"Manang, can you make a mango float today? I'm craving for something sweet." I yawned while rubbing my starving stomach early in the morning with my eyes half-closed.
"Good morning Heart, it's a good thing I bought mangoes early from my suki at Cogon market." It felt like a bucket of cold water was poured on me when I heard Marc's voice. My eyes immediately opened and I was greeted by a hottie in an apron. His hair was still wet, obviously freshly bathed, and the shirt he was wearing showed hard patches on his back and stomach. I was like a statue on the spot when he removed the apron he was wearing and served the cooked bacon, sunny-side-up egg, and fried rice on the table. I stared at his toned muscles and in the morning I'm already sweating.
"I'll make your mango float later or we can make it together." I feel overwhelmed by what I see now. Why does the sun seem so beautiful and it still hits his face? He looked like an angel who fell from heaven in front of me. Is this really how you feel when you see him in the morning?
"Don't you want breakfast?" He asked me with a frown. Then I realize that I was stunned by him speechless. I swallowed my own saliva as he slowly approached me and wondered why I wasn't answering. On the other hand, I stepped back as he got closer and closer, my heart beat faster and faster until my head hit the shower room door.
"Fudge, it hurts." I grabbed the back of my head and panicked even more when Marc ran to me to help me but before he could get to my place I immediately entered the shower room. I don't want to talk to him anymore because I don't know what to say especially after what happened to us last night. What does that mean?
SHOCKS! Last night, I was confident but when I saw him today, I suddenly felt shy and scared. I don't know what to do. To wake myself up, I decided to take a shower first to prepare my lines when we meet at the table. I blinked when I heard a knock from the door so I distanced myself from the door.
"Eat breakfast immediately after you take a bath, okay?" he gently told me. Again, I didn't answer but I slap myself to calm down. It's good that he understood what my actions were conveying. I looked in the mirror and saw that my eyelids had turned dark brown. And the worst thing is he saw how ugly I am in the morning. I pouted and cupped my face for being unattractive in front of him but come to think of it, are we already in a relationship? Am I answering him? Well, we kissed last night, does that mean I'm permitting him to be my boyfriend? Oh my! I don't know. I need to call Marz. This is driving me nuts.
***
"Best! Why are you calling so early in the morning? Is there a problem?" Marz's voice was so deep, it was obvious that he had a party last night. "Oh my wait! Best, are the bad guys chasing you again?!” I immediately put the phone away when the witch on the other line panicked.
"Marz, calm down okay? I just need someone to talk to right now.” I exhaled heavily and closed my eyes before continuing, "Marz, if a guy and a girl kissed, does it mean that they're already together?" I can already imagine how shocked Marz is by my question. I know this is not my first but last night was different and I even want it to happen again. I couldn't sleep well last night because every second of that night kept replaying in my brain.
"OMG BEST! So are you implying that you and Marc are already together?!” Marz decoded it immediately — as usual. I can't hide anything from him.
"We're not Marz yet, but I want to answer him." Marz moaned half asleep.
"What the heck! My hangover kept getting worse," Marz acted like he was dizzy but he immediately took it back when he said, "Just kidding best, of course wherever you're happy, I'm happy too. You're old enough to know what to do as long as… you don't let an instant miracle happen! You know what I mean, right? Marc is older than you and he might demand a miracle." I choked on the bacon I was eating because of what Marz said. I immediately reached for the glass of water and drained its contents.
Marc is not like that. That's how I know him. Yes, he used to be a playboy but he is not like other men out there who have a bad agenda for women. He never touched any woman as far as I know. On second thought, is there any by chance? How about that Honey girl?
"Marz? Hello?” I wanted to ask him a lot more but I just heard Marz's loud snoring on the other line. He fell asleep just like that.
I immediately finished the breakfast cooked by 'Heart', I am thrilled again when I remember last night, it took me a while to move on. But why does he seem to be absent? When I came out of the room earlier, I saw only the maids and three bodyguards double-checking me and the safe house.
"Where is he?" I whispered to the wind as I got down to the table because I can't find the person who cooked my breakfast. After eating I lay down on the sofa and read books that I found while waiting for him to come back but I also got bored reading easily so I just scrolled through Instagram of fashion tops and maxi dresses because I wanted to try new fashion.
My eyes kept checking on the door and wall clock but an hour passed, and he was still not back. Relentless from waiting, I got up and went straight to the room to get ready because I was going out. I still remember Dad's instruction that we wouldn't separate because he's my protector who knows how I am. I wonder why he is not here and why is he coming out without my knowledge. How can I have something happen to me here without him?
"Ma'am, is there a problem?" I clutched my chest in shock when Manang Melay spoke at the door. Did I just say that out loud?
"Nothing Manang." I smiled a little at her while putting on sunscreen and lip tint for an instant day glow.
"Sir Marc is in the waiting area of ​​the resort because he will meet someone. He said he'll come back this afternoon," Manang told me even though she didn't have to, at least now I know.
"Thank you, Manang," I replied politely while combing my hair because I was going out to get some fresh air on the shore after all, it was only nearby and I would bring a guard with me. I don't want my beauty to be spoiled inside.
"Do you want me to cook something, Ma'am?" Manang asked gently but I just shook my head. She was about to leave but stopped when I asked, "Manang, did Marc mention the name of who he is going to meet today?"
Manang held his forehead remembering what Marc said and I hope she remembers something. Suddenly her face lit up and I thought she was about to say something but Manang panicked after remembering that she was cooking something in the kitchen.
She apologized and hurriedly ran back to the kitchen. I didn't wait for Manang to come back and left the safe house wearing white high-waist shorts that I paired with a purple spaghetti top. My hair was parted in two braids on both sides and I was walking on the sand in white closed shoes.
I was accompanied by five bodyguards whom I convinced to accompany me even though it was strictly forbidden. I made them understand that I just needed to get some air and that they had nothing to worry about because I would talk to Dad later. In the end, they agreed but they only gave me 15 minutes to walk around. They were wearing white shirts and blue jogging pants like our PE uniforms in high school, but they looked handsome there because their bodies were beautiful, so we caught a little bit of attention.
Correction! It's not a little but it's very funny because who wouldn't look at a goddess like me walking on the shore with my cool bodyguards like demigods? Nothing caught my attention except for a waiting area in the distance where Marc was standing. I immediately smiled when I saw him and sped up my pace but stopped when an unknown woman hugged him giddily. She was as tall as him and what was even worse? He hugged back which I didn't expect.
I burst into tears for an unknown reason. My bodyguards watching around looked at me but I bowed and walked back to the safe house and was greeted by another bodyguard who was their leader. He would have told me because of Dad's strict instruction that I was not allowed to go out and they would receive a long sermon because I forced them. I promised that I would be the one to explain my actions. The team leader saw my sad face and my fellow bodyguards in the back signaled to let me enter the safe house to rest. My tears are falling and they're unstoppable. I was very annoyed, I still looked at my watch waiting for him to come, but the more time passed without him, the more pain I got and I cried until I fell asleep.
***
"Manang, is the mango float okay? Please put the cake here and then..." I woke up with a terrible headache when I heard indistinct chatter coming from the outside as if there was a feast. I forced myself to get up and reapply cream for a fresher look but when I opened the door, Marc appeared in front of me holding a mango float cake.
My lips parted in surprise, and my tongue tied in knots. I slowly stepped forward to the dining room, but my vision suddenly blurred. I immediately held on to my temples and leaned on the nearest wall on my left side to support my ground. Quickly, Marc caught me when I almost fell on the floor. His concern was vividly painted on his face and the last thing I remember someone lifted me and put me carefully on the soft bed.
"Manang, hand me my phone, I'm just going to call Da-" When I heard what he was going to do, I don't know where I got the strength to get up and grab the phone from Manang's hand before Marc could grab it.
"Jess, how are you feeling? Do you want to go to the hospital?” I could hardly discern what he was saying. All the bodyguards, including Manang, turned their backs when Marc suddenly locked me in an embrace with no space to breathe.
"No, I'm fine and please don't Dad about this. Please give me some water." I almost whispered in a weak voice then Marc volunteered to do so and before I could protest, everyone left the room, and I pushed my back against the headboard.
After a while, Marc came with a tray with water, rice, and hot soup. He worriedly looked at my condition and then blew the rice after putting hot soup on it. My eyes widened as he raised the spoon to give me a bite.
"I can do it on my own." I weakly answered. I can still stand. Well, I still haven't forgotten what I saw earlier and I get annoyed every time I see him. I tried to grab the spoon he was holding but he pushed it away from me and stared at me dangerously.
In astonishment, I backed away even more because he brought his face closer to mine. I feel so close that my lips can feel his every breath. Here's my heart racing again when he's here. I'm shaking again — shaking because I want his lips to touch mine because what happened last night flashbacks to me. I was anticipating another passionate kiss like last night but suddenly, my phone rang on my bedside table.
We were both stunned by the sound of my phone. He immediately distanced himself from me and I immediately picked up the phone because it might be Daddy calling to say hello to me. I frowned when an unknown number flashed on the screen. I felt nervous and hesitated to answer because it might not improve our situation.
"Is there something wrong? Who's calling?" Marc's forehead creased and was about to grab my phone but before he could take it from my hand I pressed the answer button and all the hair on my body stood up when I heard a familiar horrendous voice.
"How are you baby girl?"
"Who are you?!" My voice cracked with overflowing nervousness when I heard the horrible voice of the man on the other line. Marc nervously grabbed the phone from my ear and hung up as if there was something I shouldn't know from the caller.
"What the hell are you doing Marc?!" I yelled.
"From now on, you will no longer use this phone. I will buy a new one tomorrow and the only registered contact will be me and your Dad. You are not allowed to talk even with your friends as of now." I scoffed as he stood authoritatively and discarded my phone in the trash bin near the door as if it didn't matter. That phone is mine and he has no right to stop me from talking to whom I want to talk to.
"Who do you think you are?!" I faked a laugh that caused his brow to rise, confused.
"Tell me, why are you doing all of this? Why? Are you my boyfriend? JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE ARE NOT!" I couldn't stop myself and the volume of my voice reached the living room. I know Daddy trusted him but not to the point where he has permission to throw away my things. I exhaled forcefully after realizing the words I had spilled.
"If you want, why not? Because I love you and you are driving me mad!" he tried to say to me softly but it was enough for the people in the living room to hear it.
"What did you say?" I asked even though I heard it clearly.
"I said, you need to eat. Go ahead and eat." He was obviously controlling the anger that was building up inside him because of what I said, but I won't take that back because it's true.
"I don't want to eat, I have no appetite," I declined and grabbed the tray to put it on the floor. The second time he tried to control himself and took the tray and put it next to me but I crossed my hand on my chest and ignored the food because I don't want it and when I say I DON'T, he has no right to force me.
He was about to convince me again when I suddenly got up and left the bed while taking my phone that he threw in the trash. He has no idea how expensive this is and he just threw it away. I'm not even sure who called, maybe it was just a prank call or it was a mistake, right?
I saw how the expression on Marc's face changed because of what I did and my chest beat harder in fear when he looked at me darkly. I have never seen him like this, from Kuya to fake lover to suitor to trusted protector, now he's scary. I want to take back everything I said to him earlier but I can't especially because he is getting closer and closer to me and I have nowhere to go because I can feel the cabinet behind me.
I stared into his eyes and raised my palm holding his chest and because I was so afraid I quickly said, "You don't have the right to do that because I don't care about your stuff, especially which girl the one you hug and talk to." I closed my eyes at the same time especially when he took the phone from my hand again and threw it in the trash without taking his eyes off me.
"I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me. I won't make you angry again," I said all without thinking as if my life depends on it. I waited for what he would say or do, but he didn't move or touch me at all.
I waited for a few seconds but my eyes widened when he suddenly laughed and I didn't know where it was coming from. I scowled my brow when he covered his mouth controlling his laughter that I didn't grasp. I pushed his chest so hard away from me while he was still trying to contain his laughter.
"Is there something funny?" My irritated voice speaks for itself. I'm clueless. Is my reaction funny or did I say something funny? And since I didn't get an answer from him, I lost my temper and took out the tray without eating what he prepared for me. I'll eat later. He was surprised by what I did and was about to grab my shoulder but he was too late because I had already taken it out the tray to the door while he enjoy laughing like a stupid emoticon.
"So, you are jealous of Honey?"