" It was just a smack!"

"Don't worry Master Akki, the miss is completely fine now. She must have been through a lot that made her body so exhausted. It's a normal reaction. She is just sleeping and she needs it. And when she wakes up, make sure that she will not do any unnecessary movements." His private doctor calmly explained.

It was already seven in the evening. Zowie was sleeping for almost two days now. And the doctor was also there for two days as well.

"You are still not allowed to go home yet, not until she wakes up." Akki directly ordered.

He was worried and secretly panicking about Zowie not waking up. He did not even leave in her side and had eaten even lesser than he usually do. He ordered Lawrence to deal with his transactions and clear his schedule until he said so.

"Lawrence make sure that doctor Robert is comfortable in his stay and make sure to also call his family." He seriously said. "Thank you Red , have your rest now."

Doctor Red Robert could not do anything but to follow. He only worked for him and dedicated his life serving him just like Lawrence. They can't be who they are now without Akki on their lives.

Lawrence and Dr. Red went out of the room without any further questions.

"Is he aware that he's overreacting?" Dr. Red smiled worriedly at Lawrence.

"No, I don't think so. He even scolded me when I lost her. He was never like that." Lawrence was also troubled.

"I hope he is not forgetting his real goal. This is his very plan in the first place. I mean making her fall in love with him is just part of his plan. But don't you think, he's becoming too emotionally attached?" Dr. Red explained further.

"Yeah I see that too. I'll try to remind him of that. You know how much important this is to him. He got too immersed in it now. Hopefully, he will not end himself hurting." Lawrence sighed.

"I trust him though. His plans have never failed." Dr. Red tried to look on a brighter side. "And he is showing his emotions again. This must be good for him, psychologically." Dr. Red let out a smile.

"Yes, I secretly got emotional when he scolded me that much. Not because I was hurt but because he was not hiding his feelings anymore." Lawrence added.

"Let's just support him and enjoy seeing him turn normal. It is so exciting to see him act with a woman." Dr. Red eyes were teasing.

"Let's see where this will get him. And if I did not know his plans, I can say he's already in love with Ms. Zowie out from studying everything about her for more than a year now. I just hope he will not get rejected."

They eyes met as if they can read each other's mind. Then, both of them cautiously laughed.

Zakki Araneta had been studying Zowie's life, her house, routine, work, likes and dislikes, everything that's about her. This was after knowing that she was the key in getting the revenge he has been wanting for all his life. Red and Lawrence were with him every step of it.

He wanted to be addressed as Akki by those people who were close to his heart. Calling him this way, reminded him of his parents.

***

Zowie slowly opened her eyes. Her head was aching but the scent of tulip flowers made the aching lesser. She looked around and saw the tulips on the table with the clock at eight. She felt like the room was familiar. Its design was likely similar to that in the town house. Then she remembered what happened to her, held her wounded waist and was alarmed. She tried to move but was interrupted by a virile voice.

"Relaxed Ms. Zowie Cruz, the doctor said you must not make unnecessary movements. You're wound and bruises are still healing." Akki tenderly ordered her while hiding his tense.

She startled for a bit, she did not realized someone was there with her all along. As she looked at him to where he was sitting, he was really handsome but she could not help herself to smile.

"Why are you smiling? Are you insulting me?" Akki tried to calm himself.

He was panicking. He had been thinking and practicing what to say for many times just for the moment that she will wake up. He was not prepared for this kind of reaction from hers.

"You are telling me to relax yet you are sweating badly. You even looked so awkward with how you are sitting. You seemed to be uncomfortable with your position. Trust me, I know you are tense so why don't you tell yourself to relax." She continued smiling.

Her smile was like a reward to him. He only sees her on pictures. Looking at her pinkish small lips made his heart beating triple times. In his eyes, she was shining brightly. He was astonished and remained completely silent.

"Hello? Are you still there?" Zowie curiously asked while trying to understand what was happening to the man. "Wait! Is this you're first time dealing a woman?" She instantly uttered.

Akki's wild thought was cut off upon realizing what Zowie had just said. He got so engrossed to her smile and everything in his mind mixed up. Yes, she was right! This was definitely his first attempt to win a woman's heart. He hated being with women who were always trying to lure him. He felt humiliated and ran into the bathroom.

'Ahh! How cute!! He is like teenage boy who saw his crush.' She giggled as he saw him walked out in red face.

"Fixed yourself Akki! You will make her feel that she can play you in her hands!" He washed his face and dipped it on a towel. "Focus Akki! Focus on your goal!" He calmed himself and went back.

Zowie saw him coming and let out a sweet but teasing laugh. She froze when she saw him seriously walking straight to her.

She held aback to her bed when Akki confined her in his arms. He pressed her to the bed and she can feel his warm breath to her face. Their eyes met.

"And what if I tell you, you're the first woman I have to impress with? You don't want me to punish you from insulting me." He intently said to her while glancing at her lips. "Try insulting me again. And you'll get what you are looking for."

In an instant, their lips met.

Akki was taken aback. He was totally shocked.

She kissed him!

His face reddened again.

"What? You don't like it baby? Is that what you are threatening me for, isn't it?" Zowie laughed seeing his face hilariously flustered, not expecting such response from her.

'Her soft lips touched mine!' He felt electrified all over his body. 'We kissed! My first kiss! She stole it! I am expecting it to be memorable! I should be the one kissing and not the later!'

"Why did you do that!" He madly asked.

Zowie chuckled. " And why are you mad? I'm just making your life easy dear!"

"You! You stole my first kiss!" He unbelievably expressed.

She laughed. "Is that what you want right? That was the punishment you mean a while ago. And it was not even a kiss! It was just a smack! Please don't overreact! It doesn't fit you!"

He grasped himself upon hearing what she said.

'Akki calm down. You'll end up a loser if you will get into this witch' game! She's getting you lose your temper!'

"I, Zakki Araneta, will make you pay for this!"

Zowie was stunned for a moment.

"Don't worry Mr. Zakki Araneta. I will take responsibility of my action. I will marry you! Will that be enough?" She was serious.Then let out a smile. "But before that, can you please get me some food to eat? I'm starving. Thank you!"

Akki was totally astounded. His head was aching and his heart was wilding because of her.

He went out of the room with his shoulders down.

For the first time in his life, he was defeated in a fight.

As Zowie saw him disappointedly left, she smiled significantly. She got some tulips and sniffed them enjoyably.