Andrew returned to the apartment unit two hours later.
And this time, he directly entered the door code number. Even though it was rude, he didn't want to make Macy walk to open the door for him. Andrew closed the door slowly and took off his shoes in the foyer. Well, he didn't see any other shoes aside from Macy’s. Maybe the woman had already left.
Then he walked towards the living room where he saw Macy who was focusing on the laptop on her lap. In addition, he also saw an empty bowl and glass on the coffee table. Well, at least the woman has eaten.
"How did you get that laptop?" Andrew asked as he approached Macy.
Macy glanced at him briefly. “Hani, my friend, took it. Even though I have to desperately ask for it.”
Andrew sighed. He took the empty bowl and glass. "You should rest, Macy," he said as he walked into the kitchen to put the bowl and glass in the sink. He then opened the refrigerator door and saw if the woman had any groceries.
Just in case.
And his eyebrows rose when he saw the large stock of food. As if Macy always fills it every day.
"You have a lot of food."
“I always stock up on food whenever Marcus stays here. But it seems I have to reduce it, " the woman said.
Andrew didn't say anything. He closed the refrigerator door and returned to the living room. He initially wanted to take away the woman’s laptop and shut it off so that she could rest but he held himself back.
"You called the woman your senior," said Andrew as he sat down.
Macy just mumbled. Her hands were still moving over the laptop keyboard – she seemed to be checking some work. “She is my senior at university. We are from different faculties, but I know her from the club on campus.” Then Macy looked at him. "She's also the lawyer who handled my divorce."
"Oh."
Macy turned her attention back to her laptop. Andrew took a deep breath. He watched the woman who was still busy working – well, he reminded himself that Macy still had to rest.
"Why 1504?" he asked.
Macy glanced at him. “I told you it was because Marcus already remembered it. I also don’t want
him to get confused with all the important numbers he has to remember. We thought…” the woman pauses that made Andrew look at her.
"My mom and I think…" Macy corrected her words. “Equating the door code with the unit number will be easier for Marcus.”
They both fell silent after that. Macy just turned her full attention to her laptop, staring at its screen for a long time until she closed the laptop and put it to her side. She then turned to
Andrew who was still looking at her every move.
Both didn't know what to say anymore, their eyes just held each other’s stares. It was so tranquil. Only faintly, the sound of the crowded city streets was heard. With a gentle breeze and sunlight pouring in through the large windows.
Honestly, there's still some awkwardness between the two of them because of everything that has happened. All things related to Macy's personal life that the man knows easily. Oh, she doesn't even know a single thing about Andrew’s personal life. It’s not that she wants to know the man’s private life though.
However, her personal life is like an open book for anyone to read so easily. Almost everyone can have an access to read it. Including Andrew Coangco, a man she had only known for no more than two weeks.
Macy was the first to break eye contact with Andrew. She turned her gaze to the window and sighed. “Regarding the meeting to talk about the promotion of your book…”
One of Andrew’s eyebrows rose. Macy was speaking formally to him again. It means that the Editor is talking about work. Oh, how could the topic of their conversation change so quickly?
When the woman looked back at him again, he can easily tell that this is now his Editor and not Macy.
“I've given Editor Gil instructions to take care of the timing. He will contact your agent to reschedule the meeting," The Editor continued.
"Oh. Then were you involved in the meeting?”
Macy blinked. Looks like the man followed her 'play'. But after all, what she is talking about right now is about work and Andrew himself said that they only act formal when it comes to work because they need to be professional.
“Editor Gil will take over. Moreover, for the promotion schedule, there is a team from the PR and marketing department that manages it. The Editorial team just-”
"Aren't you the main editor for all of my novels?"
“That's true, but-”
“So, you should also be involved, right? After all, my novels are your responsibility.”
The Editor was silent for a moment. She doesn’t understand what the Writer really wants.
Wouldn't they settle the promotion schedule then…
"I want to ask," said Andrew informally. “Why are you suddenly speaking so formally and talking about the meeting? It feels like we haven't mentioned anything work-related since yesterday."
“Writer Coangco…”
Andrew shook his head. "No, Macy, we're still at your apartment, not St. Haven. Even though we were talking about work, we're still out of St. Haven. You promised, didn't you?"
Macy didn't say anything. The man took a deep breath, stood up and walked over to her. He sat on the coffee table and stared intently at the Editor.
"You're still sick. Stop thinking about work for a moment. The problem of the promotion schedule, let the PR team do it, like you said earlier. After you recover, we can arrange another meeting.”
Macy still didn't say anything. Andrew stood up and held out his hand. She looked at the outstretched hand then up to the owner of the hands.
"You should be in bed, resting.” Andrew said.
“But I still have to take care of some things. Emails from-”
“Macy, you need to rest. I'm sure work can wait. After all, you told all the other editors you were sick, didn't you? They will not bother you with work when they know your current condition. Well… unless you contact them first and ask about work which you shouldn’t.”
Macy took a deep breath again before she took the man's hand and slowly stood up. When she was able to stand up, Andrew’s other hand was on her back to help her. She looked at the man closely.
"I don't need to carry you anymore, do I?"
Macy nodded her head as a confirmation.
Andrew smiled faintly then helped her to walk to her room to rest.
*****