To Love and Avenge

Chapter 12 I'm Betrothed

I surprisingly took my shower faster than I usually do, not that I didn’t enjoy the water, but taking shower in someone’s room makes me uneasy. How much more to this man. As I walk out of the shower, I was taken aback by the sight of the clothes neatly folded in his bed. I picked it all and later realize that it has no underwear in it. 'What the F**k?' I thought. I almost laugh at the thought of me wearing nothing underneath that oversized shirt of his, that he prepared. Kind of very awkward, yet, I was left with no choice other than to wear it. Why does the Good God put me in this situation? It would be better if it was another person, but Dauis? I don't want to. I rolled my eyes and absentmindedly pulled my hair in frustration. I even quietly cursed him.

“Excuse me!” I peek at the door showing only my head to call him out trying to get his attention.

“D’you have…Uhmm..." I started while I shyly rubbed my nape.

"Yes?"

"I mean if you have... any cotton pants over here? Or would you mind me going to look for myself?” I finally said, glad that I didn't stammer at the awkwardness.

“I won’t mind at all but I doubt if you will find one.” then shrugged his shoulder.

“Okay.” now I’m having second thoughts about rummaging in his wardrobe. I have never done anything like this before, not even to my brothers or father.

It feels so uncomfortable...

Not long after that, I smell the aroma of a few local spices that makes my stomach grumble., I’m guessing he is cooking something like adobo? Now, I’m starting to salivate. Yay! It’s my favorite. I thought to myself making me more starve. I don't like it that I feel I need his help this time. 'Of course not, I didn't ask for his help, rather, he offered it freely so why refuse it?' complains the little voice at the back of my head. 'I'd rather starve myself than satisfy this man in insulting me.' replied a stubborn voice.

Urghhh... I can't take it. I can't starve myself to death. So right, I didn't ask for his help. I reasoned out. Finally, after debating whether to go or not, I started to walk and head to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, I just stayed still a little longer at the door, observing him for a little while. Pleased at the sight, but somehow doubted his sudden change of behavior. I can’t even stand a single minute of his presence when we were young, but why now? He acted strangely. While deep in thought, he turns his head in my direction as if sensing my presence, and then smiled.

“Are you enjoying the view?” he asked in amusement, but I find it insulting. I immediately dismissed the thought. I then simply shrug as an answer then slowly walk towards the table counter.

“What are you cooking?” I ask him instead.

“I guess, it's your favorite. Pork adobo.”

“How do you know?”

“I'm good at my observations you eat well if you have this as viand before.

Surprised by his words I only nod at him. It makes me feel uncomfortable under his gaze. It somewhat sends chills to my bones. Yet he stare at me intently, like his stares pierce through my very bones, and it made me feel like I’m a piece of meat ready to be devoured under his gaze. With that in mind, a feeling of insect crawled inside my skin.

A realization struck me, I shivered as I remember that I have nothing underneath me and the idea that I'm all alone with a man. It took a few minutes for us to stay still. I don't even know what he is thinking but I think I have a few good guesses.

“Okay, you are staring at me again making me uncomfortable.” I took the initiative to break the now deafening silence.

“Sorry, I just can’t help, I never thought of you to turn out to be very palatable.” he joked as a matter of factly,

Like the paranoid I am, I can't help but calculate closely his sudden change of reaction, but later regret it the moment I saw the growing need for lust in his very eyes.

“I’m... I'm not a portion of food if ever you forgot.” I stammered as I can feel my blood rush through my face, feeling burning.

He just laugh arrogantly as a response.

“Of course, how can I forget. By the way, the food is ready.” he later announces changing the topic which made me quite grateful.

I immediately came to help him arrange the table so we can eat, leave immediately and call it a night. But are interrupted by a nonstop ringing of the phone.

He stops at what he's doing for a moment and looks in my direction before signaling to me that he will take the call first. I nod in response.

he walks outside taking with him his cordless device.“Hello?”

“---”

“What about her?”

“-----”

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do. Bye.” he hangs up and walks back inside while staring at me.

“Aren’t you going to ask who had just called?” he asked with furrowed brows.

I frown at his question 'As if I care' I wanted to say, instead... “Why would I? It's not my business to deal with.” I answer, showing him no signs of interest.

“On the contrary, it has everything to do with you.” I shoot him a questioning look, waiting for him to go on. My guts told me so, but I did wait for him to tell me. Which is, I am unmistakenly right.

“It was Daven.”

I was taken aback by the mention of his name.

“Why? What does it have to do with me?” I curiously ask. Still in awe as to why they have to call Dauis about me? What it is about him? They can call me if they need me. But I, later on, realize that my phone was left in the car, and purposely turned it off.

“They were looking for you.”

“And? Why do they have to call you?” I still can’t understand why him.

“They ask if I can try to help look for you, they were calling you but your phone aren’t available.” he looks at me intently, which makes me uncomfortable. It seems that he is sucking in all my thoughts. Reading my mind.

“What is it?” he continued to ask.”

“It's nothing.”

“No, it's nothing.” he insisted.

“It's a family matter, you don't need to be involved.”

“I guess it is, but your brother has just called to ask for my help, so that means, I'm in.” he reasons out, not leaving his eyes on me even a single second.

“Now, you tell me.” he seriously asks, while pulling a chair across me.

“It's nothing important, you don't have to worry about it. It's a personal matter.” I said avoiding his gaze, I know he is trying to read me, but I'm not giving in.

“Okay. he gives up. Let us continue to eat.

We dig up our food silently, and I eat with total gusto. His skills in cooking are quite impressive. From appetizer to the main dish.

“I hope you like the food.”

“Yeah I did, and I enjoyed it. I never thought a man can cook good food. Daven and Allen barely do it, but if they cook, it's always tragic.”

“How about you? Do you cook?” he interestedly asks.

“I barely cook, and I can say, that cooking is not my liking.”

“I can teach you.” he offered.

“No, thank you. I'm busy and I don't have time for it. If I wanted to learn, I can always ask Nana Fedila for that.”

He simply answer me with a shrug, later put down his spoon and fork, then slightly push his plate, indicating that he is done.

I on the other hand eat well more. Allen always complains about me eating largely.

Later, after we ate our dinner, I thought that he had already dropped the issue about Daven’s call. But I was wrong, he bring it up again and nag me more about it.

“Please, I don't want to talk about it, It is nothing.”

"It's not just nothing when your brother calls someone from outside the family about you unless it is a normal thing for you.”

“Of course not.”

“Then what is it? You come here in Aurora, all the way from your place, for nothing? And worst is that I found you lying like a dead woman on the shore. So tell me if it is nothing.”

“Okay.”

“What is it?”

“I am betrothed.”