Hunter Andrews

3

I drop by a coffee shop nearby to have breakfast. Then, I went to the mall and found a perfect dress for the wedding. Everything went smoothly according to plan, except for one that keeps ringing in my head: Hunter Andrews.

I knew him a few hours ago, but I have been curious about him since then. What enchantment did he do to me to think about him? I started to wonder what room he was in. Is he on the same floor? Are we neighbors? I mean, we're basically neighbors since we live in the same building. I feel so stupid and obsessed. Geez, I am such a pity.

It was 6 p.m. and I headed directly to my apartment after Bob called me to check out something. She needs my opinion about the final program. And the list was on my laptop. It was on the list of friends we had since kindergarten that she would be inviting to the wedding. Bobbie is not better at people’s names than their faces. I was the one who could memorize names, so she made me in charge. She always included me in her wedding, which I am so flattered about.

I walked into the elevator and pressed the button on the 24th floor. So far, it is the first time I have been the only person in the elevator. Guess, 6 p.m. It is not the busiest hour. It's just news to me though. I'm staring at the number flashing on the header of the elevator door while waiting on the 24th floor. I am on the 20th. The bell rings as the door opens.

It caught me off guard when I saw Hunter walk in while I was heading off. He didn't seem to notice me because I was covered with boxes and he was on his phone. I turned around and then he saw me. His eyes widened, giving me an awkward smile. I smiled back, but the door is closing at the moment.

Awkward.

I continued to walk when I heard the bell ring once again.

"Hey," I saw him walking out of the elevator and calling me. "So, you're on the same floor..."

"What a coincidence," I said archly, giving him a sign of invitation.

"Mind if I help you carry those boxes?" He paused, observing my reaction. I just smiled then he said teasingly, "Or you advocate equality?"

"Yeah, I do," I replied with a fake frowning, "but I don't mind a help from a man though." I gave him half the boxes I carried and said, "A gentleman, thank you very much."

"No problem,” he smirked.

We arrived at my apartment. I put down the boxes on the floor to open the lock. I looked at him taking the boxes on the floor. I was about to argue but I let him do it. I smiled at him awkwardly, just to prepare him for what mess the apartment would welcome him into. Then I pushed the door and told him, "Well, this is me. Please, come in."

He puts the boxes near the kitchen counter, then his eyes roam around the whole apartment.

"Don't be bothered by a few boxes I haven't unpacked yet. They’re my books, and I still don't know where I will put them yet. Anyways, do you have a drink preference?" I asked him, holding wine and scotch I just grabbed from a box.

"Can I have the scotch?"

"Scotch, it is." I poured two glasses of scotch and gave one glass to him.

"Thank you very much, cheers," he said. "So, what books do you have?"

"Britannica," I teased even though it’s not an encyclopedia. I don’t want him to know that I'm obsessed with romance fiction and Nicholas Sparks.

"General knowledge, interesting."

After a few hours of encounter with Hunter Andrews, I have known him as a busy man. He talks fast. He checks his phone smoothly every now and then, and it doesn’t seem to bother me. Very civil—and witty which I find interesting. It is very rare for a man who can catch up with me. I already forgot about Bobbie until she Skyped me just now.

The phone rings but I don't know where it is. So I'm searching for where the sound came from. Hunter helped find it. He found it first and handed it to me. I automatically answered Bobbie's call so I don't have the time to say something to Hunter. I just formed 'thank you' in my mouth without a word. I don't want Bob to know I have a man in my apartment especially on my first day moving in because I guess, I don't want to make a big deal of it. She always romanticizes everything. Besides, I just met him. It's too soon to say something.

"What the hell?" Bobbie said on the other line, that she sounds so stressed out with the final planning. "It's past six I thought you called? Ugh, I hate you for stressing me out!"

"I am currently checking my laptop right now," I said but I am just reaching for my laptop. I glanced at Hunter in the corner and he just smirked while he got the laptop and then handed it to me. "Hey, everything will be fine. Besides, I'll be there in five days, and I'll throw a bachelorette party. I already prepared everything."

"As you should," She muttered. "I'm getting married! Ahh!" Now she is excited.

"Yes, you are."

"You know what, you need to bring a date to the wedding."

"What?" I suddenly felt embarrassed knowing that my new acquaintance was listening. "I'll send you the final program right now, I'll gotta go."

"Are you hiding something?" Bobbie frowned, "You have a man in your apartment!"

Oh, boy. How did she even guess? I mean, geez, I can't hide from my best friend. Even online. She had eyes and ears anywhere in the world.

"What? What are you talking about?" I tried not to glance at Hunter who, by the way, is smirking non-stop. "I'll end the call. Tell Jordan, I said hi. Bye, Bob!"

"Bring that man you're hiding at my wedding!"

"Bye, Bob!" I end the call and sigh audibly. I heard Hunter chuckle, so I glared at him and said, "I'm glad you're having fun."

He tilted his head before he responded, "So Bobbie is quite hardcore, huh?" I just shrugged. "I thought Jordan was the only one like that," he added,d then laughed.

"Quite a fit," I replied.

"You know what, we should go together," he said. "I mean, Jordan asked me to be there next week, I can be two days early since I already processed my leave from work."

"Are you asking me on a date?" I interrupted.

"You know, Bobbie is bugging you, and Jordan's bugging me. It is just a one-time event—since we just met, no strings attached—no big deal."

"Oh," I paused. I don’t know what’s stopping me from saying yes to him. I mean, this might be what I’ve been waiting for. This would be fun, right? I looked at him and finally said, "I see. Yeah, sure, why not. I mean, it's actually a great plan for me because they don't push me to every single man at the wedding."

"So, it's a done deal?"

"Well, what will I lose? No strings attached, no big deal. I guess we'll do this. Right?"