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1037 Words
The next afternoon, I went shopping with Nadia; a nursing student who lived on the first floor and was the only true friend I ever made.
We went shopping at St John's Plaza. She helped me pick out a couple of yellow prints, a blue snag rug and a blue accent lamp. When I moved over from Brooklyn, I hadn't taken or bought any new items for my apartment because I just didn't have the time and money to shop for them squarely. After my phone therapy session last night, I rang Dad once more and he told me I could use his credit card, but I knew this spending spree would be the last hurrah from him for a while.
We stopped for ice cream on our way home, and Nadia insisted on paying for me. We sat down on one of the sidewalk chairs to talk.
"So, you had a date last week. How was it like?"
Nadia had briefed me on how her three months old relationship with a lawyer had flopped last minute when he'd wanted to propose. Apparently, his mother didn't approve of her and being a Mommy's boy, he had to go along with her wishes. Since she couldn't give up on love without a fight, she'd given online dating a last chance and was lucky enough to bag a date with one of Mission District's most eligible bachelor.
"What's his name again?"
She closed her eyes to reminisce. "Charles. He works with the Hospital as a gynaecologist. He's such a sweetie, you know? We chatted for a month before he asked to see me. Can you imagine a man holding off for that long? Of course, I gave him the chance to know me better cause he deserved it and we stayed up late talking about everything and anything. When he said we should go, I looked into his eyes and..."
"And," I imitated her, laughing.
Nadia took another spoonful of her ice cream and continued with her mouth full. "Even though he was really genuine, I wasn't sure until that moment I looked into his eyes and saw it all in there. The love, the passion, the desire I'd searched for so long in multiple dating platforms and short-lived relationships...Charles had it all in his eyes. So I said yes to another date next week. See where we'd take it from there."
"Woah." I was intrigued. It felt good listening to a good love story and I applaud Nadia for having faith after three flopped relationships. I'd only gone through one and I've not even recovered.
"What do you make of our landlord's son?"
I hadn't the slightest intention of mentioning Tattooed Neighbour to Nadia but he'd been lingering like a brooding shadow in my mind ever since our encounter concerning his music. I really wanted an answer to why he behaved like an arsehole, his background and everything that concerned him.
I was curious, okay?
She rolled her eyes. "You mean Gideon? Hmm. What do you want to know about him?"
I began eating my ice cream unusually fast. "You know, I'd only just met him. I had no clue that my grumpy, anti-social neighbour who normally sings our heads off every morning was our neighbour's son. What's his deal?"
"For all I know, the property goes to him after Mr Chester's death."
"Well, young people own huge buildings these days. He's really smart right? Being a musician and all. He told me he's trending currently."
"Yeah, Mission District can't get enough of his first studio album. I think it has more to do with his good looks because he sounds horrible whenever he sings."
"I thought I was the only one who thought that!"
"But according to people, deep down Gideon is a good person. He visits the orphanage once a month to spend time with the children there and he gives them big gifts whenever he comes around. He's the reason why they celebrate Christmas there because he always holds this little party for them where they get to meet Santa and have fun. Such a kind soul... even though he does seem to have a stick up his arse sometimes."
"A stick? More like a pole." I snorted.
"Sometimes. But he's really generous. Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why are you asking about him? Interested?"
"What? No!" I ate my ice cream faster. "He behaves like a d**k, that's all."
"When it comes to talent, his looks does help him, I mean his songs do make it to the top of the charts."
"Well good for him. Got any plans for tonight?"
"Nope. Just gonna grab some dinner and sleep in."
"You know, why don't you try chatting on a dating site, see whatever riches are there to discover?"
I became uncomfortable. "Well, I dunno. I still haven't recovered from my trauma."
"Is it your ex?"
"Yeah."
"He was a real d**k, yeah?"
"Yeah. He cheated on me with my best friend."
She nodded. "I think we get that a lot. Betrayals committed by someone dear to us is very hard to forget about."
"It's not about him anymore. I'm not sure I can ever trust another man. I don't want to get hurt again. I don't want to spend my nights crying." I began to sob.
Nadia patted me. "It's okay dear, he wasn't the one for you. Someone better's gonna come. Just be patient while making a move."
"How is a date gonna solve things?"
"You could get talking with someone new who might successfully take your mind off that jerk from Brooklyn. We only get to live once, sweetheart and it's not wise to spend yours crying your heart out for a guy who's probably having the best time of his life right now. Listen, you were blind to not have noticed everything that went on without your notice. You trust people an awful lot and it's not healthy."
"I don't know, Nadia. I don't even know how online dating works."
"I could teach you. You'd come over to my place tonight, yeah?"
I hesitated. "Yeah. What are we gonna do?"
"I'll set up a profile and teach you how it works. Be early!"
- Writer
