Chapter 21: Chapter 21

The next day...

I take a deep breath of the evening air, lost in thought as I look at the medium-sized building.

"Be careful not to get lost in your daydreams, Alice," Gregory comments with a smile, holding one of my suitcases.

I chuckle and shift my gaze to him.

"You didn't have to take time out of your day for me."

"Why not? There's nothing better than helping a friend," he says with a smile, and walks past me, entering the building.

I was about to meet my new home. A temporary home, but mine nonetheless. The day had passed quickly. I was so focused on moving into my new apartment that I didn't even notice what had been happening around me in the past few hours. I just wanted to feel the comfort of being in my own place again.

I entered the building and took the stairs to the floor of my apartment.

Excitedly, I pushed the slightly ajar door, revealing a place that looked very different from what I had seen the day before. The entire apartment was furnished.

"What happened here?" I say in astonishment, taking in the whole place.

Gregory was placing a box on the sofa as I entered the apartment.

"Well... Before I explain, I just want to know if your reaction is in a good or bad sense," a hesitant expression appeared on his face.

Speechless, I didn't know exactly what to say.

"Gregory..." I ended up making some random gestures with my hands, trying to process the moment. "This is amazing, but... You furnished the whole apartment?"

"I wanted to surprise you," he said sheepishly.

"I can't accept this." I shook my head and a confused smile appeared on my lips.

His gesture of providing furniture for my apartment had been very sweet, but I couldn't accept it, because it crossed the boundaries of our relationship.

"Of course you can." Gregory approached. "I know it was sudden, but it didn't cost me much to do it. I just wanted to make sure you would be comfortable. And it would have taken you a long time to get all the furniture on your own. Plus, seeing the situation you were in, and knowing I could do something to help, I would hate myself if I didn't do anything for you."

"But, Gregory... This must have cost a fortune."

"Relax, Alice. Friends can help friends." He smiled briefly and turned around. "Come on, you need to see your new home!"

Still in awe, I walked through the apartment, analyzing every detail. Everything in it would have taken me decades to gather on my own. And Gregory did it in a day!

"I just didn't dare to buy food. Because I don't know your taste, and... You're still in shock, aren't you?" He makes a face when he sees that I am a little hesitant.

"I'm still trying to process all of this. Why did you do this?" I say with some doubt. Nobody would do that without some suspicious intention.

"I know I might have been a bit impulsive. But it wasn't with bad intentions. It's just that... I saw you lost, and I've been through what you're going through."

"And what do you think I'm going through?" I raise my eyebrows.

"You were living in Joshua's apartment, right?" I agree with what you're saying. "And you left because you felt lost around him?"

I narrowed my eyes, trying to understand what he was trying to say.

"Some time ago, I got involved with a man who made me feel the same way. And I lived with him too. I even worked for him, actually. Before he died, my café was his."

I widen my eyes, shocked.

"I didn't know that you..."

"That I'm gay?" He smiles mischievously. "Were you expecting me to be a serial killer disguised as a good guy?"

I shake my head, agreeing with what he says, with my mouth slightly open. That could still be an option.

"Today is your lucky day, baby. I'm off from work." He winks at me.

Gregory pauses and takes a deep breath before continuing.

"I don't want you to misunderstand me. But at that time, I wish I had someone to help me. And when you came to me at the café, I couldn't ignore the possibility of helping you. And accept the furniture as a welcome gift."

I end up chuckling.

"You have to know that I won't let all of this slide. I will pay you back for the furniture."

He shrugs dismissively.

"You can pay me back by being a good friend. Because that's what I need the most right now." He smiles, but then squints his eyes, as if remembering something. "And I forgot to dismiss the taxi driver. I'll be right back."

Gregory responds and quickly walks out of the apartment, leaving me alone.

Gregory may not be a serial killer disguised as a good guy, but he sure is crazy. What a nutcase! He decided to give me the entire furniture of the apartment just because he saw his past in me and wanted to be the friend he wished he had when he went through a similar situation.

***

I type a message to my mom, telling her about my day and that I moved. I knew she would take a while to respond, as she had been distant in the past few days, and that brought so many fears to me. I just wished my senses were wrong about something bad happening to her.

"Sorry for the delay. I decided to buy some food for us."

Gregory returns to the apartment with both hands full of bags.

"I don't know if you like Japanese food, but this one here is really good." He places them on the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. "Are you okay? You seem even more pensive than before."

"I'm just a little apprehensive about my mom. She seems to be hiding something from me."

"Have you tried talking to her about it?"

"She doesn't respond to me. That's the worst part."

"Well, you know what you should do? Take a break from these worries and enjoy your life a little. I know your mom is important, but if something was wrong, she would definitely tell you."

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course! How about we eat now and talk about our love disappointments, huh?"

I end up chuckling and getting up from the kitchen stool, going to sit on the couch in the living room.

***

"You're kidding, right?" Gregory expresses, astonished.

I told him everything that had happened between Joshua and me since the day we met, including the obsessive ex-girlfriend.

"I never thought that Madelyn Vogel would be crazy. The woman has a beautiful job as a model," Gregory says, eating the last spring roll from his portion of food.

"And I don't want to risk running into her again."

I play with the leftover noodles in the yakisoba packaging with my chopsticks.

"But who does she think she is to threaten the girl who was promoted to 'Joshua Scott's sweetheart'?" he raises his eyebrows.

I chuckle and shake my head.

"But that doesn't get me anywhere."

"Listen," Gregory turns his body on the sofa, getting a wider view of me. "I may have my differences with Scott, but I have to admit, he's a catch."

"And what happened between you two? I remember on the day we met, you both looked like you were going to set the coffee shop on fire."

Gregory takes a deep breath, seeming to remember something.

"Well, it all started when we were in college together. Scott always had the ability to be the center of attention. And the day that marked our relationship was when he decided to date my ex-best friend. Her name was Samantha."

"Samantha is your ex-best friend?"

"Wait, you know her?"

"Yes! If it's who I'm thinking of."

"She works with Joshua."

"So it is her."

"But of course you know her," Gregory seemed to scold himself. "I hadn't connected Joshua's company with you two knowing each other. Anyway, good to know you know who I'm talking about. So, as I was saying..." he continues. "Samantha and I pretended to be a couple because I was afraid of what people would think if they knew about my interest in men. We even kissed. We posted pictures together on social media. We were what many couples would want to be. But then, Joshua decided to take an interest in her. And with that pretty face of his, he made Samantha give in. And in the end, I got the title of 'biggest cuckold of the college' for a relationship that wasn't even real!"

Gregory told that story with so much indignation that his voice changed tones several times, from deep to high, which tempted me to laugh, but I tried to control myself, pressing my lips together.

"I know you want to laugh at my fake romantic relationship," he grumbles, crossing his arms, looking sulky.

"No! Of course not!" I deny and shake my head. "But did Joshua know about your interest in men?"

"Actually, I never thought about it. Maybe Samantha told him."

"And why did you and Samantha stop being friends?"

"Joshua made her choose. And who did she choose? We already know the answer," he comments, and a disappointed expression appears on his face, but he quickly tries to disguise it by changing the subject. "But I don't care. I have my coffee and enough money to do whatever I want!"

I suddenly remember something he had mentioned about the coffee.

"You said that your store belonged to the man you got involved with. How did that happen?"

"I like to think of it as: what goes around comes around. Because, after everything I went through, I managed to buy the coffee shop where I worked. My boss, aka the guy I got involved with, had a heart attack and died. And the store was going to be put up for sale. And since my family expected me to be a successful entrepreneur one day, they gave me the money I needed to buy the store. And... that's it," I concluded, smiling.

"I wish I could have that kind of luck one day," I commented thoughtfully.

"And what's stopping you?" He looked at me again, furrowing his brow. "Alice, you're my friend now. And I'll try to help you in any way I can. I don't care what I have to do."

"Can you undo what I went through with Joshua?" I suggest sarcastically.

"No, darling. Besides, I think you should redo what you experienced with him."

I looked at Gregory, surprised and confused at the same time.

"Why don't you stop being so hesitant and accept what life wants to give you?"

"I don't think Joshua is a gift that life wants to give me."

"Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. But what does it cost you to try? If all the girls he's been with took the risk, why can't you?"

"Because I don't want to be like all the girls who gave in to him and then were discarded!" I said incredulously.

"And do you want to have a lasting romance with him?"

"No!" I said shortly, but then I reconsidered. "I mean, of course I would like to have a long-term relationship with him. But I don't know, I don't know!" I stood up from the couch, tense, and crossed my arms.

"Alice, what I think is this. Joshua said he likes you. You have feelings for him, but you repress them out of fear of falling in love for real, only to find out in the end that he only deceived you," Gregory took a deep breath. "But girl, even relationships that last for years tend to end. And not taking risks because you're afraid of how something will end is the same as not living."

I listened to the words spoken by Gregory. But a part of me that tended to be overly hesitant whispered in my ear to continue the way I was. Without Joshua.

"You should enjoy life. If things with Joshua are long-lasting, great! If it's only temporary, that's fine too! At least, you'll finally put an end to this hesitation. After all, what fun would life be if we couldn't kiss someone?" He smirked.

I took a deep breath and tried to process what Gregory had said.

"So, are you suggesting that I forget the fear of trying and be with Joshua? Even knowing it might go wrong?"

"And when does anything really not go wrong?" He mocked. "I'm just saying for you to stop creating so many problems and give it a try this time. And regardless of what happens, it will serve as a lesson in one way or another."

"I don't know if I should take advice from a stranger," I commented ironically.

"Hey! This stranger here is just trying to help you!" He retorts, laughing nasally. "And if you don't mind, I need to go to my house. I'll bring incense later to cleanse all the hesitation and negative thoughts you've put in this apartment." He mocks and heads towards the door, turning to me before opening it completely. "If you need anything, I live in the house next door."

Gregory positions himself to leave the apartment and comes face to face with Joshua standing near the entrance, as if he was about to knock on the door. He looks at us with intrigue.