"This is ridiculous," Johnny murmured under his breath, his gaze impatiently sliding through the words in the text.

My face fell immediately, "What- What do you mean?"

"It's so good that it's even ridiculous." he turned his head to look at me. I sighed in relief when his lips curved out a proud smile.

I returned the grin, chuckling lightly, "Thank you."

"But seriously, why didn't you say you are so good at it?"

"Oh, come on," I mumbled, looking away and then again at him. "I'm not. It's not, like, the masterpiece of the century."

"It's totally one of the best short stories I've ever read." he countered with raised brows and I probably blushed slightly. God, I'm so bad at taking compliments.

I smiled, "You should see the other ones."

"You have more?" he suddenly snapped, like he was a cocaine addict and I just said I have two grams in my pocket. I giggled at the warm feeling that poured all over my heart. I think he really liked it.

In the same time we heard the sound of Johnny's doorbell. I almost saw my stomach lighting up at the thought of the delicious pizza I'm about to devour.

"I'll get it," I said, jumping off the couch and making my way to the door, still smiling a bit.

In case you haven't figured out yet, I let Johnny read the story I wrote for the writing agency, few weeks ago. Long time, I know, and a lot of things had changed, believe me. But let's start from the beginning.

So, maybe 5 days after I sent the famous email with my work, I got a response. At first I didn't even wanna open it, thinking I probably haven't got the job. I mean, I only daydreamed about it and how my life would look like, but actually getting it? That's whole another level.

Anyways, I finally had to stop wallowing in my own insecure delusions and face it.

Honestly, until this day I have no idea how it happened. Maybe my prayers to gods, idols and other higher beings payed off? Not a clue, yet.. my dream did come true. I don't think I have to describe how happy I was. I still can't believe it all.

Basically, the agency wants me to write small parts, like only paragraphs, to one of the papers about the topics they'll send me. Then, I could get a promotion to write about what I want and in more popular newspapers, etc etc. I don't know how about you, but thinking of writing for Vanity Fair or The Rolling Stone was too overwhelming for me, yet still could happen.

Then what am I doing at Johnny's place? Well, they also wanted to sign a contract. For a whole lot of money. More than I have ever had.

I decided to talk to Johnny about it since he's been in the business for a while now. By the way, when he found out I've been 'accepted', he showed up at my place and stormed in with a bottle of champagne and waves of congratulations. We drank it all, only the two of us, and laughed 'till my belly muscles cramp.

In the end I signed the contract and, since I've been planning to do that for a couple of months now, moved out. Yeah, you read the words right. I bought a new house, right on the outskirts of NY. But that was weeks ago.

Thanks to some contacts I have, I didn't have to wait half a year or so to actually move in. And tomorrow, finally, I'll be able to be there on my own.

However, I've technically moved out of my last apartment and had to stay somewhere else for tonight. And that's why I'm at Johnny's place.

In the beginning I thought of staying in a hotel, as you do, but Johnny said I could crash a night at his place and that it's even better because we can talk it all through and hang out in general.

The funniest part is that my new house in only about 20-25 minutes on foot away from Johnny's, so we could go there together and we probably will. The moving out company said it'll be ready by tomorrow's evening.

I payed the pizza guy and took two boxes of food from him, then said goodbye and closed the door with my foot.

"Here ya go," I handed Johnny his pizza and he wasted no time in opening the box. I planned to do the same thing, when I heard my phone getting a message.

I quickly searched under some couch's pillows and couldn't help my smile when I saw who's the person that texted me.

One more thing that has been happening in the past weeks was my relationship with Alex growing, I guess? We've been hanging out every time we had a chance, and he also asked me out a few times to some fancy restaurants and stuff.

I swear he's the sweetest person ever! I don't know how I got so lucky to have him. I could get lost in those blue eyes every time he looks so lovingly at me.

"Who's that mysterious person you're smilin' at?" Johnny asked, taking a bite of his pizza.

"Alex. He's texted a goodnight." I replied, briefly looking up at him.

Unfortunately, Alex had to go away in some work business, but we still try to keep in touch by calling or texting, like right now. I really hope he's gonna be back soon.

"So, you're like.. dating him?" Johnny questioned and started looking at something really interesting on his pizza slice.

"Yeah, you could say that."

"I see." he murmured in response.

"Listen, Johnny." I started. "I know you don't really like him, but you don't have to be worried about anything. He's treating me right and I don't think he's a bad guy."

"I know, El, I'm happy for you, but.."

"But what?"

"The thing is.. Few years ago, back when I first met him- and that was when the band started, I hated the man. He was such a f-.. player with girls. He hung out with a different one every weekend, eventually breaking the heart of each one. It made me so mad to even look at him."

My brows furrowed a bit as I listened. It just screamed red flag, but, on the other side, it was a few years ago. I feel like you shouldn't judge a person by their past, yet I became a little self-conscious about it.

"I have nothin' against if you say he's changed, but, please, be careful, El." he said and I nodded. "Just promise you'll tell me if he ever hurts you. I'll handle him."

I chuckled, "I promise. I also hope I won't be visiting you in prison after you handle him."

"Talking about prison, shall we finish our Monopoly game?" he asked, nodding at the game board waiting for us to play.

"If you want to lose so bad, sure."

He shot a 'excuse me' look.

"Do I have to remind you who won at Uno?" he asked with raised brows.

"I don't remember that taking place," I lied, holding in my laugh. "Come on, sweetheart, no more excuses."

He grinned happily, shaking his head slowly.

💞