He's a Dangerous Man

Chapter Eight - Confused

Chapter Eight

"You are not feeling well," it was not a question but a statement from Damon. Isinandal ko ang ulo sa likod ng upuan. My head is aching so bad.

"You are rude to sir Kier," I said. Sir Kier is being polite and Damon is being mean.

"I don't care. I don't know who he is, anyway" He glanced at me.

"Rude," I whispered.

"Remove that," tumingin na siyang muli sa daan.

"Alin?" kunot noong tanong ko sa kanya.

"That jacket," napatingin ako sa jacket na pinahiram ni sir Kier. Nakalimutan ko palang ibalik ito sa kanya.

"Nilalamig ako," nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumigil sa tabi ng kalsada at may inabot na jacket sa akin.

"Use this and throw that jacket away" he said rudely. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin and continued driving.

Isinuot ko ang jacket niya at itinago ang jacket ni sir Kier sa bag. There's a faint smell of his scent in the jacket. Hindi ko namalayan na inaamoy ko na pala ang jacket nya. Mabuti na lamang at hindi siya nakatingin.

"Don't come near that boy again," napalingon ako sa kanya. Is he talking about sir Kier?

"He's my supervisor." I told him. I am already confused with his actions but I don't want to give them meaning.

"Then I'll tell Cedric to change his shift."

"That's going too far Damon!" I protested and looked at him seriously.

"Do you like him?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion. Nabigla ako sa tanong na iyon. He looked at me and I felt my heart skipped a beat. Hindi ako nakapagsalita. "Stay away from him." He continued and I was speechless.

"Bakit mo to ginagawa Damon?" It was just a slip of the tongue. Maybe I am really not feeling well kaya kung anu-ano na ang nasasabi ko.

But I was really thinking about it. Why does Damon always insist on waiting for me and taking me home? Why is he so kind to me?

Although he is not talking too much, I felt that he's different from what Anna and Mikaela told me before.

I haven't experienced romance but I am not that ignorant.

"What?" he asked in a monotone voice.

"I am asking you why you have to do these things. Waiting for me and taking me home every after shift? Do you have feelings for me Damon?" I am always a straightforward person and I always voiced out what my mind is telling me.

It's a shameless act but, I want to clarify everything. Ayokong paasahin ang sarili ko. Because...

Isang mahabang katahimikan ang bumalot sa loob ng sasakyan.

"You are Stephanie's friend" I heard him answer.

"Is that it?"

"Yes" he answered straightly.

I smiled bitterly and leaned on the window with my eyes half closed. I am already sleepy.

Why do I feel pain in my heart?

"Then don't confuse me with your acts," I whispered.

... I think I am starting to have feelings for you, even if you are not my dream Prince charming.

After I said that, everything was already in haze and I fell asleep.

---

"I am asking you why you have to do these things. Waiting for me and taking me home every night? Do you have feelings for me Damon?" I was stunned. I didn't see that question coming.

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang manibela. I was also confused. Why am I doing these things? I always want to see her face, I want to hear her voice and I want to make sure she's safe and sound. I even told her several times that she's mine.

What is happening to me? This is not the same Damon Forteza.

I always believe that girls are not worthy to be loved. They will make you fall in love and then leave you hanging when they already got what they want.

"You are Stephanie's friend" those words came out of my mouth without even realizing it. I almost hit my head. But I am not sure what she means to me. Am I just interested in her because she seemed not scared talking to me? Or because I found her different from other women?

My other side is telling me 'I want her mine!'

My blood is boiling whenever there are boys around her. I want her to look at me only.

Feelings? Is that like or love? I haven't experienced those.

All I know is, she needs to be by my side at all times.

"Is that it?" she then asked again.

I sighed to myself.

"Yes"

"Then don't confuse me with your acts," I heard her whisper. I looked at her and saw her eyes closed.

I adjusted the aircon to lower the temperature.

I just continued to drive and let her rest. Maybe I need to find answers first because I am also confused.

I stopped when we were already at her place.

I looked at her sleeping. "Leigh," I called her out.

She did not respond and instead, she tightly grabbed the jacket I gave her.

I touched her forehead and realized that she's having a fever. But it was not that hot. Maybe she already had medications earlier. But still she needs some rest.

I looked at her face. She really is a beauty. The moment I saw her on the beach, I felt enchanted. I was about to touch her face but I stopped myself.

"Mom, I miss you," she said in her sleep and a tear fell down from her eyes.

My body then moved on its own and leaned on her. Without realizing it, I wiped her tears and kissed her forehead.

Naalimpungatan ako nang maramdaman na may pumasok sa kwarto.

"Kamusta na ang pakiramdam mo iha?" tanong ni Nanay Teresa. Bumangon ako at naramdaman kong medyo kumikirot pa ang ulo ko.

Nilagay ni Nanay Teresa ang mga pagkain sa side table.

Napatingin ako sa orasan. Alas tres na ng hapon.

Hinawakan ni Nanay ang noo ko.

"Mukhang bumaba na ang lagnat mo. Mabuti na lamang at kasama mo ang kaibigan mo. May nagbuhat sayo papasok sa kwarto. Paano kung nahimatay ka bigla sa daan pauwi dito? Hindi ko alam kung paano mag eexplain sa daddy at kuya mo." Nanlaki ang mata ko nang marinig ang sinabi ni Nanay Teresa.

Ang huling naalala ko ay nakatulog ako sa kotse ni Damon.

Don't tell me na binuhat niya ako papasok sa bahay?

"Nana, bakit di nyo po ako ginising na lang para naglakad na lang ako papunta sa kwarto."

Umupo ako sa gilid ng kama at inihain niya ang nilutong lugaw sa harap ko. Kinuha ko ang kutsara at nagsimula ng kumain.

"Sinabi niya na wag ka ng gisingin dahil masama daw ang pakiramdam mo kaya hinayaan ko na lang na dalhin ka dito sa kwarto." Wika ni Nanay at hinawi ang kurtina sa tabi ng higaan ko. "Hindi nga siya umalis hangga't hindi bumababa ang lagnat mo. Siguro mga pasado alas dose na din siya nakauwi."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Damon did what? But then I realized what he said kaninang umaga. He's doing this because I am his cousin's friend. No feelings involved.

"Pagkatapos mong kumain, uminom ka na ng gamot. Wala ka namang pasok ngayon diba? Magpahinga ka na muna." Nanay Teresa said. Tumango ako and she went out of the room.

Napatingin ako sa bintana. I smiled bitterly. I guess I shouldn't have given any meaning to his actions.

Maybe he's really just doing this out of consideration.

But why do I feel like something was pinching my heart at the thought of it? Napailing ako. Am I that hopeless romantic?