Chapter 13: My roommate.

"You really didn't read the tournament specifications?" The mysterious guy from the crowd laughs again seeing the stupefied expressions of Ana and me, then he continues, "Since it started at 6 pm and each round would take around an hour, today there was time only for the first three rounds, the final will be held tomorrow."

I shake my head, "I really had no idea, we just decided to participate at the last moment."

"Interesting, you decided to participate at the last moment and you give quite a show in the second and third round." The guy replies.

"Hmm? Second? Now that you mention it, your voice is a bit familiar." I try to focus but couldn't guess who is the guy in front of me.

"Haha, sorry I didn't say anything, my name is David, I was with you in the second round as Funter." David extends his hand towards me with a smile on his face.

"So it was you," I accept the handshake and continue, "It's a bit hard to recognize you without your mutant face, I'm Marcus." I turn slightly towards Ana, "By the way, this is Ana, my partn... team mate."

"Nice to meet the owner of such lovely voice." Since Ana is a bit far he bows slightly instead of offering his hand.

"The pleasure is mine." Ana just smiles timidly. "So... you classified?"

"Sadly no, but just participating until the end of the day was fine for me, I have no regrets." David laughs softly after answering Ana.

"It's a shame, you were pretty good in the team match." I feel helpless because I wanted to finish the tournament today. I have a gut feeling and don't want to return early to the apartment, something tells me that is a bad idea. Still my praise to David is sincere, he really did good in Snowy Hills.

"Thank you, I'll take it as a compliment." David smiles and then says "Right, want to go and grab some real food and drinks? Not like the ones from here. Come on I'll treat" His tone is persuasive and amiable, it is hard to refuse a person like him. Also there was something funny about his accent but I couldn’t tell what.

I turn to look at Ana and she shrugs. "Since you are treating, why not?" I say happily to David. To be honest I am a bit hungry and tired, the total playtime in the tournament was roughly 40 minutes but I had classes since the morning and after that I came here to buy some materials, and then I met with Ana. Today was a busy day for me. Besides, I am not the type to refuse free food, "But I can't drink, I have to go to the university workshop tomorrow." I try to say but as soon as David hear those words he immediately drew near me.

"Come on, don't be such a baby in front of your girl." David pushes me with his elbow and teases me in a low voice so I was the only one who herd.

I smile and just shake my head, ‘Why everybody confuses us by a couple?’ We just meet again today and everybody thinks we are together, that’s a bit annoying.

"Ah! I have to grab my bag before I forget and I'm fine to go." Ana exclaims and startles me.

"Your bag?" I ask confused. I didn’t see her carrying a bag and she is suddenly saying that she has to grab one.

"Of course dummy, you don't actually think a lady like me would be four days in another city without a change of clothes?" Ana doesn't waste a chance to tease me.

I remained silent and slap me face mentally. Of course she has to bring some extra clothes.

A bit later David intervenes, "Oh so you aren't from Glassglow?"

Ana and David start to chat a bit and I go back to bring my belongings. I pick up the bag with my stained shirt, another bag where I stored the motion gloves and optic link, and a third bag with the supplies I bought earlier. I pack all in one bigger bag and then head outside Gamer's Corner where Ana and David are waiting for me.

We start to walk and talk casually. David is easygoing, Ana and I quickly gain a very good impression of him. In our way to the first floor of the central block, where Ana's bag is being kept, we have to stop a couple of times because David is fairly popular and he greets each of his acquaintances always with a sincere smile.

Ana watches her clock on her cellphone and notices that it was 9:20 pm, she decides to rush ahead because she was not sure when the baggage warehouse will close and walking alongside David proves to be a slower than a snail race. I don't stop her, nevertheless, I try to hurry up with David and catch with her.

When David and I arrive at the warehouse Ana already is receiving a small black travel suitcase with wheels. She extends the telescopic handle in order to pull it easier. Since I am carrying a big bag David offers Ana to help her but she refuses since it isn't heavy. Ana turns to look at me, I have my look fixed in the warehouse.

"It's something wrong?" Ana is puzzled by my fixed gaze.

"Oh... Uhm..." I snap from my dream state and return to reality, "It's nothing, just the warehouse made me remember when I got here, I'll tell you later." I smile and follow David alongside with Ana.

Ana doesn't inquire about what I said. She knows that today I spoke a lot and that was not likely of me, at least not the Marcus she remember. Whether I changed or just needed a chance to vent off my feelings she seems happy to see me again and walk with me.

We quickly left the shopping center. We walk a bit more to a parking lot that is across the street, since today is Friday and the event had a lot of publicity, David couldn't find a space in the parking lot of the shopping center an thus had to park in a private parking lot that is near.

It is surprising how the shopping center is still bustling even when it is relatively late, the south wing has some bars and discos but David says that he knows a better place.

David enters the parking lot and Ana and I are waiting for him on a side of a nearby street.

‘Why is she so nervous?’ Every single time I turn to look at Ana she is fidgeting.

*Beep, beep.*

I raise an eyebrow while Ana takes off her glasses and rubs her eyes. Although Ana could only tell that the car seems luxurious and that is enough to fascinate her, or any girl, I know that the deep blue car in front of us is nothing less than a BMW 650i Gran Coupe with deluxe chromate rims, it is a really good car. No wonder why David is so popular!

"Come on in, you can appreciate it better from inside." David laughs seeing the faces of his new acquaintances.

Ana's cheeks turn red from embarrassment and I scratch my head. David opens the trunk of the car and I store my bag and Ana's travel suitcase, then we proceed to enter the car.

There are no words to describe the feeling of being inside a BMW 6-series. Every detail of the cabin is made with the highest standards, ample space, leather upholstery, warm lights just where they needed to be, everything is elegant and sophisticated.

I really like cars, I have always liked them since child, but my mother and father each has a SUV instead of a car, so I never had the opportunity of riding a luxury car as this.

I try to hide my excitement but the corners of my lips are curved forming a smile that I could not hide. When I hear the roaring of the engine my heartbeat goes mad, I have not thought much about it, but now I am yearning to learn to drive and own my own car even if it isn't as luxurious as this one.

David makes some turns and quickly reaches an avenue. He says he knows a good place run by a friend near the south of Glassglow, luckily for me, it is a few blocks away from where I am living.

"Marcus." Ana whispers tilting her head close to me.

"Hmm?" I raise an eyebrow and turn to look at her.

"About what you promised earlier..." Ana says timidly. Upon closer inspection I notice she is fidgeting again.

'What I promised?' My short term memory fails me and I have to focus hard trying to remember what I promised her.

Ana seeing that I forgot gulps and tries to press further, "You know, about letting me stay in your apartment in case you didn't win."

"But I haven't lost!" I rebuke Ana by instinct without thinking what I said.

"But you haven't win!" Ana reacts fast too and replies raising her tone a bit.

David adjusts stealthily the rearview mirror to watch us and laughed inwardly. We proved to be very fun.

"Besides, it's late and you know I spent the money I had." Ana feigns to pout but this time she doesn't dare to look to my eyes while saying this.

Ana already has reservations in a hotel and by signing the check in she doesn't have to pay all the expenses immediately. If that is not enough, she has some pocket money in her purse and a bit more in her luggage. In an extreme case she can call her mother who dote her a lot and ask for some more money, and in the most extreme case she can overdraft her credit card.

"Fine, fine, since my friend is not in the city I think you could use the room." I sigh while remembering that in fact i promised her that.

Ana smiles happily when I said that my friend was not in the city... Clearly, soon we will be alone in the apartment!

Fifteen minutes later we get to our destination. David parks the car and leads us to an Italian restaurant. He greets the guard with high familiarity and goes directly to a table near the counter.

The decoration of the restaurant isn't eye-catching, there are around 9 wooden tables with different shapes and sizes in total, each of them with wooden chairs. The illumination is dim and the music is pleasant, giving it a somewhat romantic atmosphere.

Soon a waitress comes and David without even looking at the menu orders some dishes. He asks for someone but the waitress shook his head telling him that he isn't in duty today. With a dejected look, David then orders a bottle of red wine to accompany the dishes. The reason he looks dejected is because his acquaintance has some special wines that no one dared to touch without his permission, so he has to order ordinary wine.

After chatting for a while, the waitress comes again with the dishes: Rigatoni con la Pajata, Risotto with lemon and green beans, and Cotoletta alla petroniana. Each serving seems exquisite and has an aroma that makes me drool immediately.

I have no idea from wines and for me it was only a sweet red wine, I don't have curiosity about it either so he decide not to ask what kind of wine is this.

David hesitates for a while and in the end he decides not to drink wine, after all, he has to drive back to his home and although he could go back in a taxi, leaving behind his car is out of question for him.

The night went by and we eat until we are satisfied. We talk about a lot of things, but of course, the main topic are games. Ana is like a little encyclopedia, she is very acknowledgeable when it comes to information about a game she plays.

At eleven o'clock we decide it is time to part ways. David offers to drive us but I try to refuse, I am only four blocks away and David already made a lot today. However David convinces me remarking that I am not alone, I am with a girl, I have to carry my bag and her luggage, and it is late.

With the string of persuasions I have no choice but to give up and accept David kindness.

After only two turns we get to our destination, an apartment complex.

"David, thanks for everything, you were so kind with people that you just met." I say a bit embarrassed.

"Haha, don't mention it, a smart player like you deserved a little celebration." David replies.

"Will you go tomorrow?" I ask David.

"Maybe yes, maybe no, it depends if I'm not kidnapped by my friends, hahahaha." He laughs awkwardly.

Ana and I chuckle at David's statement. It is obvious he is referring to his female friends, and the kidnapping... is easy to imagine.

"Anyways, I have your phone number, if you need something you can call me. See you!" David says and starts raising the window.

"See you!" Ana and I bid farewell waving our hands.

After the BMW turned I lead Ana to the entrance of the apartment complex. I greet the guard and notice that he is half-sleep. Upon seeing me it seems that the guard was going to say something but upon seeing Ana he decides to not say anything and just smiled mischievously.

We enter an elevator and I press the button for the 3rd floor. Ana's heart is beating furiously and her hands are drenched in cold sweat. She is still timidly fidgeting shooting glances at me.

I am a bit tired and my mind goes blank, I don't notice at all the strangeness of Ana.

The elevator stops and we start to walk in a dark and silent corridor. The only noise that could be heard is the rolling wheels from Ana's travel suitcase. Each step she takes makes her heartbeat more and more erratic. Her cheeks are dyed with red and the points of her ears are hot.

I stop in front of the 3rd door and take the keys from my pocket. I am going to insert the keys in the keyhole when I hear some noises from TV news coming from the other side of the door. At the same time I look at the floor and I could see some faint light filtering from the bottom of the door.

'What the fuck, didn't the excursion was for 2 weeks? Why it ended early?' I freeze without daring to insert the key.

Ana has her eyes shut tightly waiting with anticipation the sound of the door opening, but for some reason she couldn't hear it. Instead I break the silence with a low tone, "Ana, now that think about it, wouldn't it be better if you really go to a hotel?"

"What?!" Ana is flabbergasted with my suggestion and for some reason she answers me in a low tone too.

"I'm saying that it really would be better for you to stay in a hotel, I have to study early tomorrow." My voice trembles slightly while pushing Ana, trying to return with her to the elevator.

"No way! We are already here! Give me those keys!" Ana is reluctant to return and tries to snatch my keys.

"No, hey! Wait!" I return the keys to my pocket and struggle to defend it.

We start to fight over the keys, rising more and more the tone of voice. Ana's shyness is replaced by rage and my cool demeanor is replaced with nervousness.

*Creaaack.*

The door which I didn't want to open suddenly opened. The corridor is dark and it is hard to see far, but in the instant the door opened and thanks to the dim light of TV inside of the apartment, the figure of a slender and tall woman with long hair that is just in underwear could be clearly seen. Ana and I stop the struggle for the keys.

"Oh, it's you honey, you're back." The woman in underwear says with a giggle.

Ana is stunned and I slap my forehead. The woman is just standing there and leans her body against a wall with her arms folded looking at me.

"Marcus... Can you tell me who's she?" After a while, Ana turns to look at me with a menacing look.

"Well, she is my roommate." I say shaking my head with my hand still in my forehead.

END OF CHAPPTER 13