Annalise gently placed a hand on her cheek and said, "Mmm, let me think. The hotel isn't far from my place; it's just a few walks away. And I chose to work at the hotel because staying home is boring, as you saw yourself there is nothing to do at home."
Winston, picking up the second sandwich slice, asked, "What about your friends, don't you have friends?"
Annalise let out a soft sigh before answering, "Indeed, I have them. They all took off on vacation for the semester break. To avoid boredom, I applied for a job here."
He took a bite of his sandwich, then asked, "Don't you have other relatives whom you could visit during this semester break?"
Annalise, with a calm, soft, yet sad tone, said, "You remember when you asked me about my day off a few days ago—I went to visit my mother over in Hartford city."
Silence fell between them for a while. Winston sensed Annalise and her mother were somehow not talking. Before he could change the topic, Annalise continued, "My mother and I don't get along, when I was young, ten or eleven—my mother used to take me to Hartford, back then I didn't know it. I used to ask her who we were visiting in Hartford since most of my siblings are based in Arlesey City," Annalise paused for a moment, then she continued, "I only found out later, when my father confronted my mother about her cheating on him. And that when everything clicked. When they divorced, I decided to live with my dad, and my dad has been encouraging me to amend the relationship. So yeah, that is my story."
Winston paused and pondered what would be appropriate to do or say in such a circumstance before he then stood up and assisted her in rising to her feet. Winston embraced Annalise in a long hug. She let her body absorb Winston's embrace. They both kept quiet until Annalise wept. After a while, they both awkwardly went back to their sitting positions. Again, they both paused, and the slapping sounds of chewing and gulping of orange juice filled the silence.
The cool weather swayed the gold marigolds, and pale, soft, and warm pastel shades of purple lilacs. Winston found himself captivated by the tranquil beauty of the landscape, his gaze drifting to the flowers that swayed gently in the breeze. It's been a long time since he enjoyed weather like this—the theme convention with his sister showed him how sometimes sitting back and enjoying his surroundings truly put him in a state of awe. Finishing up his sandwich, dusting his hands of the residuals. Annalise continued talking, and she said, "I'm sorry for crying, can I ask you something, how's my father been as of late?"
Winston, taken aback by the question, responded with a hint of confusion, "Um, he's doing well; may I ask why you're asking? Are you two not speaking?"
"No, not like that, I mean, when both of you are in the training ground, how is he? Does he seem to enjoy it?"
Still confused, Winston paused for a while, going through his memories. Honest Winston hasn't been paying too much attention to his mentor coach. And Dumi didn't allow those small conversations; they were both too focused on the training. Winston didn't know how to answer the question. "I think he is enjoying it,"
Annalise with a relieved sigh, and yet still a hint of doubt. "I am glad."
Curious Winston asked, "Why are you asking? Did he say something about the training?,"
With a heavy sigh that was drifting away, she replied, "Did my father tell you why he retired earlier than expected—a lot of my family members still say he acted rashly."
With her gaze fixed directly on Winston, she softly said, "Some of my relatives don't talk to me—if my father did tell you, well, he retired because of me."
"I remember being around eleven or twelve years old when I contracted an illness that left me bedridden for a considerable time. The doctors said I would die, my father at the time was playing important matches, and they were winning trophies in a row. My relatives tried to hide it from him—even my mother hid it from him." She paused, wiping her tears, she continued, "I don't know how he found out, I heard from some relatives that he left during halftime—he ran to the next train station and took the bullet train straight to the hospital. Him being there, beside my bedside, made me want to fight, in some miracle, my body started healing."
Annalise, shielding her face with her hands and crying uncontrollably, allowed Winston to fully comprehend the immense self-blame she was experiencing, especially in the wake of the devastating news about Dumi's disappearance, which, within a mere forty-eight hours, had tarnished his reputation and transformed him from a celebrated figure into a disgraced individual. Naturally, the team he was participating with in the competition unfortunately did not emerge victorious, subsequently losing both the game and the championship trophy. Following a period of several days, a determined journalist undertook a thorough investigation and ultimately uncovered the reasons behind Dumi's departure.
After the newspaper disseminated this narrative, the global community, deeply moved by the unfolding events, expressed their widespread approval, with even rival sports organizations extending their commendations and dispatching gifts to both the individual and his child. Even the people who hurled insults at him publicly apologized. And Dumi was never seen again, he focused on his daughter. The moment he laid eyes on Winston, his dormant passion for football was rekindled, as Winston's own early days of playing the sport served as a powerful reminder of his own beginnings. That's why he didn't charge him money for this training.
"Don't blame yourself, I'm sure your father doesn't blame you. Every parent would leave everything to be at their sick child's bedside. And judging by how Mr. Crowe is—he feels relief. When we were training he seemed to be contented with his decision. And besides, it seems like he has been getting calls from people."
"Yeah, I also heard him talking to people on the phone at home—it makes me happy knowing he will go back to what he loves."
"Maybe you should tell him how you feel about it. I'm sure he will understand."
With a voice filled with playful teasing, Annalise let out a few snorts and then spoke. "Wow, look at you being a good listener, you know those are one of the attractive qualities in a man."
Feeling a blush, Winston's eyes swept over the whole outdoor lounge area, which was utterly empty, before he announced, "It's time for me to take my leave now; my thanks for the lunch."
Bursting out laughing, Annalise said in a flirting voice, "You are even cuter when you are blushing."
"Ehm, we should go back to the hotel, I am sure your lunch break is over," said Winston, stood up stretching himself.
Still chuckling, Annalise rose to her feet as well, and then the two of them proceeded to clear the table. After walking in silence down the hallway for some time, Annalise broke the quiet, "I forgot to ask you about the upcoming match, how are you feeling?"
Upon hearing that the match had made its way throughout the hotel and even into the neighboring towns, Winston experienced a surge of nervousness, causing him to turn his gaze towards Annalise. After some intense training, he was more confident of himself that he would win, and this was one of his obstacles that he needed to give it all. No matter how challenging, he told himself that he would rather give it his all. "Mmm, to be honest, I was nervous at first, but now I am just calm—I am focusing on my training," he said, clenching his fists in front of his body. He continued, "I have been looking for a mentor to train me, and thanks to you and your father—I am now confident that I will win that match"
Annalise stopped and faced Winston, "I am glad, you have been working hard, okay this is my stop" both Winston and Annalise stopped on an empty hallway, she fixed her hair to her ear—she rushed tiptoeing and placed her soft lips on Winston lips. The kiss deepened with passion—Annalise's hands hung over Winston's shoulders, and Winston embraced Annalise by cradling her waist, the passion went on for a while until Annalise pulled out. And said, "I have to go, my lunch break is over."
"When will I see you again?,"
"Focus on the match, then we will talk about it."
With that said, Annalise pulled away from Winston's embrace. She left, turning the corner. Banging his head on the steel poll.
damn that was amazing—fuck damn, damn.