"Hey Paul…. Can I ask you a personal question?" She hesitantly asked.
"Yeah sure, of course it's okay." I answered smiling.
"How comes you're still single? Because you have a nice place, you earn a lot, you cook…. What's the catch?" she asked.
Taking a slight pause, considering telling her the truth about Emilia, "Hmmmm….. No catch, it's just I don't get out much." I replied deciding not to tell her. "How about you?.... Smart… Successful… Beautiful, what's the catch with you?" I asked jokingly.
"Nothing really, I just haven't met someone I connect with really….." She answered.
"Hmmmm that makes sense." I replied agreeing.
"You seem like a nice great person though." She replied.
"Ohh… really?.... Thank you! I think you're quite amazing as well" I said as a smile popped on my face brimming with confidence.
I reached for the remote to turn on the TV, "Lets watch something, any recommendations?" I politely asked running out of things to talk about.
"Hmm lets watch a movie" she requested.
"Sure…. Hmmm my guildies recommend this anime movie called…. Your name, wanna try?" I questioned.
"Yeah that will be cool. Some of my friends also recommended that one to me…" She replied.
"Have u seen it before?" I asked.
"Not really I only know the gist of the movie." She answered.
"Great me neither." I added turning on the movie.
As the movie started, I couldn't help but wonder why Emilia tried to contact me after so long, it has been over 6 years. We don't even have anything or friends in common so there is no other reason to try and even contact me.
I looked down at Jade she was full absorbed into the movie, best not to relapse nothing good will come out of it. Jade sensing something looked up at me, "you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah….. Do u want some popcorn or some sweets to snack on?... I'm getting some crazy cravings" I asked trying to mask my feelings.
"Yeah sure sounds goods." She stopped leaning on me to let me go. "Want to pause the movie?" she asked.
"Nah I can still hear and watch from the kitchen." I answered.
Taking the left over ice-cream back to the freezer I opened my cupboard that stores all my unhealthy snacks. "Sweet or Salted popcorn?" I shouted out to her.
"I prefer Sweet" she shouted back.
"Great me too" I replied, grabbing the sweet popcorn and placing it into the microwave, I began remembering how Emilia preferred Salted and I preferred sweet and how we used to share a mixed popcorn.
A weird chill ran down my body as I waited for the popcorn and watching the movie from the kitchen. 'Is it that cold?' I decided to turn back up the thermostat and walked back to Jade. She welcomed me back making an opening in the blanket for me to stay warm. Nervously wrapping my arm around her shoulder, she snuggled close to me fixated on the movie.
Her warmth radiated through my body, reminding me of a feeling I haven't felt in along time. Unconsciously I began holding her tighter towards me, she looked up at me and smiled, leaning her head onto my chest... "Your heart is racing…." She whispered.
"My heart rate is naturally fast." I replied.
"Ohh okay." She accepted.
The scent of her perfume was very welcoming, soft and sweet with a slight hint of a floral smell, just enough and not too much where it would assault the nose or interrupt my breathing. 'Am I one of those creepy people that smells girls hair?... Holy crap I am a weirdo!....'
"Ding" I heard the sound of the microwave letting me know the popcorn was ready, she didn't move a muscle. 'Was she that absorbed into the movie she didn't head the microwave?' I sat there contemplating what to do.
"Nooo….Why did he do that?!" She gasped.
I quickly turned to the movie realizing I missed good chunks of the movie. "I know right…" I said agreeing with her, with no clue what's going on.
She went to grab the wine glass, holding it close taking sips every now and then. "Enjoying the movie?" I questioned.
"Yeah it's pretty good" she answered nodding, I began watching the movie enjoying the feeling of companionship through the night. I never really thought or felt like I missed this feeling till now. It made me feel the last 5 years was a lie and I was missing out on so much.
The movie came to an eventual end, it was quite enjoyable and heart wrenching at the same time. "Quite a good movie" I said as the movie credits started to roll.
A long silence followed, looking down at her I noticed she had a very regular slow paced breathing. 'Did she fall asleep?' I gently tilted my head to get a better look at her. She must have fell asleep some point in the movie, the wine glass still gently held up by her hands.
I very carefully took the wine glass from her hand placing it on the table, and began delicately moving myself off her. "Did I fall asleep?" she groggily said half asleep.
"Yeah you did, I'll take you up to my guest room." I said, to which she gently nodded sleepily.
Gently sliding my arms under her shoulders and knees, I lifted her off the sofa, her arms naturally wrapped around my neck helping me hold her up. I slowly walked up the stairs cursing them as my legs burned carrying her up. Pushing the guest room door open with the toes of my foot and placing her gently on the bed, her arms releasing me and falling gently on the bed. Grabbing the spare duvet from the cupboard and gently covering her with it. "Good night" I whispered from afar. Walking out leaving the door open and the hall way light on.
I began collecting the wine glass and wine bottle and place it in the kitchen and shoveling the leftover food in the bin and leaving the plates in the sink to soak. Switching off the TV and placing and covering the popcorn in cling film and placing it on the counter. I began getting ready for bed myself, in the back of my mind wondering why Emilia tried to contact me. Another strange chill ran down my spine again, shaking it off I got ready and went to sleep for the night in my own room.