"Did you say that Bruno is bothering you again?" The anger in Daerin's face was getting apparent. That news triggered him not only because he want Rexana to be safe. Whatever, Bruno's intention for Rexana, Daerin still didn't want him to get closer to her it wrenched his gut.
"Yes, but that didn't bother me. I know he can't get through me easily, especially if you are here. But…" Rexana pouted and looked away. Showing her not being happy with what Daerin said.
She surely would be sad without Daerin, her life became suddenly exciting the moment she met him and she didn't want to let go of that feeling.
"Yeah, you are right. I have to ensure that that pervert won't bother you again. And, hey! don't be mad at me. I'll still come here for vacation." Daerin, held Rexana's shoulder, slightly rubbing it to comfort her.
The truth was, he didn't need to do that, however, he didn't understand how he suddenly felt guilty seeing Rexana sad.
"As I said, it doesn't matter," Rexana was still pouty and grumpy when she answered. "Are you going back to the city with that elegant but rude lady in your resort?"
"Who? Did you mean Graciella?"
Rexana pulled a face as she nodded, making it too obvious for Daerin that she was jealous of Graciella. However, Daerin didn't take it seriously, he still looked at her as a young innocent girl and was just having a fleeting crush on him, thinking that she would easily forget about him when he would be gone.
"Of course, we studied at the same University and the same course. But even if she like me, I don't really like that girl." Daerin didn't know why he have to say that. It is supposed not to bother him whatever Rexana would feel or think about Graceilla. Nevertheless, he just want to see Rexana smile, he suddenly became curious and was enjoying her reaction. Or should he say, he was enjoying playing with Rexana's emotions?
Rexana's face brightened relieved and happy, like a kid and that amused Daerin. Rexana's reaction and even just simply having Rexana alone gave him that feeling of being needed and important. He felt like a hero to her, which was a good boost to his ego and was so addicting.
Yeah, he suddenly felt addicted to having more of that. He was supposed to pat her on the head yet he noticed her hair covering her face, so instead, he tucked her bangs behind her ears.
Rexana was surprised by his action and went flustered. But she tried to smile with her shivering lips. All the grumpy feelings he had for Daerin for the possibility of leaving her suddenly diminished from her thought. She even felt like melting with his stares, dreaming what if Daerin would kiss her?
Nonetheless, he peeked over his wristwatch and said. "Oh, it's pretty late. Do you want me to send you home? It's getting dark outside."
Daerin know by offering that he was making it worst. He was making Rexana fall totally in love with him and he was okay with that. He loved the feeling even if he knew he might be able to give that feeling back.
Rexana's smile widened, "Are you sure, I didn't bother you that much? I am fine on my own. I am just worried that Bruno will see me again and bother me again."
"Yes, I am sure I want you safe too, and please don't walk this far if it's almost sunset, so you can still go back home before dark. Knowing that pervert fisherman was keeping a tab on you. You better be careful Rexana, we don't know what's on that pervert's mind. It's better safe than sorry." Daerin reminded her as if he was her guardian.
'The problem is, I made sure to be in front of your resort in time for sunset to see you. You just didn't know it.' Rexana smiled behind her thoughts.
It felt like a short walk for Rexana towards her home. She loved walking with Daerin and she loved listening to his story about the city. Even though she didn't understand most of it, she could still picture it as somewhere she wanna go.
She was starting to play out with her mind being there with Daerin. When he talked about the malls, she imagine herself she was walking with him inside them while holding his hands. When he talked about the cinema and how cold it was inside, she imagined being blanketed with Daerin's embrace while watching anything on it.
Rexana was smiling the whole time while walking home with Daerin and listening to his story when he suddenly halted from his steps and stopped talking. His happy mood suddenly changed while his eyes were fixated inside Aunt Pina's eatery.
There was barely anyone inside the eatery, just Aunt Pina talking with one customer with a bottle of beer in his hand. His back was facing them, and Rexana could hardly recognize who the customer was until he turned around to sit at one of the tables.
It was Bruno.
Daerin's brows were meeting each other with slightly squinting eyes as Rexana glanced back at him. She didn't know what was on Daerin's mind but she suddenly felt like trouble was coming. Daerin looked like a hungry wolf wanting to slaughter Bruno with the way he look at him.
"Wait for me here, I need to talk to this pervert," Daerin said before he made his way towards Bruno.