Chapter 5 COFFE AND PLANS

The sound of the main door knock diverted me from the television. My hand placed the chocolate box Grey gave me yesterday, then approached the door still knocked from outside. Confused, I wondered, who visits at this late hour?

I opened it and found Grey, my neighbor, standing with his hand in his shorts pocket. For a moment, I held my breath while glancing around. What wind brought this man to knock on my door?

"Sorry to disturb your time, Nadia," he said with a friendly smile. "It's okay, Grey. What brings you here this late?" I tried to maintain courtesy.

"The hot water at my place is acting up. I've contacted the repairman, who'll come tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile, I need coffee right now," he said, raising his left hand holding a bag of coffee powder. Turns out, he's been carrying his own coffee powder all along.

"Can I borrow a bit of your hot water? Just for the coffee," he added.

"Of course." I opened the door wider. "Come in then." I was trying to be a helpful neighbor. After all, it's just for a cup of hot water.

I saw Grey smile and step into my house. I could catch a sweet scent of his cologne. Standing next to Grey, I only reached his chin. He had a tall and sturdy figure, typical of an adult man.

"Give me your coffee, and I'll make it for you," I extended my hand, diverting his gaze from exploring my house.

"It's okay, Nadia. Let me make it myself. I just need hot water."

"I don't mind making it for you, as long as you share a bit of your coffee with me," I offered.

Grey laughed, his husky voice deepening. "Alright, you can have some if you want."

I took the coffee from Grey and guided him further into the house. He seemed to be intensely observing the contents of my home, occasionally stopping to look at the photos on my table.

"Let me make it, you just wait here," I said, pointing to the sofa in front of the TV.

After saying that, I headed to the kitchen, not far from the sofa. Grey followed shortly, taking a seat at the kitchen counter.

"I want to see you make coffee," Grey said before I instructed him to sit back on the sofa.

I simply responded with a smile, not bothered. Then, I grabbed two glass cups from the cabinet and filled them with coffee powder along with sugar.

"Do you prefer a little or a lot of sugar?" I asked Grey, who was lost in thought. He looked at me unfocused.

"Ah, just a little," he replied.

As Grey suggested, I added a bit of sugar to his cup and a lot to mine. I'm not a fan of the bitter taste. Finally, I poured hot water into the glasses. Unaware that every move of mine was clearly captured by the gray eyes now paying attention.

"Done."

I carried the cups and placed them in front of Grey. We sat facing each other, separated only by a small table. The mature man thanked me with his usual sweet smile, and I responded with a small smile.

"Sorry to trouble you, Nadia. But at this hour, it's the time for a cup of coffee."

I raised my coffee cup and blew on it lightly to let the heat dissipate. "Do you often drink coffee at this hour?"

Grey nodded, tasting the hot coffee while his sharp eyes glanced at me. I sat nervously, afraid that the coffee I made might not suit his taste.

"This is perfect, I like your coffee." He said, acknowledging my concern. "I might often bother you to make coffee later..." he added, sounding like a joke.

I smiled faintly. Silence enveloped the atmosphere for a moment. We both savored the cup of coffee with pleasure. In a short while, Grey's cup was only halfway full – he seemed to be a coffee enthusiast.

"Can I have a refill of the coffee?" he asked.

I frowned, "Drinking too much coffee is not good, Grey. You'll have trouble sleeping later. It's better if you drink chamomile tea; it will help you sleep better."

I saw a small smile on the corner of his lips. Grey lowered the cup in his hand to the table. I realized that I was somewhat dictating what Grey should drink, and I cleared my throat to dispel the awkwardness.

"I-I'm sorry, that's not what I meant-"

"No, hey," Grey interrupted, and I looked up to see him frowning. "Thanks for letting me know. Starting tomorrow, I'll buy the tea you mentioned."

"No, I was just suggesting, not saying you have to drink that tea."

"I know, Nadia. But after thinking about it, your advice makes sense."

Grey finished his coffee, which had become much colder. Apparently, he could handle coffee well, even at night, though it tends to make people stay awake.

"Do you like the chocolate?" Grey looked towards the TV area. "I saw it on the chair. Did you just eat it?"

"Yes. Thanks for the chocolate, Grey. It's really unique, especially with the fruit-flavored jelly inside," I said enthusiastically.

Grey smiled while scrunching his nose. His hand gently tousled my hair, leaving me silent. He continued to stroke my hair softly with a smile that seemed to contain fondness.

"I'm glad you liked it. Tomorrow, we'll buy more..."

I immediately shook my head. Was Grey really that generous? I didn't mean to ask him to buy more; I just stated that the chocolate was delicious and different from others.

"Ah, no need. That's enough," I said awkwardly.

"It's okay. I can buy you more. But my advice is not to have it too often; your rabbit teeth might get damaged."

"How's your day, Nadia?"

I sipped my coffee slowly, "Good, my routine revolves around attending classes and then coming home. Being a student away from home, I'm not familiar with this area."

"I'm new here too," Grey replied. "Could I ask for your time next time? We can go out together, explore New York."

Some sort of date? That couldn't be.

"Y-yes," I replied nervously.

"I'll hold you to that, Nadia. I'll collect someday," he said enthusiastically. I scratched my non-itchy head, "Sure, just a casual outing."

Grey smiled again, spreading more of those sweet smiles tonight.

His intimidating side vanished, replaced by a friendlier Grey Heiro. It made me feel a bit more comfortable compared to last night.

"Well, it seems it's quite late," he said, and I glanced at the clock, realizing it was already eleven at night. Time flew by.

"I should head home now. Thanks for the hot water and coffee, Nadia."

"Yeah, thanks for the coffee too."

I got up to accompany Grey to the front of the house. From behind, his strong physique depicted the solidity of his shoulders. Grey looked twice the size of me. He was tall, but not overly so, with a well-built body and small muscles in his arms and thighs.

Oh my, my thoughts.

"Lock your door and get some rest, Nadia. You have an early schedule tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, I'll go to bed right away."

"Come with me tomorrow, alright?"

"I-" before I could refuse, Grey cut off my words.

"Tomorrow, go with me. No objections, Nadia Samara," Grey asserted, making it clear that there was no room for disagreement.

"Now, go to sleep. Sleep well, neighbor."

To be continued...