It was a very beautiful morning, we were having our breakfast together which is one of my main. Even though Amon is not eating human food, still I want him at the table with us. He can drink water, tea, or coffee since he told us that it was fine with him. It is kind of weird though. Why not food, right?
My phone kept ringing and ringing so I turned it off. My mom used to implement another table manners which prohibits the use of mobile phones on the table.
However, Zeb seemed to notice that I was avoiding a certain call.
"Seems like you always receiving calls recently." He said. "You should go and answer it if it's that important." He added.
I think he noticed that I also receive calls even if it's mornight. Mornight is the time between 1 am to 5 am. It is my self vocabulary of night and morning mixed.
I smiled and said. "It is not really important." I laughed.
Silly! Why would he believe such an excuse?
Of course, who would call in those times if it is not like life or death matters?
As usual, being keen-eyed, he notices my uncomfortable expression. Anyway, he always read me based on my facial expressions and actions, or maybe I am just that obvious.
"I... if it's okay with you can I ask you a favor?" I said.
He smiled back at me and answered. "It's my pleasure, my lady." He said.
After eating I waited until he was done washing the dishes. I pulled him to the terrace and then expected another call. I don't want to let Amon know about it and make unnecessary comments.
But before another call arrived I already told him what to do.
After giving the instruction he looked at me and said. "Maybe I don't have to pretend if you let me be?" he said.
"You don't have to do that" I give him a grin.
"Would you like to explain why am I doing this again? And why do you run into this kind of situation" he asked.
"Well, I am acting like a cupid to two of my co-employees. I'm sure they like each other that much but I didn't know what on earth happened," I explained.
"So now he is coming for you?" he uttered.
"N...." I want to say no but I can't.
"Yeah. I want to convince him that the right one is my co-worker," I answered shortly and looked away.
"Why are you rejecting him? Is there someone else?" he asked. Obviously flirting again.
I looked away from his radiating handsomeness and answered, "No one in particular".
He chuckled. "Perhaps, it's me?" he teased.
I was surprised that I wanted to ask if I heard it right.
But he looked back at the phone and checked if he understood the navigation correctly.
He is very good-looking up close and very easy to catch up with my instructions and explanations.
I think teaching him like this is somehow cute.
While watching him. I thought, 'I should get him a phone since the holiday season is coming
I'll be invited to my ancestral home to celebrate with my family.'
That is my unmarried duty.
I need something to contact them at home.
Later on, he leans his head toward mine.
I paused a little because I didn't know what to do.
"Uhm" is my only reaction as my body turns into stone
"This would feel much better if you were mine," he said.
I was speechless.
How would I respond to rejection without offending him, I can't even think clearly right now.
The phone began to ring. This is my lifesaver at that moment.
He clicked it and answered.
My instruction is simple. Tell him that you're my boyfriend and tell him to stop bothering me.
"Hello, my wife is pregnant with our child. Will you stop stressing her out? It's bad for our baby" he said and clicked the one red button on the screen to hang up the call.
I think he's very professional.
It's just the script is different. I don't know if I am still going to make a complaint.
Then after that call a pile of messages came right up. My co-worker should stop now. So he gave me my phone and I skimmed into the inbox.
Alas! It was my sister.
I panic.
I don't want to go with them in the staycation that they are planning so I've been rejecting for how many times already. I didn't expect that she would call again. I thought that it was already settled.
Meanwhile, Zeb was staring at me with a curious face. So I told him, same as usual he answered with a smile.
I am typing on my phone while taking a glance at him, thinking.
How will I see his real self behind that facade?
He has a visible good side but that doesn't mean he has no bad side.
He is living with the demons and he is a demon.
Will a demon be like a pet that will tame so suddenly or will it be like a snake?
He pats my head. "Stop stealing a glance," he said.
As usual he's so gentle maybe the Oblivion/ Zebediah in this world is different from the character that I adore before. I am just overthinking.
But is he real?
I reach for his face, my fingers linger at the strands of his hair.
He gazed at me confused in return.
I can see him and touch him, I can hear him and smell him but here I am asking if he is real.
I am a big traitor.
I told my sister what was happening and she now knows about my two acquaintances however I didn't mention that they are staying at my apartment.
There's no problem with Amon but Zebediah? A man and a woman living under the same roof. I know it is very common nowadays but my family is quite conservative. If they knew about this.
I will be pushed into a marriage hastily.
Maybe I am simply running away from getting married.
The next day, Zeb went outside to throw the garbage into the garbage truck. It was indeed a little crowded when the garbage collector came. So Zeb always went outside earlier and wore his usual cover to prevent getting unwanted attention.
I went outside to at least help him hang up the laundry.
A few minutes after he went out. I can hear the beeping of the truck but he hasn't returned yet. The gate is still unlocked. I got worried and started to look for him. I saw him standing nearby.
"Zeb!" I called out but what surprised me was the little lady who was standing in front of him.
'Is it another admirer?' I thought.
But I'm wrong.
It was my sister!
I hate their sharp intuition sometimes. When they have a hunch it is usually accurate.
I smiled and invited her home.
And started to think of an excuse why on earth I have a man and a young lad in my apartment.
"I started working from home and these two are my assigned assistant," I said.
Unbelief is clearly written all over her face.
After the food that Zeb served at the table, she finally spoke.
It seems like she likes his cooking.
"Ate (older sister) if you are planning to get married just go on. You are old enough though" she said.
"Just do it properly and in the right way," she added.
I see, so she did not accept my excuse.
"Kuya (older brother) asked me to visit here. He also had a hunch since you are much busier than usual. We thought that you were spending time on something else." She said.
She started speculating and implied her opinions to Zeb like I was absent in the room.
Zeb makes up the same story he used when he was having his haircut.
"Are you my sister's lover?" She asked him directly.
Zeb looked at me with an asking phrase but he did not take my opinions or signal.
"Yes," he said.
I was surprised. There is no need to pretend in front of my family. He just needs to say that they are my workmates and I am turning my apartment into a working site for the 3 of us.
"So how about you visit our ancestral home and meet my brothers and mother?" she invited.
I tried intervening but they both disregarded me.
"Are you ashamed of this good-looking guy?" She said.
I rejected solely and she stopped.
I just don't like the idea that they will misunderstand and will persuade me to get married.