It's Just A Game

Chapter 45 A Safe Haven

After the brief argument between GFord and I, silence reigned. He came from the kitchen holding a compress for my bruise. He sat beside me on the soft couch and slowly placed the compress on the affected part of my face. I winced at the stinging feeling when the material came in contact with my skin. I failed to contain my groan of pain, closed my eyes and gripped the hem of my varsity shirt.

"Hold on to this." I felt GFord touched my hand and guided it to the compress he was holding.

Opening my eyes and seeing genuine concern etched on his face. He was right I'm taking out my bitchiness unto him for no reason at all. He gets into my nerves and the annoyance was just instantaneous.

"Sorry," I muttered incoherently.

"What?" GFord brows furrowed as he removed his hand from mine.

"I said I'm sorry," I said with a loud huff.

He shook his head with the emerging smirk on his lips. "Did you hit your head so hard that you uttering nonsense right now?"

"I did not!" I half exclaimed. "I apologized for my behavior. For being rude and bitchy to you."

He stared at me for a moment before nodding and trailed his eyes back to my bruise.

And then there was silence. Awkward, my head was shouting inwardly. Instead of leaning forward, I rested my back on the couch that I was already slouching while GFord was bracing one arm on the seat while facing me. I leered for a moment at him and heard him snickered but it came out more of a sigh.

Hurriedly dropping the compress on the table and faced him. "What's the matter?"

It was his turn to look away and sat properly with elbows resting by the knees. " You're in deep shit, Myah. Have you not realized that?"

I tried to answer but ended up blabbering nonsense. I am very much aware that he was referring to the bunch of scoundrels who were after me. "You think the fact has not registered in my brain."

"Then why roam around on your own without any company? Those guys can strike any time suitable to them catching you off guard." GFord has this exasperated look on his face before standing up and hands rubbing his eyes.

"I was.." I stood up as well.

"What?" He countered with full intensity.

"I was trying to get some air," I said turning my back from GFord. "I didn't want to disturb them from their celebration."

"I'm not going to argue about your carelessness this time, Myah. But do listen to us when we tell you that you're in danger." GFord's voice transitioned from being rough to subtle concern.

"I know. I know." I managed to respond while sensing him moved nearer behind my back. I had my arms wrapped around my chest when the uneasiness started to envelop my entire body.

Gford's hand flew to my waist and instantly my breath hitched. He slowly turned me around to face him, one hand lingered on my waist. My eyes downcasted as usual. His other hand rose to tip my face towards his direction. " You don't trust me I get it. We share the same animosity between each other at the onset of everything. But after seeing my brother being with you, seeing him relax and smile, makes me loosen up as well. Do you get what I mean?"

I just stared at the guy encompassing me with an unknown force and shook my head. He snickered. "Myah, in time you will comprehend all this stuff I'm trying to tell you."

"Can you just say it to me right now?" I tried pushing him by the chest but he won't budge instead I was slammed towards GFord's hard frame.

I heard him chuckled and laughed. " I'm in no position to tell you. If my little brother starts to spill his guts to you, maybe I will also."

"Fine!" I groaned out louder when I was squeezed into his body for a hug. "You're killing me, GFord!"

He laughed. "No, I'm not! Maybe just smothering you since Chase isn't around."

That's when the sound of an opening door disrupted our conversation followed by voices and steps echoing towards the living room.

"Looks like the troop is here," GFord uttered with a sigh and his grip on my waist tightened.

Jessie, Phil, Randell were the first one to appear by the entrance of the room with faces full of worries.

"Are you all right?" Randell took a deep breath before asking before dropping on the couch.

I just nodded. Jessie was teary-eyed standing at Randell's back. "Your face, sunshine. Those guys hurt you."

"Just a bruise, Jessie! It's nothing." I smiled weakly that made my face hurt too.

"I'm glad you're still alive," Phil said with the usual calmness and optimism. It made me laugh as the rest join in.

Chase came in with ruffled hair and stressed look. He stopped on his track upon seeing me nestled in GFord's arms.

I heard another set of soft chuckles escaped from the older brother as he dipped nearer my right ear. "Did you see Chase's reaction?" He whispered. "You should be flattered."

Momentarily, I shrugged and gripped his arms forcefully. "And your point is?" I countered between gritted teeth.

"Chase likes you. Though I know that you knew it already." I can feel his breath on my skin, creating an unknown sensation in me. This time the urge to move away from him grew big time.

GFord must have felt my uncertainty because he released me from his touch. Chase huffed loudly before walking towards my place and yanked me away from his older brother.

I yelped suddenly when I felt Chase gripped my arms and yanked me away from his brother. He was glaring at him full force before deciding to tag me along with him to the garden. I can only look at his grip on my wrist and knew right away that it's going to bruise.

"Chase, you're hurting me." I coaxed myself to tell him as we neared the door to the garden. He never turned his head to look at me or show a bit of concern but continued all the way.

The cold evening air welcomed me slowly touching every exposed pore in my body. I felt goosebumps and shivered right there. "What's gotten into you?" I half exclaimed when Chase turned to face my direction.

"Nothing!" Chase spat in obvious frustration.

"Nothing?!" I closed the gap between the two of us. "But you're seething in anger. Are you mad at me?"

He shook his head and sat on the wooden bench nearest to him. "I can never be angry at you, Myah. No matter how stubborn you are. You've been told before not to go alone on your own but you still did."

"I'm sorry, Chase. I was just trying to get some breathing space." I moved in front of him and kneeled so I can see his tormented eyes creating more havoc in me.

"I can understand that. I realized you don't like to be crowded for long." He brought both hands to his face. "But I don't know why it pains me more to see you in my brother's arms earlier." He was not even looking at me when he said it.

"What are you talking about?" My heart was beating so fast at the turn of events. I reached for his hands and took hold of it in mine. Now, I was staring into his glinting gray eyes.

"When I came into the living room, GFord was holding you so near to him. My mind was so devastated with all these things that are happening to you but I felt smashed and pained to see him holding you and not me. I should have been there for you. I should not have let you out my sight." Chase held on my hands so tight while I'm trying to find the exact words to say to him.

"Chase, it's not your fault. It's mine for not listening to all your reminders. I'm sorry. Please don't blame yourself. Don't make this difficult for me." I can't help it but my tears are threatening to fall from my eyes. In quick movements, Chase swept me into a tight hug. I began to sigh comfortably.

Chase is my safe haven.