He kissed me, the guy I just met yesterday, the guy who looks nothing but perfection. Touching my lips, I felt my eyes begin to have watermarks. Jeez! Why am I crying? Why do I feel different and unsure of what to feel for that stupid kiss? Throwing myself into my bed, I felt so exhausted and confused. I can't stop myself to feel that something is really wrong. I don't know yet but, I'm going to find out soon. After thinking too much about the kiss and something seriously wrong with Charles, wonderland consumed me.
When I woke up the next morning, I received two emails and two messages. I decided to open the two emails first from my dad. It was the application forms from different universities in my country for college. After checking the application forms from Ateneo De Manila University, De la Salle University and University of the Philippines, I closed my eyes and let the bad vibes go away. Slowly opening my eyes, I pressed to read the next message from my sister.
KATY: Steys, Cloe wants to stay with you this weekend. I think it's because of her new found friend Andy. What can you say?
ME: It's fine. I will get ready now so, I can arrive there before lunch. Don't tell her I'm coming sissy.
It's only seven forty-five in the morning so; I can reach Portland before lunch. Getting off my bed, I decided to leave my phone on my bed side table to get ready. A long hot shower might help me relax a bit.
After the hot relaxing shower, I look at the mirror, I feel different. For God sake Stacie that's only a kiss! I dismissed the thought about the kiss and distract myself with clothes. Today I'm going to wear my faded skinny jeans, Black hoody and my gray with apple green lining shoes. I don't have time to blow dry my hair, so I combed it very well and let it dry on its own. While picking up my phone, I saw a message from an unknown number. I read the message and it's from Charles
"Good morning. I'm sorry about yesterday, I didn't mean to leave you, but I mean what I said and also the kiss. Can we go out again later?"
-Charles.
THE KISS! GRRR!
I know I should feel happy, but why do I feel different? Why do I feel betrayed and why do I have this kind of feeling that something is really wrong. Picking up my brown sling bag mom bought in Rome; I locked my apartment's door and begin to walk. Because Portland is kind off far from Bellevue, I decided to drive my Volvo s60.
When I arrived at my sister's place in Portland, my phone was already drained. I parked my car beside my sister Katy's mini cooper. George, her husband, who saw me getting out of my car waved and called Katy to get the food ready.
I planned to surprise and grant my niece's wish to stay with me in Bellevue. Katy and George agreed and decided to say no to Cloe and to make her upset. I know that's too harsh as a plan, but it's just for fun. Walking inside the house, Katy is busy preparing my favorite Filipino dish "Sinigang na hipon", She winked when she saw my big smile and pointed the living room where Cloe is currently playing with her dolls. Tip- toeing towards Cloe, I stopped when I heard her call the guy doll as Charles and the girl doll as me. I shake my head and continued tip-toeing until I reach the big brown couch at her right side to hide and reveal the big surprise. I feel stupid doing this, but I'm now wearing a scary mask I bought last November for our family Halloween party. Making sure she's still busy with her dolls, I slowly crawl towards her back.
ONE…TWO…THREE NOW!
"GRRRRR… "She quickly ran to her dad. She didn't actually look at me. I think I scared her that much.
"Daddy there's a monster in the living room. Kill the monster dad, my dolls are still there. Please." I hide again at the back of the big brown couch to listen to what Cloe is saying. George laughed and Cloe started to cry.
"There's no monster during day time princess. Check the back of that big brown couch; it might be a pretty monster or maybe a big gorilla." George said.
A moment later, I heard small footsteps. That must be the scared little girl. Our confused princess followed her dad's instruction and walk slowly to where I'm hiding.
"I will kill you monster, I have my teddy with me. I'm not scared, I'm brave and I'm going to take you down." I can't help it anymore. I released my very loud laugh and stand to finally show myself to her, but still with the scary mask on.
"Aunt Stacie?" she asked, confused.
"Ow…yeah?" removing the mask, Cloe run to give me a bear hug and sloppy kisses.
"I missed you Aunt Stacie. I thought you'd never agree and come here to take me with you back to Bellevue."
"Cloe, I'm here, so, that means…" She cuts me.
"I'm coming with you back to Bellevue?" she asked grinning ear to ear.
"No." Her smile disappeared and she started to cry again.
"Stop with the watermarks, of course your coming with me in Bellevue. How can I say no with this pretty princess in front of me huh?"
The cheesy moment was disturbed when Katy announced that the lunch is ready. George carried Cloe to the kitchen and I followed them.
My lunch with the gang was great. I'm so full because I ate a lot and Cloe did the same thing, but there's still a dessert to eat. When we're eating the mango float Katy made for dessert, my sister asked about my phone because mama was trying to call me. I told her that I left my phone inside my car and it was drained already. She insisted to get and charge it so, they can contact me later. I was left alone in the living room with my deep thoughts about Charles and his actions yesterday, I want to help but George didn't allow me to help him.
Ten minutes later, Cloe was already dressed with her red shirt, black leggings, white jacket and her brown stylish boots.
"Pretty." I commented while taking her bag from Katy. She giggled and blushed.
After the long lecture about safety and reminders from Katy, we're now out of Katy and George sights and on our way to return to Bellevue.
After half an hour of concentrating on the road, Cloe speaks.
"Aunt Stacie, I almost forgot, you left your phone in mom's room. I removed it from the charger because it was already fully charged. I placed it inside my bag's left pocket. Here, I'm sorry if I didn't give it you earlier."
"Ohhh… thank you Cloe. It's fine. Try to sleep, I'll wake you up when we already arrived in my apartment ok?" she nodded sleepily.
"Wait, Aunt Stacie, when mom was busy packing my bag, someone was calling you. I don't know what to do so, I answered it and the man asked if where are you now. I said you're in Portland then I hang-up because I remembered mom's reminder about personal things of other people. I'm sorry Aunt Stacie. I didn't mean to answer that call." Cloe explained with closed eyes. I don't know if I'm going to believe what she just said because she looks like having a dream or something, but…
"I think it's Charles." She added. GREAT!
Opening my phone, I received twenty five missed calls and thirty messages from Charles alone. I rolled my eyes and ignored him once again as I'm trying to drive back home safely.
After God knows how long, we finally reached my apartment. I parked my car and slowly carry the sleeping Cloe because I don't have a heart to wake her up. I know she's tired, besides it's already night time. Closing the car door, someone grabbed my hand. I nervously turn around and saw a very angry man wearing black pants, gray shirt and a black cap.
"Where the hell did you go?" he asked holding my arms and looking like he's going to explode of anger soon.
"Let me go Charles. Not now, we might wake her up." He then check the little girl I'm carrying and he immediately let go of my arm.
"Let me help you."
"No, it's fine. Go home, it's getting…" I said looking at my car. I don't want to face him, not now that I'm still confused. Without finishing what I'm saying. He took Cloe from me like a toy.
"Charles!" I protested.
He ignored and walked towards my apartment door. I'm so angry, angry like hell with what he's acting right now. Urgh! With no back-up plan, I followed him carrying Cloe's bag.
"Open the door." He commanded.
"Just give her back to me Charles. I can manage to do this alone."
"For fuck sakes Stacie, open the God damn door."His actions surprised me. He looks scary now. I don't know what to do other than unlocking the door. When I opened the door, he asked about Cloe's room, but I told him Cloe doesn't want to sleep alone in the guest room and my bedroom is upstairs with the red door. He immediately took Cloe upstairs leaving me confused and mad. I can't seem to move and think of what I should do next. When I heard him descending from the stairs, I quickly went to the kitchen and pretended that I'm preparing something to drink.
"She's sleeping now in your room." He said leaning against the wall of the kitchen near the refrigerator. He's inches away from me, but I'm not looking at him.
"Thanks." I answered while pouring the two glasses with orange juice.
"Stacie why…" he's moving now! Shit! Don't fucking go near me or else you'll be soaking wet with this orange juice.
"Charles not now…"
"Why?" He asked frowning
"I'm still confused with… what happened yesterday." I explained finally looking at his beautiful face.
"Stacie you scare the hell out of me. Why do I need to know where were you from Cloe not from you? Tell me the truth, did you drive all the way to Portland and back here to Bellevue?"
"Yes, what's wrong with that?" what the hell is wrong with that now?! He's not my dad to be this mad to me.
"God Stacie, you could have asked me to go with you, to give you a ride or just to inform me that you're going to Portland." He explained with his arms flying around like he's a president or mayor delivering a speech.
"First of all I'm a grown up now. I know how to drive, I have a license and I don't give a damn with what you're saying. I don't need to report all the things I do to you. I'm fine!" I half shouted.
"You don't know how worried I've been. You don't answer my calls, my messages and you even switched off your phone. Is that how irresponsible you are huh?"
"What the hell is your problem Charles? I'm not yours, you can't just enter my life, instruct me what to do and completely control my life. You…you don't have the right to enter my house and lecture me about my irresponsibility. Who the hell do you think you are huh? If you think I like you, you're wrong. I don't like you and I'm pretty sure about that… Get out now!" I'm almost out of breath; I can feel my tears falling in my face. My body started to shake and my head started to hurt. He looks like I slapped him, I want to take back what I've just said, but I need him to know what I really feel.
"Stacie…" He looks devastated and sorry about his actions. He's now reaching for my hands, but I slapped his left hand.
"GO!" I snapped.
"No, I'm not leaving, not until you calm down and listen to what I'm going to say." He's now moving closer to me, removing the distance between us.
"Just fucking leave Charles…please."
"I…" Stepping back to regain the distance between us, he became more frustrated and confused with what I'm doing. I know if I let him get too near me, he's going to hug me or kiss me, but I won't let him do that. Getting ready to punch him, he quickly holds my arms and;
"Let go of me or I'll shout and make my neighbors hear me to call the police and arrest you."
"Stacie can you please just lis…"
"HELP…HELP…HELP." I used all my powers to shout, but he pulled my mouth in his. My body immediately relaxes, but I pushed him away.
"Fuck I like you ok." He shouted while looking deadly serious at me. He then wrap his arms around me.
"Stop this Charles. I told you, I don't like you." I said pushing him away and looking at my knotted fingers. I need to lie to finish this nonsense, but my heart feels the other way around. I know I really like him, but I can't just ignore the other feelings I feel about him like there's really something wrong happening here.
"No, look at me Stacie. I'm serious, I like you and I know you're lying. I know you want me too." He said looking directly into my eyes.
"I…I don't know Charles." I'm still confused. I really don't know what to say.
"But why?" he asked frowning.
I became speechless. I really can't process what I'm going to say right now. It's not an easy thing for me to decide and answer this kind of problem this fast. I don't want and I'm afraid to be heartbroken again. Looking at him, my tears started to fall, because I feel this weird emotions that if I let him go, I'm stupid and if let him love me…I don't know if he's really that serious with me and I don't know if I can set aside my doubts and move on with what's going to happen between us.
"So?" Oh God. I can't stop what I'm feeling with Charles. The feeling with him here with me is enough to prove that he's really affecting me. After God knows long, I finally decided to let go of my doubts and learn to trust him.
"Fine… I like you too Charles." I whispered.
"What?" looking at his very bright eyes and big smile I know he got what I mean already. I rolled my eyes and smile to match his happy face.
"Ohh Stacie." We kissed again, but passionate and long. Enjoying the moment that he's finally mine, I let my tears fall again to remove all my stress and anxieties right now. Hugging him, he smells so sweet and the smell is so addicting. I don't want to end this. Not now that I've realized I really like him and that I've been stupid ignoring him like that. "I love you Stacie." He added that made me blush. I didn't answer him back; instead I look at his eyes and kissed him long and full of love.
SORRY FOR THE SUPER LATE UPDATE. I WAS BUSY WITH THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL AND THE TYPHOON HERE IN PHILIPPINES.
BE SAFE EVERYONE.
ENJOY AND REVIEW THIS CHAPTER PLEASE.
XOXOXOXO