Tangled in the Great Escape

I stirred awake when I felt the bed shifted beneath me, I tried opening my eyes but immediately close it when I saw the blinding sun streaming in from between the curtains. I felt like I woke up to a hangover from hell, I don’t really remember much from last night other than the fact that I drank way too much over my limit. I groaned and threw my feet off the bed so that I was sitting on the edge, rubbing the sleep away from my eyes. It wasn’t until I was fully I awake that I realized I wasn’t in my room.

I looked around in panic, trying to figure out where I was, and when I saw a naked chest on the bed, last night’s memory came flooding back. I remember Callum carrying me up the stairs because I was too drunk to walk, I remember leaning onto his arm when we both collapsed on the couch; tired, I remember us kissing and that leads to something a whole lot different, I remember clothes being discarded and well, I remember why I woke up entirely naked.

“Fuck” I cursed inwardly. I can’t believe I actually slept with someone that’s not my boyfriend, let alone someone I barely knew.

This is so wrong, but why does it feel so right? I couldn’t help but to blush and smile when I turned to my right and saw Callum sleeping peacefully, his chest rising up and down as he breathes.

I sighed as I put on my underwear slowly and quietly so that I didn’t wake Callum up. I tiptoed around the room, trying to find all the pieces to my attire and once I was fully dressed, I carefully opened the door and went out to the living room. I sat on the couch and put on my shoes and coat, grabbed my purse and went out his apartment door. I skipped down the stairs and as I was about to open the main entrance door, I felt a tap on my shoulder and when I turn around, a very toned and shirtless Callum was standing on the last step of the stairs, sporting his ever charming smirk.

“You forgot this,” He said, sounding very sleepy and holding up a black wool scarf.

I blushed and snatched the scarf from Callum’s hand. “Thank you” I mumbled and turned around, ready to head out the door.

“Wait” He grabbed my arm and spun me around while pulling me closer to him. He then lowered his head towards mine and planted a soft kiss on my lips.

“Be careful” He smiled and I couldn’t help but to smile back.

In fact, I kept smiling the entire journey home. On the train, I was so occupied with my thoughts that I almost missed my stop when it was time for me to switch trains. I kept thinking about what happened last night, I can’t shake the feeling that I should feel bad or regret what happened but in reality, I actually enjoyed it. I was glad that it happened and if I were to do it again, I would. Some people might think that I’m being easy or being a slut for just sleeping with someone I barely know, but I honestly don’t care. I needed it.

I opened the lock to my apartment and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower and clean up. After nearly 45 minutes under the hot shower I finally decide to step out and get dressed in an oversized t-shirt and sweat pants. Throwing myself onto the couch, I grabbed my phone and began to read all the messages and emails I missed from the one night I decided to ignore my phone.

Inbox (7)

I immediately open the one from Frenchi because for some reason, her name was just staring at me, waiting for me to open the email.

From: francescamaldonado@firewire.com
To: c.hayes@futureplc.com

I need to talk to you! It has been way too long, get on Skype now I’ll be waiting!

I checked the time, the email was sent to me an hour ago but to be sure I logged on to my Skype anyway to see if Frenchi was still there. As I wait for the application to load, I went into the kitchen and toast myself a cream cheese bagel. When I got back, Frenchi was already blowing up my chat board because I didn’t pick up her video call.

“What the hell is taking you so long?” Frenchi scolded once we were connected.

“I was making food, what’s up?” I said nonchalantly while taking a bite of my bagel.

“I’m so fucking fat it’s incredible. You know I had to buy an entirely different wardrobe because apparently none of the stuff that I have fits me anymore” She whined and I couldn’t help but to smile. Frenchi has gotten significantly bigger since the last time I saw her and it really shows on her cheeks and boobs.

“Look on the bright side, your tits are fan-fucking-tastic,” I laughed and she sighed as if she was annoyed.

“God you’re exactly like Mike. He has been playing with them non-stop it’s fucking irritating. We’re going to have a baby soon and my husband still acts like a horny 17 year old” She shook her head and I laughed out loud because I couldn’t help but to picture Mike grinning from ear to ear while playing with Frenchi’s boobs.

“Take it as a compliment babe. So how’s everything back home? How’s Mike dealing with you being bitchy all the time?” I popped the last bite of bagel into my mouth.

“I was not being bitchy! It’s the hormones, I swear” She held up the peace sign to the monitor and I rolled my eyes, saying I don’t believe her. “Anyways, things are getting crazy at home, Vic finally came back from Big Bear for Christmas and New Years but they’re all going away right after that. Everybody is now out buying Christmas present and I’m stuck at home alone” She huffed.

“Why didn’t you go with the rest of the guys?”

“I don’t think they like me very much at the moment, I kinda threw a fit yesterday over a spilt cheese dip and everything just went to shit. I’m avoiding any human contact now” She shrugged

“I assume that happened more than once?”

She didn’t answer, instead she flipped the bird towards the camera and I laughed. “Such a lady”

“Oh! Guess who came by the other day” She pursed her lips and crossed her arms above her very pregnant belly. “Tony!”

The mention of his name sent me back to hell. I felt sick to my stomach and the color drained completely from my face. “Yeah?” I said as calm as I possibly can on the outside, because I was freaking the fuck out on the inside.

“Yeah! That asshole had the nerve to come to my house after what he did to you. I don’t know what he was thinking” She shook her head in disbelief while I was left dumbfounded and unable to say anything.

“Has he tried to contact you, Cass?” Frenchi leaned closer to the camera and all I could do was shook my head. I never thought about the possibility of him trying to contact me. Just thinking about it make my palms sweat, I couldn’t imagine what I would do if he did try.

“Well, what are you going to do when he does?”

I sighed. “I really don’t know French, just thinking about it makes my stomach all queasy”

“You’re not going to break down and get drunk, are you?” She raised her eyebrows.

“I don’t know. I really don’t know”



After falling into a weird funk all day yesterday, I decided that today is going to a complete turn-around from yesterday. I admit, what Frenchi said had put me in a horrible mood and making me overthink things as usual, but since today is Christmas Eve I thought I’d make my ‘Christmas special’, only this time I’m making a portion for one.

I bought a couple of Christmas décor a few days ago and I’ve been decorating since 11 in the morning. Now it’s 3 PM and I fully covered in flour from all the baking I did. I made gingerbread cookies, white chocolate covered pretzels, and candy cane sugar cookies for me to devour on my own. I don’t usually eat what I bake but I think this calls for an exception.

I took out the tray of sugar cookies from the oven and let them cool off on the tiny kitchen counter. As I waited for it to cool down, I put all the treats that were done on separate jars and popped open a bottle of wine. I leaned against the counter and began thinking about the people back home. I wondered what they were doing, and if were they thinking of me. I know I shouldn’t do this to myself, but I just couldn’t help thinking about the stuff I’m missing.

When the cookies were all cooled down and stored, I went to take a quick shower and get dressed to go out and get food for tonight. I figured since this is Christmas, I’d treat myself for a fancy take-home dinner. I put on my coat, grabbed my purse, and head down to Miller & Carter, one of the most popular steakhouse in Hertfordshire.

I walked home carrying a paper bag with 2 tenderloin steaks and side dishes for me to gobble down at home. I bought two so I can re-grill it tomorrow, I know it wouldn’t taste as good but at least I have decent food to eat on Christmas day because I am definitely not cooking. I immediately put the steak in the oven once I got home and change back into more comfortable clothes. I decided that this year I wasn’t going to get a Christmas tree because I will be the only one enjoying it and I don’t feel like spending money on it.

By the time night came, I was already draped with a thick wool blanket and sitting comfortably in front of the fireplace. I’ve been stuffing my face with the cookies I made earlier and drinking wine while watching Home Alone on TV. I noticed snow had fallen outside and it really felt like Christmas because all my life, I don’t think I’ve ever had a white Christmas.

I was going onto my third glass of wine when the doorbell rang. That’s confusing because 1. I don’t know anyone in this apartment building, 2. Nobody knows where I live. I walked to the door cautiously and since I don’t have a peephole on the door, I opened it slightly so I can get a look on who’s on the other side.

“What are you doing here?” I took a step back and open the door a little bit wider, surprised to see Callum standing there with his hand in his pockets.

“Yesterday at the bar you were rambling on about how miserable you are here and how you hate missing out on Christmas with your friends back home. So I thought I’d make your night less shitty” He answered with a permanent smile on his face.

I cringed because I didn’t remember mentioning that at all. “I did?”

“Yes, now are you going to let me in or not? It’s freezing out here”

“Yeah, yeah. Sorry” I stepped back to allow him to walk inside my tiny apartment. “Sorry, I basically live in a shoebox”

He walked towards the table and took off his jacket and scarf. “Nah, this is cute. I see you decorated,” He pointed to the decorations I put on the walls and on the mantel.

“Yeah, I figured it would get me all hyped on Christmas spirits” Callum smiled at my response.

“Wait, how do you know where I live?” The realization just hit me that I’ve never told him where I live.

“I asked the office, I couldn’t ask you since I don’t have your number and I wanted to surprise you” He gave me a cute grin as he made himself comfortable on my couch.

“Oh” Was what I managed to get out because I was just simply confused.

I wasn’t entirely sure on what Callum was doing here in my apartment, I don’t know whether he was just being nice or there’s an ulterior motive to the unexpected kindness. What I was scared of is that he thought by sleeping with him yesterday, I was interested in him, because I’m not. Relationship is probably the last thing on my mind right now and I really don’t want him to think that I’m leading him on.

“Home Alone? How ironic” He laughed when he saw what I was watching on TV. “Are you going to just stand there?” He asked with a smirk when he saw me still standing by the door, looking confused and quite possibly scared.

I rolled my eyes at him and joined him on the couch. This is extremely awkward because I don’t know him that much so I can’t just start up a conversation and if I don’t start a conversation, the awkward silence is going to eat at me.

Then I realized one thing that all guys like.

Food.

“Are you hungry?”

He turned his face to me and smiled. “Very”

“Good, I’m going to fix us something to eat” I stood up and went to the kitchen to reheat the steaks I bought earlier. Thank God I decided to buy two because if I hadn’t done that, I have no idea what Callum is going to eat.

We ate in the dining table, something I haven’t done since the day I moved here because I don’t like sitting in a dining table alone. I took that opportunity to get to know him a little bit better and I knew he had the same thought as well because believe it or not, we were playing 20 questions.

“Favorite childhood memory?” I asked him, when it was my turn. We were done eating 10 minutes ago and now we’re just drinking wine and asking each other questions.

“My family went to this lake, I forgot where it was, when I was 7 and my pop taught me how to fish. I know, it’s a complete cliché, but that’s probably one of the happiest memory I had with my entire family” He said with a smile.

We exchanged more questions after that and when I couldn’t think of more questions to ask, I went to clean up the table and Callum offered to wash the dishes. We sat on the couch afterwards, curled up against each other and The Nightmare Before Christmas was on this time.

“Callum?” I asked after a few minutes of silence.

“Hm?” He said, not taking his eyes off the TV.

“Why are you here? Like, for real” He shifted, making me move away from his shoulder and looked at me all funny.

“I told you, I just didn’t want you to be alone on Christmas Eve” He sat back down, going back to his previous position but I stayed still.

I was still unconvinced by Callum’s reason because I don’t see how someone could be this nice to somebody they just met and I don’t think it’s a Brit thing because from what I’ve heard and seen, they’re not as friendly as you think they are. I was genuinely thinking that he’s being like this because of what happened yesterday and if that’s the case than I’ll be damned, I thought girls were supposed to be the one having emotional bonds over one night stands.

“Is it because of what happened yesterday?” The question slipped out before I could even think about what the consequences. It’s like word vomit.

He sat up and stared right at me. “What do you mean?”

“Is it because we… you know… slept together?” I began to regret asking him that question when I felt embarrassed just thinking about it.

He laughed and grabbed my hand. “I’m not into you, don’t worry. Well, I am but not like that. I was genuinely just being nice cause I thought you needed it”

“Really?” I was almost surprised by his answer and his attitude towards the whole thing.

“Yeah, I’m not looking for a relationship and by the looks of it so do you”

I blushed. “Yeah, I’m trying to get away from all that. I just thought… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have drawn conclusions like that”

“It’s okay, I understand. So I guess we’re both looking for something strictly physical” He gave me his signature smirk and I went wide-eyed.

I laughed. “You are not saying what I think you’re saying”

“Well, since we’re both not looking for a relationship, why not?” He shrugged, still wearing that ever-present smirk on his face.

“I know you’re thinking about it” He poked my side and I squirmed away to the other side of the couch.

I bit my lip, trying to talk myself out of it because for some reason, I couldn’t find a good enough excuse for me to not go along with this. So, like yesterday, I say ‘what the heck?’

“Well, like you said, why not?” I gave him a smile. His smirk turned into a wide, excited grin as he scooted closer, almost hovering me. He lowered his face to mine, our lips inches away from each other and as we were about to kiss, my blackberry rang and he stopped.

I groaned and grabbed my phone from the table; I unlocked my phone and open the new email I just received.

Inbox (1)

From: francescamaldonado@firewire.com
To: c.hayes@futureplc.com

Get on skype now!

I sighed out loud. Frenchi just had the worst timing in the world, I can’t go on Skype with Callum being here and I certainly don’t want him to leave, especially after what was about to happen. So I shot her a quick reply and threw my phone onto the carpet.

From: c.hayes@futureplc.com
To: francescamaldonado@firewire.com

Cant, I have someone over ;-)

I went back to Callum who was looking impatient on the couch and basically tackled him down. I bit my lip and smirked. “So, where were we?”