The Devoted

1: She meets He

•••

This was it. I was going to die. But then maybe it was a good thing. I'll finally be with my dad again. I thought as my heart began beating faster as if it was about to explode. With my eyes still closed, I stood there with my feet stuck as though they were glued to the ground.

I suddenly felt both hands on the sides of my arms and I jolted at the sudden feel. I immediately opened my eyes and saw a blurry figure of a tall man holding with what I think was an umbrella.

A man? But where's the car? Wait... I'm alive?! My hands immediately glided down all over my body to check if I truly was alive.
Relief washed over me as I let out a breath, I didn't know I was holding.

I then heard the man's voice.

"What the hell?! Are you trying to kill yourself?" He exclaimed with a deep low voice that secretly ran shivers down my spine.

"I-I'm so s-sorry Mister." I stuttered not because he scared me by his presence, but because it was freezing cold.

"You should watch where you're going señorita." He spoke through clenched teeth and with a slight Spanish accent. He somehow sounded a bit irritated. I felt him move and knew that he had bought the umbrella closer to cover me from the drops of rain that was making me soggy wet.

"I'm so sorry. I-I can't see clearly because my glasses were shattered a-and my mother was chasing me and.." I let out a shaky sigh. I rubbed my palms together to feel warm even though I know it was not enough for my freezing state.

"Why don't we go inside my car first miss. You don't look so good." He spoke with a hint of concern.

He guided me to his car, holding me by the waist and opened the car door for me. As I got inside, he gently wrapped a dry towel around me, making me feel a bit warmer. I couldn't help but feel sparks of something foreign to me, shoot through me each time his skin made contact with mine.

The man then stuck the key into the ignition and we drove off as silence filled the vehicle.

"What's your name mister?" I murmured, breaking the silence between us.

"Preston... Preston Castellano."

"Thank you, Mr. Castellano." I muttered softly, squinting to see the mysterious man who had almost killed me. I tried but there was no use, all I could see was his blurry broad shoulders.

"You're welcome and I'm sorry for shouting at you. I had a bad day and I just wanted to go home but then this happened and I have to take you home." Annoyance was clear in Mr, Castellano's voice as he spoke and I found myself shrinking in the backseat, ashamed of being such a bother to him.

"You don't have to take me home. I'll just find a place to stay." My voice came out as a whisper.

"Are you sure? It's pretty dark outside and the rain's getting heavier."

He was right. It was raining hard and I had no idea where to go or stay. I can't go back to my mother, she'll just hand me over to Edwardo again. I can't have that, I just can't.

Moments later, he cleared his throat. "Why.. Why don't you stay at my place for the night?," He hesitated for another moment, "I don't mind."

A deafening silence enveloped us.

His place? I couldn't. I shouldn't but then, where would I go? My mind was buzzing as all these questions seemed to be too hard for me to answer. I was far too tired to care so I just nodded at his suggestion.