During the past two months, Adrian and I have been great together. Apart from minor arguments, we are doing perfectly fine and there isn't a single thing that I could complain about... apart from him not answering the text and the missed call I left him last night.

Ellen has been away for over a month now, because her ex husband has been harassing her. He used to give her trouble in the past too, but had stopped for a while. Then he came back and started banging on her door in the middle of the night, shouting and scaring little Sam. He even jumped her on the street in the middle of the day. Seeing that he wouldn't stop despite of her efforts and reports, she spoke to Tom who let her to stay at his place out of town and he is paying her the salary even though she isn't working for the time being. I offered to replace her during her shifts so I stay from opening till closing of the club. It is my way of being a good friend and also appreciating Tom's generosity as a boss and ensuring that his business doesn't suffer. She only drives Sam to the kindergarten and does her cleaning job in the morning. We keep in touch over the phone.

Tom is an amazing boss and a great friend, but the worst person to have be in love with you. That is if you don't like him back. Even though he knows that Adrian and I are quite serious now, he still shoots his shots. It has been an intense competition of which of the two of them would bring me more flowers and replace the dried ones. My apartment has become a flower shop... He also flirts uncontrollably and even went as far as to ask me to give him a lap dance one night. I told him off when he said that and it put him a little in his place. In order to avoid any fights between Adrian and him, I tried to conceal Tom's efforts as much as possible.

Valentin and I hang out at least twice a week and he has become quite a close friend. We open up to each other a lot, but I didn't tell him about my dancing job. I lied that I work as a waitress in a restaurant that's a little far. I'm scared to tell him the truth because if his mother, Ms Heilig were to find out, I could get fired from the library. She is back to work now and my afternoons are dreadful once again. Valentin often keeps asking about Ellen, but since she has a lot on her mind, I didn't arrange anything to have them meet again. However it is on my schedule.

It is a Sunday and I'm not working so I want to call Adrian to meet, but for some reason he isn't answering. I decided to give him another call, followed by a message to check if he is still alive. I composed it in a joking manner but seriously worried whether he has been in some sort of accident. He replied instantly with a simple, 'I'm fine'. Thinking he is angry about something, I sent another text which he ignored once again. Since the last time we met everything has been fine so I don't know what could be wrong. He should be mature enough to tell me. I am not a mind reader.

Since Adrian decided to be an idiot today, I will grant myself a relaxation spa day. I will put on my hair and face masks, try out my new anti-cellulite oil and take care of my feet. While at it, I will play a compilation of my favourite movies and make up for all my lost sleep once I finish everything.

Just as I prepared everything and dipped my feet into mini bubble bath created for this purpose, and leaned my back on the comfortable cushion prepared to turn on my tv, my phone rang. I put down the remote and answered the call, seeing a familiar name on the lock screen.

"Hey Valentin!" I spoke cheerfully.

"Hi! Free to hang out?" He asked immediately as we usually do.

"Yes, I'm having a spa day at home. Coming over?" I both asked and suggested at the same time.

"Sure. Will be there in 10."

And with that we cut.

___

He took longer than ten minutes to come so I managed to sort my feet before he arrived. Obviously, instead of watching the movies I intended to, we chatted and saw something else.

"Any news about Ellen coming back?" He asked for, probably the hundredth time.

"No, not yet." I made a sad face. He mimicked my expression.

"Why don't we go to her then?" His eyes suddenly lit up, as though his idea was something special.

"Well we could...but only if you finally admit that you like her." I teased. He has been asking about her all this time but never once admitted that he has a crush.

"Oh well I don't know her. But I'm interested." He shrugged, giving me the usual answer while I dialled her number.

When she picked up the phone we first caught up a little and then I subtly invited the two of us over to her place. If we weren't that close I'd find it is rude to do it, but it's just Ellen. She doesn't mind at all, in fact she is happy to have some company. I would have gone earlier but I don't have a car and it was unexpected that she would stay this long. She whispered asking for me to stall a little so she could dress up, making sure that Valentin doesn't hear. I told her I got it covered.

He couldn't hide his excited smile once I told him that Ellen is free. I asked him to wait until I dressed and packed everything I need, being slow on purpose. Before we left, he took one of my flowers and looked at me, waiting for an approval. Since I had so many I told him that he can take it. Might as well...

Once we got in the car, I realised how nervous he is.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" He asked with eyes fixed on the road, tightly gripping the steering wheel. It made me laugh.

"Relax, you are not proposing to her. We are just going to hang out." I comforted him in attempt to put him at ease. It's difficult to give courage to someone when they are about to see their crush, especially after waiting for so long. Ellen left quite an impression on him after that one time when they saw each other.

I've been expecting for them to act awkward and have a moment when she opens the door, but they were interrupted by little Sam who was too excited to see his play buddy. He ran into Valentin's arms and they had a long hug. Ellen was once again surprised that someone else had that effect on him. He doesn't even do that with me... Valentin handed her the flower and she blushed.

She let us in and we crashed in the living room. There were some snacks on the table and I didn't wait to start eating them. Due to me being focused on the food, the two of them were left to each other but both acted awkward. Considering that they are in their twenties, I didn't expect them to be shy like thirteen year olds. Seeing that they need my help, I created a conversation.

At first the three of us had discussions which I started off and they added to. But quickly they both took the initiative to get to know each other and started asking questions. That's when I realised that I wasn't needed anymore and went off to play with Sam.