When the clock hand pointed to 11:00 AM that morning, Zachary imdiately switched off the TV, put on his sneakers, and exited his apartnt. Even though it was his day off, he didn't want to spend all his free ti cooped up indoors, within his living room. There was nothing much else to do to pass the ti at ho since watching TV had already started to bore him. So, he'd decided to utilize his free hours to hasten his post-match recovery by going for a massage in town and heading to the Lerkendal gym for a simple workout afterward.
But just as he began descending the steps—on his way out of the apartnt building, his phone vibrated. When he fished it out of the side pocket of his tracksuit and noticed that it was Emily calling, he imdiately accepted the call.
"Hello Emily," he said, placing the phone close to his ear while continuing to descend the stairs. "What's up? Have you finished eting the Red Bull representatives already?"
"Hello Zach," he heard Emily's voice from the other side of the line. "I've just concluded the eting with them right now. So, can we et so that I can brief you about my discussion with them? Where are you right now? I can co to you right away if you're not too busy at the mont."
"I'm quite free and was just leaving my apartnt to look for sothing to do—to pass my free ti," Zachary replied. "So, why don't I co to you instead? Rember, it's easier for to move around Trondheim." He added, deciding to change his plans within the heat of the mont. He was very excited to hear about whether the Red Bull representatives had co through and offered him another good endorsent contract.
"That's even better," Emily said. "You can find at our usual eting place—at the other cafe near Trondheim Square."
"You an Café le Frère?" Zachary asked for confirmation. He slowed down his steps as he approached the exit of his apartnt building.
"Yes," Emily said. "That's the na, I think. I'm just heading there right now. I will get there in about ten minutes."
"Okay, let's link up there," Zachary said, halting beside the exit. "I should be able to make it there in about fifteen to twenty minutes, depending on traffic. But that ans that you'll have to wait a bit for ."
"That isn't a problem," Emily was quick to reply from the other end of the line. "If you don't mind, I'll go ahead and order a cappuccino and a cake for you as I wait."
"That's okay," Zachary said. "Can you also order so fried bacon and fries? I had a really light breakfast this morning. I'm already feeling famished."
"Okay, then," Emily responded before ending the call.
Zachary imdiately shoved the phone back into the side pocket of his tracksuit trousers. He then pushed the doors, intending to quickly get into his car and head towards Trondheim Square to et Emily.
But just as he was about to take a step out of his apartnt building, he ca close to bumping into soone. He almost collided head-on with a young lady, dressed in a formal black skirt suit, who was rushing back inside.
Zachary imdiately reacted with the swiftness of a pro athlete. He jumped to the side and gave her a hand to stop her from tumbling to the ground.
But a mont later, he noticed that it was Kristin, his neighbor from the fourth floor, who'd almost crashed into him. He hadn't recognized her imdiately since she'd changed her entire look. She seed almost like a different person. She looked prettier and much more mature—after having changed her hairstyle and wearing a bit of makeup that matched well with her formal attire.
"Sorry about that," Kristin said, clearly still recovering from the incident. She even didn't seem to have recognized Zachary yet. "I was just in a rush, and my mind was wandering..." She stopped midsentence as her eyes finally settled on Zachary's face.
"So, it's you, Zachary," she exclaid, her brown eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good morning!"
As soon as Zachary locked eyes with her, his mind imdiately jolted awake. He then recalled that he'd promised to go with her to see her grandpa in Bergen on the day after Rosenborg's match with Molde. But the subject had totally escaped his mind that morning. So, he was feeling guilty at that mont.
"Yes, it's ," Zachary said, returning her smile and hoping that she'd forgotten about the promise. "And good morning to you too."
"By your expression, I'm guessing that you've just recalled that we had to travel together Bergen today morning," Kristin said with a smile.
"I'm really sorry," Zachary replied, smiling ruefully and shaking his head. "But that is exactly the case. The week leading up to the Molde ga was quite a busy one for . So, I completely forgot about the trip."
"I'm really feeling down right now," Kristin said, pouting a bit and holding his gaze. "You can't even rember a small promise to ."
"But the fault doesn't entirely rest with ," Zachary countered with a smile. "You didn't even remind about the trip yesterday. And you don't look ready to head to Bergen right now. Maybe, you also forgot about the trip."
"But that doesn't exempt you from breaking your promise," Kristin countered back, still smiling. "If I recall correctly, your exact words were along the lines: you have my word, and I won't forget. But you clearly forgot!"
Zachary could only smile ruefully at that.
Kristin chuckled on seeing his reaction. "I got you this ti around," she said. "So, how are you going to make it up to ?"
"I can make ti next Sunday so that we can go and visit your grandpa then," Zachary said. "That'll be the day right after our ga with V?lerenga. So, I'll be free and won't forget this ti around."
"Aren't you supposed to be heading back ho to Congo after the match?" Kristin queried. "As I recall, the V?lerenga ga is the last match before the break. Isn't it?"
"Yes, it is," Zachary replied, nodding. "But I can first take a trip with you to Bergen before returning ho. I can even take my flight back to Congo from Bergen Airport."
"Then, it's a deal," Kristin said, beaming. "This ti around, I'll remind you two days before ti so that you don't forget."
"That will be best," Zachary said. "But tell the truth. Were you actually ready to head to Bergen with today? Basing on your attire, you look like you're heading to an office."
Kristin smiled. "I've got to go now," she said, pushing past Zachary and starting to head towards the stairs. "If you wish, we can talk more later in the evening. But for now, I really have to go. And congs on your incredible performance against Molde yesterday."
"Thank you," Zachary replied, turning around to watch her start to ascend the stairs. She looked even more stunning from his new vantage point. "And please be careful along the way. Don't go knocking over people while opening doors." He added with a bit of humor.
Kristin chuckled on hearing that. She then halted at around the fourth stair before turning around to face him. "Where did you put my very always-earnest Zachary," she questioned, still beaming. "Are you sure that you're not so alien imposter that has taken over his mind? The Zachary I know would never tease a girl who'd just been so close to getting involved in an accident."
"Maybe, you don't know that Zachary well," he replied, scratching at his chin. "I'll be happy to introduce him to you. That is if you wish."
"You've said it yourself," Kristin said, beaming. "I'll be happy to hear all about this new Zachary over dinner at my place today evening. Are you up for it?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Zachary said, matching her smile.
"Then, see you later," Kristin said. "Don't go making any excuses now. I'll start preparing dinner very early today. So, you have got to attend by hook or crook. Are there any specific foods that you don't eat?"
"Yes, there's one," Zachary said, his voice solemn. "I don't eat chicken feet. That's a big no for ."
Kristin chuckled. "Don't worry," she said, casting a glance on her wristwatch. "I won't be cooking any chicken feet today evening. Okay, then. I really have got to go now. See you later then." She waved before quickly jogging up the stairs.
Zachary sighed, shaking his head on seeing her figure disappear. Since his mind had cald down a bit, he couldn't help but wonder why he'd said so much to Kristin and even agreed to eat dinner at her place. [Is the boredom from this morning taking a toll on ?] He mused, casting a fleeting glance at his watch. On noticing that it was already seven minutes past eleven, a light bulb went on in his mind. At that mont, he rembered that he'd promised to et Emily in about eight minutes. So, without any dilly-dallying, he rushed out of the building and quickly got into his car. A minute later, he'd already pulled out of the parking space beside the apartnt building and begun cruising like the wind towards Trondheim Square to et with Emily.
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