Melodies of Life

Chapter 16. The Devil's Charity

All I can hear was the devil's voice as I woke up at the hospital.

"Say to him I'm very sorry for what happened at the show and take Wolfy home."

I peek with one eye at him. He was seated beside my bed and busy talking at the phone.

"Yeah, you go home first. I'll wait until she wakes up... Over-fatigue, they even hook an IV to her. I feel bad for making her run like that. If only I knew, then I wouldn't chase her at all." I can hear the worry in his tone.

Maybe he's not a devil after all. Or that's just the conscience talking. I close my eyes and pretend to be asleep as he finishes the phone call. I feel his face get closer. Even with my eyes closed, I can feel him smirking again.

"Playing Sleeping Beauty now? You know at this point, it's the same as asking to be kissed." He whispers his last word suggestively.

I instantly open my eyes and try to get up but he stops me.

"Relax, your Prince Charming is just kidding." He laughs obnoxiously.

I badly want to punch him in the face, but how can I do that if I can't even lift a finger at my condition?

"Go back to sleep. We'll talk once you're feeling fine. I'll be here if you need anything." He smiles at me warmly.

"I'm fine." I try to conceal my weakness as I get up. "And I'm sorry." I bow my head.

He chuckles. "I should be the one saying that. Plus, I deserved this." He holds his cheek and acts as if it was hurting. Big time.

"You deserve more." I mutter.

"What was that?"

"What I meant was the money." I lower my head in shame.

He laughs. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that. Have you spent them all?"

I nod.

"So what did you buy? Bags, shoes, dresses?" He asks curiously.

"I used it for my brother's tuition and to pay our debts. But I promise to return it." I look him in the eyes to show him my sincerity.

He stares back at my eyes and examines it as if doubting what I just said.

"I'm not lying. Need a pinky swear on that?" I smile ironically.

"Your eyes, are they brown?" He continues to peer at my eyes.

What?! He was just checking the color of my eyes? That's strange. But, why?

"Yeah, so what?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I find it mesmerizing." He smiles at me.

"You mean weird." I scoff.

"You're prettier with long hair. Why don't you try growing it?" He points at my hair extension.

"I'll just end up tying my hair in a bun if I do that. And it's not practical."

"You look sexy in that red dress."

"Yeah, I look like a slut."

He laughs. "Is this how you take compliments? I like it. Peculiar, but cute." He then hands me his cellphone. "Save your number. So I can contact you."

"Are you insinuating that my promise is just a hoax? I'm telling you, I won't run away!"

"Yeah, but you can hide in that diner.

"You knew?" I felt like a kid caught stealing cookies from the jar.

"Of course. I wasn't born yesterday to get the gist of it. You can't find someone who doesn't want to be found as they say." He exhales heavily.

"Then why are you acting like this? Aren't we supposed to be in the police station now? How come you're still trusting me when I already tricked you?" I ask in confusion.

"You clearly know the answer, yet you're acting like you don't." He chuckles darkly. "Don't play dumb. It doesn't suit you, clever girl."

"I'm not playing dumb! I really can't understand it. Why are you being kind to me despite the things that I've done to you?" I yell in frustration.

"Because I like you." He says seriously as he looks me in the eyes.

I can't believe his words. It seems senseless and not logical.

I laugh crazily. "Who in their right mind would like the person who stole and made a fool out of him?"

"Me." He grins. "Now take the phone and save your number before I kiss you again."

"You're crazy." I oblige though I never wanted to.

I get off the bed and request the nurse to take off the IV after I return his cellphone.

"Where are you going?" He asks.

"Away from you."

"Well, you can't go out barefooted." He gets my heels and slips it through my feet like I was Cinderella. "And wearing only that." He takes off his leather jacket and drapes it over my shoulders. "You want me to zip that up for you?" He smirks.

I quickly wear and zip it up. He walks me out of the hospital and calls a taxi for me.

"Take her home safely." He hands the driver my fare as I get in.

"Thank you. Just add everything you spent today to my debt."

He shakes his head. "Let's just say that's the fine for kissing you." He smiles. "Goodnight."

I smile back at him, and wish that he forgets me when he wakes up tomorrow.