One fine afternoon I was standing in Piccadilly Circus, just in front of Swan and Edgar's where the buses stopped. I remembered reading “Young and Enchanted” by Hugh Walpole and it reminded me of the opening scene of the book.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOKaJRQnY7

It was cold as fuck. The wind was freezing. There was no snow yet, and I felt betrayed. No white December yet. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyhMAQqopH

This time I was heading to Matt’s birthday party. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQFwRXHve7

I know what you’re thinking. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡY17WKRRtCz

-Annie you can’t possibly go to that party! I thought you hated the Houben family! copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJvNlO5SA3

but…copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhSxv8iAth

Andreina had convinced me to join her. Peter was picking me up from Picadilly to head to Matt’s house outside London. I knew we were going to arrive late because as every fucking Friday: London was busy. The only thing, in particular, that had me without worrying too much was the fact that Tom was in a photoshoot in Germany. There was not going to be any drama. Thanks fuck for that. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl986hsqUG

We arrived at Matt’s place and we gave him some gin as a birthday present. Matt was a Gin person so we expected him to like it. I had another gift for him. I had bought him a nice watch. My friends got wasted that night so I had to drive at the end of the party. I no longer consumed alcohol so Peter put me in charge of driving. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXTOJQtn6N

What a bad choice. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaxVXvxEEV

The car slid on thin ice and the car in the opposite road crashed against us. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡpax41CdAW1

I was mortified. The police were going to arrive and they were going to test us all for alcohol. I hadn’t drunk anything but the owner of the car was. Maybe this was my stain in my perfect record? copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ596BqMBJ5x

I left the car coatless. I check the damage: both cars are fine. A man leaves the other car and approaches the front. It is from Tom. He hadn’t shaved in a while and he looked like he had lost weight. It was worse than I imagined. He didn’t recognise me in the darkness. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ0DBHfHqt

“You’re so lucky, so fuucking lucky,” he says with a laugh. Then looked at me. “Annie?” I gave him a tiny smile. “I didn’t know you could drive…” “Aren’t you freezing?” copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYoByO8F3a

Soon enough Peter leaves the car. He puts his coat in my shoulders. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYHfXxyr6N

“Nutting happened alright. Let’s go home Ann’s” said Peter. He then looked at Tom.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSYVJgJ7Vs

“Thomas Houben! My mate…” he yelled, he then hugged him deeply. “I thought you were out of the country…”copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTSUkie8FW

“I was just going back home. Nice to see you,” said Tom. I walked towards the car. Nothing happened. This was no fate. I entered the car, I tried to turn the engine and…nothing. I saw Andreina asleep in the back seat. I sighed. FUCK. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMcLmHAQIa

I left the car again. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFeQ0oPn4B

“Could you…I don’t know…fix it,” I said. It was 2 am. I wanted to go home. I was so done with everything, and now I had to see homeless-looking Tom. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOqQ620QBm

We tried for thirty minutes or so but nothing worked. The car needed a crane or something. Together we moved the car out of the highway to the side. It was too early in the morning for anybody to rescue us so the only choice we had was to return to London with Tom. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsKQPFGI42

I went to bed at five in the morning and tried not to think of my enemy again. The next morning I felt tired, it was 11 am and I didn’t have anything planned. As now and then I called my mother and we had a long conversation about Tom. My mother didn’t like him, and we had decided never to speak of that name. It seemed impossible now that he had re-entered my life by accident. However, 2 months were no longer enough for me to forget what he had done to our relationship. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAdB79nQul

After breakfast, my neighbour’s window was wide open. I soon expected Mark with his rosy cheeks to appear and make my day. This time Mark was wearing a fancy night-gown and he was holding some gardening tools. The dug out the dead plants. Some of the dirt fell to the ground below. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjHups349B

“Hello!” I said. I am not sure why but I was happy to see him. Probably it was because before he appeared I was keen to grab on a bottle of vodka and forget about my encounter with the demon. I felt I was going crazy. Mark blushed instantly as he heard my voice. He put the tools down and he looked straight at me.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHGBiwpHKS

“Wow, I didn’t expect to see you. It’s a pleasure.” He said. I smiled broadly. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxWc1KNbAD

“How are you, Doctor…?” I said with a wink. Mark’s ears went red and he smiled nervously. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyO78BmiEY

“Call me Mark, please. No need for the doctor…today is my free day. Tomorrow I am back to work!” he said with a hint of excitement.  copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡARwwScx2qS

I wondered immediately what were his “free day” plans, he seemed excited to go back but…he liked resting too? My free day would be partying, drinking and…I doubt Mark is the kind of person who does that.  copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE0GRHErhv

“Anything fancy planned for today? A party? Going to the pub?” Mark’s face turns into a bright look. He then starts laughing. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡzziowwCmq2

“Laundry. That’s my plan,” he said. I start laughing too. He then calmed down. “Well, I might read some books, or…go out. My cousin William, a very festive lad…sorry. Am I boring you?” I had gotten distracted with people in the street. I look back at him immediately. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMThfz62C0

I blushed. “No, no! Sorry, low attention span…please continue!”copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡx47AYQeNrB

“Great. My friends always say I rumble…Yes. William. He has a painting exposition. I think that is it. Oh, that’s my phone, I have to go now…” Mark started walking back inside his apartment and I almost threw myself through the window to him.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqLgdDVRof

“WAIT!, WAIT!” did I yell? Yes. I did. Mark blushed and turned back. The phone kept ringing in the background. “I have a proposition for you.”copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiXHuT3heR

“Of course! I am sorry. Go ahead miss.” said Mark. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1MgN2oM7T

“mmm…well…I…Oh…” I kept quiet thinking of my next move, I was so fucking nervous. Why the hell was I nervous with Mark Grant? “Galleries are fun in a group. I will come with you if you want…that’s it…” I said, my neighbour looked like he had won the lottery, he immediately responded. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF06xjbgBy

“Of course!” he coughed. He had a cough attack. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡVklzkOXCc5

“Are you okay!?” I said with a smile. Mark blushed again.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFlO8KMXSu

“Yes. Of course yes… 7 pm. I will be waiting for you in front of our building.” he said. We said our goodbyes and I had to wait an entire day to see him. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlfPvxSXdV

I closed my curtain and I walked slowly towards my bathroom, I prepared the bath and I submerged myself in bubbly water. I took a long time to bathe and I even touched myself. The entire encounter had excited me. I wasn’t the kind of person to have personal time with my vagina but it required it. The entire moment had me dripping. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQXBIjaip2

The day passed by extremely slow. I didn’t reply to any calls, I didn’t check the internet. I had completely denied the existence of the outside world. At 6:30 I dressed up. I put on a red dress, and I selected one of my fancy winter jackets. I put simple make up on and then entered the lift. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuP6GwX5pg

Inside the lift, I was the only one. There were some random advertisements for restaurants and it smelled clean. I walked towards the entrance and I see Mark standing in the cold. He is early, and I am too. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv8iaq3sgQ

Mark was dressed cleanly in a designer's black overcoat, wool blazer and black pants. His outfit was balanced perfectly, and he looked extremely well. He looked at me and smiled broadly. Soon he walked towards me and gave me two kisses on the sides of my cheeks. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0zhkxEQ42

“You look amazing. Come on.” He gave me his arm and I grabbed it. He smelled good. There was nothing more attractive than a guy who knew his colognes. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGyqqhlrQp

Mark and I walked towards a BMW and he opened it. “This is my car. Please, come in.” I smile broadly and enter the car. It was clean inside. He was very posh. I could tell. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66GDqF0VLC

“You have a nice car,” I said, attaching the seatbelt on my body. Mark smiled and entered the car. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk29k4Eraf

Mark drove well. Better than me at least. London was quiet that night and I figured it was due to the weather. It wasn’t raining but it was cold. In the car we didn’t speak much, we were distracted with the music and I was surprised when Rehome new album started playing in his Spotify. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM4Ameeex2

“You like Redhome!”I said, blushing. Mark nods. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB1pcCU5hQ

“It just brings me so many memories you know. When I was 14…” he said, almost nostalgic. I laughed. Mark continued “I was planning to go to the concert perhaps. I am so glad they came back together!” Mark puts the volume up, and we both start singing to the lyrics of one of their old songs. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99ZJOIF2i7

Soon we arrived in the gallery. We left the car and walked together to go inside. I was holding his arm, enchanted by him. He was just so…charming. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pFz6kRDLA

The gallery had beautiful paintings everywhere, the exhibition was stunning. Colourful, real, heart-wrenching.  copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoGBppuprY

“You see this, my cousin made this painting in my grandparent's state.” Mark said. The painting was beautiful, it was like one you’d probably see in an 18th-century museum. He then introduces me to his cousin William. The man was about seventy years old and very white. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lhlDWYxcD

“I didn’t expect you to bring such handsome company…” said Willian cheekily kissing my hand. Mark blushed. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKNtdU29E4

“This is Annie. My neighbour” said, Mark. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJPEu5umYV

“Nice to meet you, Annie. I hope you’re enjoying the exposition!” I nod. Then a couple of people approach him and leave us alone. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aFyeUdhnA

“Thanks for bringing me, Mark. I am having a blast.” I said. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wegbJ5FVN

“Well. I did hope you’d said that…” Mark replied looking straight to my eyes. “Next week. The same thing? I have a lot of places I’d want to show you…in my free day.” I gave him a small kiss in his cheek. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7hD4jLD9S

“That would be amazing.” copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPtnDCkdri

We drank a little bit of champagne while talking about our lives and our dreams. We did love travelling and meeting new cultures so I think that helped for me to crush harder on him. Mark Grant was my friend now. Hopefully more than that soon. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2dfHF2SKs

At midnight it was time to go back home. I had never had a date with someone that had gone so well. I mean it wasn’t a date because I kind of invited myself and we had been more friendly than romantic but it was a start. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55bSOWxm0i

Every day we would talk by the window. No matter the time: we would always be in looking for each other. That week, on Thursday I went to Oxford to visit my brother by train. It was my nieces birthday so I had no other choice. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfuewjaX17

Javier’s house was 30 minutes far from the city centre by bus, so in total, I spent about 2 hours getting to his house from London. The buses were damn slow! copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbJrkWZxIg

I liked Oxford. There was this sense of academia in it that I loved. Mark had gone to Cambridge so…oh…Mark must have been worried because I was not in our usual meeting. I sighed as I walked towards my brother’s house. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO7i46pKNU

Inside: messy. Toys and two children playing around. My brother’s wife looked tired and I thought she needed to go on holidays without her children. I go to my niece and I gave her a present. The girl took it from me and ran away. I stood by the entrance. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKto4FcEUf

“Annie! It is freezing outside, please come in!”copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJfoeiiFYr

“Gracias hermano.” I respond. We usually spoke Spanish when nobody was around but I was kind enough to continue speaking English for his wife, who had tried to learn Spanish for years but failed every time. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRPAiQQqw7

“I was expecting to see Tom here…” said Javier. I pulled my tongue out. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpAw1gjiEQ

“Don’t mention that name again.” I replied. I made myself at home, I took my coat off.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcuq0p2fGY

“My mum did say you’d broken up but…I thought you had gotten back together for some reason…copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR6nEU3QN1

“He slept with my friend, and…he then cheated again.” I said. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfjAw6LX47

“Do you want some wine?” Javier asked, I denied. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWeudYOx27

“No thank you. I am not drinking very much now. Only in special occasions.” My brother looked impressed. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfwQZ5IGR2

“Is this the same Annie I know!? Did that twat actually break you!?” I started laughing.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡve7sq0SXPN

“No, it was a decision I took without him breaking my heart. I am trying to change.” I said. My brother smiled. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBymRE7Vl9

We spend the evening playing with his children and feeding them cake, and we even watched a film. I was glad I had my brother so close to me. I missed him every time even though he was in Oxford.  copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwLMTcO5Kj

“Auntie! This present for you.” my niece gave me a drawing, I look at it and it is me and Tom. “Give it to uncle too!” My brother started laughing and I did too. Oh my. Fucking Tom. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vj4d0DnSs

I left the house a little bit after 10 and Javier drove me to the station. In the way there we just heard northern European music and laughed at the terrible german lyrics of one of them. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡS691IFessg

At midnight I was back at home and I went straight to the window. It had a note written in it that I couldn’t read. I shined my cellphone’s lantern towards it and it was Mark’s phone-number and it said. “I missed you today.” I blushed and I saved it in my cellphone. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY4FaK8U1S

The next day I texted Mark in the early morning. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVv7LAF12r

“Have a good day x, Annie” copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOkHip7Ti2

Then I went to work. My boss called me to his office straightaway as soon as I came in. Was this about Tom?copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmfQKMiNjz

“Annie, I called you in before anyone saw you just because…The Sun released some bullshit article about mister Nikolaus Kätsea…and you’re in it. He already released in social media that there was never anything between the two of you, but people are saying that your affair was real…” my boss said. I was surprised. The fucking sun!? The Sun had written about me? A poor random girl who happened to be a runner in that production. Fuck me. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn6Vr3B5jo

“I don’t know anything about that…Nikolaus and I are just friends. We did work together but that’s it. His wife and I are friends too.” I said quickly and nervously. My boss smiled.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzjQMSTJBw

“I don’t care what you do in your time, Annie. I just wanted to make sure you were okay…” I nodded. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVHzt4z0b7

“I couldn’t be more perfect sir. Thanks for letting me know.” I left the room and held myself against the wall. Was Mark going to read that!? Soon, I went back to my spot and my friend showed me the article. Pictures of me and Niko together in Sweden and England. No sexual ones thanks to God but…fuck me. However, gave The Sun the information must have been aware about us. Tom Houben. This smelled like a Tom’s evil scheme all over. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpD3KGreJe

This was personal now. Next time I saw him I was going to kick his ass. During lunch time I had a missed call, and I realised it was Mark’s. I smiled and gave him a call. It was probably his lunch hour too. I hoped he hadn’t seen the article. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡYO45EsucDK

“Hey there…I had a missed call from you.” I said. I heard some shuffling around. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIEJhKXvFr

“Yes. I wanted to make sure you’ll be able to go out…”he said. I could sense his blushing already. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDyaCDj9tj

“Yes! Of course. I mean tonight I am going out with my girl-friends but our date is our date!” I said. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7tU5XFq0o

“Our date…”He repeated. He paused for a second. Fuck is it not a date!? “I will make sure you’ll enjoy it, so we go on the third one…See you by the window later then?” Mark said. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡfevWXdmAzg

“Sure.” I replied. Yes! It is a date. I felt like a teenager again. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAHJyHJrBm

My friends and I went partying. I wasn’t drinking but I was happy to be out dancing. Andreina and Alejandra were super drunk. They stayed over in my place. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkGnXD2z6b

I woke up to the noise in my window. Andreina was by my side snoring and half-naked. I put my gown on and I opened. Mark was there. Holding tiny rocks. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMRM6sbNSy

“I had to resort to this!” Mark said, fun. Showing me the rocks. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvp88yxB6b

“Yeah…I am not the best with phones sorry…” I replied. “I am looking forwards to today.”copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxmmv1iMAQ

“Same here…I couldn’t sleep very well last night…”Mark blushed. “My, I wasn’t supposed to say that.” Oh my God could he be more sweet!? All of the sudden Andreina grabs my shirt.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl4NK2coUW

“Who you talking too…”she pushed me aside and looked straight at Mark. She didn’t notice one of her boobs was sticking out. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qfh7MoV3m

“Oh my!” Mark covered his eyes. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4cndWcvq1

“Andreina! Muévete!” I pushed my friend aside. “I am so sorry about this Mark! I’ll be back in a bit. I closed the curtain. “Andreina! Are you fucking crazy!! You showed him a boob! Andreina started laughing. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyQuP3So4A

“Who is your frieeend!?” she said. Trying to open the curtain again. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vAjIyOSeD

“Mark. His name is Mark. My neighbour and…I really like him so…go to the livingroom. Wake up Ale. Make some breakfast!!” I rushed her out of the room, opening the curtain again. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I5nfFYIeu

“Sorry about that…that was my friend Andreina…she is very open…”Mark starts laughing. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFsKJ6Oj9f

“I didn’t see anything don’t worry!” he said. He of course saw everything. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOjT6AizM5

“I will see you later?” Mark nods. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLru9GGyJX

“Bye…” copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq1aiIxMOY

At 1pm I said goodbye to my friends and I focused on my date with Mark. We were texting all day long. When I exited the apartment he was waiting for me. It started raining and he looked a bit sad. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66PwSWKWjV

“I hope this doesn’t ruin our night at the botanic garden…”he said. “It is an event. Some flower that has not bloomed in a 100 years…” I loved the botanic garden. I hadn’t been there since I was 16. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIPrLPio7z

“I am sure it will be okay. I thought the garden closed at 6…”I said. Mark opened the door to his car.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQBj1U3sov

“It does…”he winks. I was excited. Were we going to sneak in? Actually he said it was an event so…copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXBgpxK3WQ

We parked in the Covent Garden and we headed rapidly towards the temperate house. There was a line and I was really cold. Mark held me close to his body when he noticed me shivering. He was nice and warm, and also smelled really good…again. I liked the garden. All sorts of flowers and plants. And there it was : the Amorphophallus Titanium or better known as the Corpse Plant as it had a strong smell of a dead something. Not very sexy for a first date. Mark and I held our noses laughing like crazy. People around us were doing the same and taking pictures. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIWnvfXwLs

We escaped outside when we could and we didn’t mind the rain falling onto our heads. The rain actually liked me. It only took one minute for it to stop. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17LAITcHnD

“That flower…very pungent. I had no idea…”said Mark, laughing. “We won’t see it again in our lives. Earlier…you were speaking Spanish with your friends. I liked it. “ he added. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZsp94lA9c

“Well, I did say I was from Venezuela in the past…”Mark nods. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsaYA4xdRz

“You have been here for a long time though.” He said. Mark turns around and then whispers in my ear. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1dL4C5DLn

“Some person is staring at us from inside. I think it might be one of my patients” Mark laughs “It happens more than it should!” copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaeqondWPY

I turned around and I saw towards the person. It is not one of his patients, it is Tom. I smiled at Tom. He looked better than the other day. His beard was gone and his face looked to be back to life. He had his camera with him so probably was looking at the same flower. Or maybe he was stalking me, which is possible. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡk96llfljKo

Tom started walking towards us. Mark was excited “Oh here he comes…I am sure he is one of my patient…” copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4yNRL3Qhg

“Annie.” Said Tom, Mark looked at us. “Otra de tus presas?” He asks in Spanish, it basically means “One of your preys” It was the first time I heard him speaking in Spanish. What the hell. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡE03CurxdYk

“Mark…can you wait for me for a second. He is an old friend of mine…I’ll be back.” I said with a fake smile. I grabbed Tom’s arm and pulled him away. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OlXTH27ze

“When did you even learn to speak Spanish? Jesus…” I said. “He is not a pray…his name is Mark. I don’t know what you’re playing but I want you to fucking stop it okay? Did you sent that stuff to the newspaper? What is wrong with you!” I yelled at him. Tom grabbed my arm strongly, looking into my eyes. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFrTjcZbtF

“I didn’t do anything!” said Tom. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiO7RcsGYp

“Annie…shouldn’t we see the flower again!?” asked Mark, approaching us. My tense moment with Tom was interrupted. Mark took my hand and pulled me away. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzVuBNzo6S

“Thank you Mark…” I said. Mark didn’t stop holding my hand. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmxJoqH5M1

“I really thought it was one of my patients sorry…”he said. “I shouldn’t have called him with my sight. If you don’t mind me asking. Do you know him personally?” I nodded.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDy5ZgZJUK

“His name is Thomas. The guy went to Uni with me. We kind of hate each other.” I said. Mark smiled.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvB3LxFLLs

“How could anyone hate you…” I blushed. Mark. So…Mark. “Lets leave and go to eat somewhere. One of my friends owns a restaurant and I am sure he will gladly take us. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QExcZ8mCe

I nodded and we left the garden. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AZNZvBgEU

We dined at his friends restaurant and had a good time again. What can I say about Mark: He was dreamy, he was not boring…and he wasn’t a snob. He was kind, humble…precious. Husband material. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡkluz61kMgC

Did I just write “Husband!?” I am only 22. Jesus. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AOoQkCEmp

We drove back to the apartment and when we arrived I approached my face to his…waiting for a goodnight kiss but…Mark pulled his face away, red as a tomato. Nobody had ever done that. Everybody would go for the kiss. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwQKqGz2r8

“Wow…Wow…I wasn’t expecting that..hehe” that “hehehe” was very uncomfortable. I wanted to disappear from the face of the earth. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3BhuOmoOc

I opened the car’s door. Mark leaves his side and helps me to leave the car. I kiss him on the cheek this time.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡk73PQJLRJL

“Thank you for everything.” I then walked inside dead inside. Fuck. That never happens. NEVER. Did I do something wrong? Did my breath stank…or maybe he liked men!? I don’t know. I didn’t know him enough to know… gay. Mark is gay. Is he gay? Nobody rejects me. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmaUGJIYUv

I found myself having a cup of wine. Jesus. It got under my skin. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGLFqIAFyV

I sat in the border of my bed, I try to sleep and nothing. Impossible. I kept thinking about Mark. I opened my curtain and he was there. Also wide awake. He was wearing blue buttoned pjs. His honey coloured eyes shined in the darkness. Finally, snow. Snow starts falling. I put my hand out of the window. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h649kSIUi

“Snow in London. Thanks global warming.” I said sarcastically. Mark giggles. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwTghbTa2T

“Only a week left for Santa to come.” Mark continued giggling. He then looked at me. I was wearing very revealing pijamas. I am pretty sure they were my pink Victoria’s secret satin short, and bottomed shirt. I was braless, and my boobs really looked big that night. “You cannot sleep?” he asked. I nodded. The snow was falling rapidly. The street below was adorned by whiteness. Then silence.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qXsWcyFa1

I didn’t know what I expected. Maybe that Mark invited me over, and we cuddled by the window: looking at the snow fall…? “snowmen are kind of lonely don’t you think?” He said suddenly. “They are cold. Nobody wants to hug them…” copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkJcQIBaAU

“I hugged plenty of snowmen in my youth!” I told him laughing. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRUc5PHRGw

“I guess I did too…” Mark said with a wide smile. He then got serious. “Many times in life I felt…just like one you know. Like a lonely snowman. All by myself. Loneliness is my closest friend.” copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7j2cz9jxE

“It doesn’t need to be that way, we could…talk…but not like this” I bit my lip “in person…” copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡibTHEwWJ4v

“I wouldn’t like to bother you at this time at night. I mean…we could see each other in reception. I will bring some tea and…we could drink it together…actually, you could come here if that’s okay…See you downstairs in about 5 minutes”Mark sounded excited. I nodded. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRHecLVoDK

“See you in a bit.” I said. I put my slippers on and I walked outside my bedroom. I turned all the nights off and I picked my keys. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNIygu7H56

Fuck, I loved being awake. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Qkf2OCyv

My building had two towers A and B. Mark belonged to tower B and he had to open the door for me. Both buildings were connected, so I didn’t have to go outside. When I exited the lift he was waiting for me there. My heart was beating super fast. I felt like I was going to die or something. When he saw me he hugged me, and we looked at each other face to face. Was this going to be my kiss? copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS0nwMVTvQ

No.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAH0TBWpxO

We went inside his lift and went up together. We didn’t speak. Mark then opened the door to his apartment , and a tiny bulldog jumped on top of me. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gYwZA7vhu

“You never said you had a dog!” I said excitedly, it was a puppy, super cute! “I love dooooogs!” The puppy started licking my face. Mark went red again.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB447V0Uvc

“I adopted him two days ago…he doesn’t have a name,” Mark said. In my excitement, I forgot where I was. I walked inside the apartment.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCjAzdjXkz

“I have always wanted to call my dog Wiston,” I said. Mark smiled and nodded.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTuxz6aphL

“Love it. That’s his name…” he said. copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEWPtgANjy

“Wow, is that how you get girls? You get puppies to seduce then?” I said jokingly. Mark started laughing.copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HJfP0LhNC

“You’re the first girl I bring here…Welcome to my home, Annie.”  copyright protection89ＰＥＮＡＮＡfacwaOMBG7

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