Chapter 14: Chapter 14

The next day, I woke up early. When I stood up, I almost stripped because I stepped on the stilettos I wore last night. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw I was still wearing the cocktail dress I wore last night. I sniffed myself to see if I stunk because it’s embarrassing that Adonis picked me up when I smell bad! As I did, I touched my lip. I don’t know if I was just dreaming last night, or it happened, but since the man who carried me last night was like a robot, I convinced myself that it was just a dream.

When I finished taking a bath, my stomach growled. Because I didn’t eat last night, so maybe. Like our daily routine, he still doesn’t send the maids back. For now, he doesn’t let me work anymore. He also cooks before he leaves. It’s his fault if this is our routine now.

I could hear only the sound of my slippers throughout the household. Maybe if I was given a million to tour this whole house at dawn, I wouldn’t do it. It’s so big and it’s like you’ll encounter a ghost just in case you walk in at dawn! When I came down from the stairs, I could smell the fried rice. My stomach growled even more.

As soon as I entered the kitchen, I immediately covered my eyes. I didn’t know if I would turn around and even run back to the bedroom because of the beautiful view I could see. Even before I eat, I salivate immediately. If the body of Adonis Salander appears in front of you while he was wearing an apron, what will you do? His hips were visible. V line of his abdomen. While covering my eyes, I put a gap in it so that I could still see him, even though I was pretending I was covering my eyes.

“Don’t do it if you merely cover your eyes like that.” His stifled giggle was soothing to my ears. Because of what he said and his laughing, my cheeks flushed. I took advantage of the chance to examine his face while he was laughing, and I didn’t believe the name Adonis represented himself. He’s like a God you’d only hear about in mythology. He’s an ADONIS, that’s for sure!

“W-what?! What are you saying! You pervert! You know this house has a woman and you are living with her, but you’re naked!” I stared at him as if annoyed because he didn’t have any clothes on, but I enjoyed the view. If this is the view every day, who wouldn’t try to get up early. Even if you haven’t eaten the sausage yet, it’s like you’re already full!

He didn’t answer, and just continued frying and then turned off the electric stove. He had already put plates on the table, as I wanted to pinch myself because of worldly thoughts. Sexual things are not new to me. If you hear someone having sex every day, who wouldn’t wake up from your deep sleep. When I was still sleeping on the road, I encountered all kinds of people who were having sex, if not the shaking car. Sometimes in the dark alleys, their growls were mixed as if they were animals that were getting fiery bodies.

I pulled up the chair, then sat down. I put fried rice on my plate, topped with bacon and an egg. I didn’t pick up the sausage because of what I thought earlier. We had already started eating. There was nothing new in our being quiet about every time eating. Sometimes I’m the only one blabbering on, so I don’t know if he’s ever annoyed by my excessive noise. After I snorted, I asked him.

“What are we going to do next?” I stopped putting rice in the spoon afterward and just looked at him while still holding the spoon and fork. I thought he wouldn’t answer because he just kept on eating. Perhaps he has a big body and muscles because he eats a lot.

“You will do nothing as of now. I will take the next step, but let’s not do it first because he might doubt you. I’m preparing something, I’ll just tell you what to do when it is done.” He was still not looking at me and was still eating straight. I nodded, even though he couldn’t see. I took the water to drink as he added what he was saying. “Anyway ...”

I lowered the glass and looked at him. Waiting for what he would say. His face suddenly became serious. He pushed his plate away from him a little because he had finished, then wiped his mouth.

“Do you have any intentions to pay your parents a visit in their grave? I let you think about what we were doing with Cole for a bit. I thought you would visit them. It’s been two years since the accident, and I’m sure you haven’t seen their memorial since then.” While I was buried in thought, he reclined back in his chair. I consider what he stated carefully. Am I prepared? Is it true that I’m ready to confront the fact that they’ve left?

It’s different when you recall you were on the scene but did nothing, even if it’s not that fresh in my memory. Worse, you are spared from what happened. I blamed myself every day and I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t stop asking myself, “Why didn’t I do anything?” Why am I the only one who has survived?

“I’m scared.”

I said how I felt. I was afraid that when I got there, fear would visit me again every night. I was afraid that when I saw them buried in the ground, my chest would tighten again, that I could not breathe again. When tears formed in my eyes, he suddenly reached for my hand and held it. He squeezed it so I could look at him.

“I’ll go with you.”

Two words, but it calmed me down so much. He stared at me deeply, but his comforting eyes were obvious. I nodded, then finished the food in front of me.

He also washed plates. While I waited for him. I looked at the phone and miraculously Cole had no text there. Fortunately, I brought it with me when I came down earlier, otherwise, it would bore me waiting for Adonis to speak. If you count the words he said throughout the day, you will surely count them.

“When will we leave?” I was still staring at my phone as I asked him. I don’t have social media even though I want to go online. I’m also lazy to make one because I don’t have friends to follow, so I just play games. I removed my slippers and laid my feet on another chair.

“When you want. Prepare everything you need, then tell me right away.” He turned off the faucet, then wiped his hands. He now faces me as he removes the apron. I feel like my saliva is dripping from staring at his abs.

“I want to leave when you are available because I am afraid I disturb your work.” He was silent and seemed to think. I let go of my phone. He looked down and then looked he look at me carefully. I stared at him and I was about to melt away.

“Do you have a girlfriend? How can he handle you?” I even looked at him, especially as if adoring him. I thought my teasing would annoy him, but I was surprised when he brought his face close to mine. Because we both have pointed noses, they are already hitting each other while I can feel his breath. Even though we just ate, I don’t know why his breath smells like mint. With his face so close, I feel like I’m going to slip.

While he chuckled, I moved his face away from mine. Why does it seem like he’s laughing more these times? But it’s amusing that his house is now creating noise; it’s no longer quiet. As I was watching him laugh, I heard a disturbance and some conversation in the living room. Adonis spoke when I stood up.

“Looks like they’re back.”

I stopped asking him who he was talking about since I knew exactly who he was referring to. When I first saw them, I dashed up to hug the oldest of them, who extended her back as if she were bending over. Her white hair is visible; perhaps if my mother is still alive, her hair is the same color as her. I sprang to my feet and dashed towards them. It’s as if I’m still a small child.

“Nana Sela!!!” My voice dominated the whole house. It still echoed, so she quickly met me. She grinned and immediately saw her front gums, which were now toothless. In the short time I lived here, I became close to them. I also called Estella, who was arranging the suitcases, but she was busy pulling the suitcases while Mark and the gardener were helping her. Father Adelard is the wife of nana Sela.

“Nana Sela! It’s good that you’re back! Where have you been?!” I was happy to ask her. Since they left, the house has become quiet and I am no longer comfortable because of that.

“Señorito Adonis took us to a beach. I don’t know, he just told us to enjoy our day! Fortunately, we could return because my body hurt.” I saw the darkening of their skin. Nana Sela looked behind me.

“Señorito Adonis! Good thing we were sent home! I feel like I’m going crazy if I stay there! I didn’t even see any dust in our place! Even if I want to wash the dishes, I can’t because they use other containers!” I laugh at nana Sena’s complaint. I was curious how many years she had served here in the mansion.

“Luna and I are leaving tonight because we are going to do something important.” After Adonis said that, I turned to him with astonished eyes.

“Wait. What? Tonight? Are you sure tonight? Won’t you let your secretary know you can’t work or will you let them know?” I thought it would take us another three days before we will finally leave.

“Are you worried about that?” He is now taking his cellphone out of his pocket. He still has no clothes.

“Ahm. No. It’s just that— ”I didn’t finish what I was going to say because he put the phone in my ears, turned on the phone, and spoke.

“I can’t go to work for a month. You take care of the rest. Send me an email in case there is a serious problem. I will repeat; SERIOUS. Don’t bother me if it’s just a minor problem, okay?” After the call, I was stunned by what he said.

We were all staring at him.