The Gilded Cage

chapter 11

He ran his hand over his stomach while I said: "Let's agree..."

— "On what?"

— "That I do the cooking while you wash the dishes!"

His eyes widened a little, and he ruffled his honey-brown hair, saying puzzled: "I... well, it's not as if I mind, but...!"

I furrowed my eyebrows in surprise: "What!"

— "Nothing..."

— "You seemed hesitant!"

— "Maybe you should at least show me the correct way to wash dishes..."

— "Huh?! Aren't you single? Don't you usually do these things yourself?"

He smiled calmly: "It seems I'm not single anymore..."

I found myself smiling spontaneously despite myself at his silly implication, so he smiled while staring at me very intently. I looked at him puzzled until he said: "It's wonderful to see you smile at me with that lovely smile, Miss Charlotte!"

I said calmly: "That's very possible; I'm not as sharp-tempered as you think, Mr. Cristóbal!"

He twisted his lips, then straightened up in his seat and said: "I told you to call me Chris; there's no need for such formality between us!"

— "That is if you stop saying 'Miss Charlotte'!"

— "It seems you always have a ready response in all situations!"

He said it laughing, then added: "Okay, Charlotte, I'll wash the dishes!"

I tensed up a little hearing him pronounce my name in a slightly strange way and swallowed hard, saying: "You just said you wanted me to show you how to wash the dishes, right? F—"

But I stopped talking when he ignored me, heading to the kitchen!

I followed him there, and the first thing he said was: "What do I do?"

I sighed sarcastically: "I won't waste my time teaching you, so leave it to me and choose another task. Anyway, I won't be staying here long, as you know..."

I said it as I went to the sink, but I stopped despite myself when he grabbed my arm, turning me towards him slowly!

I stared at him, puzzled and not understanding!

He kept looking at me, so I blinked my eyes nervously, but he showed the opposite; he was calm and somehow confident!

He stared into my eyes, whispering: "It's the first time I've looked at you up close!"

I held my breath in embarrassment and astonishment and tried to push his hand away a little, but he said: "I told you before... you can stay here because I don't mind, so why do you insist on leaving?"

I was very confused as I turned my eyes, avoiding looking directly at him! Tension overwhelmed me severely, but I said, trying to feign calm: "Would you let me go?!"

But my eyes widened when he raised his hand to push a rebellious strand away from my face and tuck it behind my ear, continuing to look at me!

The warmth of his fingers remained on my cheek; his hand even slid slowly towards my neck!

All I was wondering at this moment...

is what I hate to admit now...

How does anyone not carry a small mirror with them wherever they go to contemplate the fusion of honey colors in his eyes... starting from yellow and ending with what resembles the color of coffee beans before being ground...

Before it's consumed and its distinctive gleam disappears!!

I don't know how long it lasted as I drowned...

Nor do I know when the pangs of tension began to sweep through my stomach...

But I jumped in panic, and he also startled at the sound of the doorbell that suddenly rose throughout the apartment!

I pushed him away from me quickly and headed towards the door, almost running, my heartbeats accelerating more and more! As if those throbs were announcing their disturbance and their urgent desire for stability and demanding I calm them immediately!