"What - ? How - ?"
He was standing there, hands on his knees as if he was running after a 5k marathon. But I didn't hear the door open. I didn't notice anyone entering that door, and now he's there.
He probably saw how confused I look because he said, "What's wrong?"
"When did you enter?" That was the first question that came out from my mouth.
"Just now," he said nonchalantly. "I heard you screaming my name so I came rushing back in."
"Then where were you?"
"I was out there in the garden," he said with his thumb pointing at his back.
"But I called you many times! Why did you reach just now? And why didn't you tell me you were going out? I'm your guest here."
He scratched his head, "I'm sorry. I forgot."
I was disappointed and sad that he forgot I was still inside his home. Well, the help wasn't appreciated. I turned around and scribbled my phone number on a paper.
"Here," I handed him the paper. "Just call me if you have to ask me something. I finished the drafts by the way. Good luck."
I went inside his room and got my clothes and went straight out from the front door without looking back at him.
I was pissed, beyond pissed. I was panicking right there when he didn't answer my calls, and then he gave me that nonchalant reason. Fucking men! That's why I hate how gullible and emotional I am!
When I get home, I'd spend my day to train and relax myself. My grandfather provided me many techniques to calm ones soul and mind. Maybe this is the right moment to get back to it. Maybe it's the reason why I've been so emotionally unstable these past few weeks.
I was halfway down the street when I noticed I was only wearing boxers and an oversized shirt. Oh shit. I looked down to avoid anyone noticing me, but then I detected no one in the vicinity. I wondered - oh it's Christmas Day! No wonder no one's around.
I sighed. Christmas should be a happy day, but I'm entirely sad. Today was the day my parents died.
I was staying at the university dorm during that time to finish my design drafts. My parents were out of the country that time for business. But I didn't know they rushed back home to be with me for Christmas.
Imagine my devastation when as soon as I passed all my projects, a call came to me informing their demise. They died from a car crash – the most cliché route parents die in a novel. Like how cruel the world is!
I really thought that they would die from overwork; I readied myself for that to happen. But a car crash? F*ck that! I wasn't ready; I was left shell-shocked and miserable.
Memories came rushing back. I remembered I was just sitting in front of their coffins, watching them, and not even talking to those who came to mourn with me. But I know they were not there to mourn. They were there to gloat against each other. They were happy that finally they could exact revenge and bring down our company.
No one dared to talk to me, and I didn't approach anyone. I only talked to our butler and no one else. When they were finally buried, I continued studying like a madman while performing as the CEO of the company. My assistant back then helped me. But after my graduation, she was assassinated by our enemies. The perpetrator was caught, but even then, security for my life has been my top priority.
I was constantly trailed by my bodyguards, and I constantly trained myself in fighting. But what happened last night was an exception. I relieved my guards of their duty because it was Christmas. As soon as they were gone, I sneaked out of the house, even without changing my clothes and went to the bar. I couldn't take my sadness away so I sought the comforts of alcohol.
And here I am.
I looked up to prevent my tears from falling. But as if they have a mind of their own, they continuously fell from eyes, sadness and self-pity eating away at my whole being.
I felt the first drop of rain in my face. I welcomed the cold, probably to numb my raging emotions. I stayed like that until I felt the tide of emotions recede and my whole body became numb from the cold.
I slowly put my head down and started to move my body. But before I could step, a warm coat came down my shoulders.
I looked back, ignoring the pain I felt in my numb parts. Then I saw him, Ren, with a worried face.
"What - ?" I croaked.
He didn't answer but instead looked at me like I was his wounded friend. His show of sympathy made my emotions rush back to me like a tsunami. Tears came streaming down my face as I hugged him and bawled myself out on his chest.