Chapter 13 - New Memories
New Memories
William dropped into his desk chair with a sigh, his body humming with endorphins from his workout. He kicked his gym bag under his desk and leaned back, rubbing a hand across his face.
It felt good to go to the gym, but even with the energy boost, he still craved a nap. One good night’s sleep wasn’t enough.
He opened his desk drawer and grabbed the lunch Adathan had woken up early to pack for him. He took the containers out of the bag—a ham and cheese sandwich, veggies and dip, vanilla yogurt, peach slices, and a bunch of cookies.
William smiled, a fuzzy feeling swelling in his chest. He never took the time to prepare such nice lunches for himself, so he wasn’t used to having all this variety. It would make his afternoon so much more tolerable.
A small voice told him it was wrong to turn Adathan into a housewife, but William did his best to ignore it. It had been Adathan’s initiative, and it clearly made him happy. William would be a real asshole to ask him to stop.
He reached for the spoon at the bottom of the bag and spotted a piece of paper. He unfolded it, his smile widening as he discovered a drawing of ants carrying miniature food items, like burgers, ice cream cones, and pizza slices.
Or maybe they were giant ants carrying regular-sized food.
Either way, Adathan was remarkably talented.
A thought crossed William’s mind, but he kicked it away. It didn’t matter whether Serviteurs were taught how to draw. He chose to believe Adathan’s talent was his, and his alone.
William would have to unpack the remaining boxes from his move tonight.
If he recalled correctly, one contained brand-new art supplies he’d bought a while ago—when he’d been convinced expensive colored pencils and professional-grade sketchbooks were all he required to become an artist. Turned out what he needed was perseverance.
William grabbed a thumbtack and pinned the drawing to his cubicle wall. If Adathan could make something like this with a cheap ballpoint pen, then William couldn’t wait to see what he’d achieve with decent supplies.
Chatter erupted around him as his colleagues returned from their lunch break. William would normally put on his headphones, but he knew the noise would soon die down and be replaced with a low stream of keystrokes and clicks.
It had been like this for weeks—dead quiet, like they were already mourning their job security.
Ever since the higher-ups had fired the director and replaced him with an outside hire, everyone was on edge. They all knew what was coming: layoffs disguised as business restructuring. It gave William another reason not to put his headphones on.
To listen.
William savored his sandwich as he unlocked his work computer. He stared blankly at the spreadsheet he was working on before the break, the numbers blurring and swimming before his eyes. God, he was so tired of this place.
It didn’t help that his mind kept drifting to Adathan.
William shook his head. He had to stay focused. The new director was taking notes, evaluating their performances. She wasn’t even subtle about it. William couldn’t wait for this nightmare to be over.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out and read the email he’d just received from Adathan.
From: Adathan S Eden
To: William Mitchell
Subject: Good afternoon, William!
Dear William,
I just ate the remaining barley soup, and it was delicious. Next, I will be eating a peach.
I’m happy you bought them. They’re sweet and juicy, and our entire home smells like peaches now. I had eaten only one peach slice before today, and it was six years ago. I missed out on many delicious foods, but thanks to you, I am now free to eat what I want!
I’m afraid at this rate there will be none left for you, though. My sincerest apologies :)
I’m kidding! I promise to keep one (1) just for you.
This morning I forgot to ask if you have any food allergies or preferences. I found some recipes on the Internet I could make with the ingredients we have at home, but I want to make sure I’ll be preparing a meal you like! :)
Well, now that I’m writing this, I realize you probably don’t buy ingredients you’re allergic to, huh? Hee hee, silly me.
Oh! The rain has finally stopped, and there’s a rainbow in the sky.
It’s beautiful. I just took a picture with the laptop, and I’m attaching it to this email in case you can’t see it from your office.
Do you have a window near your desk? I read about office spaces on the Internet, and I have so many questions.
I hope you won’t mind my asking. I just like learning new things about you.
I hope you’re having a good time at work. They’re so lucky to have you!
I’m eagerly looking forward to your return.
Warmest regards,
Adathan S Eden
William pressed his hand against his heart as he was hit with another wave of fuzzy tingles. Adathan was far too precious for this world.
Far too good for you, a voice said in his head.
He set his phone on his desk and wrinkled his nose as he cast a look around the boring cubicle he sat in forty hours a week.
Some of his colleagues had decorated their workspaces, but William had left his own partitions bare.
Nine years ago, he’d set foot on this floor with the firm certainty it would be a six-month thing at most. A temporary arrangement.
Unlike all the other losers, he was destined for something greater, he’d told himself back then.
What a joke.
William tapped the reply icon and typed.
From: William Mitchell
To: Adathan S Eden
Subject: RE: Good afternoon, William!
Hey Adathan,
I’m glad you liked the soup and the peaches. Go ahead and eat them all if you want. They’re still on sale for a few days, so I’ll just buy some more.
I’m currently eating the lunch you prepared for me and admiring your drawing. Both are great, thank you. I’ll have a surprise for you tonight. Hope you like it.
I don’t have any allergies, and the only things I don’t like are brussels sprouts and nutmeg. So you don’t have to worry. Make whatever you like and I’ll be happy, as long as you don’t borrow those two ingredients from Rosanna.
Thanks for the picture of the rainbow. You’re right, it’s beautiful.
You can ask me all the questions you want, but I can’t promise my answers will be interesting. There’s nothing exciting about my job.
But speaking of interesting, I heard back from Oliver. He said he’d like to meet you tomorrow night, if that’s ok with you. It’s fine if you prefer to wait, though. We can go another day. There’s no rush.
I hope you have a great afternoon.
William
He’d been meaning to wait before introducing them, thinking Adathan would need more time to settle before meeting new people. However, seeing as Adathan had knocked on their neighbor’s door yesterday, stayed over for coffee, looked at baby pictures, and walked out with a potted plant . . .
William had obviously underestimated Adathan’s ability to adapt to new situations.
———
William slowed to a stop. He looked over his shoulder, across the street, and back around. There was no one in sight.
He walked closer to the dining chairs sitting in a pile of trash bags. Two were broken beyond repair—and made William wonder how the fuck their previous owners had managed such a feat. The third chair appeared to be in perfectly good condition.
Home wrestling for an audience of one?
William chuckled internally as he cast another look around. The coast was still clear.
He snatched the good chair with a palpitating heart. He resumed walking with a hurried gait, his gaze laser-focused on his apartment building a few dozen steps away.
William had learned his lesson: brief humiliation was insignificant compared to the satisfaction of improving Adathan’s quality of life.
He’d never pass up such an opportunity again.
Besides, why pay for something when he could get one for free?
It was a really good chair, too—solid wood that would last him a lifetime if he used it like a normal person.
William unlocked the front door and stepped inside with a quiet sigh. He was greeted by the delicious scents of garlic and cheese, which guided him to the fourth floor. His mouth watered when he found out he was the lucky man who would soon get to indulge.
“My surprise!” Adathan exclaimed as William walked in. “I love it. Thank you!”
William glanced at the chair he’d just found in the trash. “This?” He wrinkled his nose. “No. This isn’t—it’d be a shitty surprise.”
Adathan cocked his head as he stepped closer, a cheeky little smile on his face. He was wearing William’s old Metallica T-shirt . . . which wasn’t part of the bundle he’d given him, William now realized.
William had been careful not to offer garments he’d worn before, not knowing how he’d react to seeing a cute man parade around in his clothes. It was now clear it had been the right call.
William wanted to be annoyed that Adathan had taken the liberty of wearing his clothes, but he couldn’t bring himself to. How could he when Adathan looked so damn hot?
Fuck.
“Do you think offering me a place at your table is a shitty gesture, William?” Adathan asked.
William blinked. His lips parted, but Adathan had once again rendered him speechless—because he was right. William hadn’t realized how symbolic the gesture was.
He kicked off his shoes and dropped the chair at the table, grateful for the distraction from his thoughts. “Then I guess you’ll have two surprises tonight,” he said with a smile.
Adathan beamed. “Thank you, William.” He closed the distance between them and hugged him tight. “I’m making broccoli casserole. Hope you like it.”