CHAPTER 4: HOUSE VISIT

The guy was pacing the room when the call came.

“Boss, I was not able to follow her up to her apartment. She suddenly ran.”

His blood went up to his head in irritation.

“How stupid. Don’t you know the meaning of the word stealth? Is it not clear to you that she shouldn’t have sensed your presence?!”

“Sorry boss. But I still pursued her. However, she went inside a convenience store and then a guy came and picked her up, that’s why I was not able to tail her afterwards.”

The guy clenched his fist as his expression got darker.

“I cannot tolerate the same mistake next time. This is of utmost importance!” There’s a trace of warning in his voice. He dropped the call before the person he was talking to could make any response.

‘A guy huh?’

=====

HARLEY.

I looked around the studio apartment where Jewelle is residing.

I prefer to call her Jewelle because her ex already calls her Mheg, and I don’t like the fact that we will share the same nickname for her. It’s annoying. And yes, I am immature like that.

“Don’t you find your place too small?” I asked when I couldn’t help myself.

“Not really. What do I need too much space for?”

My brows raised and swept the place another look.

Twenty five square meters. The walls and ceiling are painted white. On top of the divan, which she earlier offered me to sit on, a guitar is placed haphazardly. From the white tiled floor, Jewelle is picking up each strand of hair that are scattered everywhere. I grimaced.

On the other side of the room is a lone bed. It doesn’t look like it can accommodate my length if i lay there. Beside it is a closet cabinet, and then a small square table and two mono block chairs. There are two electric fans, both are currently turned on now.

The bathroom is too small that it looks suffocating. There’s a personal ref and-

“Not yet done assessing my place?”

“Huh?” I looked at her in surprise.

She’s done preparing coffee and watching me observe her place with her hands across her chest.

She shook her head and stepped towards me, holding my cup of coffee. After giving the cup to me, she picked up the guitar so that I can have a place to sit.

Her cup, just like the other ones hanging at the wall by her sink, has a Japanese design. There are empty bottles of soju at one corner of her house. On top of the center table, there is a plastic golden cat that keeps on waving its paw.

Her things does not adhere to a single theme. Looks like she chooses her things depending on her fancy at the moment.

Under the tv rack, she has DVDs of koreanovela (pirated) and animes (also pirated).

In the bookshelf beside that, there are novels of Dan Brown, Paolo Coelho, Sydney Sheldon and Jodi Picult. And then she has a book of..

What the heck? Noli Me Tangere?? For real? There’s still someone who reads this book other than students? She even has El Filibusterismo and Florante at Laura!

There are also modern romance pocketbooks included in the mix.

Some editions of Harry Potter and a few from Dean Koontz. I saw some books from Bob Ong at Francis Kong.

So , what genre is she into, really?

“I also have the classics, if you are wondering. Les Miserables, Antigone, McBeth..” she interrupted my observation.

I glanced at her again and saw her smirking.

“Go on, just keep on checking out my place,” she walked to her closet and opened it to take out a change of clothes before going inside the capsule bathroom.

I can’t help but smile. Jewelle doesn’t seem to be the type that can be easily intimidated or embarrassed.

When she came out of the bathroom, she is already wearing a thin tank top and a boxer short.

I frowned at the boxers.

Could it be James’?

Jewelle sat on her bed, facing me, while holding her own cup of coffee in her hands. I walked to her and stood towering in front of her.

“Haven’t you considered that you have a visitor, for you to dress like that?”

She shrugged nonchalantly.

“I couldn’t care less.”

“And on top of that, I’m a man.”

She looked up at me.

“So?”

Her cool demeanor infuriates me. I wanted to push him on the bed just to make a point.

Or maybe, not just to make a point. I really just want to push her on her bed.

Her legs are sexy and her butt is firm and rounded. And from this angle, I can see her cleavage.

But it’s her attitude that is making me insane. I wanted to own her, make her surrender to me. She’s acting high-handed and so composed, that I wanted to break down her pedestal.

I want to defeat and conquer her; to subdue her and claim her.

I want this proud woman to submit to me like the rest of her kind.

She seemed to have seen through me because she slightly raised her chin defiantly as if challenging me.

I mentally shook my head. This is not yet the right time to attack my quarry.

I sat beside her.

“Do you ever wonder why you’re hired by the company?” I asked.

“Now that you mention it, I’m certain. You hired me because you want ME,” she said without hesitation and not a trace of embarrassment. She stared at me, waiting for my reaction.

I can’t help but smile again. She’s brave to declare her perception.

“I can’t deny that. But how did you know?”

“For one, Desiree Kim was an excellent secretary, and she’s neither promoted nor demoted. It doesn’t make sense that you let her go just to try someone new. So I reckoned, it must not have anything to do with the performance as a secretary.”

“Could have been because she likes me, and I don’t want my secretary to have fantasies for me,” I challenged.

She smirked at me again.

“You don’t strike me as that type of person. You’re the type to pounce on a prey who is stupid enough to enter your lair.”

“Ouch.”

“Oh, no need to feign embarrassment. Everyone in the company seems to know it.”

She stood up when she saw that I already finished my coffee and took it from my hand.

“Let’s have dinner somewhere,” I told her.

She looked at herself and pouted.

“I don’t want to get changed again. I will just cook. That is, if you don’t mind eating here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. Fine with me. May I lie down for a bit?”

“Suit yourself.”

I spread myself on top of the bed she vacated and then watched her move around her small kitchen.

“Who uses the bed?”

“What?”

“I said who sleeps in this bed?”

“Me. My sister prefers the divan.”

“Which one’s your pillow?”

She turned to look at me with a frown.

“What? I don’t want to use your sister’s pillow,” I said.

“That blue one is mine. And the hotdog, too.”

I grinned at what she said.

“The hotdog?”

“Yes, the hotdog. I like the hotdog. It’s my favorite.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said while still grinning. I placed the blue pillow under my head and hugged the hotdog pillow.

I can smell her in her pillow. The faint smell suggested that she takes a shower before she goes to bed.

“Can’t you have an air conditioner installed here?” I asked after a while because the place went from warm to outright hot when she turned on the stove and started cooking.

She glanced at me.

“You’re so demanding! I already fixed an electric fan towards you.”

“But it’s damn hot!”

Aside from her scent in the pillow that is assaulting my sanity, I’m also totally aware of her physique and the graceful way she moves in her mini kitchen.

“Do you mind if I take my shirt off?”

“Go ahead,” she said without looking.

I pulled my shirt off and went back to lying down. Then I closed my eyes and placed an arm over my eyes.

==================

JEWELLE.

I am sweating profusely when I finished cooking. The electric fan cannot do anything to lower the temperature inside the room.

I felt guilty towards my boss, he doesn’t seem accustomed to a room without and AC.

I set up the table and turned to call him.

“Let’s eat-”

I stopped and drew my breath.

Ooohh la laaa!

The six pack abs is waving!

“Harley?”

He did not answer.

“Harley!” I called in a louder voice, but he still did not answer.

Did he possibly fall asleep? Hmm, great! I can allow my eyes to roam on this magnificent creation.

I chastised myself. Why would I admire his physique when I already know what a conceited guy he is!

I grinned and approached him. I bent over to look at him closer, just to be sure.

“Harley? Wake up. Yuhooo!”

He looks like he’s really asleep. Harharhar!

“Conceited? Oi, Conceited! Conceited, conceited, conceited!” I called him in a sing-song voice. “Mr. Conceit-!”

I stopped when he suddenly opened his eyes.

“Sir!” I said frantically. “I’m done cooking-”

My words were cut short again when without warning, he pulled my head and claimed my lips.

“Told you I will kiss you the next time you call me Sir,” he said when he finally let me go.

I couldn’t retort nor protest simply because my brain particles wouldn’t calm down.

He stood up and ushered me back to the table.

“Smells good,” I heard him say and scooped some rice. He put rice on my plate first before putting food on his.

Mr. Conceited really has a streak of gentlemanliness from time to time.

“Eat first and think of my kiss later,” he tapped my cheek.

“Conceited!” I snapped.

“Oh, don’t blush, you look way cuter in my eyes when you do,” he teased.

“Who’s blushing?!”

I rolled my eyes at him to hide my embarrassment and ignored the loud thumping in my chest.

I waited for Harley to try the food I cooked. honestly, I’m not sure if it would taste good. I’m not bad in cooking. But I’m not particularly good, either.

After his first bite, a little time has passed. Then he looked at me with a serious expression.

“You had the nerve to offer to cook for dinner but it tastes like this??” his eyes were exaggeratedly wide as if I made a capital sin. As if the world will end just because of the taste of my food.

I gave him an irritated look. I made so much effort to cook for him!

‘Ah?’

I stopped at the realization. I did cook because I somehow wanted to impress him.

What an idiot.

Why did I even cook for him? Why did I have to impress him??

Why did I hold my breath waiting for his reaction, and now this is what I get from him!

Grrrr!

This guy is really always messing with my self-confidence.

“What are you waiting for? Why won’t you eat? You cooked this, and now you don’t want to eat it?”

I watched him eat for a while.

Then, in a slow but serious voice, I said: “I put poison there.”

He choked on his food and coughed so he gasped for breath as he fumbled for a glass of water. Karma is a bitch.

And because I am a very, very nice person, I am dying of laughter at how he looked.

“Karma is digital nowadays!” I told him, grinning, and started eating while he cleans his mess.

Of course I did not help him! Huh, this is my territory, but he dared mock my food! He did not even consider my effort preparing it. He could have been polite and told me it tastes good, you know.

Told you, honesty is rude! LOL.

“You’re horrible,” he said when he returned to his chair, and then started eating again as if nothing happened.

“I’m the one horrible? But you’re the one who insulted my food.”

“Hey!” he pushed my forehead with his finger. “I’m your boss, in case you have forgotten.”

I smirked.

Desiree told me earlier that the company president’s principle is that business is business, personal is personal. Therefore, once out of work or outside of working hours, all employees have an equal footing. There’s no boss, and no subordinate. No one is superior or inferior.

I glanced at my watch.

“We’re out of the office, and working hours is long gone. Don’t try to bully me.”

“Who’s bullying who?” he said. “You disturb my rest when you suddenly told me to pick you up, you let me inside a room that’s smaller than my bathroom- no, it’s even smaller than my bathroom, and it’s even messy here, and so hot, and then you will feed me dinner that is-”

“Fine, fine! Let’s just eat out-”

He pulled me back when I am about to stand and pushed me back to my seat.

“Just eat. Peevish.”

“Who won’t get peeved when you insult everything-!”

I did not get to finish my rant when he suddenly put food inside my mouth.

Using his own spoon!

Why did my face suddenly burn?

Aah! That was an indirect kiss!

As if nothing happened, he continued eating again.

This place really is hot. Ah, I really have to get an AC installed!

“That was great!” Harley rubbed his belly when we’re done eating.

I was surprised when I realized that we finished all the food I cooked.

“Looks like you have to cook again for your sister,” he remarked.

“No. She’s not coming home tonight. She will sleep over in her friend’s place.”

He smiled mischievously.

“Are you inviting me to sleep over?”

“What?!” I exclaimed and at the same time, I hit the back of his head with my hand. I was late when I realized what I did.

“Aaaah! That hurts!” he shouted.

“Over-acting!” I shouted back to cover up my embarrassment.

“I feel dizzy because of that hit, you have to let me sleep here! I can’t drive in this condition!”

What stupidity is that??

“Get out! I already fed you, so we’re even with the help you gave me earlier.”

“Aaaaahhhh! My stomach is suddenly aching. What did you put in the food?”

I watched him in disbelief as he acted as if in pain and started heading to the bed.

I just shook my head and cleared up the table.

Whatever, he can act all he wants. I will just ignore him until he gets tired of acting. I’m sure he will leave later.

After all, my room is smaller than his bathroom. So, I’m sure, he will not be able to endure it.

“Hey, I’m really not feeling well,” he said once I am done clearing the table and washing the plates.

I did not look at him as if I did not hear anything he said.

“Seriously.”

I intended to roll my eyes at him when I stopped on track.

“W-What happened to you?!” I rushed to his side.

His body and face looks red.

“What the hell-! Do you have an allergy with shrimp?”

“Yes, I don’t like girls who have nice body and ugly face.”

I was about to hit his head again but he skillfully avoided my hand.

“Hey, hey, hey! I’m already having an allergy attack here!”

“Exactly! And you can still think to spout nonsense. What a dolt!”

“You’re being too much! When you become my girlfriend, you’ll see!”

“What?!”

“Oopps! I slipped,” he said while grinning.

“Come on behave! Do you have a medicine?”

“It’s in my house.”

“Tss, why aren’t you bringing it?!”

“Are you stupid? Would I be thinking about that stuff after you called me, panicking over the phone!”

I fell silent. He’s got a point.

“D-Don’t you have any spare in your car?”

“I forgot to replenish when I used it up last time. It’s okay, just give me some sugar.”

I took the jar of sugar and gave it to him.

“There’s a nearby drugstore, I will buy your med. You just stay here,” I declared.

“No, it’s fine. This will pass after a while, it doesn’t look severe and I can still breathe.”

“Stupid, what if it gets worse after a while?? What if something bad happens to you?!”

“Shh.. you always panic. Just relax. I’m more familiar with my allergies, I know it better than you do. I’ll be fine in few minutes.”

“Why did you eat the shrimp anyway? You could have just avoided it! I even saw you choosing it intentionally!”

He watched me as I speak with an amused smile.

“I don’t have allergy of shrimp.”

“Huh?! Then what are you allergic to?”

Is he making fun of me?

“Oyster.”

“Aw shit! I put an oyster sauce in the food. Why didn’t you tell me earlier that you have allergy? I could have cooked something else.”

“Your food was delicious, so I couldn’t help but eat. And how can I not eat it, when you prepared it wholeheartedly for me?”

Melted.

My heart just melted.

Why did he have to say that with so much sincerity?

Why did he have to give me a penetrating gaze as he says those words?

Why is he even staring at me as if there is no one else in the world he’d rather look at than my face?

Why? Why? Why?

“Your drool is flowing.”

His words pulled me rudely back to my senses. The prick is grinning smugly from ear to ear. I knew I saw it wrong earlier!

I punched his chest and marched towards the bathroom.

My chest is still thumping loudly, I need a moment to compose myself.

I sighed.

Why do I feel regret?

Regret that the gentleness I saw in his eyes earlier seems to be a product of my imagination.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

I have no time indulging in frivolous things. I should not easily believe everything a man shows. I’ve proven first hand how fickle a person’s heart can be and falling in love is definitely a treacherous thing.

First premise: Love is a feeling.

Second premise: feelings are temporary.

Therefore, logically, love is temporary.

No matter how intense or how true or to what extent a person feels for somebody, that feeling will not stay. No matter how many sweet words and how certain the other person is of the promises he made to you, one day, he’ll find himself saying those same things to someone else.

I was sure that James loved me when he said he love me. It was true while it lasted.

Wait..

Why am I talking about love??