•ALEXANDER JNR•

In all my years, I've never been so curious about someone, wanting to know all her worries and itchy to take as much of them away. Until Salome. And it's crazy because she sure knows how to get me tied without even knowing.

I saw her with her classmate at the park area, and trust me, I've never been so anxious of whatever was going on between them that made her laugh so much.

Don't get me wrong, I love seeing her smile, laugh, been all lively and jovial, but not from someone else. I know, I sound selfish, but I can't help it. That's why I'm driving us to my place without an actual reason.

"M-Mr Alex? Your place?" She stutter behind, while my grip tightens around the steering, my mind hovering around for a rational reply. Why did I even say that at first?

"Yes, I have something to give you." I had to say something, stealing a glance at her wide eyes. She looks so cute been this excited. Now what do I have to give her...

"Really? What?" She's quick to ask, desperately peeping from the backseat, her mesmerizing vaniella scent pecking my nose. She really doesn't have to do too much.

I make a turn into the lane that leads to my place. "Why not wait and see, hmm?" I suggest, all the while thinking of why I mentioned my place without having any plan. So unusual of me.

Salome nods, humming. "Okay... Quite interesting." She beams, resting her back against the seat. I should just tell her I didn't mean to say that and drive back to her place since its already getting dark. Or, I should let her have some of my favorite homemade pineapple juice.

"Salome?"

"Yes?" She peeps again. I love her communication skills outside of school.

"Do you like pineapples?" I look back at her for a second, slowing down a bit. We have gotten to the front of my gate. It's sensory identification dings in the car, the gate automatically drawing open.

"Hmmm... I hated it as a child but I love it now." She says.

I drive into my humble space, the closing of the gates making soft rustling sounds as it draws close. "Why did you hate it as a child?" I park right in front of my home, kill the engine and pick up my satchel from the passenger's seat. I climb out of the vehicle, and swiftly pull the back door open.

Salome surges out, trying to adjust her bag over her shoulders.  I reach behind her and take it from her hands before she puts her arms through. Her eyes goes up at my taller figure, but I try ingoring her eyes by leaning forward to slam the door shut. Pressing the remote control to lock the car, I turn around and head to the threshold.

"Let's go." I'm already walking ahead to the doorway.

She the tries to take her bag from my hand from behind me. "I-I can carry it myself."

I halt in my strides, making her head bumb into my back. With a chuckle, I turn around to her again. "I know you can carry it yourself Salome, but I don't want you to." I tell her, seeing how much she has to crane her neck to see me talk, her clear eyes glimmering as she blink. "And you're not going to carry anything as long as I am there, okay?"

Her eyes widens, and I take it as a yes.

"Good." I make my way to the threshold, taking the bags in one hand to pull out my keys. "Now tell me why you hated pineapples as a child, because I'm about to change that childhood pineapple hatred of yours."

She scoffs out a nervous laugh, appearing beside me in an instant. "Is that what you wanted to give me, Mr. Alex?"

A turn of the silver door knob and the door flies open. I step in, and so does Salome. I close the door behind her, just as her eyes scan around my sitting room.

"Trust me, it's different." I tell her after she is done feeding her eyes. "Feel at home, I'll be back in five." I rest her bag against the couch, and take mine up the stairs.

"Hmm okay!" She smiles at me, going back to staring around in no time. She's so cute. Also pause on the stairs to take another glimpse at her peaceful stance.

I take the fastest shower I've ever taken, do a quick change to a casual beige cardiagan and black sweatpants, combing my hands through my damp hair as I race down the stairs. Although it's been days, Salome's presence in my bedroom is still vivid in my mind.

My footings comes to a stop on seeing Salome looking down at her uniform skirt in front, trying to hold it by the waist. She already took off her blazer jacket.

Slowly, I advance toward her back, and like she felt me behind, she smoothly turn around to my face. Her hands drop from her waist, her eyes widening a bit.

"Oh, I didn't know you were here..." She drawl, looking up at me. I look down at her waist and back to her face.

"What's wrong, are you okay?" I ask before I could think thousands of things.

She blinks down at my chest, heaving a deep breath, then nod with a hum. "Y-yes I am, it's just I think I lost a bit of weight." Her eyes catches mine again.

I study her face, even though she's barely keeping eye contact. My hands goes down to her waist, and I feel the gap between her skirt and waist. I stir my gaze at her comical eyes with agape mouth, suddenly noticing how stiff she is.

I drop my hands, my brows stitching in a small frown. "You're right, are you good? Is anything bothering you?"

She shakes her head remotely, chest going up and down. "N-no, nothing is bothering me."

I tilt my head to her height, waving a hand in her confused face. She quickly blink back at me, breathing through her mouth.

"Are you sure?" I try to press. She stare deep in my eyes to the extent I see myself like a mirror in her eyes.

"Yes," She mutter, a small smile spreading her lips apart. "But Mr. Alex, you smell so good right now I don't think I can feel my legs."

I chuckle at her words, taking a step back. "What about now?" I raise a brow, raising my hands in mock surrender.

She pouts, nodding. "Still the same, as always."

I hum excitedly, crossing my arms. "Should I give you a lift to the dinning area then?"

Her eyes bulge out and she can suddenly move her wobbly legs to the dinning herself. "No no no, I'm good, thanks!"

I let out a throaty laugh, making my way to the refrigerator at the corner of the dinning, looking over my shoulder to see Salome biting back a blush by pursing her lips together.

"So tell me, how prepared at you for your exams?" I reach for the jar of homemade pineapple juice, and close the fridge.

"Uh, I'm trying my best, I believe and trust that I'll do well." She sounds really confident. I hum, taking out glass cups from the cupboard.

"That is amazing, I trust you too." I turn around to say. She mouth out a 'thank you.'

I poor some of the yellow drink into the cups, put in a thick straw in Salome's and place on the table. "Here you go..."

She giggles as she takes it closer. "A pretty looking homemade pineapple drink made by my amazing Mr. Alex, well thank you." She stylish says, taking it up. "Where is yours? Let's make a toast."

I throw my hands in the air, "Really? Okay let's do that." I raise mine and give a toast, watching her take a sip before I do. Her mouth wrap around the straw and she draws in, her eyes lightening instantly. The straw makes a pop sound as she withdraws, nodding as she swallows, her fingers giving me thumbs up.

"So..." I settle on the chair beside her, waiting for her to calm down from the euphoria of my drink. "What do you think?"

She wipes her head to me, poking my arm. "It. Is. Perfect!" She take in another sip, and another, and another, then mourn lowly. "God... it's the best, you should open a juice shop."

I laugh at her sweet comment, resting my hands on the table. "Hmm you think? Well that would be good, should experiment more then. I'm glad you enjoy it."

"I do, a hundred percent." She takes another sip, while I watch her intently. "Who taught you?"

"Self taught actually." I reply with a shrug. "One day, I find myself doing some research and exploring the world of cocktails and that's how I came up with this."

"Hmm... How much would I have to pay for you to tell me?" She whispers, laugher evident behind her voice.

I veer back a bit. "Woah, really?"

Salome nods quickly.

"Just be by my side." I tell her truthfully.

She lick her lips, and of course my eyes deep down at the act. Again, she honestly doesn't have to do much.

"Okay." Her voice comes out in a hush whisper, and I tear my eyes away for a second. "Also, I have something to tell you."

"O-okay, what is it?" She searches my eyes like she could find the answers in them. I drag in a breath.

"I have to leave for NYC tomorrow." I carefully say, her grip getting lose around the glass cup.

"New York?" She repeats, blinking at me. "T-tomorrow?"

I nod once. "Hmm yes, it is urgent, and I wanted to tell you but didn't get the chance till now. Figured out after closing hours of school."

"Oh..." She drawl, playing with the tip of the straw.

"I was waiting for you but it seemed your crush didn't want to leave so I had to do what I had to do."

Her brows furrow a bit. "Crush, you mean Kenny?"

"Yes." I answer immediately, taking a gulp of the drink. "It's obvious he likes you."

I'm looking straight at the sculptures in the sitting room, but can feel her eyes on me from the corner of my eyes. I face her again.

"I don't feel the same..." She calmy says, holding my eyes. I totally believe her, but I would be honest, there are times when I detect him either holding her hand or shoulder and want to shove his hand away.

"I believe you, totally." I get up, taking the empty glass to the zinc.

"Really? How?" She ask from behind me.

I place the cups in the zinc, raising up my sleeves to quickly clear them up. "Because you don't look at him, or anyone, the way you look at me."

•••

•SALOME ALAN•

I dice down the fresh green lettuce on the kitchen slab, the voices of my aunt and her friend toning down in my head as thought of my teacher takes over.

He's leaving for NYC today, or better still, his plane would be hovering in the air already. I don't know how he does this thing, making me gasp and take words out of my mouth by doing the slightest things.

I bite my lower lip as I keep the diced lettuce aside, and pick the big red tomato, chopping down equally.

"And as long as I'm there, you're not going to carry anything."

"That's amazing. I trust you too."

"Should I give you a lift to the dinner area then?"

"Because you don't look at anyone the way you look at me."

His words play in my head, scent, touch, the way he eyes dims down at me...

I blow out air from my mouth, dropping the knife and gripping the sides of the cabinet to calm my thudding chest.

"Here, take some with you."

"You have no idea how much I'd miss seeing your face."

My hands are literally digging into the cabinet at every word.

"Be good, I will see you in few days."

"Salome, are you good?"

My head slaps up at the sound of my name from my aunt, my hands letting go of the cabinet and down at my sides. She walks closer, looking at me with all interest.

"Is anything wrong? You were so lost in..." She glance at the cabinet. "Gripping the cabinet."

I purse my lips, nodding. "Hmm yes I am, I was just... remembering a movie that got to me."

She squint her eyes at me, while I avoid her eyes and go back to dicing the tomatoes.

"Hmm okay... But it's just a movie, don't let it get to you, you looked so lost in thoughts." Aunt Jenny says, checking the air fryer to retrieve the chicken she put in earlier.

"Yeah, shouldn't let it get to me." I exhale sharply, taking my time to dice the renaining ingredients. It wasn't really a movie, aunty.

I try my possible best to concentrate on the dish we are making, and we were done in no time, my aunt's friend coming in to assist after awhile. We all settle at the dinning to have our meal of chicken, rice with sauce, and a desert of cheese cake.

"I thought I was done with men until Khalid came by, Jenny." My aunt's friend, Oprah states as we begin to eat. She is light skinned, and has this pretty cat eyes, endowed in an animal skin two piece outfit. Has awesome curves too.

"Woah, it's about time you tell me about him, girl." Aunt Jenny chuckles, serving herself some orange juice. "I didn't want to push, was waiting for you to spill it."

"Hmm well, Khalid is a good man." Oprah blushes deeply, her face turning a bit red.

I chew on my food, hoping they don't notice that I am openly eavesdropping in their conversation.

Jenny nods, humming as she chew on her food.

"And..." Oprah starts to say, but her bright eyes catches mine, and I give a small smile.

"It's okay, Salome isn't a child." My anut tells her, and she only giggle. Well, I'm actually not a child.

"Basically, he is the definition of if a man wants to, he will." Oprah chides, taking a spoonful to her mouth. I patiently wait for her to swallow and continue speaking. "Khalid is just... He just knows what to do, like he is always there and doesn't leave me confused, or guessing if he loves me or not."

"Wow," My aunt beams at the lover girl, trying not to blush. "I'm so happy for you, girl. Remember I told you the person meant for you would eventually come around? Well, here he is. The right person would love you like it's their calling from God."

I didn't know when a small smile grease my lips. Seriously, Salome?

"Yes... Now I know what it means to be treated like a queen, and a real man would never play games once he knows what he wants." Oprah adds.

I stare up at her, admiring how well she talk of the man she loves. She sounds so confident, and true. I wish to do that one day, the time when it wouldn't sound like a taboo, or forbidden.

Few minutes in, I am done with eating and raise from my seat, letting the ladies talk deeply without minding my presence. Before walking away, I turn to Oprah.

"I'm so happy for you, and I can't wait to attend your wedding."

She gasp at my statement, her face visibly turning red. She is really in love.

"Oh my God, thank you so much," She smiles brightly, exposing her smiley piercing. "I would definitely invite you, Salome."

"You are welcome!" I laugh softly, throwing my aunt a proud look as I beckon to the kitchen to drop my plates, going upstairs to my room afterwards.

Wasting no time, I grap my phone from the nightstand, and swipe up to check my texts. To make myself comfortable, I seat on my center rug and and rest my back against the side of my bed.

The time difference to NYC is Eight hours, and its currently almost 5:00pm here, means its midnight over there. I chew the insides of my mouth as I stroll through my WhatsApp messages, opening Mr. Alex's texts without hesitation.

Mr. Alex; I just arrived at the hotel, here's my view from here.

A short clip from his window was added, showing the Magnificent view from the hotel lobby. It is beautiful. He already explained to me that it's pertaining to family and I respected that, and didn't ask more.

I quickly text back a reply.

Me; Woah! This is breathtaking, I wish to experience life there someday :)

Of course it won't be so easy communicating with him, but with every chance I get, it's worth it. With smiles all over, I swipe out of our chat, my eyes catching Zara's name at the top. She just sent a text.

Zara; Salome Alan, how did the world did you get a picture of Mr. Alex?! Omg, he looked so freaking hot!

I blink at her words, trying to imagine the excitement laced underneath them. But hold up, what picture exactly?

Another text drops in.

Zara; Wait, it looks like it was taken on your birthday. Let me get this straight, WERE YOU WITH HIM THAT DAY???

My throat dries up instantly, my hands becoming clammy around my phone. How did she get to see the picture?

Like she heard my thought, she send in the copy of the picture I took of Mr. Alex on my birthday dinner at Cintra restaurant. My eyes widen at the view, it's the same. But how did she...

Ding!

Zara; Do you mind telling what's going on?

I just stare at her text, lost in how she got to see the picture in first place. I didn't send it to anyone at all, and I don't remember...oh wait, there was a day Zara randomly strolled through my photos. I had zero idea that she would...

"No..." I squirm in my seat, shutting my eyes and squeezing my phone in my hand. "What do I say..." I murmur, taking deep breaths.

Ding!

Zara; Hey, I know I've not been the best but I care about you. Is your teacher maybe forcing you to uhm, do things with him?

What?! Hell no!

What is she even thinking?

I frown at her text, swiping up to pour out my mind at once but pause again, my chest hitting hard against my rib cage. I don't want to cause anything that would implicate Mr. Alex.

Me; What? No, that's not it. I met him on my birthday at the restaurant, and he permitted me to take a picture of him, that's all, said it was my birthday gift from him. A picture of him.

Okay, that was good. Although I lied.

She replies the same minute.

Zara; Oohh wow, that must have been nice, sorry I said that. But the picture is damn fine, I really wouldn't mind been close to him.

I almost scoff out a laugh, but it die in my throat so I can only stare blank at her text.

Me; Hmm... What can I say, he probably has someone special to him already.

Zara; lol, why do you sound so sure?

Me; He teaches my class, Zara, and coaches me privately, so trust me..

No matter how it might sound, at times I just feel like bursting out and letting people know who I have feelings for, but that would only cause more damage.

I slide out of Zara chat, getting up and crawl up on my bed. A part of me is glad that the picture isn't more than that, because I really wouldn't be able to come up with an excuse by then.

Also if I ask Zara to delete the picture, she might start getting second thoughts that I'm truly hiding something. That girl is quite smart.

I snuggle myself into my duvet since it's quite chilly and I'm putting on just shorts and a tank top.

Abruptly, my phone begins to vibrate with the profile of Mr. Alex showing on my screen. Heat zap through my pores, and my eyes point to my opened door.

Like flash, I jump up from my bed and lock my bedroom door, going back to pounce on my bed. Picking up my phone, my mind swiftly calculates the time frame over there. It's like 1am...

As I swipe to answer, Opera's words rings in my head.

If he wanted to, he will.

Sleepy eyes, wet lashes, slightly damp curly hair, bare chest with thin silver chain, and pitch lips fills my screen the second it connected.

"Hey," His voice comes out hoarsely. Thank God I'm lying down. I open my mouth to talk, but slam my phone down on my bed, catching my breath through my mouth.

I can never get to used to this, I mean... Why does he always look so good?!

He is laying on his side, awarding me the view of his full face, chest and forever intoxicating orbs.

"Salome, I can't see your face, are you blocking the screen?" Mr Alex's voice springs through the speaker since he can't see me.

I sink deeper into my duvet, slowly raising my face and shake my head.

"No I'm not..." I reply, biting my lips afterwards, my free hand closing up in a ball. I also turn to lay on my side, pressing my lips tightly together.

He just gawks at me, eyes blinking so slow it seem he might go to sleep any second from now. Even with that, he surely can stir up confusion with his defined features.

"I am so sleepy," He finally says, the vibration of his voice causing my insides to chun. "Just wanted to..." He trails off, dragging in a breath. "See your face."

I smile a bit, savoring in the moment with the whole of me. He is so cute, I cant handle...

"Hmm okay," I mutter, staring at how often his eyes would close for longer seconds and blink open again.

He chuckles slightly with his eyes closed. "Don't tell me you're planning on watching me sleep."

I lick my lips, blushing shamelessly. "Hmm, I wish."

He nods once, eyes opening for the last time before blessing me with his long lashes and drifting into sleep. I adjust my phone to rest on my pillow, prepping myself to take a full dose of watching him sleep.

The way his chest rise and fall in calm breaths, how clean and unblemished his caramel skin is, his hair lines, perfectly shaved breads, and glistening neck chain.

Peaceful.

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I don't want this moment to end too🥹🌹
Besties, what do you think of Mr Alex's POV?

Please vote, and comment😘
I love hearing your thoughts, it encourages me to write more!

Be good, and see you in the next chap❣️