"HER" POINT OF VIEW:
I slowly opened my eyes, and nothing but mist greeted my sight. Every breath I took was a struggle, weighed down by heavy air and sweltering sweat, much like the sensation in my motionless body.
Endless aches haunted my blank mind, but my efforts to scan my surroundings didn't waver. When everything finally became clear, one conclusion stamped itself on my brain: The place I'm in isn't familiar to me.
I noticed a hand holding mine from beside me. It was from a sleeping stranger, my eyes growing wider when they landed on him.
"W-Who are you?!" I immediately pulled my hand away from him. Though it's hard, I even got up and moved back, 'till he also regained consciousness.
"Oh… you're awake?" He leisurely raised his head, shaking it as he rubbed his eyes. He stretched his long arms next, trying to completely brush away his sleep. "I'm glad."
This unknown person, who seemed to be just around my age, gave me a smile.
The next thing I knew, he was tilting his head and putting one hand on his chin as if thinking. I also saw him cross his legs, leaning back in the comfortable upholstered chair he was settling into.
"Hmm, let's see…" a slow, low voice spoke again, tapping his other hand's index finger on top of his lap. "You've been asleep since last night?"
He looked so unruffled, and something about it just puzzled me 'cause the atmosphere around us oddly felt suffocating—which maybe only was for me.
"W-What time is it now?" I decided to muster the courage to ask him, still stuttering.
I'm in front of a stranger right now, nervous as hell. Because I don't know where I am! I also can't read his intention. I feel like he's a dangerous person—that's why, who wouldn't stutter?!
"Three… forty-six post meridiem," he briefly answered after clicking his tongue, taking a look at his watch.
I gulped. "R-Really… but, where am I…?"
My eyes scanned the room once again. It was large, almost the size of an average house. The theme was dark, with almost everything being black-colored.
There were two tall doors like those in a castle, a king-sized bed I occupied, sofas, and a big frame in front, a table and chair as if it was actually an office space, a balcony, and much more furniture and space.
The room was clearly not familiar to me, which made me wonder hard about my whereabouts. Numerous possibilities flooded in my mind like a sudden waterfall, filling the dryness, only one of them being half the correct answer.
"You are in my room," the man said simply, his smile still present. I met his gaze amidst his crossed arms and legs, a relaxed posture. Those obsidian eyes were fixed intently on me.
Enigmatically, my pulse felt like it was in a race, sweat dripping down my face. I persisted in wondering who he was, for his presence gave me uneasiness as I gazed straight into his dark and deep eyes as though diving into an abyss.
Then… I finally recognized the way his lips curve.
Deceptively simple, yet there was an undeniable charm and allure that kept getting my attention, as I could finally tell it truly had a hidden intention.
Maybe he's trying to deceive me right at this moment. Even so, it could just be his normal smile. Or all along… I was wrong—the man in front of me has been secretly smirking, amused at the thought of playing such a fool of a girl in the palm of his hand.
I even waited for him to add more information, only for silence to linger, to the point where our eyes met in a stare so intense it became stupid. There's definitely no plan in his mind despite probably being aware of what I want.
But I was shocked when he pursed his lips. Loudly clapping his hands together, he uttered, "Alright. Let me kindly tell you where exactly you are and your current condition."
My mouth gaped as my eyebrows furrowed, but I decided to clear my throat and just thought, 'Yes, please,' also no longer fazed by whatever those lips displayed next.
"I-I don't remember anything, you see…" I confessed, amidst my suspicion. My mouth was pathetically uncontrollable, so were my hands, which automatically went to my head to ease the fast-growing headache. "Ah!"
It's like I tried to remember something but failed. Only some messy bloods managed to show up.
"Really?" someone questioned, voice unfamiliarly deep.
"Y-Yes…" I answered politely, my head bent down as though I was about to cry.
'Till I snapped out of my idiocy, peeking up, only to make me wide-eyed when I saw his very own eyes proved that what I just said definitely caught his full attention.
I got his attention. Didn't I?
The way he looked changed. They were no longer soft like what he's been trying to give. He's coming out of his shell now, introducing his real self who truly have a hidden intention.
My lips detached once again. I wandered in his eyes that just sharpened, attempting to read what was behind his sudden interest. Although I think it's quite obvious.
Suspicious, and mysterious. Those are the words that really describe him. Especially when reading him has been a pure challenge from the very start.
'Who is he, really?' The question swirled in my mind again.
"Yes…" I gave him a timid answer after subtly clearing my throat, feeling the heavier ambience when he found out that my brain's blank.
However, for some unknown reason, this man's soft aura came back. His energy shifted all of a sudden, sparking confusion in me. I would not let it slip anymore that he's probably into some games, though.
The question is, what is the game?
"I see… Even your name? Or, you're just foggy from last night? Or oh, well, anyways!" After nodding repeatedly, he moved on with a shrug and pout before continuing, the tips of his lips rising unequally again just to prove my hunch. I just didn't expect his following words. "I think it's good for you. You just had some traumatic experience, after all."
"…T-Traumatic?"
"It seems you're confused." His outward demeanor remained positive, yet he was probably emitting negativity inside.
His lips were purposely making me bewildered. His delivery of words was all smooth and oddly polite. His body was maintained in a comfortable rest. Although, his eyes… remained a dangerous cave I'm not afraid to explore due to my curious nature.
He truly has an enigmatic presence, and the tension in this room is almost under his full control. I can't help but interrogate myself about his identity, countless times already.
Only he can give answers.
"Where are the ones you promised to tell?" I inquired sharply, itching to grasp what had transpired last night. My eyes darkened as my body tensed, ready to go on a rampage.
Just… every second, I get alerted, causing me to clutch the cushion harder than ever. However, as if being unbothered is his specialty, he just started his little story there so casually.
"Last night, around 9 PM, you were knocked out so I brought you here in my place. Well, I didn't know where to take you since I don't know where you live. I'm just letting you rest because last night? You were crying so hard, without sounds at that! It's hard to breath that way, you know. But I understand because you don't want to get caugh—" he paused, and chuckled at me with a grin. "Nah! So, anyway, you only just woke up right now since then!"
"But, what do you mean… I don't want to get caught?"
His tone sounded as if it were some anecdote for little kids. However, I would like to believe his words for now because, rather than acting annoyed due to his actions, it's better to try to prevent bloodshed.
I ignored how his eyes narrowed, along with the curving of his lips. The rage within me is becoming irrepressible, and I kinda don't get why.
Why… didn't I want to get caught? What exactly happened before I got here? What… Where's my family…?
"You really don't remember? Anything? At all?" he tried to make sure.
"Would I ask if I do?!" I exploded, surprising us both.
"Woah, sorry!" He raised his hands before laughing, seemingly teasing me of my eruption.
I think I'm about to kill someone.
Still, his laugh eased some tension until he weighed the air down again. My blood couldn't boil anymore; his existence never failed to annoy me so much.
"But I'm telling you, m'lady. Maybe you'd better just let yourself forget everything. I definitely have no intention of telling you every single detail, you see," his voice added in an unfamiliar tone again, while getting up—this time, though, is virtually very soft with sincereness.
"Why, though?" Purposely acting as though I suspected him, my eyes watched him approach two giant closed doors.
His head turned, yet his back remained facing me, who was still at the end of his bed, while his hand seemed to start holding something.
"Because I think, you'd better rest more. That said, I'm leaving you for a moment," he finally bade, with that d-mn sly smirk one last time, completely shutting all the doors.
"W-Wai— Ouch!" I tripped when I tried to follow him. "Ouch..."
Holding myself, I stared at the wall-like doors like a child, hoping he wouldn't just ignore me. But nothing happened, he really left me all alone already.
"What's his deal?" I stood up to go back to bed, my irritation inevitable.
When I sat down, I quickly decided again to follow him since I can't rest—I need to know everything from last night.
Desperately.
So after I'm finally in front of the doors, I opened one of them.
My breath hitched, the moment I succeeded. Stopping right at the last tile of his big room, all my dangerous desperation was strangely calmed and forgotten in a flash.
Oh…
Sincerely laughing, the back of his hand did its best to gatekeep his mouth's majestic joy, as he threw his head back. 'Till he noticed me across, our eyes met, connecting with each other once again. His lips slowly formed a sweet smile. He started turning his body to march in a plan of approaching me.
I just watched him do it, unable to do anything else. I completely froze from where my feet stood, speechless at his undeniably attractive appearance, which I had failed to notice earlier.
A full black outfit…
He's wearing a blouse that's tucked in, while its long sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, which doesn't seem to have been the case earlier—now that I think about it—revealing a shining silver watch on his left wrist. The pants with a belt whose silver buckles are literally the whole outfit's only other highlight. The loafer shoes he wears are also in the shade of shadows.
His body is petite. His skin is pale.
'He's… so tall…' I thought unconsciously, gazing up at the boy whose seemingly soft hair was messy. A sharp nose and pinkish plump lips, sweetly smiling at me along with his playful eyes—obsidian orbs that currently blocked my sight, which was slightly widened in mesmerization.
He looks like an innocent teenager. An angel even, but an actual demon who's hiding behind those sweet smirks plastered all over his face.
"I told you to rest, didn't I?" The sweetness he tried so hard to display reached even into his voice, reality slapping me.
I gasped, blinking as my admiration for him officially ended. I mentally questioned whether this body's soul had truly just gotten distracted, my head drifting to the side.
My mouth closed tightly as I gulped, feeling my breath still uncontrollably unsteady, silently cursing the fact that my knees love to tremble for ✨handsome✨ men.
"U-Uh…" I let out, glancing at him as I struggled to find my words. "I just… can't rest," I managed to say, quickly averting my gaze.
"Is… thaat sooo?" he playfully asked, following my eyes in an attempt to reconnect with his own gaze, his lips stretching wider into a teasing smile.
I did my best to keep avoiding him, until my eyes finally landed on him in annoyance. A thought quickly formed in my mind, are my lungs still functioning right?
The more I gazed at him, the more I became allured to the edge of his abyss, a precipice waiting for me to stumble and tumble down into the dark unknown, where I'd succumb to his complete victory.
I just couldn't help it. In the end, I bit my lower lip before trying one last time to look down at the floor as a final distraction.
Until he opened his mouth again, I felt even more pathetic at the moment. "Want me to rest with you?"
My head immediately jerked up to meet my human ceiling again, only to catch him biting his lower lip to stifle a grin. He's clearly having fun.
Because while it may be hard for me to read him at all, he probably sees right through me; like what I love to bring with me anywhere—a book.
Yet, all I could do was let out, "Huh?" after his last question that shocked the sh-t out of me.
I can be d-mb sometimes, I swear. I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. At the same time, I'm starting to get annoyed again already. Something in my chest just keeps beating loudly for this man.
Should I tell him to f-ck off?
"Well, I can't rest, too, you see…" I heard him, his voice indicating a shyness all of a sudden.
????
A wave of confusion surged through me, accompanied by frustration, as I glanced to my side, feeling a drop of sweat trickle down while his eyes remained fixed on me.
"Oh, well. Did you not get enough rest earlier? You were sleeping beside me—" I paused. "That's right! I was asleep since last night—"
"I believe you still need rest, my lady. Look how you don't even remember anything…" he mumbled at the end, cutting off my words, his voice suddenly full of sincere concern.
A worried expression took over his face, and his eyes now looked soft to me.
"Do you have mood swings or something? Why were you suddenly shy, and so worried for me now?? Honestly, I'm fine! Why even worry?!"
Then, his earlier expression returned as he chuckled. "Guess it," was all he said.
I glared at him.
This guy really switches here and there. I decided to turn my head away to the side once again, not wanting to face him anymore.
But unfortunately, he's not done yet with his little test of my patience—"By the way, are you okay?"
Like he actually has mood swings, he's worried again.
"What do you mean?" I asked him back, curious about what he had just randomly inquired about.
"I think you tripped earlier." He laughed.
??
I straightened my back, fearlessly staring straight into his eyes, pushing aside all my conflicting emotions. I raised an eyebrow before replying coldly, "Yes. Why didn't you come back if you knew?"
"Too lazy." It didn't even take him a minute to respond, now yawning.
"Are you serious?!" This time, I've had enough of him.
"Yep," he just mused, his charming smile still in place as though it was an irrepressible habit of his.
His lips surely love to paint. I held a piercing stare at him, noticing how the curve does not seem to fade.
Suddenly, a loud call echoed from our side. We both looked there and saw an old person. His wrinkles were lucid, even from a distance.
I heard him ask, "Is that the pretty girl?" with a smile kind of similar to the guy, who's suddenly so energetic. He really looks… a bit like this guy I've been stuck with for hours.
"Yes, Dad!" He had a brighter smile than before, responding to whom he declared as his father, almost reverting to a little kid.
I couldn't help but secretly observe him. His eyes were sparkling with obvious excitement. For some reason, it shattered my heart as my chest felt a sting. It seems he's only being real just now.
I moved my eyes to his father, focusing on him instead. He was finally with us. "Hello, sir…"
"Hello there, young lady," he replied, sizing me up before adding, "You're a really pretty girl, hm? No wonder my son's interested in you."
At first, my expression remained nonchalant. "Pardon?!"
"Oh, c'mon, Dad! I haven't told her yet that she caught my interest." The guy who cornered me earlier giggled.
Welp, so were you flirting with me earlier…?
"Is that so? I'm sorry," said his father and he chuckled.
"U-Um..." I let out, signaling that I'm still here. Even so, I just didn't know what else to say.
Truth is, I'm aware of the beauty I've inherited from my mother. Many people had confessed to me before, regardless of their gender. However, what's significant is that I felt like my heart had to beat harder, knowing the person I had found attractive also finds me attractive, as if feelings are mutual.
But this is a little awkward for me because for some reason, I don't know how to take it.
"Young lady, what is your name?" the father asked me.
"Oh, right. Now that I think about it, we haven't introduced ourselves yet," interrupted the son, turning to me as he smiled again, countless times already.
"Y-You're right...?" I'm f-cking stuttering.
I caught amusement through the son with that. I swear that he knows.
"Well, do you even remember your name?" he asked, smiling like a fox, despite being aware of the answer.
"Yes…"
"So, what is it?" The person who first asked for my name playfully tilted his head to the side. It nearly slipped my mind how he hadn't even gotten confused by our conversation.
Does he know already? Hinarap ko siya upang sumagot.
"Valerie, sir. Valerie Fritz," fixing my posture, I was full of politeness. I continued, "I'm, uh, 17 years old..."
Somehow, I wished to know his son's age, too. I peeked at him—to the owner of the room—but only for me to get weirded out.
"Valerie... What a pretty name..." I heard him mumble, gazing at me while the palm of his hand was on his mouth, openly admiring my whole existence with shades of red in his face, ears, and neck.
Uh??
I heard his father laughing, making me look at him. He tapped his son's shoulder, telling him to introduce himself first as he shook his head in amusement.
"I'm Lelio Nexarion Gambino, by the way. Same age as you. You can call me whatever you want. Can be darling, love, or sweetie. On you, my lady." Lelio winked after, still red. So, he's definitely flirting with me.
I looked down at the floor, and only then did I notice the feeling of having little shades on my cheeks as I thought, 'Same age as me, huh...'
"Well, well. I am his father, Anwir Gambino," I heard the other man introduce himself, too.
I turned up my head, brushing my blushes away. I bowed my head a little as a sign of respect to them. "Nice to meet you both."
"Nice to meet you, too, Riri," Lelio immediately responded, copying my action. Except, he was like a prince charming—gently putting his hand where our heart lies, while his eyes stayed on me.
He slowly took a hand of mine afterwards, using the hand he just used, to place a kiss on its back which flushed me.
His lips were soft. However, what the hell does he think he is doing?!
My heart acted strangely, so I just slid my hand away from him as I asked, "B-By the way, am I saved by both of you?"
"Only me, my Riri. You really don't remember anything from last night, huh?" Lelio replied, watching me observantly.
'I remember my name and all, except about last night…' I reluctantly thought.
"She probably repressed them for being too traumatized. It was indeed a scary experience," Sir Anwir said, slowly coming even closer to us.
He put his arm around Lelio's shoulder like a buddy rather than a father and Lelio glanced at him, sweating for some reason which I ignored.
"Maybe," I agreed. "Though, no matter how traumatizing, my body remembers."
"Huh?" Lelio instantly asked, very confused or curious.
I felt his aura had changed since this topic was brought up. Nonetheless, I think it's no big deal at all. I don't wanna think deeply anymore.
"Uhm, what I mean is my body remembers being hugged and carried by another body?" I slowly and carefully explained…
"Riri," Lelio calmly called me, and I realized my hands gripping tightly on him.
More importantly, the way I was gripping him is what exactly my body remembers. Because that was both my anger and fear.
"Are you okay?" Lelio asked me, his worried expression from earlier coming back. There was something different about it, maybe from the way he held my hands gently.
"Yes..."
"I think you should take a rest even more," Sir Anwir requested.
"Dad's righ—"
"N-No! It's fine, I'm fine! Thank you. But I'm really fine..."
"I don't think so—"
"Lelio! Tell me what fully happened last night," I interrupted him again, my hands reaching him again. "Please."
This time, my hard grip was due to desperation. I kept on begging him, "P-Please…"
He looked like he had no choice anymore as he sighed in defeat, and gently held my shoulders to say, "Okay. I'll tell you, but you need to calm down first," softly.
I did managed to calm down from what I heard. "Okay..."
"Are you sure about that, Nex?" I heard Sir Anwir ask him, earning a smile from him.
It was in a way that seems more unnerving than reassuring—if assuring, solely for his father—because somehow, it's like a villain who's deceiving an innocent heroine.
"Don't worry, Father."