Chapter 6: Fingers Crossed

With the help of keeping her fingers crossed, August managed to avoid her hot neighbor. And that includes skipping her cup of coffee out in the balcony!

It's a waste not being able to enjoy that cup of coffee every morning but she's glad she found an alternative by running in the university grounds, enjoying the morning breeze.

She spent the past week walking around, visiting bookstores and thrift shops before starting her part time job at the coffee shop.

Just the other afternoon, she went to the University & Brew to get her apron and tag. Despite her saying it's okay, Henry had her name tag changed to August.

She felt bad when he mentioned the red velvet cake slice that she forgot and he wrapped for her last Monday. She couldn't count the times she apologized to him when she was at the coffee shop and he just laughed at her, assuring her that it's okay.

She left after he insisted to take another slice of cake from the shop. "Perks of working here." He winked.

She looked at her wall clock and it's almost seven. Her stomach rumbled in hunger. She's too lazy to cook dinner so she grabbed her purse and her hoodie.

She walked just a block from the apartment and bought herself a Chinese take out. She walked back to her apartment and she waited in line to the elevators. She busied herself, checking her social media not minding the people around her when a group of girls who were busy chatting lined up behind her, waiting for the elevators as well.

"Oh my God! Is that him?" One girl asked, whispering.

She discreetly looked around her, checking who the girl is talking about when she noticed a familiar tall guy standing on the other line to the elevators.

Whatever happened to the power of crossing my fingers?

He's wearing a white dry-fit shirt, black jogging pants and running shoes. He's wearing his AirPods so he probably didn't hear the girls talking about him.

So my hot neighbor-professor runs at night!

She tried her best not to look at his direction again as she felt her heart beating faster. The lift dinged and the two lines moved forward after the people stepped out. She decided to let the group of girls get in first when she saw that he was about to get in, just so she can avoid him!

But then he stepped aside when an old couple walked near the lift. He slightly bowed his head as he allowed the couple to get in first.

Her mouth went dry when their eyes locked as they were both left waiting for the next lift, standing next to each other. She blushed when she realized how handsome he is without his glasses and he's just looking at her with a straight face.

The next lift dinged and the people stepped out. She went first then a family with a baby and three toddlers followed after her, staying on one side of the lift after pressing the floor button on the lift. He then stepped in and stood in front of her.

She's thankful that there's enough space away from him. She's scared that he might hear her heart pounding so loud. The lift was about to close when a hand stopped the doors and another family with two toddlers came in.

She panicked when he had to step back and stand beside her. She closed her eyes and tightened her grip on her purse, praying his body won't bump into hers.

She could smell the scent of his expensive perfume mixed with his sweat from running! She sniffed discreetly and exhaled slowly.

Damn! He smelled so good I can’t help closing my eyes to savor his scent.

The toddlers next to her were playing with each other and the parents were pretty busy talking to scold them. The boy accidentally hits her leg with his toy while playing. She jerked but managed to hide the pain with a smile when she noticed his hot neighbor-professor’s arm extended to stop the kid's toy from hitting her again, accidentally touching, brushing her leg with his hand. “S—Sorry.” He mumbled.

She was frozen in his touch and her heart skipped a beat upon hearing his deep manly voice.

The mother must’ve heard him apologizing so she turned, holding her children’s hands, trying to stop them from hitting her again with the toy. ”Sorry. Oh God! I'm so sorry." The mother apologized to her. "Stop it, Brandon! Her boyfriend will throw you out of this elevator if you don't behave!” The mother threatened her son while winking at them. The toddler behaved as he looked up while holding on to his mother's dress, looking scared.

She blushed. She knows her face probably looked like a rotten tomato right now. She's too stunned she wasn't able to find her voice and deny what the mother thought her relationship is with the guy next to her. But what stunned her more is the fact that he just stayed quiet and even smiled with the mother’s remark.

Did he hear what the mother told her kids? So, did he hear those girls earlier?

The lift finally stopped at the fifth floor and the two families stepped out. "Sorry again." The mother smiled at them.

As soon as the doors closed, the lift moved up the sixth floor. They both stayed still, standing next to each other in an awkward silence.

"That was awkward. I'm sorry I didn't say something to her.” His deep voice soothes her ears.

She panicked. She had to blink as she glances at him, standing next to her. Oh, God! He’s talking to me! Is this the voice the students hear in class?

Now I understand why they were all listening to him attentively that day. His voice is so well-modulated that you’d want to just let him talk more.

I know the power of crossing my fingers is gone but I didn’t expect him to actually talk to me!