Emily, still somewhat stunned by the unexpected encounter with Alexander in the supermarket, managed to compose herself. With an awkward smile, she tried to divert the conversation.
"Who would have thought we'd bump into each other here," Emily remarked, attempting to hide the pain that lingered beneath the surface.
Alexander, seemingly unaffected by the earlier encounter, explained casually, "I ran out of milk for my cereal." He glanced around, unaware of the unsettling moment Emily had experienced.
"Oh, are you having cereal for your dinner?" Emily asked, momentarily forgetting the strange sighting she had witnessed earlier.
Alexander simply nodded. "Hmm."
"What? You're only having cereal for dinner?" Emily exclaimed, finding it hard to believe that someone like him would consume such a minimal meal.
"I don't have time to cook since I'm too busy and tired," Alexander explained, providing a glimpse into his hectic schedule.
Taking a moment to reflect on her own plans and the items she was about to purchase, Emily had an idea. "Why don't you join us for dinner?"
"Excuse me?" Alexander was taken aback by her sudden offer, the unexpected invitation catching him by surprise.
"We're celebrating a successful day. I'm cooking a special dinner for Suzy, and you're more than welcome to join us," Emily suggested with a warm smile, extending an invitation that seemed to go beyond the realm of mere neighborly acquaintances. The offer held an unspoken understanding, a connection that had seemingly formed between them, bringing comfort and familiarity into a chance encounter at the supermarket.
As Alexander couldn't find it in himself to refuse Emily's invitation, he ended up accompanying her through the rest of her shopping. The pair moved through the aisles, exchanging casual conversation and discovering shared interests that bridged the gap between neighbors and acquaintances.
Upon reaching the checkout counter, Emily prepared to pay for the groceries she had selected. However, Alexander swiftly handed his card to the cashier before she could complete the transaction. "Wait, you..." Emily began, her words trailing off as the card was already scanned. Alexander spoke calmly, "I don't like to freeload on others," explaining that despite being invited, he felt uncomfortable accepting without contributing.
As Emily stood there, slightly bewildered, Alexander took charge. He picked up the groceries, a gesture that surprised Emily. She was about to protest when Alexander gently interjected, "Aren't we going?"
Emily was perplexed, her mind struggling to reconcile the image of Alexander as a seemingly cold and reserved individual with the unexpected kindness he was displaying. There was an unspoken comfort in his actions that Emily couldn't quite comprehend. As they left the supermarket together, Emily found herself appreciating the subtle warmth she felt in Alexander's company, a warmth that went beyond the chilly exterior she had perceived before.
As they entered the apartment complex, Alexander placed the groceries on the kitchen counter. Emily excused herself to the bedroom, intending to freshen up. While she tied her hair into a ponytail, Alexander found himself briefly stunned by the transformation. The casual look and the ponytail made her resemble a schoolgirl, a stark contrast to the image he had of her earlier.
"Is something wrong?" Emily asked, noticing the thoughtful expression on Alexander's face.
"Nothing," he quickly replied, shaking off his momentary distraction. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Emily pondered for a moment but decided that she had everything under control. She suggested that he could rest, considering the busyness and fatigue he must have been feeling after a day's work. Alexander accepted the offer and made his way to the couch, where he noticed a collection of books on the table.
Silently scanning through the titles, he couldn't help but notice a theme. The books seemed to revolve around moving on, starting fresh, and overcoming heartbreak. A subtle realization crossed his mind. 'So, they really did break up,' he thought as he perused the different guides and self-help books.
The sight brought a faint chuckle to Alexander's lips. He hadn't expected Emily to seek solace and answers from these books and ideas. As he continued to read through the various titles, he couldn't help but wonder about the complexities of Emily's life and the unexpected connections they were forming. The books on the table told a story of healing, resilience, and the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow – a story that Alexander found himself unexpectedly drawn into.
As Emily busily prepared the meal in the kitchen, she noticed Alexander engrossed in reading something on the table. Recognizing the familiar titles of the self-help books, she felt a sudden wave of embarrassment. Hastily, she approached Alexander, snatching the books away before he could inquire.
"Ah, these are..." Emily stumbled over her words, unsure of how to explain why she had those particular books.
"Is it for your role?" Alexander interjected casually, sensing her discomfort and not wanting to make the situation awkward for her.
"Ah, that's right! These are for a role," Emily replied with a relieved smile, grateful that Alexander didn't delve deeper into the subject.
"What a strange role," Alexander remarked, attempting to engage her in conversation.
"Well, I have no idea, so reading a book would help," Emily responded with an awkward laugh. In truth, Mike was her first boyfriend, and she had no prior experience in navigating the complexities of heartbreak. The books she had picked up mentioned seeking comfort from friends, but Emily had few close friends, and she was hesitant to burden Suzy with her concerns.
As they chatted about the peculiarities of her fictional role, Emily couldn't help but appreciate Alexander's non-judgmental demeanor. He had a way of making her feel at ease, a quality she found unexpectedly comforting amidst the challenges she faced.
As the two continued their conversation about heartbreak and the intricacies of navigating such emotions, Alexander brought up an unexpected and intriguing topic. "I noticed in all the books that to get over a heartbreak, one must find new love. Will you find a new love in your role?" he inquired casually, his curiosity shining through. Despite his apparent disinterest in her life, Alexander couldn't help but be curious about how Emily would navigate the fictional future of her character.
Emily paused for a moment, caught off guard by the directness of the question. She had indeed come across such advice in the books she had read, but the idea of finding new love seemed out of the question for her. "Who knows, I never thought of it," she answered without thinking, realizing the directness of her response.
"Oh, so your role hasn't mentioned it?" Alexander said with a curious smile, sensing that he might have caught her off guard. In an attempt to diffuse the moment, Emily quickly retreated to the kitchen. Grabbing all the books with her, she suggested, "Anyways, I'll finish this right away. You should just rest."
Alexander, however, got up before she could take more steps toward the kitchen. Emily felt a sudden pause as she sensed his tall figure behind her. Turning around, she met his gaze, only to hear him say, "Let me borrow this one." He gestured to the book about self-love, appreciation, and motivation.
Emily didn't mind, allowing him to take the book. As she recalled, it was filled with valuable insights on personal growth and resilience.
As Emily finished up the meal preparation, she turned around to witness Alexander fast asleep on the sofa. A gentle smile graced her lips as she approached to check on him, and she was met with an unexpectedly picturesque sight. In the tranquil state of sleep, Alexander looked angelic, his features softened, and the stress of the day lifted from his face.
"Who would have thought you'd look this handsome fast asleep," Emily mused to herself, her admiration evident as she continued to gaze at him. Unbeknownst to her, she had been lost in contemplation for a significant amount of time.
"I better call Suzy," Emily said to herself, breaking away from her reverie. She left the room, heading to her bedroom with a slight blush coloring her cheeks as she retrieved her phone. Little did Emily know, Alexander had noticed her staring, and as he pondered the moment, he couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't said a word.
As Emily stood in front of Alexander, a sense of hesitation lingered in the air as she contemplated waking him up. Her uncertainty painted an awkward expression on her face. With a sigh, she softly tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Alex, wake up."
Alexander slowly opened his eyes, meeting Emily's gaze with a sleepy yet attentive look. In that moment, Emily once again noticed the captivating amber hue of Alexander's eyes. "Alex, we can eat now."
He slowly got up, taking a seat on the sofa. Glancing around, he realized it was just the two of them in the room. "What about your friend?" Alexander inquired, sensing there was someone else initially present.
"About Suzy," Emily hesitated, reluctant to disclose the change of plans. The prospect of having dinner alone with him made her even more embarrassed. "She can't make it, so it's just you and me."