The Underdog's Triumph

Chapter Five

“Not bad!”

Henry sigh tiredly as he  look around his new apartment after about four hours of trying to make it look more decent and less of the way he  got it rented out to him. It was a piece of garbage when he first saw it, but this is the only apartment he can afford at the moment. He is glad he can finally make it look more inviting.

As he  slumps down on the only couch he  have tiredly, he  pick up his  phone and call the only person who has been on his  mind since he  got the apartment, Sarah.

She is the reason he hurries up his apartment hunting. he knows she hated it whenever she came over to the house where he  used to live with David. She is the type that loves her privacy, so she always feels like David's presence in the house when she wants quality time with her man is uncomfortable.

“Sarah, come on. I already apologized. I said I’m sorry.” Henry says immediately when she answers the call with a grumble.

It has been two days since the call she gave at the office. You can already imagine how angry she was when she found out that Henry had finally gotten a job that he didn't tell her about. Although she sounded angry on the phone, he believes she is happy for me. She just has a weird way of showing it.

"What is this, Henry? I thought you were trying to live your life away from mine. Isn't that why you keep such vital information from me?" Her voice breaks him out of his thoughts.

"I'm sorry, love. You know I would never do that. I have just been caught up with the stress of work and getting acquainted with my new boss. He can be demanding. I am really sorry."

Henry apologizes for the hundredth time, hoping this time will be the charmer that will make her just forget about the whole thing. He needs her to be there for him at this trying moment, not against him with one of their consistent petty fights.

"Whatever, I've heard your apology. I hope the job is good. Is it the same sales manager post you have been wanting to secure?"

Sarah asks, making him come back to the realization that he hasn't even told her the job he got yet. He hasn’t told her he got the most humiliating job ever, employed by the most insulting boss. All she knows is he is now working at ABI Conglomerate.

 “How do I tell her that I’m a gateman? What will she think of me? Even I already think I am pathetic in my  situation, what will Sarah think if she finds out?”

"Um, not really. I got another position, but the pay is good too. That is why I moved out of David's apartment. I have gotten mine."

Henry says, trying so hard to cover up the discussion about his work with the fact that he has gotten a new apartment. He doesn’t want her lashing out about it over the phone or learning about his new job in such a way. He is hoping to tell her in a better way. And just as he planned, her voice changed excitedly over the phone when she heard his last statement.

“Really? You have your place now?” She asks excitedly.

“Yes, love. I do, and I am hoping you will be the first guest in my place.”

"Um, don't flatter me, Henry. I know your feelings for me are nothing compared to the bond you have with your friend. Shouldn't he be the first guest in your house? That is even if he hasn't been there already."

Sarah says with a feigned hurt evident in her voice over the phone, making Henry laugh at her jealousy. That is one of the ways he knows she still loves him, and just the thought of it makes him smile like a baby with candy. He is really glad she can love him like that even when he feel like he is not worth any lady’s love.

“Are you jealous?” Henry teases.

"No, I am just stating the fact. David is always your go-to person instead of me."

"I am sorry you feel that way, honey. You should know that I love you and you will always be my first choice. That is why I am inviting you over, let's meet to settle all these differences. Would you love to come over?"

"Do you need to ask? Yes, I would love to be your first guest." Henry can finally sense the smile in her voice as she says this.

Without wasting any more moments, Henry gives her the directions to his place and quickly go into his small bathroom to take a quick shower before she arrives. he doesn’t want anything ruining the first real moment they are about to have together, not even his smelly armpit.

Henry smile at his reflection in the only standing glass he  have in his  empty room as he  wear one of his  neatest round necks with his  only joggers. He looks dapper. And he loves it.

He takes a moment to look around his room, hoping that it is not as empty as it used to be in David's house. The only stuff he has in it are his middle-sized bed, a wooden table and chair, the new couch he had just gotten at the cheapest price ever, and the only cupboard that houses his little clothes.

Henry tries so hard not to think about the fact that he has only paid for three months' rent of this place. He can’t pay for a full year. And He is really glad that his landlord is also understanding for allowing him to pay in installments.

“I really hope this will not be the cause of another fight between Sarah and me.”

He is cut out of his house inspection when his phone vibrates, signaling to him that Sarah is already outside his apartment. He put on one of his brightest smiles and rush out of the apartment to meet her. When his eyes land on her, his happiness dies instantly when he sees the expression on her face.

“Are you being serious, Henry?”

This is the first thing she says to him when get to her side, getting him more confused than ever.

“What do you mean? I got an apartment of mine, just like you have always wanted.”

“Did you just say I have always wanted this? This house that looks like it can crumble down on its inhabitants any minute?” She points angrily at the house.

"You are overreacting, love. People have been living here without any issues for long. I got it because it is the only place I can afford at the moment. Let's just get in and I will explain everything to you better."

Henry says, hoping that she will at least forget about the house, but he couldn't be more wrong when she replies to him.

“Go into where with you? This house? No, not even when I am possessed by an alien. Invite me over to your house whenever you’re man enough to get a decent apartment. This is whack. And please, stop with the silly pet names when you have nothing real to offer. I am out of here!”

Sarah says angrily as she stomps away from Henry, leaving him speechless where he stands as he tries to process every word she just said to him.

“What just happened?”