Across The Hallway

CHAPTER 4

— BREAKING THE GUARD —

The ten-minute drive gave Christine just enough time to collect herself. She arrived at the restaurant first, securing a table and placing their order.

When Jeffrey walked in a few moments later, he spotted her immediately. There was no hesitation in the way he navigated the bustling room toward her. He didn't sit right away, just stood by the chair across from her, a quiet warmth in his eyes. "You made it."

"Yup! And I already ordered for us," she said, feeling a natural ease settle over her. "Two rice, bulalo, and grilled tilapia."

He narrowed his eyes in mock suspicion. "Tilapia, not bulalo?"

"Both," she corrected with a grin.

He settled into the chair across from her. "You really do only follow your own rules," he said, signaling the waitress with a quiet smile. "But I like that about you."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping into that familiar, warm register. "So, paying me back for the smoothie already? Now you're the one feeding me tonight."

Christine chuckled. "I can't let you pay every time." She let the statement settle, watching him with steady eyes.

"What if I want to?" he asked quietly. It wasn't a challenge; it was just open. He rested his elbows on the table, his voice softening even more. "Not every time. Just... the first few." He gave a small shrug. "Consider it a down payment on getting to know you."

"If you insist, I'll leave right here," she teased.

He didn't flinch. Leaning back in his chair, he caught her eye with an easy, confident smile. "You wouldn't walk out on a perfectly good plate of tilapia." A brief, knowing pause followed. "And honestly, I think you're enjoying this a little too much to leave just yet."

The words caught her off guard. Christine paused, his quiet confidence hitting her like a train. She tried her best to keep the mood light, though her pulse had quickened.

"I'm telling you, if you pay tonight, this will be the last time." Her tone was serious—not aggressive, but firmly holding her boundary.

The tease landed, and he held her gaze a second longer before letting out a low chuckle. He shook his head, lifting his hands in mock surrender.

"Alright, alright. You win."

But there was no defeat in his voice, only warmth. He picked up his menu, though his eyes stayed on her over the top of it. "Last one, then. Tonight. But don't blame me if I find other ways to get you to stay."

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The choice of words was deliberate. "Like what?" she asked.

Lowering the menu slowly, a flicker of something amused and careful crossed his face. "Like showing up at your gym next Sunday, same time."

He rested his elbows on the table again, his voice even. "Or remembering you mentioned wanting to try that ramen place in BGC two weeks ago." He held her gaze. "Small things. But they add up."

"You really remember that, huh?"

He leaned back as the food arrived, letting the moment settle between them.

"Told you. I pay attention." He reached for his fork, but his eyes stayed fixed on her.

"When you mentioned it, you lit up. Couldn't forget that."

Christine chuckled, feeling a blush threaten her composure. "Better zip my lips then."

He let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he reached for the rice. "Too late for that now."

He caught her eye, a slow smile playing at his lips. "I've already got the first few chapters of your story. Gonna take more than zipped lips to stop me from reading the rest."

The banter faded. Christine looked at him, feeling the weight of the moment shift from casual to profound. "Jeff, what are you trying to do?"

The question landed softly. Jeffrey set his fork down, took a slow breath, and met her eyes directly. All traces of teasing were gone.

"I'm trying to court you, Christine."

He paused, his gaze steady and unflinching. "Not games. Not casual. I want to know you. All of you."

Christine's breath hitched. "Haven't you already been courting me?"

A slow smile spread across his face, the warmth reaching his eyes. "Yeah," he said quietly, almost to himself.

"I guess I have been." He met her gaze fully now, his voice completely sincere. "Just wanted to make sure you knew it had a name. That it's intentional. That I'm not just passing time."

He paused, letting the honesty settle in the space between them. "Consider this me officially stepping into the light about it."

Christine nodded, a genuine, unguarded smile breaking through her defenses. "Yes, Jeff, I am... I am letting you court me. And I want to know more about you, slowly, every day."

Something shifted in his expression—a quiet exhale, a softening around his eyes. Without thinking, his hand moved forward an inch on the table.

"Thank you." His voice was a little rough with feeling. "For letting me in. For trusting me this far."

He glanced down at the table, then back up, offering a small, genuine smile. "I don't plan on wasting a single day."

They finished their meal wrapped in a comfortable, easy warmth. The air between them felt different now—like the first sip of coffee, promising something long and good.

"So, what's the plan after this? Home?" she asked.

He leaned back, giving a small, thoughtful nod. "Home, for me." His eyes stayed on her a moment longer than necessary. "I could follow you to the parking lot, make sure you get to your car safe." He smiled, a flicker of that earlier warmth returning.

"No rush on anything. But I'd sleep better knowing you're not walking alone."

"Okay, home," she agreed.

Christine stood up, walked to the counter, and paid the bill. When she returned, he was waiting for her by the door. "Let's go!"

He followed her out, matching her pace easily as they walked toward the parking lot. The night air carried the distant hum of Poblacion's evening life, but between them, it was quieter, more insulated. When they reached her car, he stopped a respectful distance away, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets.

"I had a good time tonight," he said, his voice softer now in the night air. "Drive safe. Message me when you get home so I know you made it."

Christine opened the car door, turning her head toward him with a bright smile, and gave him a wave. "I will. Bye, Jeff!"

He lifted one hand in a small wave, keeping it there as she settled into the driver's seat. "Bye, Christine." His voice carried clearly through the open window. "See you tomorrow."

He waited on the pavement, watching her taillights until they disappeared entirely around the corner before finally heading to his own car.

A few minutes later, Christine arrived at her condo. She opened the door, dropping her keys on the counter, and sank onto the sofa. She realized she was smiling—a deep, involuntary smile that she couldn't shake.

"I am just happy to have his company," the thought echoed clearly in her mind, simple and true.

She pulled out her phone and typed:

Christine: "Just got home. Goodnight Jeff."

Three minutes later, his reply came through:

Jeffrey: "Glad you're home safe. Tonight was beautiful. Thank you for saying yes. Rest well, Christine."

A pause, then a second message appeared:

Jeffrey: "Today was just the first page. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow."

Christine read his text, her smile widening, and replied:

Christine: "I know. Sleep well."

A few moments later, a final message from him lit up her screen:

Jeffrey: "Goodnight, Christine. Sweet dreams."

True to his word, he didn't push for more conversation. Christine placed her phone on the nightstand and let the quiet settle around her, the smile still resting on her face as she drifted off to sleep, already anticipating the morning.