel.

“Ah ma'am?Sorry to disturb you but here's your robe.” It was Rosalinda.

She asked her to bring a robe since she forgot it.

“Thank you.”

“Uhm,your friend is here.”

“Friend?”

She's confused.She's not expecting anyone tonight,she knows Belle is busy,while Matthew is somewhere else doing his stuffs,and Gab on the other hand didn't even reply to her message.

“The same girl who came here with you last time.She said her name is Gab.She's in the living room.”

“Alright.You can take a rest now,don't tire yourself too much.” She said to Rosalinda while wearing her robe.

“Thank you madame.”

She smiled at her.When she arrived at the living room,she scans her eyes and instantly see Gab sitting on the couch.

“Hey,Gab.”

“Ced…Hi!” Gab said standing up.

Gab is still wearing a polo shirt and a trouser.She headed straight to Ced's house after she read Ced's message,she knew she couldn't make it to dinner but that won't stop her of course,she has a plan.

“Hi…I didn't know you're coming.”

“I read your message late.I got caught up with my delivery and didn't checked my personal phone,but to make it up to you,I brought some foods.” She said showing the paper bags she's holding.

“Haven't you eaten yet?” Ced asks because the paper bags are full.

“Did you eat already?”

“Yeah…but I only had a sandwich.C'mon,let's eat all of those together.”

The two started walking to the dining room.

She surely wants to join Gab,it's not always that she has someone with her at the table.

“Are you a model or something?”

“Frustrated model, yes.” She laughs.

“I can't survive a night only eating sandwich.How do you do that?”

They're now at the dining room placing Gab's foods while Ced is helping her and also getting other utensils because really,the foods she bought are good for half a dozen people.

“I'm used to it.How about you?It's not good to eat heavy meals at night,but look at these.”

“What can I do?I'm hungry so let's eat now,can we?” Gab said, sitting down.

The have roasted chicken,potato salad,kimchi,
sashimi,pasta and garlic butter salmon.

Yes.

That's a lot.Ced wonders how many restaurants did she had to stop over to buy those different dishes.

She just watch as Gab is eating like there's no tomorrow.

“You're not touching your food!”

She's too engrossed with the sight in front of her that she forgot to eat.

They didn't stop until they emptied the plates.Gab is so satisfied that she even burped.

“Sorry.”

“That's cute.”

“Since when did that became cute?”

“Just now.”

“Are you flirting with me?”

“Why would I?”

“Why not?”

“I don't know how to.”

“Liar.”

They don't know if that's the effect of what they ate or they're just simply having a casual conversation.
No other intention but being playful.

“It's almost 11,are you gonna stay the night here?”

“Depends.” Gab gets up and put the dishes on the sink.

“Depends on what?Let me help you.” Ced said.

“No,just sit there.”

“I can't,I should be the one doing that,you're the visitor.” Ced insists.

“Nope.Don't be stubborn.”

Ced finally gave in.She sat back watching Gab washing the dishes.

“Do you want me to stay here?” She heard Gab asks.

She'd love to.

“I don't mind.”

“Then use my phone and text my mother.”

“You're gonna let me use your phone?”

She has to make it clear that she heard her right,after all,letting someone use and to have access on your phone is almost the same as letting them in your life.

“I don't have nudes,and there's no cliche conversations there,so not a big deal.” Gab said like she doesn't really mind.

“Cool.”

She gets her phone but the thing is she doesn't know what to tell Gab's mother.

“Am I going to tell her that it's me who texted her?”

“Yes.”

Damn!

After some quick thinking,she finally found the words to say.

“Good evening ma'am,this is Ced,your daughter's friend.I just want to inform you that she's at my place and will have a sleepover tonight.” Sent.

“She won't reply,she's probably asleep now but she'll read that first when she wakes up.”

“Okay but do you want to sleep in the guest room or mine?”

“Which is better?” Gab asks wiping her hands with cloth.

“Hhmm…my bed is more comfortable.”

What a lame answer right?But that's just her.She's not good with words.

“Is that so?What else?”

“My room is cleaner and more cozy.”

Gab shook her head and smile at her response.

“What's with that smile?”

“You sound like a promo diser.”

“Well,maybe I do that for a living.”

“Speaking of,we've been talking for awhile now but you never told me anything about your work and stuffs like that,you know?”

“You didn't asked.”

“Now,I'm asking.Tell me.”

Ced looks at her.She's the type of person who tends to get to know the people around her but she's never been the one who opens up,she doesn't talk about her personal life,not even the smallest details.

Is it possible to give an exception?

“I'm a chief executive officer”

““Aha!I knew it.You have the aura.”

“What aura?”

“Firm,tough,and many other characteristics of a boss.
Just by looking at you I could say you're being feared by many.”

“Really?Well,I could say,I do it by purpose.When I was younger,they started training me.I took over my mom's company when she died to keep her legacy alive.I wasn't ready at that time but a huge responsibility knocked on my door and I didn't have the chance to even think about it but I couldn't say no.I knew I had to.”

“Your mom must be so proud of you.”

Thinking about her mom really makes her soft.

“I hope so.”

Gab gave her a smile and caresses her hand.

“Do you have a beer?”

“To your luck,I don't have any.”

“Get your ass up,we'll have a drink.”

“We're going out?”

“Yeah so change your clothes.I'll wait for you here but make it fast.”

“Geez!Yes ma'am.”

—---------------------------------------------------------------------

They went on a convenient store to buy canned beers.
It was Gab's idea saying that it will help burn the food they ate.

They are now inside Ced's car with the window opened,just talking about random stuffs.

“So I broke up with him the same day you saw me on a bench,and it has been more than a year since then but I never thought that he'd just show up all of a sudden saying unbelievable things.”

Gab said laughing,drinking the beer,feeding Ced's curiosity.

“Have you ever dated someone after you broke up?”

“Nah.To be honest?I don't think I'll ever love again.”

“What if there's someone who will come into your life and offer you love,the love that you deserve,someone who'll treat you right,are you still gonna close the door for them?”

It's not like Ced is being hopeful.She just wants to know Gab's stand on things like this.

“I hope that someone comes when I'm ready.”

She knew some people are afraid to love again after having their hearts broken.She understands that,but what if love comes when you're not ready?And what if that love is suppose to last?

“What about you?” She heard Gab shutting the voices in her head.

“Me?I've never been in a serious relationship.I don't know what it feels to fall in love cause I've never been in love.”

“So you're the type of person who dislike commitment.”

“I don't know how to love,Gab.I feel like I'm just gonna fvck it up in the end so why start something you can't finish,right?”

“I don't believe that you don't how to love.You love your friends,don't you?You love your mom.I'm sure you have,even the slightest idea of what love is.”

The supposedly random stuffs now become specific and more serious,but who doesn't like deep talks?

“I honestly don't know,Gab.I feel like every single thing I do is because I should be responsible for my actions,
but not because I'm doing it out of love.”

“Then maybe,being responsible is your love language.”

“Is that so?” She laughs a bit.

“Uhuh.”

She just shrugged,not believing completely.

“Can you finish this for me?” Gab asks pertaining to the beer.

She drunk 3 canned beers already and she wants to stay sober so she could talk consciously.

“Sure.”

Compared to her,Ced only had one cause she's driving.It's actually the first time she's drinking in the car.She had bad memories with it and is very cautious not to do the same thing she's most ashamed of.

“Bottoms up!” She said getting out her car and throwing their trash in the store's bin.

“Such a responsible human being.” Teased Gab.

“I know right.” She responds winking at her.

She started driving on their way back home.When they arrived,Gab had a quick shower and brushes her teeth using the toothbrush she bought in the convenient store awhile ago.She changes her clothes wearing Ced's nightwear.
While the other woman is having her skincare routine also after cleaning herself up.

They're now at the bed watching a movie,or no,not really,because they keep on talking and laughing about the cringe lines they hear and correcting some scenes that they find common and overused.

“She fell in love with him because they bumped into each other once.How romantic.” Gab said laughing.

She's lying on the bed while Ced is leaning her back on the headboard.

“And she thinks she can change his badass side.”

Gab laughs harder hitting her shoulder.

“Typical.” She said.

They continue doing their thing unaware of the time.
On the second movie,which is a lot better than the first one,they become quiet and have their attention in it.

“Do you think it's easier to push people away than to be better to deserve them?” Ced asks.

She got no response.Only a little snores from the woman beside her whose head is partially on her left belly.

She fixes her position and lay down properly facing her and watching her sleep.

“Gab?” She softly asks even though she's aware that Gab won't answer.

“Goodnight.” She said.

She turned off the television,pulled up the blanket and cover themselves up to their shoulders.

She didn't know what happened next as she dozed off to sleep.

-----------------