Chapter 4

"See you tomorrow, Michal," said Lace, the diner's waitress and the one who is responsible for the diner's keys as soon as she locked the café's doors. It was finally 10 o'clock, the end of the diner's extended hours, old man Sam, the cook already left since he already misses his wife and kids. Dang, for a man to be that loving to his family.

"Yeah, see you, Quency," I bid adieu while holding onto my thick coat tightly, struggling to raise my hand to wave goodbye. She reciprocated the gesture, and I finally turned my back to walk away to head home.

Tonight's shift was quite the challenge not to break down and cry. I arrived late because of a stupid group of women who asked me if I know their Mother God, enticing me to their cult and it took me a hard time to shake them off, while working on washing the dishes, I broke a dish and I slipped down because I accidentally spilled the liquid soap, what's more, while helping out Sam because there were too many customers tonight because of a fair happening, I mixed up some of the orders.

But never mind that one, it's already in the past and I must let bygones be bygones. Now, I'm excited to go home and get some rest. Thank goodness, going home from the diner is an easy walk since it's only a few blocks away from home but the wind was blowing hard too hard is making it a little hard for me. Though it's summer right now, the weather at night is strangely cold that my extremities are freezing, especially my feet. Everything would be easier if I hail a cab, but I don't want to since it wastes too much money for a short ride. Going home with cold feet would be exhausting. Good thing I don't have any classes and I already passed my assignments in class, or I would have called bloody murder.

I let out a sigh that rendered a mist to escape my lips and immersed myself in thinking about heading home to Bruce's apartment. Ever since we did it the first time, he began persuading me to live with him, but I initially refused. When the time came that I can't handle my perverted former landlord and his antics, I gave in and packed my bags to go to his place. I was planning to live there temporarily while finding a new place to stay but his gentle, panty-wrenching persuasions were getting harder and harder to resist every day that it came to the point that I gave in. From that moment on, we began living like boyfriend and girlfriend. Man, boyfriend and girlfriend. I scoffed as a smile perked on my face at the thought. I wish that were to happen.

After surviving the harshly freezing weather along with the gelid breeze, I finally arrived at the apartment. As I opened the doors and let myself in, my eyes immediately spotted Bruce, lying down on his couch, half-naked and as dead as a log. He was resting an arm over his head with his reclining his back and rear comfortably on the cushions but since he's too tall, his ankles went past the armrest and are hanging in the air, which I think is a scary type of torture. Hah, just the gratifying sight of him like this is already enough for me to get on my knees and beg him to spoil me.

I took off my coat and shoes carefully before tiptoeing to the couch to get a much better view of Bruce sleeping, all sweaty and in his glory. Not to mention, his well-defined muscles that looked like their ripping off his skin glistened by the sweat looked immaculate. He's been working out harder than usual recently, I guess it's starting to pay off. From his well-defined, God-sent figure, I brushed my eyes to his sleeping face that looked beatifically innocent to the point that one wouldn't ever think that he's a terrifying monster in bed.

I fastidiously laid down on top of his firm physique, slowly putting my weight over him. When I successfully landed my face on his chest as well as my entire body, I couldn't help to put my arms around his sides to cuddle him. I buried my face on his strong yet soft chest like I want to drown in his muscles, I sighed in bliss, being in body contact with him feels so heavenly that the energy I lost due to my poor work performance was recharged in a millisecond. I remained on my spot for seconds, minutes, short moments that felt slow like it was forever.

Breathing sluggishly and synchronizing with Bruce's chest that was heaving up and down, I began feeling sleepy and the insane weight of exhaustion that I have been ignoring the entire day took its toll, putting an immeasurable strain upon my tired body, my body tingling, and muscles aching. My body begs to sleep but I don't want to. I want to last in this position with Bruce while conscious but as to my loss, my eyes slowly began to close as I'm drowning in the sea of grogginess. I thought of other ways to keep myself awake like remembering the fact that I haven't eaten yet, but... maybe I should let the grogginess take me and get a bit of a nap.

Just a short nap, I thought and willingly closed my eyes, sinking into unconsciousness.

"Michal?" a groggy, deep voice said, and I felt myself automatically waking up as the bubble of enticing sleep popped. I shot my head up and was greeted by Bruce's handsomely drowsy face that I never get tired of looking at. I small smile stretched on my face as I thought that I might have been a good person in my last life to be given such a wonderful view of a Greek god waking up.

"Did I wake you up? Go back to sleep," I said, starting to lift myself off so I get off him, but he pushed my head back to his chest much to my surprise.

"Nah, stay. I was just taking a nap anyway."

"Okay," I mumbled with a small sigh and happily buried my face into his chest that felt softer than pillows.

"You just sighed. What's wrong?" he asked, and I felt his humongous, warm palm pat my head lightly in a comforting manner. "You horny?" he asked another question as his hands ran through my blonde tresses.

"No," I answered while burying my face deep into his soft chest while his soft pat upgraded into a hug, his huge, defined arms wrapped around my small figure. He already spoiled me rotten two nights ago, I'm still a bit sore after what happened so I banned him for a while until I recover. I might break if we keep doing the deed if it hurts down there.

"Had a bad day?" he asked further, and I kept quiet, planning not to answer the question. "What do you think about eating chicken joy with rice, spaghetti, and peach mango pie at Jollibee?" he shot a suggestion and I immediately sat up, my mouth watering at the thought of eating that scrumptious combo that he just mentioned.

"Fantastic," I replied, looking down at his half-naked figure that I still can't seem to get over with.

He looked up at me with a smirk on his face and his eyes smiling like he anticipated my reaction. "I knew it. Let's go?"

We didn't spare any more time and went to Jollibee, the fast-food chain restaurant nearest to his apartment, and my favorite as well. Though it was my second time going outdoors tonight, the air and the weather felt a bit warmer compared to earlier. I wonder if the weather's just crazy this season or it was just me being delusional about the freezing conditions. As soon as we arrived at the resto's entrance, Bruce went ahead and opened the door for us both. I took the initiative to go with the flow by stepping a foot inside first before him and began looking around for a table to occupy since the place is always packed but unusually, there are lesser people than expected.

"There aren't a lot of people huh?" asked Bruce's voice behind as I felt his large figure hovering over mine.

I looked up at him, craning my neck callously that I could feel the nerves in my neck ache. Ugh, I should make him bend down and meet my height next time. "Yep. But the usual table?" I asked, pointing at the familiar table at the farthest corner. It became our favorite spot because the volume of the mixed voices of the crowd was heard less than usual and it was nearest to the restroom.

"If you want." He put his hands in his jacket's pockets, shrugged then drooped his head down and said, "You should go ahead. I'll make the orders."

"Okay." I nodded in agreement before making a beeline to our favorite table.

I immediately submerged myself on the PU leathered seat as soon as I arrived, running my fingers through the cold, rough texture of the seat and laid the back of my head comfortably on the backrest. Ah yes, this familiarity and coziness, as expected from our favorite spot. It didn't take long for Bruce to arrive along with a tray filled with our hot, mouth-watering order, making me excitedly bounce on my seat.

"Your complexion's getting better," he said in a relieved voice as he placed the tray on the table before sitting down on the seat opposite to mine.

"It's because you're treating me for a meal," I happily said while reaching out for my share.

"I didn't say that though," he retorted, and my mood dropped.

"You didn't?" I looked at him sadly, my lips pursing. He was right, I remembered he only asked about eating my fave combo.

He froze and looked at my saddened face. For long moments, we stared at each other like we were having an off-the-record staring contest but it shortly as he blinked. "I'm just kidding. Just go ahead and eat," he said, and my mood lightened, relief washing over my chest.

"You're the best and worst, Bruce," I said, pouting like a child on tantrums, well, maybe I am throwing a childish tantrum.

"At least best came in first, right?" he said and took his yum burger, taking a huge bite and I only shrugged in response as I couldn't argue with his statement. He is the best.

We were silently eating, immersed in the delectableness of our nightly meal, enjoying our time together in silent company. Seeing that I was almost finished with my meal, I took a glance at Bruce to see if he was done with his as well and noticed that while he was eating, his eyes were on something else. I followed the direction where his eyes trailed and realized it led to a woman outdoors standing by the bus stop, wearing a white dress and fishnet stockings accentuating her fine legs. I put a finger on my lip as I remembered that the night he saved me, I also noticed him staring at my legs covered in tights like those. He'd look at for a while, then his eyes would widen, and he would look away. It was hilarious and so is right now but I'm a little jealous by the fact that he could stare at another woman shamelessly. I'm in love with him, and I want his attention all for myself. I looked back at his mesmerized face and a smirk formed on my lips as a wicked idea came into mind.

"Michal!" Bruce almost interjected in surprise when I lift a leg and landed it on his crotch. I proceeded with my plan by massaging his crotch between my toes, smiling at his reaction, looking around frantically to see if any person near was around. I pushed my toes further into his hard bulge and he winced as he then leaned his face closer to whisper, "We shouldn't do it here."

"But I want to?" I said playfully and continued with my game, rubbing my foot hard against him while his face twisted in full pleasure, his Adam's apple goes up and down as his bulge getting bigger and harder. My smirk stretched wider.

I continued rubbing him, teasing his hardened length painfully throbbing beneath the rough fabric of his jeans. The nimble feeling of satisfaction that felt like opening a fine bottle of wine washed over my chest when he shut his eyes firmly, bite his lower lip hard, and clenched his fists tightly on the table as his arousal grows, suppressing himself to give in with his face was beet red and his glorious chest was heaving. He was having a great time being teased shamelessly in a public place. But it wasn't just him who was feeling that way, I, myself was getting wet in explosive arousal as well. I was planning to tease him just a little then stop shortly but I can't help myself but keep on going.

"I'm close," he let out a whispered moan, grabbing my feet that were rubbing him and I immediately came back to my senses, taking my cue to stop rubbing him. Man, that prank was too hot that I even carried away. I shouldn't do that again, in public that is.

"Woman—" he said through gritted teeth, his eyes glaring heatedly at me but I ignored him, went on my feet, putting back the shoe I took off before he could say anything next.

"I'll go to the powder room for a bit," I said, grabbing my small pouch and strutting to the restroom with a satisfied smile on my face as I left him with a painful boner. But as soon as I arrived at my cubicle, I immediately went on my shaking knees.

I covered my mouth with one hand and slipped the other in my shorts, I almost moaned when I felt my fingers slide and hit my sensitive bundle of nerves. Pulling my hand out, I stared at the wet liquid sticking viscously between my fingers for long minutes, and after that, I found myself sitting on the toilet lid, touching myself to ease my painful arousal.

It didn't take long for me to finish relieving myself, but it could have been faster with Bruce's help. Stepping out of the cubicle, I went to the sink to wash my hands and as I lathered it in soap, I looked up to see myself in the mirror and I almost fainted in horror. Messed up hair in a loose bun and a pallid face with chapped lips. I let him see me in this ghastly appearance?! Jesus, I can't forgive myself!

"Ugh." I groaned loudly to express my woe.

Good thing I brought my purse that contained some of my makeup with me. I hastily fixed my appearance to fix my horrific face before getting out of the powder room, prepared to face Bruce but I froze on my spot when I laid my eyes on the spot we were eating at. He was talking to another woman, and she's sitting on my spot!

I instantaneously hid behind the wall and leaned my ear to listen. I know that eavesdropping is bad but I'm too curious about their conversation to care about my ethics, and the eyes of the people staring at me weirdly too. But never mind that. What matters is who this woman is. Out of all the women Bruce hung out with, she doesn't look familiar. In fact, this is the first time I saw her. Who is she and how is she related to him? I hope she's just a distant relative or his family.

"Right, about Michal." Wait, Bruce just mentioned my name! What is it about me?

I bit my lip hard, thrilled and nervous about my name being mentioned as a millennium of thoughts bore in my mind, wonders of what could be about me that he's talking about with that woman. Was I bad at sex or is it because I'm a bit clumsy when it's my turn to clean the apartment? Did he have any problems with me? Why didn't he tell me instead so we could've resolved it together? What if he was trying to voice his problems with me and I just downright ignored him to the point that I have no idea?

"Bruce, are you gonna let shit linger long?" this one's from a woman's voice, it must be from his female companion. Linger what? What shit is he lingering longer? I'm getting anxious, fuck it.

"Yeah, I shouldn't let this go far and straightforwardly tell her..." he trailed off in a voice smaller that I could barely hear, and my hands went cold, my heart pumped faster and faster like I was palpitating. "That I don't want to be friends with benefits with her anymore, or at this point, it'll be hard to tell my feelings."

After hearing those words come out in his voice, I felt my chest throb and an ache ran across it like I was stabbed, my heartstrings tugging painfully like it was a harp's string being plucked forcefully that it broke. I bit my lower lip hard as tears dared to escape from my eyes out from my emotions felt like it was going to burst. Overwhelmed by the turn of events, I grit my teeth, dragging my heavy feet that were frozen on the floor, running away to escape from my spot, from the place, from hearing that conversation, from that oblivious guy I have feelings for.

I didn't think of anything else. I ran and ran and ran, letting my weighty, aching feet lead me to God-knows-where, letting the cold breeze brush sharply against my puny body like thrashes of knives as I felt salty drops of water spring from eyes and descend to my cheeks. I wiped my face, sniffling, and looked at the arm that I used for wiping. I then realized; I was crying.

Oh man, what? Me, Michal? I've escaped an abusive home, worked multiple jobs day and no night with no rest to sustain myself, was almost raped and I've never shed a tear once, now I'm fighting the urge to cry over a guy? Just some guy?

But he isn't just some guy too. He was my savior, the one who saved me from being violated, who patiently help me recover from the trauma, the one who takes me warmly in his arms and smile at me sweetly like I was the most loveable person in the world. He wasn't just a guy. He's Bruce, the guy I l—

"Oof!" I groaned, closed my eyes, and took a step back as I lost my momentum when I bumped into someone's rock-hard body, falling on my bum to the ground. "Watch where y—" I was about to stand up and rebuke the person I bumped into but as soon as I looked up and saw their face. I immediately halted on my spot.

"Well, well look who it is."