And here's chapter 10. I'm really sorry for being so late.

FYI, this wasn't anything like the chapter I had in mind but somehow when I started writing it, it flowed in it's own direction. I'm happier with the way it is now :) Hope you like it, too.

Thanks for reading, peeps ;] and please, REVIEWS, please, please, LOTS OF THEM, please, pretty pretty please :) Enjoy.

Ten

Promises


My head was hurting so bad that I had this feeling that I fell so hard on it, but found out it was just exhausted with all the action that happened lately.

I couldn't feel my weight, maybe I was lying down. All I could actually feel was that I was shaking.

"Which way is her room?" I heard someone ask, urgently. His voice was so close.

"Upstairs. This way." I recognized Hailey's voice, shattering; concern was so obvious in it.

I felt a breeze on my body so I knew I wasn't on my bed. I found out I was being carried upstairs. I still haven't located enough energy to force my eyes open, let alone walk my way to my room. I heard a lot of footsteps ascending the stairs.

"That's it." I heard a door open. A few seconds later I was being placed delicately on my bed. Someone pulled off my converse and another pulled the quilt over me.

I kept lying there, still shaking involuntary. A gentle hand reached out to sweep my hair off my face and lingered there. It felt kind of good that it made me want to cry to let all the pain buried inside consume me.

"Thank you. You showed up right on time. I don't what that stupid Kyle guy would have done if you hadn't saved the day." Hailey spoke.

"Wait. That was Kyle?" What? Adam didn't recognize Kyle? What was with his voice anyway? It's…different.

"Yes, her ex-boyfriend."

"He said his name was Adam and that he dated Gianna. That's why I complied when he gave me an address for a place that doesn't exist and told me that I'll find her there." Okay, that is getting so confusing.

Thanks to my puzzled head, the way I heard their voices made me feel that I was somehow under water. I need to know who is with Hailey and me in the room.

"They're liars. All of them; Kyle, Devon. All of them."

I tried to gain as much strength as I can so I can lift my eye lids up.

"WHERE IS SHE?" Gigi's freaked out voice came from at the door. Apparently Hailey called her. "Oh, baby."

Her hands replaced the ones on my face. "I swear I'll kill him. One day, I swear I will."

She sighed heavily. I gave it another try to open my eyes, but I barely saw anything but Gigi's blurry face so I decided to give up and try opening them tomorrow.

"You don't know how much I'm grateful that you were there. Thank you, Robert."

What did she just say? The delicate movement, the gentle hand touch, the "different" voice. It hit me like a lightening. It was all making sense now. That name was definitely the boost I needed to gain control of my body. My eyes flew open, searching for his face. I still couldn't believe my ears. I had to confirm it. It didn't take so long until my eyes rested on his face. My vision was still a little blurry but I can tell it is him. Sitting at the chair Hailey was sitting on in the morning.

I, instantaneously, sat up.

"Baby, are you okay?" Gigi asked me.

I just nodded, and then looked right back at Rob who was looking at me intently. Did they call him?

"O-okay, I'm suddenly very hungry. Want something to eat, Gigi? Great, let's go." Hailey said and pulled the giggling Gigi by her arm. Rob chuckled. Adam followed them. I hadn't noticed him except now.

I opened my mouth to speak but found nothing to say;

Why are you here? I was grateful to that fact whatever the reason is.

When did you come? Why would I care? He's here, that's all that matters.

I kept going in circles, mentally, trying to find something to say to him but came out blank. Luckily, he spoke.

"How are you, now?" He asked.

"I'm—" I cleared my throat. "—good."

"You don't look good. Go to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow." Talk? Tomorrow? I can't wait till tomorrow. I want to talk now.

"No…I—"

"Don't be stubborn. You look like you might just faint again. Sleep for now, please." He pleaded.

"How did you…Who…? Uh…I don't…understand." I still didn't what to ask.

He chuckled. "Okay, I called you like a thousand times and your cell phone was turned off. So I came over to your place but found it empty. I wasn't intending to leave till you come back. But then Kyle, who said he was Adam, came over and gave a fake address and said that I'll find you there. I went over there then came back when I didn't find any workshop within a mile of the place he gave me directions to." His eyebrows furrowed. "I asked around but no one was useful so I came back here and saw you slapping him. That was when I interfered." He looked at me with serious eyes. "Then you…fainted. I carried you over here and here we are." He smiled, but it didn't touch his eyes.

It was still a mystery, the reason why he was calling in the first place.

"If you hadn't fainted, I would have killed Kyle right there and then." He looked away, as he clenched his fists.

"I'm glad I did, then." I paused, hating the look on his face. I loved his smile and nothing in the world is worth to move that smile from its place. "So why did you call in the first place?"

He looked back at me, his eyes less angry.

"I mean, I thought you…uh…you wouldn't want to talk to me again."

"I called to…apologize about how I acted yesterday."

He wanted to apologize to me! ME? Whatever for? Shouldn't that be the other way around?

He went on, "What I said…was so rude and unacceptable so I'm sorry."

"No! You're not the one who should apologize; that what I'm supposed to do. I'm the liar, in this case."

"Yes, but you explained it to me. And I was angry enough to ignore all you said, and stupid enough to hurt you in such a way."

He was driving me crazy. How did he think he can, in any possible way, become the guilty one?

"You had every right to it. I lied to you—"

"After the show, when I first called you, I asked you to meet me so I can explain myself to you. You were scared, hesitant, yet you gave me a chance when I asked you to. Yesterday, you asked for the very same thing; a chance. But I-I didn't offer it. You trust me when you didn't even know me while I didn't. I should've known better so I…I should take part of the blame."

A moment passed in silence. I'm trying to wrap my head around what he was saying but I couldn't. Yes, I would've loved it if he listened but he had every excuse in the world not to, so he shouldn't apologize for that.

"So? Do you…forgive me?" He asked with a smile that melted my heart.

"I'm not even mad at you!" I protested.

"Just answer my question, please. Do you forgive me? Yes or No?"

I glared at him. He can't be serious. He's not giving up. There was no way but to play along.

"Yes." Then it hit me. I can take advantage of this. "On one condition, though."

"Agreed, I forgive you, too." He smiled. How did he know? It felt good that he knows me, even that little bit.

He looked down, stared at his hand. A second later, he reached for mine and held it tight in his; tighter than this one time in the restaurant.

"We'll get through this, okay?" He raised his eyes to meet mine. His face was showing none but confidence, persistence and strength. "We're strong enough to do so."

I nodded, somehow feeling that we already got through it. It was over for me, as if it never happened.

"Can you promise me one thing, though?" He asked.

"Yes?" I uttered.

"Don't ever, ever hide anything from me again." He said firmly but with a faint smile. "For I promise I'll listen to whatever you got to say before jumping to any conclusions."

"I promise."

He smiled, and then it evolved to a grin. It was as if he remembered something.

"What?" I asked, ginning as well.

"Nothing. It's just…um…" He paused, searching for words. "There's something I'm hiding from you, not intentionally of course but I want to start over with complete honesty so I think I should tell you.

That scared me a little. "What is it?"

He pulled my hand up to his lips, then planted a kiss on it. His face was full of passion when his gaze met mine again.

"I love you, since the very first time I ever touched you."

It felt like these words wasn't only coming out through his lips, but was rather filling every single inch of his body. These intense emotions that I've never seen before. He sounded so sincere. This words were so true that I almost burst out singing happily and jumping around. He loved me.

It was a little harder to breathe. A few minutes ago, my world was crumpling to pieces. How did he manage to make everything right again with just a few simple words? Everything was more than just right, it was perfect.

He went on, "and as long as I live, I'll never let anything hurt you. Not even me."

It was funny how it felt like a sudden, transparent shelter was extended around me that would never ever let anything through; something a little stronger than the strongest of all metals. He was merely sitting on a chair right before my eyes, yet all around me. I can feel him. I'm sure nothing could hurt me now because I know that if anything happens, what-so-ever, it's never gonna be that bad, for I will have him on my side. And with that, I can tolerate anything.

I was talk-less. A wave of various pleasant feelings was rushing through my whole body, feelings that I needed him to know about; that was what I wanted to say but words failed to serve me. There was only one unreasonable way to communicate. I pulled his hand over my shoulder and buried my face in his chest, locking my arms around him. I hoped that this way, everything I wanted to say would flow from my body to his.

He loosed his grip, but only to place his arm underneath my knees and carry me from the bed to rest me on his lap. He, then, circled his arms around me and held me tight to his chest. He kissed my hair once while stroking up and down my back, pressing me closer to his body, making me more and more secure; more and more away from the world.

"I can live in here forever." I said, playfully.

"Fine with me." He chuckled.

He lifted my chin up with two of his fingers, pulling my face closer to his. He leaned in and touched his lips to mine, softly. And then it hit me. If I can fall in love with someone I barely knew just because a kiss, then a kiss is definitely what I need to tell him every meaning I wanted him to know about. I slid my hand to lock it around his neck, while brushing my lips to his again, more intense this time. It really felt like a way of communication. His lips got a little more urgent against mine. My hand dug through his hair, forcing his face closer to mine. The kiss got deeper and deeper, filling me with a whole lot of new emotions, intense emotions that no words can ever express. I wanted it to last forever but we had to break it up before things got out of control. We kept gazing into each other's eyes till we steadied our breathing rate.

"About what you said; the thing you've just told me, me too." I blushed. It was the very first time to say it while I'm having full control on myself. Last time, it kinda came out involuntary. I was as surprised as he was by my words.

He smiled widely and tightened his grip on me, pushing my head to his chest again. My eye lids were getting so heavy that it was so hard to keep them open. All the sleepless nights were hitting back.

He noticed so he stroked my hair and whispered, "Go to sleep now, honey."

"Alright, can I call you tomorrow?"

"Do you really have to ask?" He said, sarcastically. "You can call me anytime."

I smiled faintly while fighting really hard against my lids. "Okay." I whispered.

"Good night." He said as he kissed my hair, while stroking it.

"'Night."

There was a swift movement which I hadn't completely witnessed for I, unintentionally, fell into unconsciousness.

Most of the time, I forget to close my curtains, so I wake up early. Today was one of those days, but I wasn't feeling sleepy or tired or beat or anything. I actually felt good. I'm merely falling out of sleep and I can already tell it's gonna be a good day. A bright new day, without all the issues that were there yesterday. It was all alright now, right?

I opened my eyes, with a huge smile on my face. All the bad was gone now. I headed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, then took a quick shower and changed into a new PJs since I was still wearing yesterday's outfit.

Hailey was already in the kitchen.

"'Morning, Al." She smiled.

"Good morning, Hailz." I grinned back.

She looked at me while getting something from the upper cupboard. "Someone's in a good mood."

"Never been better."

"I already know the reason so you don't have to tell me every single detail; what he said, what you said, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera."

I laughed. She totally wanted details.

I helped her fix breakfast while telling her exactly what happened through all the night. And then, she told me what happened after I fell asleep. Apparently, he just thanked Hailey, since she was the only one here, for being there with me, and promising her, too, that this will never happen again, hopefully.

Breakfast was ready, we sat down at the kitchen table and was about to start eating when the doorbell rang. I looked at Hailey.

"I'll get that. It's probably Gigi." She was about to stand.

"No, I'll get it." I grinned, excited to tell Gigi what happened. "Wow! It's 09:45 AM, I never thought Gigi was capable of waking up early." I chuckled as I stood up to get the door.

She joined me, "yea, it's a miracle. She's actually taking this housewife thing seriously."

"Good thing we made a lot of food." I commented.

I opened the door.

"Good morning."

It took me a second to react.

"Good morning," I replied, a little out of breath. "What…are you doing here? Don't you have shooting?"

Robert reached for the back of my head and pulling me for a gentle, amazing, sweet 'good morning' kiss. I, immediately, forgot what I was asking.

"It's okay to run a little late sometimes, right?" He smiled. I smiled back at him, shaking my head 'cause it was hard to actually believe he's here at my door. I knew it was gonna be a good day.

He went on, "Besides, I had to tell you 'good morning' and see if you're better now."

"Come in, then." I pulled him from his arm then I closed the door.

He placed his hands on the door on both sides of my face, forcing me to be back to back with the door. I had no way out, not that I wanted any way out. He brushed his lips, softly, to mine one more time.

"There's another reason why I came over."

"Let's hear it." I smiled.

"I'd like to ask you out." He paused. "Since the previous date attempt wasn't so successful, we should give it another try." He mumbled. "What do you think?"

"You-you really think that I'd ever reject this gorgeous invitation?" I chuckled, ironically.

"Great, but no more Italian food. Apparently, it brings bad luck. So, you pick the place this time." He said, jokingly.

It didn't really matter to me. Anywhere is gonna be heaven if he's with me. "I don't go out much so I don't know which places are good to be. We can ask Gigi, though. She is always out." I grinned.

"Okay, then, call me when you make your mind. I'm in for anything you suggest."

I had an idea about something that I haven't done in a very long time but suddenly felt the urge to share it with him. Somehow, it mattered to me what he'd think of it.

"Anything?" I asked with a excited smile.

"Yes." He smiled at my enthusiasm. "What do you have in mind?"

"Actually, I'm gonna surprise you." I smiled, excitedly.

He smiled back. "I get extremely curious when it comes to surprises. But okay, I'll play along. When do I pick you up?"

"Um, when will you finish shooting?"

"Around 7:00 PM."

"Then I'll see you 7:30."

"Alright, it's a date. Just me and you, hopefully." He was, apparently, hinting for Devon's little interference the last time.

"What's taking you so—oh, uh, hi, Robert." Hailey stuttered as she recognized it wasn't Gigi at the door.

"Hello there, Hailey."

She smiled. "Now I know what's taking so long." She chuckled. "Take your time. I'll be in the kitchen."

"Okay, sweets." I mumbled.

"I'd better get going. I'm supposed to be ready for the scene, already."

"Oh no," I protested. "You said it was okay to run a little late, then have breakfast with me."

"That's not running late, that will be running really really late."

"Come on! Just breakfast, it's already on the table."

He didn't speak. I smelled an easy victory.

"Please? For me? Please?" I used full power of puppy eyes.

A few seconds passed in silence. He was deliberating.

"Oh! What the heck, how can I say 'no' to you, anyways?"

I squealed as I showed him to the kitchen. He held my hand tight all through the way. I informed Hailey that Rob was having breakfast with us. I served him some of each and every kind of food on the table. I can probably name a favorite breakfast now. I never thought I'd ever have a favorite anything, and here I am with my favorite breakfast. Now that, I look at all the favorites that came onto my life lately, I can only see one; my favorite person. He is, and will always be my favorite person.

Hailey, Rob and I were talking, sharing funny incidents through the very little time he could stay before he had to say goodbye and head to work. I walked him to the door.

"7:30 PM?" He asked, to make sure I got the time right.

"7:30 PM." I assured him. "Don't be late." I remembered how lost I was when I was the one who didn't know where he's taking me so I decided to ease it for him. "Oh and you don't have to wear classy or anything. Casual, anything comfy would be perfect."

"Alright, then, see you, pretty person." He kissed me once before he left for his car and sped away.

I almost ran after his car to attempt to stop it but he had to work. I didn't want to cause him any trouble. I wanted to stay as a good part of his life for he is the best part of mine.