Strange Addiction

2. Like a couple

Sabrina

I finally found a grocery store that wasn’t too far away and I smiled in relief to myself as I made my way to the place. I got in and the place was quite busy but it was filled with only older-looking people. Giving up on my search for anyone that was my age, I decided to search for the stall where the chips and ice cream were kept.

I smiled to myself once I found it and I took two bags of chips, a can of drink, and a pack of ice cream. I figured Martha would probably like to have some too since we both didn’t eat much of our dinner. Once I was done getting what I wanted, I made my way toward the counter to pay. That was when I saw this man in a face mask looking through the stall for vegetables and our eyes suddenly met. We didn’t look away though, we maintained eye contact for a while and weirdly, I began to feel my heart race against my ribs for no reason at all. He seemed older from his demeanor and I guessed that he didn’t even think of the possibility that I was probably a high schooler due to my looks and how I was dressed.

Ever since I was fifteen, I had always looked older than my age and I think I seemed more mature too because I had always experienced when many people mistook me for an older person. So I guess that was the case now also. There weren’t many teenagers of my age around and I was dressed like I was just returning from a party, it was enough to make him think I was older… and I had a thing for older men too, which was one of the reasons why he got my attention too.

There was just something about him that caught my attention immediately.

I didn’t know him and he didn’t even seem familiar to me. I was sure that I had never met him before too, but strangely, there was just something captivating about him that seemed to draw me to him.

He was the first to break eye contact after a while as he looked away uncomfortably and I began to feel my cheeks heat up for no reason as I hugged my bag of chips to my chest shyly and walked past him slowly, while heading for the counter. I caught a wisp of his perfume and just that little scent was enough to get me intoxicated but I didn’t dare to look at his face because I didn’t have the courage to do that and I knew our eyes would meet again because I was sure that he was watching me too. I could feel his intense gaze on my back.

I got to the cashier and I paid. I was given everything I bought in a paper bag and I thanked her before making my way out of the store but I came across my mystery man again. We walked past each other and I caught the scent of his perfume again. The scent stuck to my brain this time, it was embedded in my memory even though I didn’t want it to be and when I had walked a few steps away from the store, I stopped.

I suddenly couldn’t go on again and it was like the unknown man in a mask was calling for me. I felt that attraction between us the moment our eyes met and I knew he felt it too because his eyes said it all. I didn't want to just walk away without even trying to talk to him because I knew that if I didn't follow what my heart wanted, I was going to live to regret it. I decided that I couldn’t let such an opportunity pass me by.

Making up my mind, I turned on my heels swiftly and headed back into the store. I devised a plan in my mind to bump into him and then speak to him and I was sure that it was going to work without a doubt. I was going to make him speak to me.

I acted like I was looking through my paper bag then I ran into him and he held me by my shoulders immediately. I looked up at him and seeing him up so close to me almost made my heart seize as I froze and just stared at him with wide eyes. He was still putting on the mask so I could only see his eyes and the bridge of his nose… he was beautiful regardless.

“Are you okay?” he asked me and I slowly nodded since I couldn’t find my voice. He nodded back at me before he took his hands off my shoulder and took a step back from me. I suddenly missed the warmth of his fingers on my bare skin.

“I’m sorry I bumped into you, I thought I left my phone on the counter but then I remembered that I didn't even bring it with me” I explained to him even though I knew I was lying and he just shook his head at me while holding a hand up and I took my time to admire his long fingers.

“It’s fine, we tend to forget things sometimes,” he said and silence ensued between us as we started staring at each other for the second time and I found myself getting mesmerized by his electric blue eyes.

He was the first to break eye contact between us again and he pointed at the door to the store.

“I’d better get going then,” he said and walked off while I just stood there dumbfounded. That was it? I walked back into the store to get his attention just for that? That couldn’t be possible. I deserved and wanted more than that so I was going to get it no matter what. I wasn't the only one feeling this way between the two of us and I was sure of it so I made a mental note to myself.

I just lost my mum, I was going through a rough phase and I needed distraction then he showed up at the perfect time. I was going to seize the opportunity because I believed that it was the heavens that sent him to me… even though he was obviously older and I was still a minor. I was seventeen and my birthday was in a few months so it didn’t really matter. All I wanted was him at that moment and I was determined to get him.

I went after him immediately I was done debating with my inner self and I met up with him outside, just a few steps away from the grocery store.

“Hi” I called once I was close enough for him to hear me and he stopped walking immediately, I couldn’t explain how glad I was. Fireworks were exploding in my head out of excitement as he turned around to face me and I smiled at him.

‘Hi, I'm Sabrina. Nice to meet you,” I said first and I held out my hand for a handshake with him. He stared at my hand for a while and I began to fear that I was about to get rejected when I heard him sigh in defeat before he took off his face mask and looked back up at me.

My breath hitched and I unconsciously hiccuped due to how breathtaking he looked without the face mask. I finally took my time to stare at his face and he was a masterpiece. His hair looked ruffled but it was packed up in a bun. He had a very pretty but masculine face that would make heads turn wherever he went and he could even be a model if he wanted too. He had pretty lips too and lastly, his eyes looked more intense as he revealed his face to me. I knew I was attracted to him for a reason, because this man was like a walking s*x god.

“Nice to meet you too Sabrina” he replied, pulling me out of my train of thoughts as he finally took my hand and shook me back and I felt the texture of his palm against mine. It wasn't soft, nor was it hard but all I knew was that I didn’t want to let go of his hand yet.

“You didn’t say your name” I said softly as we still held onto each other’s hands and he smiled before shaking his head. I almost melted from the effect the smile was having on me.

“I don’t think telling you my name is important Sabrina” he replied and I was about to retort to what he said but I held myself back immediately.

Maybe he was right, I didn’t have to know his name. I just had to enjoy the moment we were having.

He looked at our hands that were still joined then he looked at me and our eyes stayed glued to each other.

“Do you want to go for a walk?” he asked me and I almost screamed in glee but I quickly held myself back as I smiled back at him and nodded.

I guessed I had found a way to get my heavy thoughts and pain off my chest by spending it with this magnificent looking man.