Chapter 9: Confrontation

Confrontation 

I quickly looked at the right side of the bed and saw no one. I also scanned around and sighed in relief when I saw no signs of that man in the room. 

Was that real? T-the things that he did to me? Can he do such thing? But...

Maybe that was all just a dream? A nightmare? He's not the kind of person to do such things, right? Besides, if it was really just a nightmare, why did it...disappear? Then, suddenly, it was replaced by a wonderful dream?

This is the first time that it happened. 

Ever since I've been having nightmares, I would stay awake or be awaken because of it. Even in the middle of the night. But today, it's different.

I don't want to conclude something that I'm not sure of so I'll just ask him.

Where is he, anyway?

I stood up and went inside the comfort room. I'll just find him after doing my morning routine.

• • • •

I went down the stairs. Now that the room is full of light, you can clearly see the beauty of the mansion. 

The walls were painted dirty white. It was clean and soft as if it was just newly painted. High ceiling and large windows covered by thin, light-blue curtains. The area was very spacious. No dust particles in every corner your eyes can see. It is really very well taken care of. 

Even on the living room. It's really pleasing to look at. The area was an open space. Just by standing on the living room, your eyes can scan around the kitchen and the dining room. No walls were between it. 

I continued to roam around the space, admiring each furnitures, designs and paintings neatly placed and designed everywhere. Freshly picked flowers of any sort put into a vase and was placed on the tables.

"Lovely." I went near the table where the flowers were placed and smelled it. They smelled really fragrant and are even neatly arranged.

I looked around me but I couldn't see him. Maybe he went somewhere? But where, exactly? Ugh. I'll just eat my lunch first while waiting for him.

I was about to go to the kitchen when my eyes caught a sight of a picture frame. I took it and stared at it. It's them. Him and his family. 

'Beautiful' I thought. Even if they're still young, I could clearly see where Neal and Ate July inherited their gorgeous features. Ate got her blue eyes from her father while Neal got his from his mother's.

Just by looking at them, you could certainly see how happy they are. Especially Neal. There's a very big difference between the old and the new him. 

In the picture, his face was radiant. His eyes glowing bright and his smiles very wide. He's so handsome but the present him was different.

Even if I just met and saw him this evening, I could still see how stoic his expression was. How he stared at me was very deadly and cold and how he spoke was unwelcoming. 

He is still good-looking but he's more attractive when he smiles. I guess he's become like this because of the death of his mother. He has changed a lot, I could tell.

Whatever happened to his mother had made a very huge impact on him for him to be this way. 

𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘭. Oh, right. I haven't eaten yet since this morning because I woke up late. I returned the picture to its place when I captured a very familiar scent nearby.

Mint and Vanilla.

I smelled it on the sheets earlier. Is this...his smell?  

If that's so, he's here?

I turned around and saw no one. Oh, I am now imagining things . "Hmm."

"Looking for someone?" I screamed from where I was standing as I held my chest tightly. I looked at him standing behind me, his arms crossed while he leaned on the table where I got the picture frame just a second ago. 

Why didn't I saw him there just standing a while ago? And more importantly,

"Are you trying to kill me!?" Damn him! I thought I was going to die of a heart attack!

"I thought you noticed me."

"I was deep in thought. You can't blame me." 

"You're just hungry." He stated calmly and walked towards the kitchen, ignoring how shock I was. Seriously?

I stared at his back while he was preparing food. I really admire how broad his shoulders and how toned his muscular body is under his fit, sleeveless T-shirt. He has a light golden brown messy hair that compliments his very beautiful slightly tanned skin. He also has long, slender legs. 

In short, he is perfect.

He was probably out in the open when the sky was raining of perfection while the other men were hiding. 

Josh is also handsome but not as close as him! I bet, he had a lot of hook-ups with girls because of his gorgeousness.

He faced me and stared at me with his usual expression. He didn't mutter a single word and sat down silently. His cold stare was still on me while I looked on the table and saw two plates. One for him and one... for me? 

My stomach growled again so I went near him and sat across. He started eating and so I did the same. 

Spaghetti and meatballs, roasted sweet potatoes and stir-fried shrimp were on the table. I guess he's not a rice-eater. Probably one of the reasons why he's healthy and fit.

The two of us were eating silently. Only the chinking sound of the utensils were heard when hitting each other.

I tried glancing up at him but he was too focused on eating. He's very handsome and to be honest, I couldn't take my eyes off of him even if I wanted to.

He noticed me eyeballing him so he looked at me. I quickly looked away, pretending that I wasn't staring at him but I know too well that what I did was just too obvious.

"I know now."

I looked at him surprisingly. "What do you mean?"

"It's quite obvious, you see."

"What's obvious?" I asked quickly at him. My heart was beating out of my ribcage as my palms became sweaty, waiting for his answer.

"That you're not my babysitter."