CHAPTER 3

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"Mozzarella cheese, Low fat milk, Eggs, Bacon, whole chicken, a dozen of coke in can, wheat bread, yoghurt, butter, junk foods, cookies... ahm what else do I need?" I asked to myself checking my cart.

"Vegetables" A voice whispered in my ears, I felt his warm breath fanning my neck. Confused, I turn my head to the side, meet by a deep-set eyes once again staring right into my eyes. He is taking up my personal space, 1...2...3...7 seconds and he is still not moving. I distance myself to him by stepping back.

"Is that your signature move? Every time we met you always step back from me. Why? Do I make you uncomfortable?" He said finally standing straight. Gosh he is so tall, my head doesn't even reach his neck. I was standing there awkwardly still holding my push cart tightly. I don't really know what to do he is so intimidating.

"A-ahm. First of all, I'm not fond of eating vegetables. And you always appear on an unusual moment so I was always startled by you, making me step back. And yes, you make me uncomfortable, how the hell you have known me, even my room number, seriously! You're creeping me out." I spat at him honestly. He doesn't look affected by what I said, he just look at me unmoving. "Hey are you deaf? Can you please give me a reaction?" I said waving a hand in front of her face. He won't blink; he is studying my every move. He is so weird. I'm done with him, I turn my back to him and started to push my cart into the toiletries section, leaving him there.

A push cart bump my feet making me so irritated. "What do you want Mr.?! Stop following me" I shouted as I turn my back while stomping my feet. My face instantly felt warm embarrassed once again. "Oh my, I-I'm so sorry po, I thought you are someone else" I apologize to the old man whom I shouted. The old man looks at me weirdly, thankfully he didn't say any harsh words back to me, he just pass looking at me like I'm crazy person. "Ugh! Mallory, you idiot" I face palmed.

Focusing on my task here, I get the things I needed quickly and proceed to the cashier. Five minutes passed and I am still here lining up to the cashier. There are so many shoppers today. Right it is the time of the month, payday that's why. Finally it's my turn. While the cashier lady is punching the goods I brought, I look for my wallet and open it but found nothing even a single bill. Sweats started to drip on my forehead, my heart beating fast from panic. Am I getting myself embarrass again... Shocks, I guess it's my lucky day, insert sarcasm.
"5,672 php Ma'am" The cashier lady finished punching the goods, announcing the amount I needed to pay.

"Uh...ahm I--" My words are cut off when someone handed a card to the cashier lady. I look at the man who paid for me, yes everyone you are right it is him again.

An awkward silence surrounded our walk going out the grocery store. He is holding my grocery bags together with his. Since he paid at the cashier, he doesn't even give a glance or emotion to me. We have already reached the parking lot. I hold his wrist to stop him from walking. "Ahm. Thank you, don't worry I will pay you once I
got home, I will hand you the money in front of your unit" I said while getting the grocery bags from his hand.

I walk to my car, opening it with my keys to put the grocery bags. I took a last glance at him. "Thank you and I am sorry for the way I acted" I uttered closing the door of the driver's seat. The door suddenly felt hard to close, oh it is his hand holding the car door. "Why?" I asked confused of his actions. He didn't say anything. He holds my wrist dragging me out of my car.

"Ah he-hey wait my car" I struggle form his grip to beep my car to lock. He stopped in front of a car which I think is his.

"I don't need your money. Come with me to repay me" He said, opening the passenger's seat. He let go of my wrist as he dragged me inside his car. Wow, I didn't even get to decide yet, this man is unbelievable. Who does he think he is? I am not an easy girl. I open his car door and leave his car. He seems irritated by my action, he lost his cool. "Get in" he summoned. "I know I owe you some money but you can't just drag me everywhere you want as if we're close, I don't even know you name!" I answered, not obeying what he said.

"I said get in the car Mallory!" He shouted. I obey him afraid of his sudden outburst.
I don't know exactly what is with this stranger. I am so stupid to come with him, he is a complete stranger for Pete's sake. Throughout the ride I didn't speak. The music from his car's radio covers the awkward atmosphere between us. It is good that he has taste in music. I love the song currently playing, 'Thru these tears by Lany. For a moment, I forgot I'm with a complete stranger and maybe danger or even death awaits me. Oh come on, I will gratefully embrace death, I'm not afraid to die.

The car stopped in front of a fine dining restaurant. We enter the restaurant and I'm surprise he already has a reservation for us. Also, the employees here seem so fond of him. The staff guides us into a private room. As I walk pass the customers, I caught a glimpse of my family, they are here. I know I shouldn't come near them but I want to know their whereabouts.

"Wait" I stop him and look at him with a straight face. "Can we just eat near that family?" I requested wishing he will grant it. He seems to understand what I want and nod. The staff quickly informed the other employees to prepare the table.

We are two tables apart from them. Now that I'm seated, I notice the glamour this fine dining shows. The big chandelier on the ceiling added to the sophisticated atmosphere of this restaurant. The tables are elegantly cloth with red and gold. And the people here are elegantly clothed.

"Azrael" He spoke. "Huh?" I said still lurking my eyes to the surroundings. "My name is Azrael" He said that made me look at him. "Oh so you decided to finally introduce yourself to me" I answered with a little smile on my face. "What do you want?" He asked. "I don't want anything from you" I answered. "I meant food Mallory, your order. Never mind, I will just order for you". The waitress comes and he gives his orders. I didn't understand the name of the foods he ordered though.

Five minutes later our order came and we started to eat. I was about to get a bite from my steak when I overheard their conversation.

"How's life Travis?"

"Just fine dad, I just feel guilty for Mallory"

"You shouldn't, she's not your blood sister anyway. She should be thankful we kept her for 19 years"

"But mom, she's still my little sister and we should take care of her, especially now she's sick"

I drop my fork into my plate; I suddenly don't have the appetite to eat anymore. "You don't want the food? It's alright we can eat anywhere else" Azrael said looking bothered by my sudden gloominess. "No, it is not the food. Sorry, but I need to leave" I didn't wait for his answer and just stand up from our table, walking out from the restaurant. I honestly don't know how I will go home, my car is not here and I don't have money.

I sat on the pavement feeling tired. My heart aches from what I heard, that's a surprise for me. So yeah, that's the reason for all the treatment I received from them. Actually, it should be alright, I had accepted my fate long time ago. I just can't believe that my favorite person, my brother which is not my real brother as I've heard earlier, actually see me as a patient. I thought he cares for me but all that is left for me is pity and guilt.

"Stand up, you look like a lost puppy sitting there" The tears on my eyes blurred my vision but I know it is him, Azrael. I stand up not removing my teary eyes to him. I know I look vulnerable right know but I don't care. I never cried or ever show my weakness to a stranger but I just happened to trust him in a short span of time. This is a first, I cried to his shirt and I'm grateful he doesn't shove me, instead he hugged me tightly. This moment, I felt safe with him.

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