Chapter 33: Chapter 33

I was watering the plants in the garden to divert my attention because I can't stop thinking about the rejection emails I have received yesterday. I have been bothered about it all night that I only had four hours of sleep.

Jeff texted me this morning that he couldn't go home yet which was good because I still don't know how I could look at him in the eyes after our conversation over the phone.

I sighed hard as I stared at the plants. "Do you think I should leave?" I asked the yellow dandelion in front of me. "I was thinking of leaving once I get a job. I have a lot of loans to pay for. Jeff was too kind to loan me clothes and even a phone."

The dandelion danced with the force of the water coming from the hose that I felt like it's nodding at me. I smiled weakly. "I should leave, right?" I asked the poor flower again and it moved again. "I should leave and look for a job. Maybe I got rejected because I didn't apply in person." I have been thinking about it since last night. What if I am in person? Maybe they could assess me better with

at because they could see who I am and not just who

am based on the CVI made.

I continued watering the plants and was about to proceed to clean the pool when I suddenly heard Jeff's voice.

"Why are you planning on leaving again?"

My eyes widened as my whole system froze. What is he

doing here? Did he not say that he couldn't go home yet? I slowly turned in the direction of the voice and saw him leaning on the pillar with arms crossed against his chest. "I thought you're not…" I trailed when I saw him looking at me with an amused grin. I cleared my throat and looked away.

Damn it.

He nodded and stood up straight before walking towards me. "I finished earlier," he replied even without hearing my whole question. "Why were you talking to the plant about leaving?" he asked me again.

I pressed my lips together before shrugging. "I got rejected from all the jobs I applied to." I sighed hard as I imagine the rejection emails flashing in front of my eyes right now."Maybe it's better if I applied in person."

Jeff's gaze on me stayed longer as if he's trying to read my expression. "Why don't you just stay here?" he suggested. "Work for me."

I stared at him with arched brows. "What do you mean?" I have been rejected by smaller companies. How the hell would I be hired in his? He owns a huge advertising agency! He's got to be kidding me!

He shrugged. "Give me your resume and I'll send it to the HR department immediately."

My jaw dropped. "What?! No need!" I shook my head and waved both of my hands in front of him. "It's okay. I already have a lot of loans from you so I don't think you must help me with this."

"Not necessary? Are you still thinking that you're a burden to me?" he raised his brow. "How many times do I have to tell you not to think of yourself like that? You're not a burden. You have never been one."

I looked down, fiddling with my fingers. "But you've already done a lot for me," I told him in a small voice.

He chuckled and reached for my face. My eyes immediately widened as heat rushed to my cheeks with that sudden gesture. My whole body seemed to be in some kind of turmoil that I think I have already forgotten how to calm down.

"So what? If I could help you more, I'd do it," he told me in an incredibly soft voice.

My heart started to pick up its pace as I looked at him with a trembling gaze. How can he do this to me so easily? He could just sprout out words and send me all these foreign emotions. I have only known him for days. Sure, I somehow trust him because he's been nothing but kind to me. But to let him control my emotions like this? I can't let that happen.

I chuckled awkwardly and stepped back. I started looking around as I tried to evade his gaze. "I'm just going to get changed," I told him as I immediately sprinted to the room.

I locked the door and leaned behind it as I held onto my beating heart. I slumped on the floor, unable to fathom what that was about.

I shut my eyes and let out a deep breath. "I must be crazy," I mumbled to myself before lightly hitting my head on the door, trying to crack some sense in me.

Dinner time was the most problematic time of the day for me. Even though I don't want to eat with Jeff, I have no choice because he opened my door,

"Come on down. I grilled some chicken," he told me while standing on the doorframe. I was sitting on the couch near the window while reading a book.

I smiled and nodded reluctantly. I wanted to tell him, no but he even came to my room to call me so I don't think it would be nice to decline. I placed the book down and stood up. "I'm coming."

His stare lingered on me for a while before nodding. "Okay. I'll be waiting," he uttered before walking downstairs.

I sighed and made sure my system is calm enough before walking down to eat dinner with him.

Jeff was already sitting at the dinner table. He's on his phone, texting. I cleared my throat and he immediately. looked up and smiled at me. "Have a seat and let's eat," he ordered while placing his inside his pocket.

I nodded and we started eating in silence once more. I should be used to this. I have been eating in silence all my life because nobody wanted to talk to me. But with Jeff's case, it's different.

"Do you want to go to the lake tomorrow?" he asked me. "It's two kilometers from here. We can jog or ride a bike to get there."

My face brightened at his suggestion. "A lake?" I asked him.

He nodded. "It's a secret lake. It's small but it's beautiful because it's in the heart of the forest." He started talking about the beauty of the lake and I was already looking forward to it. "We can go in the morning. It would be good for a morning jog.

I nodded. "Sure," I replied with a huge smile but then I remembered something. "But what if there are…dangerous animals?" I was kind of care of the last two words. I cannot tell him there are rogues in the area. He would not believe me.

Jeff chuckled upon hearing my question. "There won't be," he told me. "And besides, I'll protect you."

How can he protect me from werewolves? He's just a weak human.

Yes, he is tall and muscular but werewolves are on a different level.

Humans could never compare unless they are hunters equipped with guns and bows. But even then, it's not a guarantee that they could kill us.

What's wrong? Your face is screaming anxiety," Jeff commented.

I sighed. "Nothing," I told him. "Are you sure it's safe?" He nodded.

"Don't worry, Andrea. I will never let anything bad happen to you.

That's a promise," he told me in a serious humorless tone that I don't have any choice but to believe in him. And for some odd reason, I do. I trust that he would be able to protect me.

So, the next morning, I woke up early. I was ready to jog at three in the morning because I know Jeff goes out at four. I don't want to keep him waiting nor do I want him to adjust his routine for me. Since he's sheltered me for days now, I always have to be considerate.

I went down and started cleaning the living room while waiting for Jeff. I don't want to waste time. I finished cleaning the living room and the kitchen when Jeff came down running.

He's wearing a black hoodie with a white inner shirt and a pair of black jersey shorts. He looked at me and I suddenly felt intimidated by his gaze because it seemed like he's judging my clothes. I am wearing a simple black shirt and a pair of leggings.

He shook his head and cleared his throat. "You woke up early," he chimed and I nodded. "Are you ready? It's two kilometers from here."

I nodded again. "Sure. Let me just wash my hands, "I replied and ran to the sink to get my hands washed. I wiped using the kitchen towel before following Jeff out of the house.

"We'll see the sunrise from there," he told me. "You're going to love it." He sounded so sure with that but I have no doubts about it. I love sunrises as much as I love the full moon.

Two kilometers was not as far as I thought it would be because after jogging for less than an hour, we were already in front of a small lake lined with old trees and reflecting the moonlight. The whole lake was twinkling like diamonds and I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Because I couldn't shift, I have never been allowed in the jungle alone and at night. If only I have known this lake before, I would have frequented this place and even hid here when Leinart and her crew are bullying me.

"It's magical," I uttered in awe. I looked at Jeff who was proudly smiling beside me. "This is so beautiful!"

He chuckled and nodded before holding my hand. He pulled and led me towards a hammock hanging in between two trees. He sat down and pulled me to sit beside him, too.

The hammock was perfectly situated at the place where we could have a look at the whole lake and where the sun will rise.

"How long have you known this place?" I asked him.

He shrugged. "This is the reason why I built a house in the middle of the forest," he replied.

I nodded. It's not a question. The forest could be dangerous, mysterious, and dark but there's still beauty that lies in it.

"Do you like it?" he asked me in a raspy voice. I nodded. "I love it," I replied. "Can I come here from time to time?"

"I need to be with you every time you come here," he replied. "As you said, there could be dangerous animals. It's not safe if you're alone."

I nodded, "Okay," I told him. I don't want to argue with the film right now. I just want to cherish the view of this wonderful lake.

For the first time in a while, I loved the silence between us. All we could hear in the chirping of the birds and the crickets.

I smiled and sighed dreamily. "The forest surely has a beauty in it," I uttered. "It's not at all dark and dangerous."

I heard Jeff chuckling beside me. "Without the monsters in the forest, it is a wonderful place," he said.

I nodded and turned to him. He's looking at the lake with a smile on his face that made his side profile look even better. Jeff is handsome and that's a given but it's different when he's smiling. His smile lights up the whole atmosphere and it's sending butterflies to my stomach.

He suddenly turned to me and I was taken aback in shock. His gray eyes illuminated the light from the lake making me lost under his gaze. I could feel myself melting and I'm thankful I'm sitting now because I would have slumped on the floor if I had just been standing. It's like they're gleaming and I don't know if it has something to do with the moonlight.

He smiled widely. "I am happy I got to see this view with you. It makes it ten times more wonderful with you around."