Chapter 17
The next morning is much busier than yesterday. I don’t just need to do house chores but also have to prepare for today’s agenda. Thankfully, Jared taught me the most important things to remember when hosting a charity event last night. Since the plan is abrupt and not exactly like those charity events his company hosted, I only need to learn how to get things to work out when distributing clothes and other goods.
It turns out that he’s living just a few blocks away from Lary’s place. We spent time talking about my plan as I drove him home. The huge mansion he went into didn’t surprise me at all.
Although Jared is my boyfriend, I don’t know much about his personal life. After all, this relationship started from a one–night stand. There’s nothing much I can expect him to tell me. I can’t bring myself to ask either, so I decided to slowly find out everything about him naturally.
The thrill from curiosity is always irresistible. Getting to know a complete stranger by natural means is an adventure that makes life more exciting Now that I’m thinking about it, Jared is an interesting man.
I don’t want any heavy dramas in my personal life so I’m hoping for a sweet and fluffy whirlwind romance this time. It’s ironic how I’m looking forward to spending the days to come with him. I don’t want to get too attached to him and end up like how I did when Lucas dumped me.
Perhaps I need to open my heart to someone else in order to forget the past?
Jared and I won’t fall in love in the end. Period.
“Pifi! As if that’s possible. Me falling in love again?” Shaking my head, I dub my fingertip on the lipstick and rub it to my lips. “Looking good, huh?”
I look at myself in the mirror after a couple of twirling Wearing a light blue dress, I feel like a teenager who’s preparing for a date. I don’t want to look pretty in Jared’s eyes but at the same time, I don’t want him to think I can’t dress up.
Well it’s not exactly what others can call a date between lovers since we’re only going to visit some stores to check out good stuff Jared insisted he’ll come with me. Even though I refused knowing that he’s got work to do, my conviction was defeated by his mere innocent gaze.
Whenever I think about it, I can’t help but doubt my judgement Does Jared really have an innocent and cute side in him or is it all just his act However, as much as I think about it, there’s no evidence to prove he’s doing it on purpose. No matter how I observe him, it seems to me that he’s just doing whatever his whims urge him to do.
“It’s all right. He’s cine anyway.”
And every time I convince myself not to fall on his possible traps, my will falters simply because he’s adorable.
“I’m a woman who’s weak against good–looking men.” I press my hands on my face in dismay, I’m an adult and I’m hopeless.
1 take a look at my reflection in the mirror once more. This is the first time I’m going out with a man except for my boss. I wonder how fared will react when he sees me like this. Again, I don’t intend to look good in front of him. This is also a part of protecting his image. Since we’re going to show up together in public places, I need to look presentable at least.
I’m contemplating whether to change into pants and shirt when I heard the sound of the door bell. “He’s here”
I never felt this excitement before but the feeling of someone coming to fetch me because we planned to go somewhere is brand new and refreshing. It feels like I’m living a life for myself this time. doing things of my accord without someone dictating to me what I should and shouldn’t do.
Rushing to the door with a sling bag hanging on my shoulder, I exhale the air to clear my lungs and open the door. “You’re here.” My instinct is telling me today’s going to be great.
*Daphne Jared focused is yes on my face,
I can’t tell what’s in his mind when he’s wearing a blank expression. “What’s wrong? Do L
Do I look weird! That’s what I wanted to ask but what com
comes out of my mouth is the opposite,
“Hah! Do I look that pretty to you to stare at me like this? You’re almost drooling,” is what I blurted out. I feel the need to bump my head on the wall but Jared’s reply changes my mind
eah. You’re lovely today, Daphne.”
He said I’m lovely. Did he mean it?
“Uh. So, you think it’s just today? Not yesterday or the day we first met Gosh! Why am I suddenly hoping for a special treatment?
Subconsciously, I tuck a few hair strands on my ear. My hair is loosely tied and I thought this style suits my outfit. It’s different from my usual hairdo so I can’t help being conscious.
Gosh! It’s a flirty move! Get a hold of yourself, Daphne Ambers!
“Nope. I think you were cute yesterday. That night when we slept together, you were sexy. And the day we first m then. Hmm… A clumsy angel”
Forget it. There’s no use talking to Jared and expecting something good to come out whether it’s embarrassing or not. Argh!
met.. I thought I saw an angel back
of his mouth. He’s just going to spout what’s in his mind
“Yeah! Have you ever experienced a life and death situation before?” I wonder how he’s able to compare me to an angel. Hmph!
“Not really.” Jared shakes his head as he answers,
Oh my! He didn’t know I was being sarcastic? Why does it make me more frustrated when he’s indifferent like this?
“Hah! So why don’t you tell me where you saw an angel, Mr. Vice President! Tehl Just a moment, I’ll change.” I roll my eyes and turn my back at him. “Ah, you don’t have to try to flatter me and curse me soon after.”
I’m not that far from the door yet when I bounce back to where I was a few seconds ago. My back lands on a hard object and when I check, it’s JUST his firm chest.
“You don’t have to change.
Why? Because you’re in a hurry? I’d rather get changed now than give y
you a reason to laugh at me later in these clothes”
“But I said you’re lovely. Don’t you trust me?”
Trust First of all, why do you ask if I trust you? It’s something that takes time to earn, breaks in a second, and needs a lifetime to repair. If I trust you immediately, I’m afraid of mourning for its loss for the rest of my life once you break it. It’s better if we’re just nice to each other even without giving trust
“And you also thought of me as a clumsy angel. Which one is it? I can’t give him a definite answer about trust so it’s best to ignore it. We’re just starting to get to know each other for now and whatever trust means to him, it’s still beyond what we are now.
“Ah. Do I look like an angel when drunk?” I point at myself with disbelief in my face. I was drunk when we first met and maybe he’s not really making fun of me when he described me as a ‘clumsy angel. He must have had a drink at that time too and his vision was blurry.
“No. You look sexy when you’re drunk. That clumsy angel has been long gone though. I think she grew up to be a lovely goddess now.”
My jaw drops on his sudden poetic line and no words come out of my mouth. Jared can actually make me speechless in many ways. First, when he’s embarrassing me accidentally. Second, when he’s overly praising‘ me. And lastly, when he’s just standing there staring at me with that handsome face he got.
“Shall we go!” He takes my hand and links our fingers together as he leads the way out of my house.
I quietly locked the door and we stride on the hallway in silence. I don’t even know how to start another conversation with him.
Maybe Jared knows. He faked a cough when we’re inside the elevator. “Aren’t you cinous when was the first time I saw you? I thought you’re going to ask why I saw a clumsy angel back then.” He chuckles as if reminiscing something funny from the past.
With that joyful laugh, I’m quite tempted to inquire and listen to what he has to say.
“Didn’t we officially first meet that night when I was out of my mind?” I bite my lower lips as I say the last part. I hate to admit it but I go a bit insane when intoxicated with alcohol
“Oh. But we met five four years ago. We went to the same University, right?”
I nod
my
head in agreement. What he said is true but when did we meet back then? I was sure to hide away from him to avoid getting in trouble because of his bad reputation.
“I see. You don’t remember at all. Forget it.”
It’s the first time jared openly shows a morbid face. His eyes are determined not to say anything else about that tople so I couldn’t ask
But still my chest tightens when be easily gives it up.
“You can just make me remember it then It’s never my intention to comfor him and yet, here I am, smiling sweetly while squeezing his hands as 1 encourage him to talk.
“Hmm. I almost forgot that you’re the kind of person who easily forgets things about me and requires me to help you recall them” Jared smiles back at me but his eyes remain sad.
& him so disappointed when I said I don’t remember!
Just what exactly happened before that makes i
2/3
since you already gave your permission, then I won’t hold back.”
I’m caught off guard when Jared’s hand finds the back of my head and pulls me closer. My mind didn’t go blank but my body seemed to stop moving as if I’m frozen in place. His lips brushes against mine and soon after, the kiss gets deeper and more passionate.
We’re both immersed in our world when the sound of the elevator door echoes through my head.
Fuck! What am I doing?
