Chapter 14
Once Rey and I are seated, the server places the menus in front of us. I watch him as he scans the menu while I try to process the fact that he is deaf.
Ari: I hope you don’t mind me asking. How do you communicate with strangers when you’re out? I’m not sure if I should order for you or if that would offend you. To be honest, I have never been around someone who is deaf.
He places his forearms on the table with his phone in hand. I follow the lines of his straight nose, which has a slight imperfection on the bridge, probably from being broken. His dark hair, tan skin, and tattoos are visible on the tops of his hands. When he trains, his hands are usually wrapped with athletic tape or he wears boxing gloves.
When he stops, I tear my gaze away reluctantly and wait for the notification from my phone.
Rey: My usual method is to point at the menu, jot it down on paper, or type it on my phone to show the server. It’s straightforward. No one really questions it. They understand my needs, and I settle the bill. It’s as easy as that. Just so you know, your questions aren’t offensive to me.
When I finish reading the text, the server appears, and I ask for water. She looks at Rey, waiting for him to order. My phone goes off.
Rey: I would like water and the number three with no bread.
I tell the server our order.
Ari: You understood when I asked for water?
He looks at me and smiles. I swear my heart skipped a beat.
Rey: I can read your lips.
Ari: Everyone’s or just certain people?
Rey: Not everyone, but I can read yours.
Ari: How come?
Rey: They are easy to follow.
He looks up from his phone. His eyes fall to my lips, mine to his. His lips are full. Two old scars in the form of white lines on the left side of his mouth make him appear more rugged. Real. His scars are imperfections that I find attractive.
When our food arrives, I notice he waits until he sees me take a bite of my club sandwich before he starts eating. I can’t help but wonder how he manages to train his brother in the gym, being deaf. How does he communicate in the boxing ring? It’s fascinating how people don’t know. How no one has realized he can’t hear them. I also can’t help but notice the headphones he wears.
When I looked him up online, there was no mention of Rey being deaf, no tabloid or TMZ article. It only mentioned his achievements as a fighter. He is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world right now. The latest news is that the undefeated heavyweight fighter of the world is training his brother for his upcoming debut.
After a fifteen-minute drive, he turns onto a single road. It’s dark, and only the headlights of his car allow me to see. He stops in front of a metal gate and presses the garage door button from his car. The automatic gates swing open.
The car crawls down the paved driveway until his house comes into view. The huge house is impressive, with a circular driveway and a seven-car garage. The landscape is professionally done, with topiaries surrounding the pavers. Two large windows have modern drapes on each side of the black double doors and two fall wreaths. The elegant house is contemporary in design.
He presses another button from his car, and one of the garage doors opens automatically.
The garage floors gleam against the white garage lights as he pulls in. He gets out and walks over to the back of his car, where he removes my suitcase. When he closes the back door, I receive a text.
Rey: Welcome to my home. Javier is asleep and will be up soon for his morning run. He knows we made it home. I hope that’s alright. I had your car towed to the gym from the park. Follow me so I can show you to the guest bedroom.
Ari: Thank you, Rey. Thank you for allowing me to stay in your gorgeous home.
Rey: My pleasure.
I want to dissolve in a puddle. There are no words to express how grateful I am for his hospitality. I regret the way I spoke to him in the locker room.
Tears well up in my eyes as I realize I get to sleep in a bed. It feels like ages since I felt a soft pillow, stretched my legs, did not have a seat belt buckle into my side, or woke up feeling cold.
As I follow him inside, we pass the living room with bone-colored marble flooring and black accented furniture. The furniture is minimal, and the walls have thin-lined sconces with sensor lighting.
He stops when we reach the grand staircase and gestures for me to follow him.
I watch his muscles bunch and flex as he ascends the stairs with my suitcase in his right arm as if it weighs nothing.
He stops before a door and opens it with his free hand to a beautiful, decorated room with dark wood furniture and the same bone-colored marble tile. The queen-sized bed is already turned down. The lamp glows across the room, giving off a luxurious feel like I’m staying at a five-star hotel.
He sets my suitcase down in front of the bed. He looks up as soon as he sends me a text.
Rey: I hope you like the room. The bathroom is right through the door to the left. Have a good night, Aria. I’ll see you in the morning.
Ari: Thank you, Rey. The room is perfect. Good night. Please call me Ari.
My mouth curves into a grin, and I surprise him by standing on my toes and kissing his cheek softly.
He leans his head slightly. It feels like the sun’s heat is on my skin, warming me up inside. Like a light has been turned on after so many days of darkness. I don’t want to pull away. I want him to hold me, but I know that’s impossible. He’s my boss, and I cannot feel anything but professionalism and gratitude for what he has done for me tonight. He pulls away and exits the room, taking the heat and light with him.
I unzip my suitcase to change into a pair of pajamas. I slide under the soft sheets and hide under the blankets as needles prick my throat, and the tears come.