Two weeks later Luigi was still at my place for really unknown reasons. I guess he suspected Ale had to come here at some point and would be the only way she would see him. I was actually enjoying having a house-mate. Usually when I came work from home there was a meal being prepared and Lui was a good cook. When I was at work he would go to the studio to meet with Peter. They had some plans to their future as a band and I was kind of hoping they would make new music. My friend Valeria was now back at Venezuela and Ben had gone with her to meet her parents. I received some pictures of them together and I was very happy for them.
At work I changed teams and I rarely met up with Tom. My life seemed way calmer now. I was back as I was before, single, focused on my work and enjoying life. The only difference now is that I had a house-mate.
That morning was very sunny. It was a bank holiday and I didn’t have to go for work. My cellphone rung with a notification. Ale. “Hey, I’m close by with João, can I stop by?” and I had a bad feeling about this. I could’ve said “no, sorry, I won’t see you today…”but I couldn’t lie to Alejandra.
“Hey Annie, can you help me out here?” I heard from Lui’s room. I walked in. Lui was trying to change one of the light bulbs.
“Sure, what do you need?”
“Hold the stair while I try to change this bulb…”he said. I held the stair and…he electrocuted himself, jumping down and kicking me on the nose by accident. My nose was bleeding. “Fuck! I’m sorry! Is it broken!?” I couldn’t even talk. I was so angry and in pain that nothing was coming out of my mouth. I held my nose and I pushed him aside. I looked at the light switch and he had left it on. Could Luigi be more stupid!?
“I’m so sorry!” I was kind of choking on my own blood. I talked.
“Go and get the emergency kit you idiot! I can’t believe…” the door bell rung. Fuck, I supposed it was Ale.
“Forget the door, I’ll…”said Luigi rushing to the door. He opened. I heard voices and I came out of the room, holding my nose. Blood was dripping anywhere. Luigi came to the rescue by cleaning what I had left behind and inspecting my nose up closely.
He was really close to my face while he checked my nose. Could this be a romantic situation? We looked at each-other’s eyes and…nada.He pulled his face away and told me to hold a towel on my face. I received a notification on my phone: Ale was no longer coming. Who was in the livinroom then?
Lui and I entered the living room and we sat with Peter and Andreina. It was them. I thought it was…forget it.
“What happened to you?” Peter asked. Since he had started dating Andreina we had no longer hung out. I was mostly with Lui and maybe he was taking his spot as my best-friend…
“Luigi almost broke my nose when he electrocuted himself…!”I said, annoyed.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know I had left the light on.”
“You’re supposed to check!” I said.
Peter and Andreina laughed.
“I guess cohabiting is hard aye…”said Peter, he then looked at Luigi. “You have your own place, haven’t you…overextended your welcome here?”he asked. “I really don’t understand…why…”
“Peter!” Andreina called him off. Peter continued.
“We’re all friends…I’ll continue. I don’t understand why you came here to hide when you could’ve come to my place or to any other place…unless…you have a thing for Annie.” I froze! how could he say that!?
“Look, it’s none of your business.” said Luigi.
“I actually enjoy having someone around.” I said all of the sudden. “I mean, this is my choice too. I could’ve thrown his ass away since day one but…he actually has kept me sane.” I blushed. “He is a good friend. Like you are Andreina are. If you had the same problem I would take you in…I mean if you murdered somebody perhaps that’d be different but…auch.” I held my nose. Luigi blushed.
“Exactly, that’s what we are…friends!”Luigi said smiling.
“Okay then…” Peter said. Was Peter jealous? I think he was a little. My phone received a notification. I pulled my phone out: A nude. The sudden dick pic at 8am surprised me. I threw my phone to the couch and Veronica took it.
“Oh they’re for sure friends!” said Andreina while looking at the nude. “Who’s this guy Annie!?” she asked and yes. Maybe I had found Matt on social media and…we had kind of hit it off. I know the age difference was a thing but…I was kind of doing it to piss off his brother.
Matt didn’t have any of my nudes. I rarely did any…I had only done one once at age 17 when I was dating a dude back in Venezuela but never again. I hated those kind of pictures but…his. His nudes were artistic.
“Holy fuck is that Matt!?” asked Luigi. “I know you guys kissed but…I didn’t know…”
Damn it, they knew it now. Maybe I had to pretend I was a saint. However, they knew it now.
“Yeah…today is his birthday. He is 20 now.” I said.
“What!? You’re texting with a guy two years younger!? I thought you hated minors” said Andreina.
“Well…he is different.”
“Well…he is hot. That’s the difference. He doesn’t look like a 20 year old, he looks much older.” Andreina said. “Are you planning to you…know…with him?” Peter and Luigi looked at each other. Maybe this was too much information for everybody. I blushed.
“That’s not your problem. You know…he is also…”before I could say anything else Andreina started laughing.
“He is a virgin like you!?”
“You are a virgin Annie!?” asked Peter and Lui almost at the same time. Oh my God. I wanted the earth to swallow me entirely.
“I’m going to a party today with him…”I said. The all looked at each other.
“Well we can’t miss this. We’re joining you. We will be your de-flowering maidens” said Andreina. I sighed.
“Well, the party is at his home. He lives with his aunt outside London.” I said. “I could ask if you could come…” I received another text from Alejandra. “I’m at the café, want to come?” it said.
We ended up joining Alejandra and João for lunch. Let me tell you about him. He is also my childhood friend but since I moved to the UK João and I stopped talking. He was the kind of guy who was very self-deprecating even though he had had his own start-up and it was working fine. Half-Brazilian, Half-Venezuelan and he could speak more languages than I did. He was a nice gentle dude and I felt a bit bad for him since…you know.
Our brunch was going great. Nobody no longer talked about Matt’s picture and I was feeling like it was a nice noon with my friends. I guess I was lucky. At that age nobody had time for anyone anymore but…I guess the culture the guys and I had allowed us to be very close. The guys were like brothers and us, the women were like sisters.
João at some point of our meal let us know the news that Alejandra and him were now engaged. Everybody was getting engaged and it felt wrong…Ale looked at Lui and he was pissed off. Luigi left the restaurant and returned to the apartment.
To be honest, I was not surprised of their engagement. My friends had been dating since we were in high-school and it was about time. They wanted to wait until marriage for…sexy time but as you might remember Alejandra lost it to Lui in January. I felt bad for everybody, this was a no - win situation. Wether Ale loved or not João was a thing.
Their long story together perhaps deserved one more chance.
“What was wrong with him?” Ask João. We all looked at each other. Nobody said anything.
“We’re going to a party tonight…if you’d like to come…” I said. They agreed. We paid the bills and everybody left.
Night time. I put on one of my sexiest dresses and I prepared myself for Matt. I hadn’t seem him since we met in person but there was enough anticipation due to our sexy-talk. Was I thinking about Tom? No. I have to admit that I had an interest on Matt. He was an empty slate and his brother had a lot of nasty history. Maybe it was a dick move for Matt to steal me away but I wasn’t going to date him…I just wanted to have sex with him. That’s all.
Peter came to pick Luigi and I and we spoke about the Ale situation. Lui was decided he was going to make them break up and I didn’t have a heart to tell him no.
I hoped with all my soul that Tom wasn’t going to be there that night. We arrived at Matt’s and parked on the street. Inside there were a lot of people we didn’t know and it felt like being in University again. A lot of young people and I noticed Barry and Diana among some of them. I said hi and the others joined them.
I looked for Matt. I had a present for him and I had to find him. He was int he yard, drinking some wine while talking to some dude I didn’t know. Matt stopped talking to the guy and looked at me. He basically ate me with his view.
“Wow…you look…”
“Happy birthday…” I said. Matt took my hand and started introducing me to everybody like his fucking girlfriend.
I was his girlfriend!? He was very naive. I was even worse for not setting any parameters between us. I mean I could’ve said something at that moment but I couldn’t. It was his birthday damn it. Luckily Tom wasn’t there and I was feeling more relaxed now. Matt was a good guy and if was that serious about me already maybe that was a good sign.
We kissed that night again, but nothing else happened.
Luigi and I got out of the car and entered the flat. We were both pretty drunk. We sat in the living-room.
“Nothing happened with you two.” said my friend. He then looked at the ceiling. “I had sex with Ale again…”he said, I was surprised? When the hell had that been!? “I have no idea why I couldn’t stop myself. She is supposed to get married you know…I’m a twat. When João left. I…” he started crying. “I’m such an idiot…I could’ve had anybody else. I don’t know why it had to be her…I lost so much because of her…she doesn’t even care about me” he said.
“Hey, calm down. She cares, I know Ale is very…rude…I guess but she must be pissing her pants not knowing what to do. I think João will find out soon and…” Luigi fell asleep on the couch.
The next morning I went to work and I was hungover, Tom was not at work. I was glad. If Matt believed I was his girlfriend now he would’ve probably told him about it. This day went very slowly and after some repetitive actions I returned home.
Inside: A fight. João and Luigi were fighting. Alejandra was laughing. I mean Alejandra come on’! Have a little bit of decency. Honestly it was funny. They were very bad and they were not even touching each other.
“How long has it been!?” I asked, Alejandra started crying.
“Oh my God, you’re here…I’m so glad.” I held her. What was I supposed to do? Maybe I could get some extra male back-up .
“You two stop it!” I yelled. When they saw me there they stopped. They were sweaty, bruised and bloody. “Come on’ why don’t we have a cup of tea and discuss what happened.
We sat in the living room and there were a lot of tears and things I didn’t know had happened that happened. João had dated cheated on Alejandra first when he slept with Bonnie, a Venezuelan pop singer.
João was working for Pepsi and ended up meeting her there. They slept together, and that’s why Alejandra came to the UK in the first place, to get away from him. Then she slept with Luigi and called it an eye for an eye and came back to João, and they got engaged. However, the day before…she realised she had feelings for Luigi, and she slept with him again. She told João and now she had to choose between the two of them.
Lets see. If I were Alejandra I wouldn’t choose either but I am not her so she chose…Luigi.
Soon she broke her engagement with João and gave him back the ring. João was happy. He was in love with Bonnie after all. He left and after two minutes. Luigi and Alejandra kissed, and they went further, but I didn’t see that. “Touch her more…I thought.”
Humans are very strange when it comes to finding the right partner. Love is hard to understand and sometimes you’re just willing to throw yourself into the unknown.
For me, what was love? I really didn’t know.
I was an almost twenty two year old single woman. I didn’t want a boyfriend but I wanted…I wanted some corporal connection. Me and Matt? I told him to hold his horses and to get to know each other better before any crazy allegations.
That Saturday David invited me for a drink and I met him at a pub. It was the two of us. Alone. After so long? Was he going to ask me out again? Oh no. What about Luz!?
“Hey, I have to tell you a secret and… don’t tell any of the other guys.” he said. Was he revealing he was actually gay? I mean he could. Not that I cared anyways. That would explain…
“Dani is pregnant.”he said, I almost chocked on my drink. Was this serious!?
“I know…I called you because you’re her closest friend.” Was I? Dani and I didn’t speak that often anymore. It had been weeks since we had had a phone-call.
“I think you just wanted to gossip…” I said with a smile. David smiled back.
“No, that’s not it…I…invited Tom.” he said, I was surprised. What!? Oh no hell no. I stood up and David held my arm.
“Please, listen to him…” was my Ex really setting me up with a guy who is very famous for being a cunt to women!? it was probably him trying to make my life miserable! I left.
I called Dani immediately and found out it had been a fake pregnancy. The girl and I confided a lot and she told me that they were on a break now. Of course she wasn’t going to last with Barry. Barry was just like Tom and I had seen a video of him online flirting with a random model in Italy. Just four days ago.
A week later Peter invited me to his place. We ended up playing naked poker where the loser had to get naked. I hadn’t seen any of the guys naked but I saw Peter naked that day. I mean I kind of had seen him naked that time at the Inn but this was a full frontal experience. Everybody was laughing and drunk. Good old drunkness. We were singing, having an excellent time. Barry and Dani came back together that night and I was happy for them.
At eleven Tom and Matt arrived and I didn’t have anywhere to hide. That particular night Ale and Luigi were not there and I supposed they were at home, shagging.
Tom wore a green shirt and beige pants. Matt wore a turtle neck shirt and his arms looked really hot. I mean, Matt and I still spoke but I was kind of holding myself now since the girlfriend situation.
Matt looked extremely hot with his shirt I cannot lie.
Suddenly, while looking at Matt, Tom grabbed my by the arm and took me away. I was really drunk, I couldn’t have fight back. I know the guys would look after me if….
“I have been an idiot with you.” he said. I only smiled.
“Ah…forget all that… hakuna matata…just…kiss me.” I said, holding his face to mine. Was I really listening to myself!? What the fuck was wrong with me!?
“What!? I cant kiss you…I have to hear it from you. That you forgive..me…”he was looking at my mouth and he kissed me fully. I just closed my eyes and allowed to kiss me. Then I hear:
“Matt, can’t you see we’re busy…leave!” I look at Tom at his face…he was not Matt. Was I thinking I was kissing Matt? Yes. I ran away and I took a Uber home. Oh fuck. War has started.
I ignored calls for the next two days and I went to work, feeling like an absolute ass.
I could be anything but I wasn’t a cheater. My life has taught me never to cheat…what the fuck but…Matt is not my boyfriend. I didn’t want a boyfriend.
Tom and I looked at each other a couple of times at work but always kept myself busy so I didn’t have to talk to him.
I received a text from Matt that day: “tennis at 5pm?” and yes. I said yes. I had to let him know why Tom and I had kissed, and how sorry I was…and that I was not a whore…wait a second. He is not my boyfriend. Why did I have to explain? I just went there and we played.
During our game we didn’t speak. Only the ball went back and forwards between us. The game ended. Neither of us won and we then changed our clothes. Matt and I got along well so it wasn’t awkward to be together. He also didn’t make me angry which his something Tom did just by looking at me.
“About the other day…” I said. “I’m sorry.” Matt smiled to me.
“Is it because of him that you don’t want to be my girlfriend?” he asked, I sighed.
“I was drunk…” I said.
“Well. I’m glad.” He walked towards me and kissed me. “I will wait for you okay…until you’re ready to…” and a ball hit him on the mouth.
Blood everywhere, a tooth had left his mouth. I was so surprised that I started swearing in Spanish. I looked for the tooth on the floor and put it in a napkin. The person who had done it gave us 300 pounds and told him to fix it. It was a very random moment but yes.
A call to the dentist and then go the dentist. Then to his auntie’s house.
It was midnight when we got there. It was raining and we were still wearing our sports outfits. Matt had been all drugged up and I had to accompany him there. I had work the next day so…I decided to stay over.
The night was long and I couldn’t sleep. I was sleeping in Matt’s bed and he was sleeping in Tom’s room. Tom was out of town and probably not returning until a week or so. He was doing well as a freelance photographer so he was working on that and also working on the internship. I was happy to be there. I didn’t have to respond to any awkward questions.
I moved from bed and I walked around the house in the darkness, it had a big-ass chimney and I feel a hand in my back.
“Annie? What are you doing here?” he asked I looked at Tom. He was carrying a backpack with him.
“Where’s the kitchen?” I asked, Tom pointed me to the kitchen and we walked together there.
“How’re you…? I…am surprised to see you here…” he said.
“I thought you were at a photoshot.” I replied.
“Oh so you were no planning to get onto my bed sheets naked and…”I blushed. “After all…you’re my stalker.” Tom said with a huge smile on his face, in the kitchen he pulled out a bottle of wine.
“Have a drink with me…”he said. I nodded. Maybe I could tell him about Matt. “I’m not stupid. I know you’re seeing Matt.” He said. “I was angry at him at first but…does he kiss better than me?”he asked. I served us some wine.
“Well…yes…I would kiss him again no problem.” I said. It was kind of a lie. Tom was much a better kisser.
“Oh does he?” Tom asked and immediately kissed me. It was a passionate kiss. Yes. He was the better kisser. I couldn't believe it. I felt my panties start to get moist. I pulled away.
“I don’t cheat…”I said. Tom kissed me again.
“Oh, you do. You cheated on David with me.” He said. “I am ready to break you up.” I smiled.
“I’m not Matt’s girlfriend.” I said cheekily. “I broke up with David that day too. I didn’t want to become that sort of person. I never told him why…never told him it was because you kissed me that day…”I said. Tom smiled.
“You’re terrible Picapica.” he said, I pushed his arm.
“That’s for kissing me.” I said.
“Stop playing around with Matt. I know you are doing it for me…to make me jealous and it worked.” Tom said. He had read me like a book, but that was not the situation now… I… Tom kissed me again. “It made me realise that I am crazy for you…I am yours Annie…I don’t think you have noticed but… I don’t want you to leave me again because…I love you.” he said and I was wowed.
Thomas Mackey Houben. He loved me. Did I love him? I… just kissed him back.
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