Chapter 13

"You hungry?" He asked in a soft tone.

I bit my lower lip and loosened my hug on him but he wrapped his hands around my shoulder and rubbed my arm. He was looking at me intently so I looked down on my crossed feet and slowly nodded.

"Okay, I'll get some food. Just stay here."

I didn't respond so he stood up and head his way to the kitchen. And when I confirmed that he's not looking at me anymore, I looked at him who's now currently transferring the soup on the pot to the bowl. He's serious and I can't help but to stare at his serious face.

Shit that damn shit handsome face.

He looked at my direction so my heart suddenly skipped a bit when he caught me staring at him. I eventually avoided his gaze and bended both of my knees to hug it tightly.

Shit. He caught me.

He coughed but he didn't said a thing. I took a quick glance at his direction and he was smiling while biting his lower lip. His eyes were on the bowl but seems like his mind was traveling to another dimension.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit that smile.

I shifted my attention to my knees but I can't help but to once again, stare at him; it was like he's the north pole of a magnet and I'm the south pole being uncontrollably attracted to him even with every parts that contradicted each other.

He's decent, while I'm rude. He's zingy, while I'm not. He's auspicious, while I don't. He's normal, but I'm not. And he believes in me, while I can't.

Everything of his just diametrically opposed mine.

"What are you thinking?" His voice that slapped me back to reality.

"Nothing. . ." It was late to realize that he's already sitting beside me.

I crossed my legs so he put the tray on my lap. I looked up to him when he stood up.

"Eat," he smiled.

I wanted to ask if he's gonna eat or not but I chose not to so I just nodded.

I don't know why it still haunts me but I just felt like if I'm being nice to someone, they'd do the opposite to me. Just like what I've experienced. . .

. . . with my first and probably last friend.

Because I'm not going to trust another friend anymore.

He's gone so I once again felt lonely and empty. Nevertheless, I ate the hot soup. I don't know what recipe is this but it tasted sour and savory. There are pork swimming on the soup and vegetables.

Too sour. I don't like it.

"Oh? Already finish?" His voice that made me shriek.

I looked up to him who's standing in front of me. I licked my lips before biting my lower lip.

"The bowl is too small. Do you have a big bowl?"

He chuckled.

"You're metaphorically saying that you want another one?"

I didn't respond, instead, I just gave him the clean bowl.

"Next time. Big bowl." I then avoided his gaze.

He chuckled and grabbed the tray on my lap.

"At your service, Miss!" He enthusiastically shouted before turning his back on me.

I bit my lower lip to stifle a smile.

Shit.

I waited for him to return and just like what's expected, he's carrying a tray with a large bowl. I pretended not to care even though mentally, I'm scolding him to be faster.

When he landed the tray on my lap, I eventually grabbed the bowl with both hands and slurped it.

I stopped and took a quick glance at him who's sitting beside me while tying my hair with a hair tie.

"I brought this outside while you were asleep." He said as he tie it.

I stopped slurping and looked down on my bowl to eat the remaining pork and vegetables.

After tying it, he then sat beside me and stared at my face but because I was too stunned with the taste of his cook, I didn't mind his gaze.

He picked the strands of my hair and bought it at the back of my ears as he stare more deeply. I bit my lower lip and pretended not to care even though my insides were already shaking after he rested his arms around my shoulder to pat my arms.

"Give me your number so that you can call me anytime you need me." He uttered lowly.

I nodded, still eyes were on the bowl, gathering all the courage to stare back but I know I'll just lose so I didn't try.

"You want another one?" He softly asked.

I shook my head.

"What recipe is this?"

"Sinigang. . . mom's favorite." He trailed off.

Sinigang? Never heard of that.

Instead of asking that question, I just nodded.

"Where's your mom?"

He suddenly stood up and grabbed the tray.

"I'll wash the dishes." He said and eventually turned his back on me.

Ohh. . . he doesn't want to talk about his mom. But why would he mention her if he doesn't want to? I'm sure he missed her. . . I guess.

I stood up and head my way to the room he said that was mine. I entered it and there, I saw my luggage beside the cabinet and there's even a bunny spa sandal beside it.

The lights were open and the room was plain white and simple. There's only one medium bed, one cabinet and bathroom. So I decided to wash myself up.

I was wearing my strawberry pajama when I head out to see if he's still in the kitchen but he's not there so I head to the sofa and there, I saw him sitting on the couch, eyes were close and his face looks tired. I presume he's sleeping based on his breathing.

I grabbed the comforter beside him and wrapped it around his body before settling myself on the floor, with both bended knees, hugging it, I decided to close my eyes.

Until everything went black whilst the void ambiance.

My consciousness slapped me when I felt someone carrying me in a bridal style until I felt that he slowly settled me on the soft-like-bed so I eventually opened my eyes.

His eyes that I caught adoringly staring at me suddenly transformed into shock because of my sudden consciousness while his one hand were still at my back.

"Why? Why is your eyes saying that you're scared?" He gently asked.

A sudden tear fell on my eyes.

"I-I. . . I can't sleep on bed. I can't sleep on anything that reminds me of bed."

He kissed my forehead so I closed my eyes to stop myself from breaking down again.

"Why?" He then caress my hair.

"It. . . it reminds me of my past." My tears then flowed like river.

Shit. I hate that I cry easily. I'm sure he'll get tired of my emotions. I should get a hold of myself.

He made me stood from lying while I bowed my head in embarrassment. I want to stop myself from once again crying like a baby but he grabbed my head and made it settle on his chest so I breakdown again and sobbed.

This is too much. I want to stop myself. I don't want to cry. I don't want to be this sensitive but the past just haunts me like I'm a prey that they should've eaten a longtime ago.

"Do you feel safe beside the cabinet?" His voice was melodious once again.

I nodded instantly.

"Okay, my baby. I'll sleep there with you."

He removed my head off his chest and slowly lifted my chin to wipe, once again, my tears away using both of his thumbs then he kissed my forehead.

"Let's go." He then stood and grabbed my hand.

And I just let him until he settled himself beside the cabinet. I sat beside him and was about to lean my head against the side of the cabinet when he stole my head and made it settle on his shoulder.

"Sleep. I'm right here. I'm sure your dad would be scared of me because I'm protecting you and your mom."

I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes. He then wrapped his arms around my shoulder and slowly patted my arms before humming a song to make me sleep in peace.

A familiar song.

"Smile." I uttered weakly and unconsciously smiled.

He kissed my forehead.

"Yeah. Smile." And then he continued humming the song.

With him, I felt at ease that demons would not rule over my thoughts once again. This may not be another first time but in a second time, I was able to have my peaceful sleep without having any worries.

Just like what happened seven years ago.

"Oh my god." A voice of a girl that woke me up.

I slowly unlocked my eyes though I was still leaning on his shoulder and there I saw that familiar woman, gasping while both hands were on her mouth as if shocked by what her naked eyes has seen.

"What are you both doing there?!" She exasperatedly shouted.

I yawned and straightened my back, giving her my stoic look. I looked at Grayson who's face seems tired even when his eyes were open as if he didn't get to sleep and knew that his ex was here.

He let out a loud sigh before standing up. He eventually grimace at nothingness after feeling his neck and then swirl it to lessen the pain while his hands were holding on it.

"Babe? Are you okay? Why would you sleep there?!" She then gave me a glare.

He didn't respond, instead, he lend me his hands and smiled at me.

"Did you have a good sleep?"

I bit my lower lip and slowly nodded.

"Babe?!"

"Good. Take my hand. What do you want for breakfast?" He acted as if he didn't hear anything.

I took his hand and stood up.

"Si. . . na gang? Sinagang?"

He chuckled.

"You mean sinigang?" He asked with a smile.

I nodded and he nodded too before pulling me to hoof out.

"Come on babe! Until when are you going to ignore me?!" She threw tantrums.

He let go of my hands and went his way to the kitchen and then wore an apron.

"Babe! I'm sorry okay?!" She frustratingly shouted

"Leave, Rhiana." He coldly said.

With a stamp foot, she went near him. She's wearing a sleeveless white crop top and a short jeans that can almost see her booty due to its height.

I avoided my gaze at their direction when I saw her hugging him from behind. All I can see is both their backs since he's busy cooking so I can't see what his reactions are.

"Babe, I love you." She sweetly murmured.

I hoofed my way inside my room for a reason that I don't want to hear his answer and I don't know why am I acting like I'm affected with what's his answer is going to be like I care.

So I decided to take a shower. And then after I walked out while rubbing my wet hair with a little towel, they both turned to me. He's still standing, cooking but his face instantly turned to me when he heard the door clanked as well as she is.

She gave me a grimace look while he gave me a stifle smile look with him biting his lower lip. I felt a little  uncomfortable when his eyes then shifted to my body.

"Eww. . . What's with the outfit?" She asked with a disgusting tone.

I looked down on my outfit.

What's wrong with my black, tom and jerry pajama? I have no plans of going out so why bother?

I gave her my stoic look.

"It looks cute by the way." He commented.

I gave him another stoic look, trying my best not to blush with that simple comment.

She scoffed.

"Mine's hot. Right babe?"

"I like cute better than hot." Then he turned his back on us to continue his cooking.

"What?!" Rhiana shouted.

I hoofed my way to settle myself on the chair so she gave me her inquisitive look.

I shrugged it off.

"Hey you shameless girl. What are you doing in his house?"

"I let her in, Rhiana." He uttered tiredly.

I didn't bother wasting my precious saliva on frivolous talks with this bitch.

"Are you deaf? Or you cannot talk?" She mockingly asked.

"Neither." I shrugged.

She scoffed and massaged her forehead as if she's stressed with that one word of mine.

"Then why aren't you answering my questions?!"

"Waste of time."

He chuckled.

“What?!”

I didn’t bother to say anything, instead, I just silently waited for him to finish.

She made a loud noise when she settled herself on the chair in front of me then she gave me a grimace look as she look down on my pajama.

“I’ll take a shower. The soup is still boiling.” He turned to me so I just nodded.

Then he hoofed his way up upstairs.

“You’re not Grayson’s type, bitch.” She said when he’s gone.

I shrugged and gave her my stoic look.

“He’s just like that because he caught me cheating. I’m sure he still loves me.”

I was shocked by her revelation.

Wow. Is she proud that she cheated? Is that something to brag about?

“Well, Grayson’s good on bed too but he loves his work too much so that one accident happened.” She said shamelessly.

I avoided my gaze because with the thought, I suddenly become nervous. 

Shit. This is one of the talks I’m uncomfortable. Sex talks.

“Well we’ve been together since he turned twenty one. I think for three years? And then he became busy with his course so we broke up months ago because I cheated.”

Oh. . . so he’s currently 24? Not bad. I’m turning 22 next month.

Wait. . . Why does that matter?

“And I know he still loves me. Because why didn’t he change the passcode right? It means he’s waiting for me to come. I mean, it’s been 4 months since we broke but still, nothing’s change.”

“4 months?” I unconsciously asked.

She laughed.

“Four months, bitch. We broke up four months ago but he didn’t change a thing.”

That’s weird. Did he flirt with me four months ago because they broke up that time and he’s thinking of making me as his rebound?

“So you should back off. He’s not yet done with me. I’m sure he still loves me especially on bed. And thinking of it. . .” she then looked at my body with a disgusted look.

I clenched my fist that was on my lap and tried my best to act composed.

“You look naive when it comes to bed. I’m sure your body is what he’s up to. Then after tasting you, he’ll immediately come back to me thinking of how better I am on bed than you.” She smirked.

I stood up when I felt my breathing hitched.

It reminded me of something again.

“Why? Are you virgin? Now I know why he’s letting you stay in his condo. He definitely wanted to taste a virgin because I’m not.”

I closed my eyes and tightened my grip on the chair, trying to calm.

“But virgin is nothing when you’re better than bed.” She added that’s when everything reminds me again.

It attacked again.

“She’s better than you!” His voice again lingers.

“William!” Mom sobbed.

“Stop! I’ll prove to you that I’m better even when you’re not good!”

Sobbed. Shouts. Clanks. Noise.

“Please. . . stop.” I begged and sobbed.

My knees gave up but their shouts still lingers. I covered my ears because I don’t want to hear their voice but it still comes out.

“No. No. No. Please. Don’t point the gun!” I begged when I saw his figurine getting the gun from his pocket.

My eyes were closed but I can see everything from the past. Mom’s eyes full of tears as she looked at me lovingly even when she’s hurt.

“No! No! Stop! Stop doing that! Please don’t!” I begged and sobbed.

But it’s already too late.

I freeze with what my naked eyes could see as if everything was a broken tape were everything re-backs again with the bullet making its way on her body.

He already shot the gun on mom.

And all I did was just to beg and sob and did nothing but a useless trash.

I should’ve protected you, mom. Then you wouldn’t have left me alone.

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