Chapter 4

A few years ago, Saturdays were synonymous with parties, getting drunk, staying up late, or getting laid if I was lucky. Now I treated Saturdays like any other day. No parties, no getting drunk, let alone getting laid. I preferred staying quiet in the apartment and reading. Even eating out felt like a hassle because the streets were as crowded as a market. If I got bored, I just went downstairs and walked to Potato Head to entertain myself by watching people take selfies and feel fancy because that place's view was magnificent. This Saturday, I was just lazily sitting on the balcony, drinking beer, and glancing at my phone on the table every ten seconds.

Since we met almost two weeks ago, the communication between Zack and me could be considered intense for people who have just met. He always had questions for me, including about places to eat around Denpasar. Maybe I was conceited because I didn't know if Zack was interested in me, but I couldn't stop thinking about him. He and his damn dimples had messed up my brain! So, I had become the one who waited because Zack always sent the messages first. For someone like Glenn Anantara, waiting for someone to message me first was an extraordinary achievement because I was an impatient person. I didn't know what Zack had that made me so curious. The only thing I could be sure of was that Zack was not pretentious or snobbish. My feeling about people was rarely wrong.

I wished my heart could be dismantled so I wouldn't feel this nervous just from seeing Zack's name on my phone screen. I finished the remaining beer before answering Zack's call.

"Did you sabotage my phone, Zack? Because I was just about to text you."

Zack laughed, and I couldn't help but smile. "How are you, Glenn? Where are you?"

"I'm fine and just in the apartment, drinking beer. How about you?"

"I'm at Biku, and I'm not sure where to go next."

When I heard Zack mention Biku, I immediately got off my chair. "Are you at Biku? I won't bother replying to your message if you don't stop by."

"Is your place close by?"

"Very close! When you leave Biku, turn left, walk a hundred meters, and you'll be in front of my apartment."

"Are you serious, Glenn?"

"Why would I lie about my place?"

"I'll wait downstairs."

I deliberately cut off Zack's words so he didn't have any excuse not to come here. Forget about politeness! I put the beer on the floor, quickly ran to my room, opened the wardrobe, grabbed the top shirt in the stack, and changed out of the worn-out shirt I was wearing. After quickly fixing my hair in the mirror, I rushed to the door and immediately skipped two steps. I'd deal with being tired later. I was downstairs in less than five minutes, and Zack was already there.

Shit! He didn't give me a chance to catch my breath.

"Hey, Glenn. Why are you out of breath like that?"

Damn it!

As soon as I caught my breath, I looked at Zack, who innocently offered his dimples as a greeting. "What are you doing at Biku?"

"Just having afternoon tea."

"Must be nice being rich, huh? Having afternoon tea and all," I replied with a chuckle.

"It's a habit from my time in England that hasn't gone away," Zack answered, blushing. Gosh! He was so fucking adorable! "Do you live here?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it's my brother's apartment. Do you want to come up? The apartment is on the third floor. There's no elevator, so you must be ready to climb the stairs."

"Fine by me."

I turned around immediately, and not long after, Zack caught up with me. "Maybe you deliberately came to the Petitenget area, so I would invite you."

Zack shook his head but couldn't hide his smile. "No plans, Glenn. It was an impulsive decision."

"Disappointing," I replied, and Zack laughed again.

Could I shag this guy already?

I glanced at Zack's outfit for the evening. A dark blue cotton shirt, cream chino pants, and sunglasses hanging in his shirt pocket. When would I get a chance to unbutton his shirt—dammit! If my mind started imagining things, I might trip on the stairs without paying attention.

"How was your day, Glenn?"

"It was good. You already asked earlier. How about you?"

"I was fine. Why didn't you mention earlier that you live near Biku?"

"I was afraid you would stalk me," I said, and Zack responded by shaking his head. "My brother didn't want to live far from the beach. He rented this apartment, and since he's currently in Australia and the lease is still ongoing, I'm continuing it," I replied with a grin. "Did you come to Biku by yourself?"

Zack nodded. "I liked the atmosphere there, and I've been there a few times."

"So, this is my dear brother's apartment," I said as I opened the front door and invited Zack inside.

"Nice."

"Do you want to see the balcony?" I offered.

"Surprise me."

***

"FYI, I'm still here, Zack," I said when I noticed he was captivated by the view from the balcony. Well, I couldn't blame him. The idea was indeed stunning.

"Oh, sorry." Zack gave me a smile that I could only interpret as his way of apologizing. "This is truly ... extraordinary, Glenn. You're so lucky to have this view."

"Anyway, what would you like to drink? Unfortunately, I don't have wine if that's what's on your mind."

Zack tilted his head. His lips formed a half-smile. "How did you know I like drinking wine?"

"Someone like you doesn't settle for a glass of iced syrup."

I left Zack laughing at my response—what else?—and headed to the kitchen. I smiled as I opened the fridge and grabbed a cold water bottle. What I did was so not me. If Gio were here, he would have teased me relentlessly. That brother of mine had a knack for embarrassing me.

Zack was still in the same spot when I returned to the balcony. This guy was hypnotized by what he saw.

"Here!" I handed Zack a glass, which he accepted with a smile. Those dimples ... dammit, Zack! Why did you mess with my mind like this?

"Thanks for inviting me here."

"It's no big deal. Just come here whenever you want. As long as I'm not busy, I'll gladly welcome you, even though I won't roll out the red carpet."

Zack nodded silently. "You haven't had dinner, right?"

"Not yet. I usually don't like going out for dinner on Saturdays and Sundays. I either cook something simple or order delivery. That's it. I'm too lazy to deal with traffic just for food. I'd rather spend the time reading."

"What do you usually order for delivery?"

"It depends on what I feel like eating. Are you hungry? Or do you want to have dinner together?" I shot back.

"Both. If you don't mind."

You succeeded in making my imagination run even wilder, Zack.

"I don't know what you like, so it's better if you order. I'll follow along. Just not sushi or other Japanese food."

"Why? Are you allergic to Japanese food?"

I shrugged. "I’ve never liked it. But I like Mexican and Italian, as well as Indonesian. No food is more delicious than Indonesian-style fried noodles."

"Noted."

"I'll take a quick shower, okay? Make yourself comfortable. All the tableware and cutleries are in the kitchen if you need something. I haven't showered since this morning. I hope you don't hold your breath because I smelled."

Zack laughed. "You don't smell bad, Glenn, trust me."

"I like polite guys, but it's too polite of you to say I don't smell like a rotten tomato."

This time, Zack approached me before I could avoid it. "I'm serious, Glenn. You smell like an ocean if I can be honest."

"If you say that again, I won't shower. Do you have the app to order food on your phone? I usually check the reviews first before deciding to order something. But it’s up to you. I’m not that picky."

"I have them."

"Okay, you can order. Sorry for not being a good host."

Zack just waved his hand.

As soon as I entered the room and opened the wardrobe, I didn't know which devil possessed me to be like this just because Zack was in the apartment.