Finding Solace

Helena woke up to the smell of fried bacon and egg; she was sure it was from her kitchen. Her blood was boiling at the thought that Arthur dared to touch her kitchen. Helena's kitchen is sacred to her since she loves cooking.

"You better prepare yourself, Arthur," she hissed. Arthur is the God-like stranger who asked for a one-night stay in her beach house after he explained he was lost.

She is still reeling if the man has an ill-intention for coming for help. It was strange to have someone knock on your door one night looking for a place to stay. But still, she gave the man the benefit of the doubt since he looked helpless.

It was hard for her to let the man stay as she intended to isolate herself from people, which is why she moved to her current small beach house in San Antonio. But she was the man's only salvation; her neighbor was miles away from her. It was raining hard, and he might die of hypothermia the next day if she didn't allow him to stay with her.

After the help I gave him, what did I get in return? Invading my kitchen? I don't deserve this.

Helena grabbed herself out of bed and hurried to the kitchen. She was fuming in anger only to be welcomed with two sunny-side-up eggs and fried bacon on the dining table, with a note beside the plate. And the note reads I cooked you breakfast. I hope you like it. My payment for a night's stay is at the center table.

She looked at the center table in the living room and saw a 100-dollar bill. She felt a little relieved that the man paid for his stay. Because why not? There's nothing free these days, especially since I'm an independent woman who has to buy my own place from my savings and to top that, I'm struggling financially. That's what she told herself to make her feel better. 

Although she knew the man was helpless when he came and asked for a place to stay, Helena thinks he doesn't look like he couldn't pay a decent amount for an overnight stay. He even cooked her breakfast, which made her feel he had good judgment in letting him stay. Having a stranger guest in her beach house wasn't bad at all.

Helena checks the egg tray and counts the missing eggs and her bacon in the refrigerator. Four eggs were missing, and a pack of bacon. It did confirm that Arthur had his breakfast before leaving. Arthur did follow her instructions to leave first thing in the morning, but he touched her kitchen.

"If he didn't pay for the night's stay, he'd be in trouble," she muttered.

Helena then goes to the comfort room to do her morning business. There she discovers that Arthur had indeed taken a bath before leaving. The bathroom smells masculine, she's guessing probably from Arthur's body wash and shampoo. Helena couldn't deny that the man was clean and meticulously cared for his body.

Her mind recalled the scene the last night she saw Arthur sleeping, only wearing his underwear. It was a sight to look at. His masculine body, 6-pack abs, evident in his regular workout, was heavenly. Yet, she didn't like that he kept reminding her of her boyfriend, Israel, who passed away almost a year ago.

It feels like cheating Israel. I couldn't do it to him. She sighed as she shook her head and went to the kitchen again. 

Helena starts her day by having brunch. Thanks to Arthur, who cooked her meal as she didn't have time to cook for herself. She praised Arthur's egg and bacon; the presentation was alright, and he cooked them well. She's even surprised he didn't overcook the egg and bacon like other men she knows. Even Israel needs to learn how to cook a fried egg. The man grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth.

The thought of Israel and Arthur again made Helena stop her meal. I shouldn't be comparing Israel to a stranger I met just recently. He is incomparable.