Chapter 68: Chapter 68

"This is Earth, Cleo."

I was pulled back to reality when Erick snapped a finger right in front of my face.

I threw him a questioning look. "H-Huh?"

He crinkled his nose. "I'm talking here but it seems like I'm with a ghost. Did you call me just to watch you space out?"

Guilt struck me. "I'm sorry."

This morning, I messaged Erick and asked him if he was free and if he's up to go out. Aside from the fact that this is my way to fulfill my promise to him... I have to take a pause and breathe.

And obviously, staying in that house won't give me peace of mind. With what happened last night, I don't think I'll ever keep my heart and mind at bay anymore.

Everything is still etched in my mind. The peculiar emotions in Garren's eyes that seemed to stare at the deepest part of my soul. His calloused hands that fondled my skin. The way he held me was as if I were frail glass that he didn't want to break.

And those three words... Who would have thought that they could cause pandemonium in my head?

If I could just delete the memories of last night, I wouldn't hesitate to forget everything.

"Are you okay?" Erick asked with furrowed eyebrows.

I stared at him for a short moment, contemplating whether I should tell her what happened between Garren and I.

I took a deep breath. "What will you do if someone confesses his feelings for you?" I asked after I found the resolve to speak out the question lingering in my mind, feigning a nonchalant expression.

His eyebrows snapped together, then he chuckled. "That's so out of the blue."

I looked away. I don't want him to decipher the emotion in my eyes.

Lauren will seriously foam at the mouth if she learns that I'm not discussing this matter with her, but I'm not ready to tell her yet. I know she will see through my words.

Erick, on the other hand, is a safe plan because he knows nothing about Garren and me apart from he's my boss.

"Why did you suddenly ask that question?"

Though I'm not looking at him, I can feel his piercing stare at me.

"Nothing."

"Really? But why can't you look at me? Did someone confess to you?"

My face contorted. My assumption seems to be erroneous. I forgot that this man is nosy as hell.

I shrugged my shoulders, still putting up a nonchalant facade. "Nothing. It just popped inside my head."

He hissed. "I don't believe you... but to answer your question, nothing."

My forehead creased. "What do you mean nothing?"

"Nothing. I won't do anything."

I threw him a bewildered look.

"I mean, it's just a mere confession, I'm not obligated to feel anything. Maybe I'd feel surprised if it's from an unexpected person and would be happy because someone appreciates my existence, but other than that, I won't feel anything at all."

Erick made a valid point. Why am I even stressing myself over Garren's confession?

I felt my body cringing thinking of that last word. It feels bizzare.

"You're not responsible to reciprocate their feelings, Cleo. You don't have to force your heart to beat for someone else if you don't like them," he added.

I clearly saw the light in his answer. But something doesn't feel right. I just can't fathom it, but something's wrong when Erick says that I don't need to reciprocate my feelings for him.

What the hell is wrong with me? I'm confident that I don't feel any romantic attachment to him.

"Not unless that person also asked to court you when he confessed his feelings," Erick continued.

My brows snapped together. "H-Huh?"

He flicked my forehead. "Why are you acting like a seven year old kid who knows know nothing about romance?"

I rolled my eyes. "Just answer my question."

"So impatient. Anyway, like I said, if that person asked for your permission to court you, that's when you're obligated to make a decision. If you feel the same way about him or you want to give him a chance, then go. If not, then reject him. Simple, right?"

It sounds like a child's play, but it's hard when you're in that situation.

"Garren didn't even tell you that he'd court you, dummy" the subconscious part of my mind said.

I can feel a subtle flush going through my cheeks with that thought.

Right. Why am I even overthinking things? It's not like Garren is going to court me.

I let out a sigh, but quickly stopped when I realized something. Why do I sound disappointed? What the fuck?!

••••••

I puffed out a heavy breath before I stepped inside the mansion. I purposely left early in the morning because I didn't want to come across Garren. Just the thought of having our eyes interlocked was enough to make me want to evaporate.

"I love you, Cleo. I've been through countless stages of denial, but I still end up loving you. You tamed this monster and made him fall for you."

I could feel shivers running through every crevice of my body when those words resounded on my mind.

"Forget about it, Cleo. Freaking get rid of him."

Despite my trembling hands and my reluctant mind, I held the knob and opened the door. I carefully sneaked inside, casting wary glances at the surroundings.

I squinted my eyes in the backyard through the ajar back door, but I saw no one. He's not in the kitchen either because I couldn't hear anything. That eased me.

I want to avoid any interaction with Garren, although that's impossible considering that I'm living under his roof, but I want to do that for as long as I can.

"Are you looking for me?"

My entire body froze when I felt a hot wind on my earlobe while I was busy peeking upstairs. My heart began racing erratically once again, like it did last night.

I prayed to all the deities not to make our paths cross for the mean time, but they all seemed to turn a deaf ear to my prayers.

His masculine fragrance permeated my nose. Why does he always smell like he bathes in perfume on a daily basis?

I hastily pulled myself away from him and cleared my throat.

"G-Good morning, Sir." I stammered while gripping my pants and trying my best to keep my composure.

He smiled sweetly... a smile that he hadn't used before.

"So... who are you looking for? Hmmm?"

You. I was looking out for you because I didn't want us to be this close.

I badly want to say that, but I chose to keep it to myself and stitched a ridiculous falsehood instead.

"I-I was looking for Cynthia, sir."

He simply nodded and didn't say anything. I took that as a sign to walk away.

But before I could take a second step, he held my right arm, electrifying me. He must have felt that too because he also let go of me.

What the hell was that?!

Garren cleared his throat. "About what happened last night..."

A tight rope seemed to bind my body. No. Please no. I don't have the guts to talk about that madness yet.

"I'm sorry if I caught you off-guard. I just couldn't help-"

I cut him off by forcing a laugh. "N-No, sir. I understand. Don't worry, I'm aware that you were just joking yesterday. I mean, it's impossible that you love me, right?"

Please. Please tell me that I'm right. I would be mad at you for pulling such a stupid prank, but I would be so much happier if everything you said was nothing but lies.

That's what I'm telling myself, but why does it taste like poison in my mouth?

Garren laughed bitterly and looked at me flatly. His eyes are sharp as a bullet.

"Are you kidding me?"

The tone of disbelief and indignation, as if I betrayed him, are evident in his voice.

I shammed a smile. "W-Why? I was telling the truth, sir."

Garren scoffed and shook his head. "I gathered all the guts to confess my feelings for you, and you think that I was just fooling around? What the fuck?!"

I swallowed a lump. If this is a sequel of last night, I don't want it. I haven't recovered yet.

I was about to say something, but I ended up pressing my lips together when his figure suddenly blocked everything from my view.

He took a step closer, and so I also took a step back until I felt the cold walls behind me.

He's really fond of trapping me in his arms just because he knows I can't do anything about it. Curse his height.

"It seems like what I told you yesterday was not enough. You're really testing my patience, Cleo Hariette Sylvia."

The way he slowly uttered my entire name sent shivers down my spine.

I huffed when I felt his arms suddenly snaking around my waist.

"S-Sir."

I received no response from him. He continued staring at the depths of my soul.

"G-Get off me. Please," I begged while doing my best to push him away. But he just caught my hands and put them over his chest. I swallowed a lump when I felt his heartbeat.Once again, I was rendered paralyzed.

I mentally muttered a few expletives. For god's sake, we're beside the stairs! Anyone who enters the house or passes by the living room can see us!

Doesn't he have any shame at all?!

My legs quivered when he lifted my chin. I closed my eyes.

No. I refuse to look at him. That will break my defense.

"Look at me, Cleo."

Instead of obliging, I closed my eyes tighter.

"I said, look at me. Do it or I'm going to kiss you right here."

I immediately opened my eyes when he said that. I feel like my knees will fall down at any moment if it's not for his right arm holding my waist.

"Good," he whispered, a mischievous grin plastered between his lips. "Now, listen to me."

I've lost count of how many times I've swallowed already. My mind is blank. All I know is that our proximity is sending a tingling sensation to my belly.

"I love you, Cleo. I don't know exactly know when I started loving you, but I do. So stop thinking that I'm pulling a ridiculous prank on you," he uttered in a much gentler tone. "And whether you like it or not, I'll court you. You need to be held accountable for bewitching this monster."

And at that very moment, every sense in my body shuts down.

Garren Montreal has gotten insane.