5. Movies
1082 Words
"“Oh, there you are,” Alessandro said as I wandered into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and yawning like a bear waking from hibernation.
I blinked at him, half-smiling. He was making breakfast—shirtless—with my tiny apron tied around his waist, barely covering anything. The plan today? Skip school, binge Netflix, and chill. His idea, not that I protested.
“What are you making?” I asked, already stealing a piece of pie and stuffing it into my mouth.
He turned those stupidly pretty eyes on me just as I choked. Great timing.
“You okay?” he asked, brows furrowed in concern as I grabbed a glass of milk and guzzled it like a lifeline.
“I’m good,” I croaked, trying not to openly ogle the sweat trickling from his temple down his chest. My eyes betrayed me—drifting over his bare, golden skin, the toned muscles, and god help me—his very visible, very red n*****s.
I dragged my gaze away like my life depended on it. Focus, Peaches.
“Valentine called to apologize,” he said, turning back to the pot on the stove. When he lifted the lid, the scent nearly made my knees buckle.
“And you let her?” I deadpanned, glaring as I leaned against the counter. “That was the worst date ever. If I ever go out with a guy, you're not invited.”
He chuckled under his breath as he turned off the stove and untied the apron. “I don’t know if I like her, Peaches. After she said yes, it felt... empty. Like the thrill of chasing her was the only thing keeping me interested.”
He hopped onto the counter, his eyes distant. “Then she told me she loves me... and I felt nothing. Just game over.”
He reached over and dragged my stool closer until our knees brushed. I didn’t pull away.
“Do you even know what love is?” I asked softly, trying not to let my eyes trail down his deliciously distracting chest again. It was becoming harder to act unaffected.
“I don’t know what it feels like,” he admitted, voice quiet. “But I know one thing.” He looked straight at me, something unreadable flickering behind his gaze. “I love you, Peaches. And if I never find love, I’ll marry you.”
He jumped down and spun me around, laughing as I squealed, caught between amusement and chaos.
“Drop me down!” I shrieked, laughing so hard my ribs hurt.
He twirled faster, and my hands landed—again—on his bare chest. Not fair. I was defenseless against this boy’s charms.
“If you don’t find your soulmate by 24, will you marry me?” he teased, breathless from the spinning.
“Fine! Yes! Just drop me before I puke on you!” I gasped between fits of laughter.
“Good,” he said with a sly grin. His eyes sparkled with something mischievous. Uh-oh.
“What are you—” Before I could finish, he slammed my butt onto the counter, cracking up like a lunatic.
“I hate you!” I laughed, smacking his arm.
“You wanna play rough?” I smirked, trying to look threatening despite my flushed face.
He gulped, eyes wide. I saw it—the flicker of panic. Good.
“Sorry, sorry... don’t you wanna watch Netflix?” he pleaded, looking like a kicked puppy.
I snorted. “Instead of ruining the kitchen with eggs, go set up the movie. I’ll bring breakfast,” I said, waving him off like the chaotic man-child he was.
---
Later…
“God,” Alessandro groaned, dropping beside me on the couch. “Do we have to watch this Filipino romance crap on our day off?”
Boys. I swear, romance triggers their fight-or-flight response.
“So what would you rather watch?” I asked, smacking his arm.
“Horror. Action. Anything but slow-motion staring contests,” he replied, stretching with a yawn and casually showing off his muscles.
My hormones did a backflip. This boy was getting too powerful.
“Be a darling and don’t fall asleep,” I teased, taking a bite of the juicy steak.
“I love spending time with you, so even if it’s trash, I’ll sit through it,” he said dramatically.
“Shush, movie’s starting.”
“p**n is better than this,” he muttered.
My jaw dropped. “Gosh, Sandy!”
He only chuckled.
“Hush, peanut. We can turn off the TV and I’ll make you scream in the bedroom instead,” he smirked.
I chucked a pillow at him, heat creeping down my neck. His filthy mouth had me short-circuiting.
We finished eating, letting the movie fill the silence. It was surprisingly emotional. The heroine fell for the gangster who’d killed her father—wild, right? Yet somehow... romantic.
I snuck glances at Alessandro. His brow was furrowed, eyes glued to the screen like a kid watching a magic show.
Near the end, the heroine demanded a dance in the rain as forgiveness. The gangster agreed. He dipped her low, kissed her, and the screen faded to black.
“Awwwwwwwwn. I’m so happy for them,” I gushed, clutching my pillow.
“You are so stupid,” Alessandro grumbled, turning his head away.
I smirked. “See who’s blushing.”
“I am not,” he groaned, trying to hide behind a throw pillow.
“Right from the start, I knew you liked it. Too shy to admit it.”
“Shut up.”
“Blushing!”
“Stop.”
He stomped out of the room, red ears and all.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about!” I called after him.
“Shut up!”
“I know you want to try that rain dance kiss.”
“I am not—wasn’t—blushing!” he shouted from the hallway.
“You’re blushing harder,” I teased.
“Peaches! Shut up!” he yelled.
I giggled, curling back up on the couch as the next romance started.
“Hurry up, Alessandro! A new one’s starting!”
“I’m grabbing popcorn and a blanket!” he shouted back.
I smiled to myself.
One day, Alessandro’s going to make someone the happiest girl alive. But right now? I was just glad he was mine—even if he didn’t know it yet.
- Writer
