[the following day]
The next day, we woke up at noon feeling hungry and hungover. After freshening up and tidying the place, just as we were about to head out, the doorbell rang. Mandy answered it and found a delivery of food, coffee, and a hangover remedy. "Did you order food?" Mandy asked, accepting the delivery. I replied from the bedroom, "No, didn't you?" She pouted. After placing the food on the kitchen counter, we sat on the sofa. Mandy found a note and read it aloud, "I wish to know you more - J." "Oh, a love letter from Junior," she said, cuddling the soup. "What did I drink last night to deserve this?" I joked. We laughed as we enjoyed the meal and spent the rest of the day doing absolutely nothing.
By evening, the sky transitioned, and the cosy apartment began to feel like a sanctuary. We decided to watch a movie, picking a light-hearted comedy that kept our spirits high. As the credits rolled, Mandy turned to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Shall we take a walk outside? The fresh air might do us good."
Reluctantly, I agreed, and we slipped into our jackets. The city lights twinkled, and the streets were alive with the hum of evening activity. We wandered aimlessly, chatting about everything and nothing, the cool breeze refreshing our minds.
Passing by a quaint ice-cream shop, Mandy's eyes lit up. "Let's go in!" she exclaimed, pulling me towards the entrance. The smell of ice-creams and the quiet ambiance wrapped around us like a warm hug. We browsed through, picking up random flavours.
Eventually, we settled on a salted caramel, with chocolate and vanilla and made our way to the cashier. As we left the shop, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. "This was a good idea," I admitted. Mandy smiled, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "I told you so."
As we were walking, Mandy kept looking at me.
"What?"
"I just think you should reconsider."
"Reconsider what?"
"I mean, having fun with the bachelor is not a bad thing, you know."
Laughing, "What are you on about?"
"You know Junior is the most elite bachelor. I mean, he plays around a lot."
Humming, "But that's not what I want, Mandy. I don't have experience in dating, but I do read romantic novels and all that. I want to experience, not just a one-night thing. I want to be loved and cherished."
"I hear you. I guess it's not every day you have a mafia right at your feet, hey."
We laughed.
"You know, Mandy," I said, shying away, "I mean, he does taste nice."
"Oh my God, you guys kissed?"
Running away shyly, "Stop it, okay."
She chased me, laughing, "Wait, stop Rain, tell me, did you?"
We sat by the bench, catching our breath.
"Yes, we kissed, and he touched me, and I felt my body responding to him. Part of me wanted more, but that's that."
Mandy's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh my gosh, Rain! This is huge! So, what happens now?"
I shrugged, a mix of uncertainty and hope clouding my thoughts. "I don't know. He said he wants to see me again, but I'm not sure if I should trust him. I mean, he has a reputation, right?"
Mandy nodded thoughtfully. "True, but sometimes people surprise you. Maybe he's different with you. Just take things slow and see where it goes."
I smiled, appreciating her support. "You're right. I guess I shouldn't overthink it and just enjoy the moment."
As we sat there, the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the park. It felt like a sign, a reminder to embrace the present and not worry too much about the future.
Our walk back home was filled with comfortable silence, punctuated by the occasional shared observation about our surroundings. By the time we reached our apartment, we were both ready to tuck in for the night, feeling more at peace than we had in a long time.
As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but think about the kiss.