Having to stay up late at night to meet my deadline, I did not realize the heater was not functioning well as I just fainted in bed right afterward. In fact, my housemate Dores had to leave home without taking a shower.
Our landlord Benedito showed up early morning, making a few calls and went straight to the kitchen where the heat box is located. And those strong, muscular arms as he brought down the box from the wall, sending me shivers down my spine.
Recalling what my colleague Lin told me yesterday that 'I'm lucky my landlord is hot', I turned away quietly in embarrassment. But Ben caught the sight of me and greeted 'hey you' in his Portuguese accent.
"Bom dia," I replied. "Not working this morning?"
"Will do this first," he smiled. "Then, off to church."
Oh yes, I forgot he's Catholic. "Okay, then see you later." As I was heading back to my room, he said, "Come with me."
"What?" I responded. "I'm not religious."
He chuckled. "Have breakfast together. Coffee? Same place?"
I just nodded like a stupid person and rushed to get ready. I always liked spending time with Ben but he was always at work.
He started early, even earlier than the time I usually woke up. And he would come home when I was still outside doing my photography work. So, normally I would just reach home too tired to talk and straight to sleep.
I've always enjoyed going to O Padeiro for its selection of festive cookies and breads, for example my favorite is Bolo Rei.
There was this scent coming from Ben that I found it hard to resist. As we were sitting there, enjoying our coffee, I realized I'd been fantasizing things about him.
