Once home, I placed my keys on the kitchen island before heading to the sink to quench my thirst.
I concluded that Ms. Clarkson already went home and the maids retreated to their quarters since the house was dimly lit and it was dead silent.
As the water was filling the glass, I saw a few snowflakes floating by before landing onto the terrain outside.
My gaze fell onto the fallen snow. The cold wind softly knocked on the window, asking for entrance. The sky was pouring down its white tears as if he's shy to show who he really is.
Someone who he's not familiar with.
Someone that was him, but not who he is now.
If maybe I change my path, would anything be any different now?
If maybe I did what I didn't, would something be replaced now?
Maybe back then, I just need a little faith. Just this much, maybe...
... maybe everything would change now.
I only realized the glass had already filled just because the water spilled over the brim, streaming across my hand.
I quickly turned the tap off and turned around.
Unexpectedly, my gaze fell onto a dark silhouette not far from where I was standing.
"깜짝이야!" I involuntarily spoke. The glass slipped from my startled hand and shattered once it comes in contact with the cold floor beneath.
(A/N: It's a surprise/ Goodness gracious.)
Ms. Clarkson politely bowed down and profoundly apologized.
"Why are you still here? You should be at home, Ms. Clarkson." I ran a hand through my hair to calm myself down from the sudden surprise.
She hurriedly sweeps all of the shards before they could cause any harm.
"Mr. Starr ordered me to make sure you arrived home safely." She softly explained.
An unpleasant thought flashed through my head for a split second. But as soon as it came, I just waved it off.
"Sorry about this." I gestured to all the mess that I have caused.
"It's okay. Dinner's ready." She politely pointed out the dining room with a motherly tone.
"I already had dinner with a friend." I lied.
I don't know what I saw but there's little hint of disappointment in her eyes but it's a very brief moment so I put no more further thoughts on it.
She simply bowed down before disappearing behind the closed door.
For me, it's a normal thing to skip meals every now and then. I don't know why even tho I've skipped meals for days, I still don't felt any hunger in me. I only start eating again once I realized that my skin was pale and I didn't have any energy left.
Once I got into my room, a sudden throbbing headache caused me to momentarily closed my eyes because of the immense pain.
I plopped on the bed with my feet swaying from the footboard. The intense pressure behind my eyes was unbearable. I hissed in pain as my vision became slightly blurred. I clenched my teeth in agony, too painful to even think of anything.
I closed my eyes to contain the pain surge through my head but I didn't realize how much time had passed since I was just too focused on the pain alone.
I glanced at my watch to look at the time.
11:20 PM.
Reluctantly, I got up and went searching for the painkillers in the kitchen just to found out that the canisters were all empty.
I sighed in frustration then hissed as the pain came in a rhythmic pulse rather than a continuous range of agonizing ache. It was mild and suddenly, it when exponentially burst into excruciating pain.
Hesitantly, I took my keys and made my way to the nearest 24-hours clinic which took about 20 minutes since it's near the city.
There were white spots everywhere that I set my gaze on like the ground was decorated by the mosaic snow.
It was around this time when it happened. It was a long time ago but the memories were still fresh as if they happened yesterday.
Live with the living.
The very night that tormented my day. The very night that scarred my life. The very night that keeps me awake.
That night, my whole world died.
You have to move on.
I remember the chilly night with a hint of mist in the air. Dim lights stray around while we're just strolling the city.
The warmth of his hand engulfed mine, tranquilizing my mind.
It was beautiful, with a hint heated kiss before we parted.
Little did I know, he came back just to leave me behind...
... forever.
********
The bright neon lights illuminated in the deep night. I exit the premises in a swift as it was getting late with all of the prescriptions in my possession. The pounding headache keeps reminding me of its existence.
The howling wind echoed in my ears and the coldness bites my bones. The bag in my hand made flapping sounds as the wind furiously whirled around.
Just before I could close my car door shut, a tenuous voice of scuffle echoed from the alley across the store.
The voice kept getting louder and louder as if someone were arguing.
I don't know if my ears played tricks on me or it was just the wind, but the voice sounded so familiar.
'Please.'
I heard someone pleaded but then, an abrupt tussle was heard along with numerous grunts and soft thuds.
I carefully tiptoed to the alley and took a peek at the scene that was occurring down the alley.
All I saw was a guy; lying on the ground while four men surrounding him, beating him mercilessly.
"Hey!" I shouted.
My eyes widened as I didn't expect the words to come out of my mouth.
But there's no use of crying over spoiled milk, so I stepped further.
The beating stopped, all eyes were on me.
"Yeah, come a little closer." One of them laughed at me.
"You think you're a hero huh?" One of them approached me rather leisurely. He shoved me on the shoulder causing me to take a step back.
My eyes darted towards the guy on the ground. He seems unconscious as he was not moving at all. But there were puffs visible, indicating that he's still breathing.
"Piss off you fucking son of a bitch!" He yelled as he shoved me again. I saw a glimpse of shiny metal in his jacket as he did so.
Concluding that I would be harmed if I resisted, I slowly made my way back to the car. I had no chance against them barehand.
Should I shoot them using the bow and arrows?
No, that'll complicate things.
Should I call the police?
Currently, the guy was already half alive. I doubt that the police will make it in time.
The clock is ticking, Zac!
An idea came clicked into my head. The only problem is... it's a bit stupid.
I breathed in a deep breath before I trudging back to the alley.
"Hey!" I screamed.
I took out my phone and took a picture, with the shutter sound on.
They flinched as soon as the flash burns their eyes.
"Local thugs were caught by a handsome high school student. Sound like a good headline for the newspaper, don't you think?" I smugged.
They stayed still for a while before the big scary guy ordered his minions to chased me.
I hastily ran back to my car and drove away before they almost caught me.
Through my rearview mirror, I concluded that they just gave up as soon as I hit the gas pedal.
But before I got far away, I swiftly made a turn around the block.
I located the dark alley and stopped at the other end.
The guy was still laying flat on the ground. The thugs were on the other end, still searching for me.
My attention returned on him, on the ground.
He's still lying, curling into a ball, wincing in pain.
I ran as quickly as I can before they realized I'm here.
Quickly, I crouched down as I gently took Rafiq's arms around me.
"You have to stand on your feet," I mentioned.
I stood up and pulled him up with me.
He let out a small grunt.
"Come on!" I said.
Before long, I heard an exclaim of anger far away echoed through the alleyway.
While supporting and dragging him into the car, I could make out that they're running towards our direction.
By every step that we took, I heard his suppressed wince but I just ignored them.
"Come on, Ry! Hurry!" I pressed as we're so close to the car.
I placed him in the passenger seat and hurried to the other side of the car.
I managed to close the door just before one of the thugs caught us. My foot hit the gas pedal quickly, leaving them behind.
The car was speeding at a rate that everything seems to be a blur outside. I don't know how many but I think I've run at least five red lights.
Once there was no sign of them, I gradually slowed down the speeding car and catch my breath.
I glanced at my side to found that he was leaning his head in relief. His eyes were closed but his chest still rising and falling rapidly.
My breaths were jagged but very hasty.
I heard him sighed in relief and frankly...
I did too...
********
"Rafiq, how the hell did you ended up there?" I asked to break the silence since he's been silent for the whole ten minutes.
Some snowflakes clung onto his hair while smudges of dirt were all over his clothes.
"Thank you," he muttered weakly. His voice barely came out as a whisper, as if he's almost to pass out.
I took a better look at him, only to witness the awfully bruised face and blood smeared onto his shirt.
He seems really exhausted and weak, slouching wearily on the seat. Smears of blood scattered across his shirt along with blue and purple bruises on his skin.
"You look like shit, we should go to the hospital." I offered after I pullover near an idle area.
"No, no hospital. Please." He looked at me while he grabs my hand.
"Why not?"
"Can I sleepover at your house for tonight?" He pleaded with clasped hands.
I stared at him with narrowed eyes for a few seconds.
"Are you out of your goddamn mind?" I exclaimed harshly.
"Please?"
"No!" I argued sternly.
"Please, they would only make it worse. Please, please. You're the only one who can help me now."
I sighed softly.
"I should've left you there." I rubbed my temple in annoyance.
He gave a sheepish smile but I gave him my notorious glare.
"Okay fine, but I want an explanation."
He silently nodded.
After that, the drive home was rather silent and smooth. I realized that he had fallen asleep since he's been quiet for some time.
I drove to the front foyer and turned off the engine.
"Hey, wake up." I softly wake him up as I unbuckled my seat belt.
With huge strides, I quickly opened the door for him before taking his arm on my shoulder.
"I hope your parents didn't mind-" He hesitantly mentioned but I cut him short.
"They won't."
He only replied with a silent 'oh'.
I heard he hissed in pain for every step we took. So, I walked slowly as I tried my best to keep the pace rather tolerable and be gentle as I can.
I helped him to get through the front door which already took a lot of time because he was in so much pain as he moved a muscle. When we are already in the house, he gasped and gulped.
"What?" I asked impatiently.
"It's just... t-this is a big house." He threw his eyes from corner to corner.
Without replying, I dragged him upstairs to my room before I put him down on the bed. Worth mentioning, I was panting for air once I successfully plopped him down and I broke a sweat too.
"Wait here," I ordered.
I hastened towards the kitchen and returned with the first aid kit in my hand.
In midst of rummaging the cabinet, an odd thought came flashing by.
For some reason, I seem to be more lenient towards him just like how Ariel ordered me to. It's almost as if I'm obliviously hypnotized by him through the passage of time.
Am I worried about him?
Why I'm being more affectionate on him?
I hurried on my way to found Rafiq was lying on the bed with an exhausted look.
I sat beside him on the soft mattress and I helped him took off his jacket.
"Here," I ordered while I hold his chin as I assessed his facial feature, to check on his cuts and bruises.
I wet some cotton with the alcohol and wipe his cuts around his jaw. He flinched at the sudden sensation then hissed in pain as the alcohol irritate his skin.
"Crybaby," I grinned at him.
Then, I applied some antibiotic before I covered the cuts with a bandaid.
"Do you have cuts underneath the shirt?"
"I don't think so," he tugged at the hem of his shirt and started to lift his shirt.
His body was covered in bruises yet he still looks amazing; drool-worthy, to say the least.
His toned broad chest, his perfect sculpture abs, and those broad shoulders.
"Zac?" His voice woke me up to the realization that I've been staring for too long.
"Yeah, sorry." He just smiled and I could say that he's holding a laugh only because of his pain.
A set of fresh clothes was given to him. But before I got out, I saw him winced in pain as he's trying to get off of his clothes.
"Here, lemme help." I tugged the dirty shirt over his head. He seems to hesitate at first but he gave up shortly after.
I was about to put the fresh shirt on him but my eyes caught something.
My eyes twitch and my eyebrows furrowed as I saw scars on his back. Most of them look like a slash mark and burnt spots scattered all over his skin.
I remained still for a while, shocked by my anew found discovery.
What could've happened to him to suffer such terrible marks?
How come he keeps smiling with his various horrid memories?
He turned around to face me, my grey meets his green.
"What's wrong?" His eyes glimmered like starlight, a smile tugged on his face.
Why did I get a feeling that the smile was a forced one? One that was hiding the really painful memories inside.
Disregarding his question, I continued to cover his body and went to the kitchen to grab some painkillers and antibiotics.
Once returned, I hand him the pills with a glass of water. He only complied as he took them and gulped them in one go.
He looked around as if he's looking for something, scouring the room. His eyes settled on the picture on the table.
"Is this your room?" He abruptly asked as our eyes meet.
"Yes."
"Oh, I'll sleep on the couch downstairs then." He tried to get up but I stopped him.
"No. The maids will freak out if they found a stranger sleeping in the house."
"What about you?"
"I don't sleep."
"What are you? Vampire?" He teased.
"Insomniac," I interjected. A guilty expression spread on his face but I just waved it off.
"Zac?" He called my name.
I only hummed as I was too lazy to say anything.
"I know this is an awkward time but... some people said you did horrible things in the past." He paused for a moment.
When he realized that I wasn't going to reply, he continued.
"Is it true?"
The very place we met became the very remembrance of ourselves.
It's true that I didn't know what I did wrong. But deep inside my head, the painful events keep repeating itself as if my eyes want me to remember.
They want me to suffer the consequences of trusting someone.
They want me to avoid such a dangerous accusation.
They want me to expect nothing from anyone.
"It's not wrong." I softly replied.
To avoid prolonging the conversation, I was about to get up but he suddenly grabbed my hand.
"I owe you an explanation."
"I told you to explain, I never said when. Now get some sleep. If you need anything, just call out my name," I pushed his hard rock chest and tucked him in.
I turned the light off and grabbed the knob to close the door.
"Zac?"
"Yeah?" I muttered.
"Thanks... for everything," He expressed.
A small smile managed to escape from my lips.
"Sleep. You need it." I reassured with a soft voice as I closed the door.
The click of the door echoed through the hallway. As my hand still laid on the doorknob, I realized that my headache disappears when I saw him in that alley.