The Art of Letting Go

SEVEN

THE ART OF LETTING GO
CHAPTER 7- NOSTALGIA

March 31, 2000- 49 days before May 19, 2000

AMBER IS RIDING on Chris' motorcycle, she used to hate being on motorcycles because they go so fast that she feels like she could get off balanced anytime. But ever since she started dating Chris it was kind of different for her now, she still was sacred but she trusts him more than anything.

When they arrived on the shop, she saw Ryan, Mike, James and Felix already in the middle of working, Chris smiled sheepishly at them "I know, I know."

They all sneered at him "seriously, Davidson? You should stop slacking off, now that you have your own place you don't have to get all cocky on us" James said as Chris threw his hand towel on his face.

"You should check in on Mr. Stephens right now" Felix pointed at the office.

Amber couldn't help but smile, there are about 30 employees that his father has in every shop they have— one in Oakland, and in Los Angeles City, but these four have grown somehow close to her heart as well, and she's happy that they are all doing alright.

Chris walked towards where the office is as Amber is behind him, he looked over his shoulder briefly and said "don't talk to me yet, okay?" she simply nodded.

"Sir?" he leaned on the counter as Ronald spun himself from the chair, Amber was taken aback. Her father's not looking very good, the bags under his eyes are more prominent, he's gotten wrinklier and almost all of his hair is filled with white hairs.

He lightly turned his head down to look at Chris over his glasses, he was silent for a while "thought you weren't going to show up."

"Sorry about that, there was just a slight delay, won't happen again" Chris lied.

Her father sighed in defeat, as if there is he something he can do about it. So he gave the time-in card and Chris filled up the time he arrived and signed it.

Chris went in the back of the office towards the employees' lounge to put his backpack inside the locker, he took out his clothes that he uses when he works.

He started removing his clothes and forgot the mere existence that Amber was there. The ghost of Amber, however, is looking at him intently with a smirk plastered on her face.

And she remembered how deeply attracted she was with Chris' body, not much has changed for him, he still has his tan and toned body, not that muscular— in fact, he is skinny but his muscles are intact.

Then Chris now realized that he just stripped almost naked in front of Amber, he turned around with his eyes wide "shit! I'm sorry, I forgot you were here, fuck!" he quickly wore his pants and his shirt.

"My existence is limited to only you" Amber shrugged.

He started smirking "what a view, huh?"

She rolled her eyes "and you're still full of yourself."

He chuckled lightly and shook his head "you stay here, alright?" he sat down on a chair next to her and started wearing his boots, Amber frowned "I can do what I want to do."

Chris shook her head "no, stay here" he got up and went to the door, he looked at Amber over his shoulders "and I mean it."

Amber slumped back on the chair with her arms crossed and pouted, just like she always does when she's told what to do, because she doesn't like that, but Chris could.

A few hours later, Amber couldn't stand being alone in the lounge, it stinks of sweat from unwashed t-shirts and smelly socks. The room is so small that she swears that she could be blindfolded and she will still remember which is which.