Chapter 8: Curiosity
"Lorence, Señorito ordered you to go to his room immediately!"
"Why, Mother Sharn?" I groggily asked. Why am I so sleepy?
My heart raced as memories from yesterday flooded my mind.
"Don't ask! Your smile is weird," she replied, snapping me back to the present. I realized I had been lost in my thoughts during our conversation. Heck!
Composing myself, I walked upstairs.
"Leave your vacuum!" she commanded.
"Why?" I questioned.
"Don't ask!"
"Mother Sharn, I know where he inherited something," I said with a smile, leaving the vacuum behind as instructed.
After navigating his complex security system, I stepped outside. I didn't care if he kicked me out for intruding. After all, Mother Sharn had said I needed to go to his room immediately, right?
"Raze?" I called out, scanning the area for any sign of him.
"Raze?"
"I'll destroy your miniature game's character collection here!" I yell, frustration mounting.
I checked his office, but he wasn't there. Is Mother Sharn playing me around? I moved on to his walk-in closet, but he wasn't there either. That man!
"Ouc--- aaaaAAAAhhhh!" I screamed as I bumped into his chest, tumbling backward onto my butt. My eyes widened as I realized he was standing there, half-naked, fresh from the shower, towel draped around his lower body.
Feeling a blush spread across my face and ears, I quickly looked away.
"Come here," he said, his voice playful.
"Huh?" I stammered, unsure how to react to his command. Meeting his gaze again, I saw the mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"Here" he lend me a hand
"Y-your towel might drop," I stammered in response, feeling a rush of embarrassment. Why couldn't I move on my own? His smile widened, causing my heart to thump even harder and my cheeks to flush crimson.
Without warning, he reached out and took my hand, pulling me up so suddenly that I stumbled, ending up dangerously close to him. His skin was still slightly damp from the shower, and I couldn't help but notice the warmth radiating from his body. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and a shiver ran down my spine as I felt something stir within me at his proximity.
"This can't be," I thought, bewildered by my own reaction. "Why is he so handsome in every way?"
"A-ahm!" I stammered, at a loss for words as we remained in our close position for what felt like an eternity.
"You're way more beautiful up close," he whispered earnestly, his voice sending a tingle down my spine.
"Raze!" I snapped, pushing lightly against his chest to create some distance between us.
"But you're way cuter when you blush," he added with a teasing grin before finally releasing me and disappearing into the closet.
"Uh, I'll wait outside," I said quickly, feeling flustered by the encounter.
"What's the purpose of waiting for me here if you're just going to leave?" he teased, his voice floating out from the closet.
"I wasn't waiting, I just came to check where you were!" I shot back, attempting to sound nonchalant despite the rapid beating of my heart betraying my true feelings.
"Alibi," I heard him say as I began to tune out.
I settled onto his couch and took in the sight of his impeccably organized space. His books were neatly arranged on the shelves, paintings hung perfectly on the walls, and the lighting lent a romantic ambiance to the room. His shoes were meticulously placed near the door, with a separate rack reserved just for his most frequently worn pairs, while the rest resided in his walk-in closet.
"Chump!" His voice broke through my reverie, pulling me back to reality.
"What do you need?" I asked, trying to refocus.
"After breakfast, prepare yourself. We're going to the company together," he informed me.
"Huh? I thought I was going to claim the prize around 1:00 pm later," I said, confused by his sudden change of plans.
"I'm the owner. I can do what I want," he replied casually, while spraying on his manly perfume, its scent wafting through the room and reaching even my nose from a distance.
"Is that all?" I asked, eager to escape the awkwardness of the conversation.
"As a girl, what kind of presents do you like?" he inquired, casually leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets.
"Uh, I-I don't know," I stuttered, feeling a bit flustered by the unexpected question. No one had ever asked me about presents before, especially not a guy.
Despite my usual introverted nature, I was making an effort to step out of my comfort zone in this new environment. But I still longed for those moments of peace and solitude, especially in the darkness of night.
"Wait, seriously?" His incredulous tone snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Well, flowers paired with chocolates and maybe a bracelet inside the box? I saw it in a movie once," I suggested tentatively, hoping to offer a helpful response.
"Isn't that lame? I'll be meeting Sabrina later. Do you think she'll like it?" he pressed further, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of uncertainty.
"I-I don't know," I replied softly, averting my gaze. Was I feeling jealous? I hoped not, but the thought lingered in the back of my mind.
"What else do girls like?" he pressed, seemingly oblivious to my discomfort.
"Can't you ask other girls? Maybe Erika has an idea. Because if you ask me, I'll answer that anything is fine as long as you put effort into it. And, most importantly, your presence," I replied, the words coming out colder than intended.
"I have to go now. I still have work to do," I added hastily, eager to escape the conversation. I couldn't bear the thought of discussing romantic gestures with him any longer.
"What's wrong?" Mother Sharn asked as our paths crossed in the hallway.
"I-I'm just tired... I-I mean, I'm sleepy," I stammered, forcing a smile to hide my inner turmoil.
"Are you sure? Where is he?" she inquired, her sharp eyes catching my hesitation.
"I'm fine, Mother Sharn. Hmm... Maybe he'll be downstairs any moment now," I replied vaguely, trying to deflect her concern.
"Okay. Anyway, please come with me to the kitchen," she instructed, changing the subject abruptly.
"Why?" I questioned, confused by her sudden request.
"Just don't ask. Follow me," she replied cryptically, her tone leaving no room for argument.
I complied silently, curious about where this was leading.
"Don't you know that he used to be such a hard worker, but also stubborn? But he's changed now," Mother Sharn began, her laughter sounding out of place.
"I've been here since the day he was born, so I know what kind of person he is and what he's made of. But there came a day that challenged him like never before," she continued, her tone growing more serious as she spoke.
I listened intently as she led me through the halls, eager to unravel the mystery behind her cryptic words.
"He almost cursed that day, both the day he was born and the day that changed him forever," Mother Sharn continued, her voice tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and concern. I couldn't help but feel intrigued by her cryptic words. What had happened on those fateful days?
"At least he's become the person he is now, Mother Sharn," I replied, attempting to mask my curiosity with a nonchalant tone. But her silence only deepened the mystery surrounding my employer's past.
With her story hanging in the air like a tantalizing cliffhanger, I followed Mother Sharn to the kitchen, where a sumptuous spread of food awaited us.
"Whoa," I whispered in awe as I took in the sight of the beautifully organized countertop, laden with an assortment of delectable dishes.
Waffles, mashed potatoes, pancakes with gravy, pork loin, bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese, cold pizza, tomato toast with macadamia ricotta, avocado toast with egg, berry and yogurt smoothie, berry breakfast parfait... The array of culinary delights was enough to make my mouth water.
"Good morning, Lorence," greeted Chef Markus, also known as "Chef #1," with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Chef Markus," I replied, forcing a smile in return as I surveyed the mouth watering spread before me.
"Everything looks delicious," I commented, genuinely impressed by the culinary craftsmanship on display.
"Mother Sharn, may I?" I asked, seeking her permission to indulge in the smoothie tasting experience. She nodded in approval, confirming that this was indeed the reason she had brought me to the kitchen.
"Yay!" I exclaimed, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect of sampling the culinary creations before me.
"What do you call this?" I inquired, directing my question to Kyle, who stood nearby.
"This is the berry breakfast parfait," Kyle explained enthusiastically. "It's one of the easiest, healthiest, and tastiest breakfast options. Here, we have the classic fruit and yogurt parfait, as well as this one—pumpkin granola yogurt. The layers consist of rich pumpkin pie cashew cream, plain Greek yogurt, and a generous sprinkling of granola, all finished off with a dash of cinnamon. Go ahead, give it a try!"
With a mischievous grin, Kyle extended a spoonful of the parfait towards me, urging me to taste it. Reluctantly, I obliged, allowing the delectable flavors to dance across my taste buds.
"Do you like it?" Kyle inquired eagerly, his enthusiasm for his culinary creations palpable.
"I didn't just like it, I love it!" I exclaimed, genuinely impressed by the flavorful combination of ingredients. "And pumpkin is a bonafide superfood, rich in beta carotene, which is essential for eye health, right?" I added, parroting Kyle's earlier explanation with a playful twist.
"That's why I let you try it!" Kyle responded with a chuckle, wiping away a stray bit of parfait from my lips. His casual gesture caught me off guard, causing me to momentarily freeze before offering a shy smile in return.
"T-thanks," I stammered, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me at his unexpected gesture.
"No problem, pretty," Kyle replied, flashing me a playful wink before returning to his duties.
As the morning progressed, I found myself enjoying the company of the young chef, Kyle. Despite being only two years older than me, his passion for cooking and lighthearted demeanor made him a delightful companion.
I assisted in preparing the food, arranging dishes on the two long tables where we would all gather to share the meal together.
I took a seat beside Kyle, choosing to avoid sitting at the table with Raze to spare myself from feeling down.
"Does it taste good?" Kyle inquired, looking genuinely interested.
"Absolutely delicious! But I have to blame you and your brother Markus for making everything so irresistible! Right, guys?" I chimed in, adding a playful tone to my words. The other guards nodded in agreement, though their smiles seemed a bit forced.
"You're making me jealous! How do you manage to cook so well? The sushi bake from yesterday was incredible, but I have to say, the pan-grilled chicken breast with peanut sauce stole the show for me," I exclaimed, my enthusiasm evident as I dug into the food.
"You're too kind, but you're no slouch in the kitchen yourself. I loved your tuna dish too," Kyle complimented, prompting me to burst into laughter. I couldn't help but be a bit loud while enjoying my meal. My apologies to everyone for the noise!
"You have a peculiar taste," I teased, playfully nudging Kyle's shoulder.
"I really mean it—"
"Lorence!" Raze's voice cut through the conversation, commanding attention.
Everyone's eyes turned towards me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension, as if silently questioning my actions.
"Yes, Raze?" I replied, meeting his gaze.
There were murmurs of surprise from the others, as if I had committed some grave error. But what had I done wrong? I hadn't done anything, had I?
"You talk too much. Can you please eat properly? After that, prepare yourself. We'll be going to the company together," Raze's voice held its usual authoritative tone, yet he managed to make it sound almost casual.
"Am I not eating properly?" I retorted, maintaining my composure as I took another spoonful of berry breakfast parfait.
"See me at the office later," Raze responded, his tone firm with a hint of warning.
"You deserve it, right?" Erika chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.
"Hey, stop it!" Kyle whispered, sensing the tension rising.
"See me after 10 minutes!" Raze commanded, cutting off any further arguments.
"But—"
"Enough with your invalid excuses!" he interrupted, wiping his lips with a cloth before standing up.
As he finished his meal, it was evident that he was done eating.
"I bet he's going to fire you! How I wish!" Erika exclaimed, her words ringing out loudly.
"I don't care. I can stay where my heart is," I responded defiantly, ignoring Erika's provocation.
"So, you like my Señorito? How dare you call him by name, huh!" Erika's tone was sharp, her anger palpable. Should I offer her some smoothie to cool down her temper?
"You misunderstood me, Erika! I love my work, it's important to me. Got that? And what's wrong with calling him by name?" I asked, injecting a hint of attitude as I raised my left brow.
Duh! I guess I'll apply a little pressure.
"How dare you!" she replied angrily, her voice escalating.
Everyone's eyes were on us; we had truly captured their attention.
Who could blame them? She's such a nagger!
"Finish your food, never mind her," Kyle said, flashing a sweet smile. Why is he so cool? Handsome too, but Raze is on another level.
If he's hot, Raze is hotter.
"Thanks, Ky! Chef Ky," I responded with a smile.
"BITCH!" Erika yelled, causing me to turn my gaze towards her.
"ENOUGH!" That was Mother Sharn.
"Please respect the food!" she added sternly.
After that, I left the table first and headed upstairs to Raze's office.
"Mr. Ungentleman, where are you?" I called out.
"Come here! You chump!" I heard him respond from the balcony.
"You said you'd wait in your office? Office, your ASS!" I retorted.
"I said after 10 minutes," he replied, glancing at his wristwatch.
What's with his expression?
"You're dying to see me, huh? It's only been 5 minutes," he added, teasingly.
"Ah? At least you waited. You even checked the time! Don't you have some damn hope, boy?" I retorted, crossing my arms.
"Hope? I have because you give me a reason. It's you who's excited to see me anyway!" he replied.
"You put on some foundation?" I asked seriously, hoping he'd catch my joke.
"Do I look dead?" he responded.
"Did I say that? Not all dead wear foundation!" I countered, feeling a bit flustered.
"I see, you're not wearing any though you're dead and deadly in love with me," he said casually, causing my heart to race.
"Silence is proof!" he added, bringing me back to reality.
"Chutzpah! Prove it!" I acted mad and looked away, but inside, I was just lost in silence.
"Do you like him?" he suddenly asked. Who? Kyle? I liked his cooking style, actually, but the one who asked the question was the one who made my heart beat faster.
I looked into his eyes, feeling the weight of the moment.
"Do you like her?" I asked in return, avoiding his question. He sighed heavily.
"Maybe," he replied, his gaze unwavering.
"Okay. What do you need? Ah, I just want to say sorry. I'm not supposed to say those things earlier," I said regretfully, feeling guilty.
I fidgeted with my fingers when he pressed, "Answer my question."
"Do you have a question?" I feigned innocence.
"Do you like him?" he repeated, his eyes fixed on mine.
"I'm sorry if I called you by name when I'm not supposed to, Señorito," I responded, deflecting his question.
"That's not—"
"It's bad to interrupt someone's conversation, you know?" I interjected, trying to suppress a laugh as I recalled his annoyed expression earlier.
"But you just did!" he retorted, struggling to maintain his composure. How long could he keep it up?
"Come on, Señorito! I'm innocent! It's not really fun to interrupt a nice conversation," I teased, enjoying pushing his buttons.
"Don't call me Señorito! That's unusual coming from you!" he replied sternly.
"And it's not fun seeing you having fun with others," he added, his voice barely above a whisper but enough for me to catch his words.
"So, you want me to make fun of you, sweetheart?" I mimicked the girl from the coffee shop, teasing him further.
"Tsk!" He reacted and abruptly left.
"Sweetheart, where are you going?" I called after him, struggling to contain my laughter.
"Stop that or else!" he warned.
"What, sweetheart?" I teased, unable to contain my amusement as I laughed, clutching my stomach.
"You're crazy!" he exclaimed.
"I'm crazy because of you, sweetheart!" I continued teasing him, his reaction only fueling my laughter further. His expression was priceless.
"Sweetheart, you're blushing!" he remarked, his expression clearly irritated.
"Sweethe----"
"A-ah!" he stepped closer, grabbing my hand firmly.
"Say that in front of me!" he demanded, his gaze teasing.
Towering over me, his eyes bore into mine, but I found myself unable to meet his gaze, instead focusing on his lips, which looked surprisingly soft.
"W-why should I?" I stammered, feeling his presence enveloping me, his scent lingering in the air.
"Say it, or you're going to hate what I'll do next," he warned, his grip on my chin forcing me to meet his eyes.
"Eh?"
"One."
"That's a trick!"
"Two!"
"Stop it!"
"I said you won't like it!" His tone turned serious, and I froze in place.
And then his lips touched mine, leaving me stunned and unable to move, as if I had been plunged into icy waters.
"Don't make me jealous again!" he whispered before leaving me standing there, dumbfounded and lost for words.
"Hey! W-what did you do?" I managed to utter, my voice barely above a whisper.
His soft lips lingered in my mind, leaving me bewildered and unable to comprehend what had just happened.
That was my first kiss.
I could still feel the warmth of his lips, sending a flurry of emotions coursing through me.
Darn it!
"CHUMP, I SAID PREPARE NOW! TIME IS GOLD!" his sudden shout snapped me back to reality.
"Ah!"
Did he say he was jealous? Or was that just part of his game, a twisted form of revenge? I couldn't shake off my curiosity.
Why did he kiss me? Wasn't that supposed to be something special?
"Hey!"
"Y-yes?" I stammered as he returned, standing in front of me now.
"Why are you gawking at the wall? Are you okay?" he asked, his tone tinged with concern.
Do I look okay? How could I be okay after experiencing my first kiss? My face flushed with embarrassment once again.
"It's your fault!" I whispered.
"Excuse me," I muttered, barely audible, before quickly making my exit.
As I walked, I couldn't help but touch my lips. Is this what a first kiss feels like?
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and my heart felt like it was throwing a party, but something felt off.
He said he might love Sabrina, so why the hell did he kiss me?
Is he just playing games? It hurts. Am I already in love?
I always thought love took time.
The urge to cry overwhelms me. Well played, indeed.
"He fired you?" Erika's voice interrupts my thoughts. She's like a passing worm in my path.
"What if you're wrong?" I retort sharply, before hurrying to my room.
I can't shake it off, it keeps replaying in my mind, like a never-ending loop. Ugh.
I indulged in a warm bath, selecting a comfortable outfit afterwards. A maroon sweater paired with black ripped jeans, complemented by my trusty white shoes, the only pair I brought along.
With just my phone and a hanky in my body bag, I ventured outside.
"Oh?" I couldn't hide my surprise as I found the boss standing at my door.
"Let's go," he commanded, turning his back to me. How audacious.
Arriving at the car, the shotgun seat's door was already open, and he was seated, the engine humming to life.
I settled in, popping my earphones in, my silent barrier against conversation.
Gazing out the window, I couldn't help but marvel at the expanse of his property. He must have worked tirelessly to acquire all this.
The journey took a different route than yesterday. Though I'm not the best at directions, the change didn't escape my notice. Perhaps a detour?
"Where are we headed?" I inquired, removing one earphone.
"You'll see," came his enigmatic response, confirming my suspicion of a different destination.
"Are we not heading to the company?" I prodded, unable to contain my curiosity, but predictably, his response fell short of satisfying.
"We're going somewhere. Don't worry, you're safe with me," he reassured, causing my heart to skip a beat. He has a knack for calming me. How does he do it so effortlessly?
Can I admit now that I'm in love? Or is it merely infatuation? Damn it! I'm clueless when it comes to matters of the heart.
"We're here, hey!"
"Huh?" I blinked, adjusting my eyes to the sudden light.
Did I fall asleep?
"Where are we?" I inquired once more.
"Come on, just follow me. Alright?" he whispered, his proximity startling as he unbuckled my seatbelt.
"Yaaaaahhh! This is beautiful. Raze, look at that!" I exclaimed, pointing at a painting. It depicted a girl and a man both smiling amidst a colorful flower garden on the canvas.
But suddenly, my expression fell.
Why can he so easily change my mood? How does he manage to make me forget my sadness? With him, it's as if all negativity fades away.
"What's with your face?" he inquired.
"Why can you change what's inside me so easily, as if you don't affect me at all?" I whispered.
"I do nothing!" he protested.
"You just don't know!" I countered, striding ahead of him.
My heart felt like it was being embraced by thorns, unable to voice its protest.
Then, unexpectedly, he walked beside me and intertwined our hands.
My heart... I couldn't decipher its rhythm. The beats and the fluttering sensation within were confusing me more than ever.
I can't comprehend it, or perhaps I simply refuse to entertain the notion of understanding it.
I gazed at him, unsure of what to make of his words.
"Can you trust me?" he asked, his tone firm.
"Hmm," I murmured in response.
"Just trust me!" he insisted, tightening his grip on my hand.
I couldn't quite grasp the full meaning behind his words, but somehow, they managed to stir happiness within me. Yet, simultaneously, curiosity gnawed at me.
Didn't he have feelings for Sabrina?
Yes, I think I'm already in love.
But does he share the same sentiment? I can only hope.
"Trust me!" His words echoed in my mind, causing my heart to race even faster.