If he asks

JANUARY 2021

I was exhausted, physically and mentally until the clock hit 6. Home time. A surge of energy of unknown origin suddenly flooded my veins. My smile grew bigger as I tidied up and did last minute dishes.

“Mr. Karol, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I had my over one shoulder and my water bottle in my hand.

“See you, my girl.” Mr Karol said before I leaned down and gave him a hug, feeling him squeeze the life out of me. “Go safe.”

“Thank you. Stay well.” 

After scanning the room for the last time, making sure his oxygen machine was plugged in, his suction was within his reach, and his cellphone was next to him in case something happened and he needed to call somebody, I locked the door behind me.

I was a healthcare assistant and had taken care of Mr. Karol for over a year. Some days it was easier than others, with his bursts of aggression and anger. He never got physically aggressive, just verbally. He had a very short temper which his meds were aiming to tame. And when I say short I mean a tiny weeney temper. But that didn’t really bother me.

I went over to my brother in law’s place of work, a street away from mine as we normally walked down to the train station together.

“Hey, Kylie.” He greeted from the entrance of their beauty pallor.

He wasn’t actually a beautician, he worked as the meet and greet guy for all the old rich ladies that came to the place. They enjoyed being escorted by a good looking younger guy and as a result the company kept them loyal. Marketing strategy.

“You good?” He asked after our side hug.

“Yeah, you ready to go?”

“I actually have to stay until Marcus arrives, he is late.”

Marcus was the night shift guy who was supposed to relieve him.

“Oh, shame. Okay then.” I was ready to be on my way but then Gordon walked out of the doors, his backpack over one shoulder.

“Hey, Kylie.”

“Hey, Gordon.” I waved.

“Gordon is knocking off. He can walk you down to the station.”

Gordon was like a family friend, my brother in law’s best friend. He was kind of weird, like socially weird but overall he was a chilled guy. He always looked clean and well put together. He was dark skinned and looked like he had too many lines running down his face – not wrinkles.

“Yeah, sure, let’s go.” I said, bidding my in-law goodbye.

On the way we talked about my best friend, whom he had a huge crush on. He only met her once on my 21st and instantly fell in love with her. Did she like him back, no. Did I mention he was socially weird?

When we reached the intersection that led to his place he stopped.

“Let me drop my bag upstairs, I’ve got my laptop here. Don't wanna walk all the way with it.” He said.

I mean I didn’t mind. It’s not like I was rushing home. As long as I was out of work, I was fine. I had rushed to leave the patient’s home only for the psychological liberation of it. I was feeling good and didn’t mind wasting a few minutes. 

It was my first time seeing his place. I had to sign at reception and get my picture taken for facial identification or something of that sort. We then took the lifts four floors up. When I walked into his apartment, he offered me a seat on the couch as he took his laptop out of his bag.

The apartment was grey and white and spacious. Although small, it looked posh. There wasn’t much furniture, just couches, a coffee table and a small kitchen opposite the window.

I relaxed on the chair and placed my bag next to me on the floor.

Just then, a tall figure with square shoulders walked out of the room opposite my seat, his head almost touching the top of the doorframe. He was dark skinned and HANDSOME. He looked like he had just woken up. 

Damn.

Who is this nigga?

“Hi,” he smiled at me.

Gosh, his smile just made him look 10 times more attractive. His eyes narrowed as his perfect white teeth displayed before me.

“Kylie, this is Clandor, Clandor, this is Kylie.”

Clandor… Hm… It sounded like the name of an expensive perfume or someone powerful.

“Hi.” I grinned back. Totally awestruck.

Clandor walked into what I assumed was the bathroom and shut the door, breaking me free from my spell.

“Let’s go.” Gordon said, picking up his keys.

I wished Clandor would come back out before I left. He didn’t.

As we walked and reached the station and Gordon went on about Macy, all I could think about was how sexy that man we left back there looked. Shit. How he woke up from his nap and lit up their whole place. Shit. I wanted to know more. I needed.

“Please make a plan for Macy to go out with me,” Gordon proceeded. “You could even come with us. I’ll pay –”

“Cool. I’ll make sure… but only if your friend comes with.” I smiled, mind still back at their apartment.

“Which friend?”

“Clandor.”

I watched as his smile got wider. “Oh?”

“Yeah, when you go home, make sure he asks for my number.” I told him. “Don’t tell him I said this. Just… if he asks for my number, give it.”

Gordon looked thrown aback but his smile didn’t leave his face. He nodded and then said it like a promise. “I will.”

I calculated exactly how long it would take for Gordon to walk back to his apartment and mention me to Clandor. Roughly 15 minutes. 

The countdown began…