Artemis
LASH PUT another drumstick on my plate. I looked at it and rolled my eyes at him. I just calmed down from what happened this morning. I cried for two hours straight, and Lash did not leave my side. He consistently hushed me.
"Eat more, or else you get sick. You've been down for two days now," he said.
Anya and Damien who are eating with us, looked at each other and giggled. I looked at them and they continued eating but still with a teasing smile on their lips.
"I'm eating," I insisted.
"I'll go to Father Erick's room later, after this. Can you go to your room alone?" he said.
I nodded, less scared since cops are around the area now, Father and the President asked for security.
"Okay... I'll sleep after eating, I'm tired," I said and he just nodded.
And that's what exactly happened. I went to my room after, Lash went to Father's room and I slept earlier than usual.
The next morning was fine and peaceful, just like the normal day here in the orphanage. Lash told me to wake up early so that we could water the plants together.
I looked at the wall clock after I went out from the shower. It's already eight o'clock in the morning. Is he done watering the plants?
Hurriedly, I went downstairs to the backyard and I saw him sitting on the lounge chair. The moment I stepped on the backyard, his eyes were already pinned on me.
My cheeks heated. I looked at the dress I was wearing. I'm wearing a baby blue puff dress and a slipper, the usual. His stares bothered me.
He stood up. His tall and lean frame dominated the whole area. He's wearing a black pants, a brown boots and a white sleeveless top.
"Good morning, princess," he greeted.
I smiled. "Good morning. I woke up a bit late," I said and I took the water hose. He watched me do it and he turned the switch on so that the water can come out.
"Nope. Just in time."
I chuckled because obviously, he's been waiting for me a bit long. We started watering the plants and some people also arrived and started cleaning behind us.
I greeted them and they greeted back. They left a deep gaze on Lash before going back to their chore.
"They seemed to be very attracted to you," I said absent-mindedly.
Lash chuckled. "You think so?"
I rolled my eyes but a smile crept on my face. He obviously knows he's handsome.
"I'm going out this afternoon. Wanna go with me?"
My eyes widened. "Why?"
He poked my nose with his index finger. "The president wants to talk to me about what happened yesterday. I asked him if I could bring someone with me and he agreed. So?"
My smile widened. "Sure!"
"He said he wants to see a kid," he said with a wide smile on his face.
"Oh, shut up," I said, annoyed that he knows how to piss me off. "You old man."
He laughed hard at that.
I got so excited that I was so productive that morning. Lash helped me choose a dress I should wear. He said we're going to the president's office in his company's building. I can't imagine it since I haven't been in one.
I wore a baby pink sundress and a pink doll shoes. My hair is in half pony tail, with a baby pink huge bow on it. I looked at the mirror and I smiled at Anya who helped me do my hair.
"Holy Christ..." she uttered, looking at my reflection on the mirror.
"Hmm?"
"You are so beautiful, make-up would be useless on your face... I wonder..."
"Hmm?" I got confused at her last words.
"I wonder if you're mixed or what. You look foreign. You don't look like a pure Filipina to me," she said.
I chuckled. Yeah, I wonder what my parents are. Are they Filipino? Are they mixed?
"Lash must be waiting for you. Come on, I'll go with you downstairs."
I nodded at what she said and followed her. I was on the staircase when I saw Lash standing on the living area.
He's wearing a white button down long sleeves polo, tucked in the black pants, and sleeves folded up to his elbows. He's also wearing a black shiny shoes. His hair is neatly gelled this time, stubbles are all gone.
I heard Anya gasp. "Makes me want to cheat on Damien-"
"Anya, please?" I laughed at her statement. "We'll go now, Anya!" I said and kissed her cheeks.
She waved at us and Lash didn't even look at her. His eyes remained on me, so I tilted my head to stop his deep thoughts or something.
"Hi?" I said. "Are you okay?"
He sighed. "Hello... Let's go?" he said as his Adam's apple moved.
I followed him as we went outside. I saw a black car parked in the parking space. It looked like Father Erick's car.
He opened the passenger seat for me. "This is Father's. He said I can use his car for tonight," he said, as if he read my thoughts.
I thanked him and then I went in.
My eyes roamed the city that we passed by. I was shocked that Lash was allowed to drive a car, but then again, he's already nineteen and Father Erick trusts him so much.
"Having fun?" he said.
I looked at him and his eyes glistened. He looked innocent and dashing. Such a weird combination for a man, but then, maybe that's what he is.
We arrived at a very huge building. We went in and staffs guided us. I just followed where Lash would go as I roamed my eyes all over the place. Everything was glass! Even walls are glass!
"You okay to wait here?" he asked when we arrived at a very huge hall. I nodded and sat on a huge red sofa. "This is the guest's waiting area and that room," he pointed at the huge brown door a few meters away from the sofa. "That's the president's office and I'll be there in a bit. You fine here?"
I nodded and smiled. He pinched my cheek. "You'll be safe here, there are guards over there." He pointed at the glass door and I saw two uniformed men.
I nodded again. "Okay... I'll wait here."
He smiled sweetly before walking towards the orphanage's President's office. I busied myself with the magazines and newspapers I found on the table.
I saw models and all, just beautiful women in bikinis!
My cheeks burned just by watching the photos. I then next checked some of the newspapers, and I saw celebrity news, random criminal news, and accident news.
"The Death of Twenty People: Private Jet Crash Turned Fifteen Years Today"
I read the article and it was a devastating crash. Today is the death anniversary of the deceased twenty people. A private jet crashed due to unresolved reason where a family and their maids and body guards died.
My heart tightened. That must be so hard for the family to go through that kind of death.
"Sure, sure. We made sure already."
I stopped reading when I heard a familiar voice. I saw that Lash and the President just came out from the office and is now laughing at their conversation.
I stood and greeted the President. "Pleasant evening, Sir," I greeted.
He patted my head while smiling widely. Lash watched his hands and he nodded at me, as if telling me that their conversation went good.
"Hija, you're here! Let's go and eat some dinner. Our restaurant here is pretty good, what do you wanna eat?" the President asked me.
I blinked, shy that I might not know what to say. Lash saw my reaction and he answered for me.
"She doesn't go out most of the time, Sir. I think it's better to show her what's available first?" he said kindly.
Mister President laughed heartily at what he said. He seemed to like Lash a lot, he treats him like his son.
"You're right, dear. Let's go? Tasha," he called the woman behind them and he instructed something.
Lash guided me and simply whispered.
"Were you bored?"
"Nope. I read some magazines!" I said, excited to tell him about what I have read. "I read a news also about-"
I was about to face Lash while walking when the glass door opened before we could reach it. The two uniformed guards opened it for a man. Wearing a corporate attire, tall, and is possibly the same age as the President is a wealthy looking man.
The President and the woman he instructed looked at the newly arrived man. The woman excused herself while the President nodded at the man. He stopped midway, looked at the man behind him who was wearing an all black suit and he raises his hand.
The man in a black suit nodded and he went out. And then, the men looked at Lash and I. I bit my lip.
Who is he?
My heart hammered a bit. I suddenly felt uncomfortable.
I hid behind Lash's back, just enough to only show my head to the new guest.
"Castro!" said the President.
As they walk to meet each other closely, it was as if ice and fire met. They are the total opposite!
The man that just arrived looked more ruthless and cold. He makes me feel... anxious.
"Castro, this is Lash... and that lovely girl is Artemis. Lash is the one I told you about last night, about the attack," President said. "Lash, Artemis, this is Castro, the organization's CEO."
My eyes widened. CEO?! That means he owns the orphanage?!
I stood straight and greeted the mysterious looking man. I got embarrassed a bit of how I acted.
"Good evening, Sir..." said Lash and I couldn't speak a word.
The man only nodded. I was holding on to Lash's polo's hem as we walk to the nearest restaurant on the ground floor. I feel so nervous at Sir Castro's pressence.
We ate our dinner. Even though I was unfamiliar with the food, I find it really amazing. I was silent the whole dinner since I couldn't understand their topic.
I just knew that the President asked if Lash has any plans of going to college but he only answered vaguely, yet the President understood it as a personal matter.
After the dinner, they had another conversation.
"You can actually work at the company, Lash. There are many opportunities in our company that suits you well. Wanna be introduced?"
Lash nodded actively. "Sure, Sir. Next time, I'll visit you again."
I pouted. So that means he'll be out a lot, then?
"That would be amazing," said Sir Castro.
I peeked a look at him. His eyes darted to me and I immediately froze at his dark gaze.
He smiled at me. My mouth ran dry. I suddenly got scared. Something's off with him!
His smile looked... wicked.
"So... Shall we call it a day? I know both of you guys have more other things to do," the President broke the sudden silence.
Thank God the President has always the good timing to everything.
I smiled at him and thanked him for the nice dinner. He chuckled at my gratitude and just pinched the tip of my nose. That made me a bit annoyed. Why is he treating me like a kid?
Lash laughed, noticing my annoyance.
"Have a safe drive," the CEO suddenly said to us.
I know that meant to be a good bye, but his voice sent shivers down my spine. It was like, for me... a threat.
Or am I overthinking for what happened yesterday?!
"My personal bodyguards will follow you back to the orphanage. It's better to make sure you have a safe trip," said the President.
Lash thanked them a lot, I waited for him to wrap up his words. I licked my lips as I watched his broad back.
"Thank you so much for your presence..." Lash said and shook hands with the CEO.
"Mister Castro Lavender," Lash added.
My chest tightened so bad for no particular reason.
Lavender? Is that his surname? What's with the CEO? Why does my gut is telling me that he's... dangerous?