Chapter 4
Stranger in the restroom
Alvin's Pov
Hey Dad, I might be home late today Daniella and I are going somewhere.
Oh uh… I actually wanted you to meet someone today, one of my business partners.
Okay… but why do I have to come?.
C'mon Alvin he'll be there with his son so I need you to be there.
Dad… what about my meeting with Daniella?.
You can still meet up with her, all I'm asking is that you come home early. Please son, I really need this.
Okay fine, I'll be there.
Thanks bud I knew I could count on you.
Okay bye! I'm off to see Daniella.
LATER THAT DAY
Okay Alvin this is your second chance, you've got to tell her how you really feel this time no stuttering, no awkward smiling just… the truth.
(I walked into the coffee shop, spotting Daniella at the same table as before. She waved at me and j smiled in response)
You're late!
Sorry about that, I had something to tackle before reaching here, how are you tho and why are you all smiling today?.
What do you mean? I'm always smiling.
No you aren't, you always have a Stern look on your face.
Okay fine I'm just trying to take my mind off my Dad.
Why what's wrong?
My mum wants me to forgive my Dad.
Forgive? Why tho.
He wants to come home.
Mr Williams is coming back home? That's great, but… you don't seem happy about it
Why should I be? I don't get why he thinks he can come back home when he left without a word and now he expects us to do what? welcome him back with open arms? Nahh bro that ain't happening.
Ouch… pained much?
I just can't forgive Alvin, he left us with nothing, not even thinking how we'd survive without him. Years went by and not a single message from him so how can he just waltz back into our lives like nothing happened.
I get that you're hurt but maybe he's changed, maybe he has realized his mistakes and wants to make amends. I mean it's better late than never right?
Make amends, After all these years? C'mon Alvin whose side are you on? He wasn't the one who had to make excuses why Daddy couldn't give me a birthday present, he wasn't the one to have to stand by my mom during the times it was hard. He doesn't just get to walk back into our lives and expect everything to go back to the way they used to be.
Of course I'm on your side and I'm not saying it will be easy or he deserves a second chance. But see this as an opportunity for you to get some closure, for you to finally ask him the big question.
Okay let's say I meet up with him, and maybe just maybe I forgive him. What if he lets me down again? What if he promises the world and then disappears all over again.
Then at least you'll know you tried. You'll know you gave him a chance to prove himself but Daniella all these won't be possible if you're stuck on the WHAT IF's.
I really do not know Alvin, I'm so terrified of what might happen. Everyone expects me to forgive him but I don't know if I can.
No one's forcing you love… take your time, figure out what you really want and whatever it is you decide I'm sure your mum would support you
I don't know what I want, I just know I'm scared. Scared of getting hurt again
Take your time Daniella, think about what you really want. Do you want to see him? Do you want to talk to him? Or do you want him back in your life? All these questions can only be answered by you alone. You're not alone in this, you're mom, I and all the people who love you are with you and we'll face this together okay?
Thank you "she sniffles" thanks for always being there for me, trust me when I say I really appreciate you
Don't mention it, I'm not doing this for you I'm doing this for the free apple pie your mom makes
I hate you "she chuckled"
I hate you too bitch. Alright I have to go now, dad wants me to attend a meeting with him
Why, what for?
He says his client's son will be there… so I also have to be there as well
Oh… okay then, bye!
Bye pooks, no more crying okay? You look so ugly when you do
"She let out a little chuckle as she wiped the tears off her face" hey Alvin?
Yh?
Thank you
Anytime Dani "in her teary eyes I saw relief, a smile escaped my face knowing that I was the cause of that feeling"
My phone made a gentle buzz and I pulled it out of my pocket, as expected it was my Dad. He had sent the location of the restaurant where we would be meeting his client.I had arrived after 20minutes of the ride, then I figured out how rough I looked. It was my first time meeting with Dad's client and it would be really bad of me not to pull a nice impression.
I pulled out my phone to get a reflection of myself and my hair was scattered from all that wind from the car "fuck" I cursed and quickly located my way to the restroom. I needed to fix myself up before going to meet everyone at the already set table, it would be really awkward if I did it later. After finding the bathroom,. I walk in, the door wasn't even locked just half-closed, humming fluorescent light spilling through the crack.
But then… there he was. Back turned, shoulders tensed, breath shallow moving in that way that made everything in the room feel smaller, like the air was heavy with something I shouldn't be a part of.
And I froze. God, I froze.
I told myself to look away, that it wasn't my business, that I was straight, that this wasn't supposed to mean anything. But my eyes wouldn't listen. They just… stayed. Maybe it was curiosity, maybe something else, something I didn't want to name.
Then my phone slipped. Loud. Too loud. The sound hit the tile like a gunshot, and he turned.
Our eyes met in the mirror. His expression surprise first, then something slower, darker. A smirk that knew too much.
I scrambled for words, for a lie something stupid about the faucet or needing a towel but nothing came out right. He just kept watching me, and I felt his gaze move down, tracing me like he was reading a secret. And when I realized where he was looking
Jesus.
I turned away, fumbling with my zipper, with my composure, I moved towards the bathroom mirror, pretending to fix my hair just to have something to do. I could feel him behind me, the silence stretching, charged.
Then his voice low, too close.
"Did you like it?"
I swear my heart stopped.
I forced a laugh, or something that sounded like one. "Hell no." My voice cracked halfway through. "Whatever you're trying to do or whatever you think I am I'm not. I have a girlfriend, dude. So just… stay away."
I didn't wait for him to answer. Just grabbed my phone and walked out, pulse hammering, ears burning.
But even now, walking down the hall, I can still feel the heat of his breath near my ear, like an echo that won't quit. And I hate myself for wondering what it meant that I didn't look away sooner.
Now, sitting at the restaurant table, I can't shake it. My father's voice pulls me back into the room.
"Alvin, this is my business partner, Mr. Parker."
I manage a polite smile, shaking the man's hand. He's all confidence and charm, the kind of person who fills a room effortlessly.
"My son's on his way," Mr. Parker says.
Dad and I nod. I glance at my watch, more out of habit than interest. I'm still trying to scrub my mind clean of the image I stumbled into.
Then a voice familiar, warm, infuriatingly calm breaks through the chatter.
"Good evening, everyone."
I look up.
And my heart stumbles.
Him.
The guy from the restroom.
For a second, I actually forget how to breathe. He's standing there, perfectly composed in a dark jacket and that same damn smirk tugging at his mouth. My stomach drops, and my thoughts start sprinting in circles.
"Ah, Brian! Finally," Mr. Parker says. "Everyone, this is my son."
Brian. Of course.
My face must've given something away because Brian's eyes lock on mine and there it is again, that mischievous glint, like he's still laughing about the whole thing.
"What kept you so long?" Mr. Parker asks him.
Brian leans back in his chair, gaze still fixed on me. "I had some delicate matters to attend to," he says smoothly.
My jaw tightens. Delicate matters? More like wanking your wood off in a public restroom.
Dad and Mr. Parker fall into deep conversation about contracts and figures, their voices fading into white noise. I can't focus not when Brian's sitting across from me, tracing the rim of his glass with his finger like it's a private joke. Every so often, I catch him looking at me that same teasing look that's half challenge, half invitation.
It pisses me off. Or at least, that's what I tell myself. But underneath the irritation is something electric, something I can't admit out loud. I keep seeing flashes of him, his hand, his breath, the tension in his jaw. I shake my head, forcing the thoughts away, but they crawl back like a song stuck on repeat.
The rest of the dinner is a blur. Plates clear, deals are toasted to, laughter fills the space. I say little, because if I open my mouth, I'm not sure what might come out.
When it's finally over, goodbyes are exchanged, promises made to meet again soon. Brian steps up to me last.
"Alvin," he says softly.
His hand is warm when it meets mine, firm but lingering. His eyes find mine blue, unreadable, too close. Time folds for a second, stretching into something heavy and slow.
I hate how my pulse responds.
Then Dad's voice calls my name. I blink, pull my hand away too quickly, mutter something that's supposed to sound polite.
As we walk out to the car, I can still feel the ghost of his touch in my palm. It burns, and I don't know if I want it to stop.