“I will call your father to inform them that you are safe. Please don’t do something stupid, Risha. Get some rest,” he said in a lower tone.
He went out of my room after that. Still sobbing on my bed, I looked at the closed door he went out from. He’s too cruel! For all I know, he’s going to tell everything to my father so that I would be scolded again once I return in Manila! Oh, my goodness!
The next day, I am still in a bad mood and I don’t have the energy to do anything. I don’t even have the appetite to eat my breakfast simply because of two reasons. First, Evan has forced me to get up from bed even though I didn’t want to go out and join them. Second, I am in the sitting on the same table with Ash, the bastard who pointed a gun on my head for fun last night.
“Good morning, Mademoiselle!” Ash greeted me with a boyish grin on his lips.
“What is good in the morning?” I snorted and rolled my eyes. I picked up the food menu and just looked at the list of food.
I don’t give a fuck if I look like a grumpy woman in front of them. My forehead continued to crease and I kept pursing my lips. Being on the same table with them makes me want to throw up. How could they face me like this when they made fun of me last night?
“Nathalie, is it? Look, I am very sorry,” said Ash in a fluent British accent. “I realized that what I have done was wrong. I hope you forget what happened last night.”
I rolled my eyes again. How can I even forget it?
Kneel or else I will shoot your head... That was the sentence that almost made me pass out!
“Stop pissing her off, Ash, or you’re going to suffer the consequences,” Evan warned him with his dangerous tone and then he called the waiter so he can order some food.
I remained quiet and didn’t talk to them again. Without even asking me, Evan was the one who ordered my food. I crossed my arms on my chest and fixated my eyes on the glass of water in front of me.
If only my stare can destroy things, this glass would be broken into pieces by now. I swore these two idiots will be the death of me!
“You shouldn’t waste your time being mad at me, Miss. I mean, Evan is already here and he’s done a lot of effort to find you. Is that the face you would let him see? Smile, come on!” added Ash, in a playful tone.
My forehead creased firmly. I looked at him warily. What is he talking about? Why can’t he stay silent?
“Eat on another table, Ash.” Evan also looked at him dangerously.
“Damn it! For the love of God, can both of you please calm down?” Ash grinned and stood up.
Ash smirked at Evan like he’s enjoying what’s happening.
“Don’t piss me off. Just go away and beg your girl to take you back,” Evan added.
“I don’t beg, brother.” Ash shook his head. My gazed followed him when he went to another table.
Then, I glanced to Evan. There you go! His ruthless aura is activated again. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. It doesn’t even scare me anymore.
“I already talked to your father. He let me stay with you here until you’re ready to go home,” he said without even looking at me. He was also looking at the goddamn glass of water just like what I did earlier.
“So, you told him everything?”
“Obviously, yes.” He said and then his eyes gazed at me darkly. They are very intense and focused on me as if he’s interested to see how I will react.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re a snitch...”
The food were served and silenced engulfed the whole table. I started eating my food quietly and he did the same. I am gawking at him every minute and I noticed that he always checks his phone and typing some text messages from time to time. He’s very busy.
I remember my mobile phone. I haven’t touched it for days now. Perhaps Chandria and mommy have been flooding me with texts ever since I escaped. Since Evan has found me already and my parents were aware of my whereabouts, I would check my phone after this meal.
I also want to visit Bea in the near village so I could help them make some pots again. Now I am thinking, do I have to ask Evan’s permission for me to do that? That’s crazy.
“I’m going out.” I said, not finishing my food as I am not that hungry.
I felt his eyes staring at me. If he thinks that I am asking for his permission, he’s wrong. I am only telling him and he can’t stop me from doing what I want!
“Where are you going this time? Are you going to hide in Tawi-Tawi just to get away from me?”
“That’s funny!” I replied sarcastically. I sipped on my coffee and then raised a brow at him. “Can you please mind your own business?”
He put down his spoon and fork. Now, I got his full attention. With his jaw clenching firmly, he eyed me warily.
“Apparently, you are my business, Risha.” He reminded me in a difficult tone.
“No, I’m not part of your business.” I defended myself. “Just so you know, I am not going to marry you anymore. I won’t do what my parents want, alright? You can find someone else who owns a big company that can sustain the power of your empire.”
With that, I left him on the table. I didn’t even look at the emotion on his face as I am positive that he’s mad, as always. I went back to my hotel room and get dressed. I wore a black v-neck romper and a pair of sneakers. Once done, I picked up my phone and then turned it on. After a few seconds, I got flooded by text messages from Chandria, daddy, mommy, Jameson and... Evan?
Out of curiosity, I checked the messages Evan has sent me.
From: Evan Zendejas
Where are you?
You’re missing. Where did you go?
I can find you. You better hide well, Rish.
Found you.
I gasped after reading his last text message. Well, I have to admit that he did put a lot of effort in order to find me. What does he get, anyway? He can’t force me to marry him. I don’t want to be tied up with him anymore.
Yeah, I changed my mind. Maybe at first I had this thought about wanting him to put some effort and chase me badly so I can accept the arrangement but then I threw away that thought after realizing that my parents are too greedy and wanted me to give up my career all because they want me to be a good house wife for Evan.
A fucking good wife... No way.
I shook my head and clenched my jaw.
I decided to visit Bea instead. Like the usual, there are a lot of tourists at the marketplace of the village. They are buying souvenirs and enjoying the place like what I did the first time I came here.
“Miss Nathalie!”
I walked towards the familiar young girl. My mood has changed when I saw Bea’s genuine smile. I pinched her cheek and then we went inside their store.
“I want to help making pots again. Would that be alright?” I asked her.
She nodded with a smile on her lips. I smiled widely at her. Her mother went out from a room and walked towards us. She greeted me happily and also let me help them today.
It’s better for me to stay here and enjoy the day with them rather than staying at the hotel.
“Miss Nathalie, the pot we made the other day is already dry. You can bring it with you once you go back to hotel,” said Bea and then she pointed her finger to the familiar pot we first made.
I gushed in glee. “How much is will it be?”
“Oh no! No need for you to pay for it. We’ll be glad to give it to you as a gift. You made my daughter happy, Miss.” Bea’s mother smiled at me.
“Oh, really? Thank you, Auntie! Thank you, Bea!” and then I hugged Bea happily.
It’s really a good thing that I went here. All of a sudden, all the negative feelings I had were all gone.