Absinthe

Chapter 6: Doctor Who?

A week passed without hearing from my boyfriend, JM.

Shit. Did I just refer to him as my boyfriend? He is, though, isn't he? But if he really were my boyfriend, how come he hasn't contacted me in a week?

Is it because of the issue with his mom? He sounded incredibly worried the last time we talked on the phone. He said it was an emergency. I don't want to seem too attached and overbearing. After all, nobody likes those types as relationship partners.

I just hoped everything's okay with JM and his mom.

I missed the kids, too. Faye had come and picked them up a couple of hours ago, and I already missed them.

It was their noise I missed the most, those random sounds that reminded me from time to time that I wasn't alone.

But at that moment, I was. Alone.

I decided to text JM. "Hey. I hope everything's alright."

After a while, I sent another one. "I'm here if you need me."

***

I woke up to a start because of the loud, repetitive beeping of the home phone, which was on the wall. I must have dozed off in the tub for hours as my fingers were all wrinkly. I stood up and dried my hands before pressing the answer button.

"Mr. Alvarez? Good evening. I have Mr. Evangelista on the—"

"Just put me through, please!" came Derrick's voice.

"It's okay. Please put him through," I told the concierge.

"Why the hell are you not answering your phone?" Derrick was practically screaming on the other end of the line.

I picked up my phone from the side of the tub and saw an unbelievable 349 missed calls all from Derrick.

"I fell asleep. Phone's on silent. Sorry."

"I tried calling you until my battery ran out!"

"Why didn't you try this phone earlier?"

There was silence.

"Don't tell me—"

"Shut up and let me in."

"—you didn't think about it?"

"I've never had a landline, okay? Just let me in!"

A few minutes later, I opened the door to Derrick carrying several pieces of luggage and suit covers. Behind him were three staff members from the lobby carrying several more boxes of varying sizes. Some of them were reasonably big, while the others were absurdly gigantic. Where did he even get those boxes from?

"Surprise! I bought a really good pinot for you somewhere there," Derrick said, pointing to the boxes.

"A really good pinot? More like several barrels, judging from the number of boxes you got there," I said with an eyebrow raised.

"Don't be silly," Derrick answered. "Those are my things. I'm living with you for the time being."

"What?" I asked, but Derrick ignored me and pushed his way in.

"Follow me, please," Derrick called out to the lobby staff. "Now, where's my room?"

"Your room?" I asked. "What on earth is happening, Derrick?"

"Can we just put all of these in my room first? They're heavy, you know. I'll explain everything later."

I led them to the guest room at the right end of the condo, the one Elle and Eiji just vacated this morning.