3 Chapter 3

The woman was quietly sleeping between the arms of the man. Tears were still evident on her face. Her slow breathing was in rhythm with the man's. As he continued to stare at her quietly, he could hear his heart beating loudly and it was gradually racing as his eyes never left on her. His eyes showed intense emotion. He tried to control the turmoil inside of him. His hand somewhat ended up on her sleeping face. He was slowly caressing her soft skin trailing to her supple lips. He gulped as he touched again her lips. He was fighting his inner beast as his eyes were on her. It felt that the time slowed down, but he gave a deep sigh as he closed his eyes as if scolding himself for such behavior. He looked away and took a big breath. He half kneeled and carefully carried her up. He felt that the woman lost weight. He remembered that she was a little bit heavy the first time he was able to carry her. He walked slowly to her room and placed her carefully, making sure she would not wake up. He covered her up with her thick blanket and closed the door without looking back. He wanted to devour her as she was defenseless. Yet, he wanted more than her body. He wanted to chain her and locked her up. He did not want anyone to see her. However, he knew she still did not like him. Every step he took as he went back to his room, his beast and his self-control were fighting. He locked himself inside his room as if trying to contain himself away from the woman he wanted. He stepped into his bathroom and took a long cold shower.

Meanwhile, the woman who was lying on the bed, was already awake. She already was half awake earlier. She was frozen in spot when he caressed her gently. She wanted to wake up, but she just thought that it was awkward especially both he and she had no relation at all. She remembered the fine outline of his jaw, and she could feel the lingering feeling of his firm muscles on her skin. She closed her eyes hoping to stop thinking, and just feel the lingering feeling left.

Sam woke up with the excruciating headache. It was sharp pain and it radiated throughout her head. She was feeling nauseous as she tried to sit up. Her eyesight was a bit blurry, and it might had been because she was sick. She stood out of the bed as she supports herself with the side table. Immediately, she could feel her stomach went upside down. She hurried to the bathroom without care as she dunked her head to the toilet seat bowl and hurled down every ounce of her stomach.

She sat on the floor as her whole being was on the drain. She heaved as she groaned with discomfort. She heard knock on the door which was outside the bathroom. "Sam, you ok?" a male voice said. She was familiar with those voice. In fact, she remembered what had happened before she slept. She did not want to be awkward, but she did not know how to face her friend especially they were sharing apartment. "I am coming in" he said when he did not hear a response from her. She could hear footsteps in the bedroom. Sam thought he might bewilder that she was not in the bed. Slowly the footsteps were getting louder, he might have an idea that she was in the bathroom when he saw the light on. "Sam" his head poke out from the door. Sam saw a dashing man on his casual clothes. Light beige shirt and a pair of jeans on. His eyes though were sharp as if he was cruel man especially, he did not smile when he saw her. He was surprised as Sam sat down on the floor and supported her back on the wall. She was a mess. He rushed to her and inspected her every limb if she was hurt. He showed relief when he knew she was fine. He lifted her up which made her squeak in surprise. "Charles, what are you doing?" she exclaimed.

"I can't let you stay on the floor. Next time, no drinks for you" he mumbled and placed her on the bed.

"I cooked breakfast. Nothing fancy. I know your head is cracking" he added. She smiled toward him, "thank you, Sam. You are so good with me" she said as she closed her eyes as she tried to rest.

Charles walked out of the room and prepared the food for her. Sam could her the noise in the kitchen. A few minutes later, Charles was bringing the food with the small bed table. She snickered as she saw the bed breakfast. "You are so sweet. Don't you have work?" she asked as she looked at the time. It was weekend, but she did not have work. As for Charles, he worked even on Saturday and Sunday. She was not certain what work he had. She just gathered that he worked in a very big company and his boss always called him through the weekends to work.

Charles laughed, "Chill. My boss gave me a break today and tomorrow" he sat down to the bed at the side. Sam started to eat her breakfast, "did you eat already?" she asked.

"Yes I did" he said, but somehow Sam thought that he was not being honest. However, she did not pry anymore.

"I am thinking that we can you know, do the movie marathon here. I will buy snacks for later and we can you know…"

I smiled, "You know you can just leave me be and wallow in my own sorrows. I'll be fine. I do not want you to feel oblige to accompany me because I pour my sadness out to you" Sam said as she continued to look away from him. She felt conflicted. She liked how he made everything and took care of her, but she felt she placed heavy emotional burden to his shoulder that cause this treatment. It felt force. She did not want him to feel oblige to sooth her. Charles smiled as if he saw through her. He looked at her despite she was avoiding his stare. He reached and caressed her face which surprise her. She could not stop herself look at him. "Sammy, what I am doing is not something its force. I might sound little off but its because its my first to do this to someone" he said as he held her hand. Sam could feel his rough callouses. His big palms were against her hand. The warmth he gave to her radiated. She could not help being softened.

At night, Charles prepared everything as he promised. While Sam, she went back to sleep after breakfast. She was tired from vomiting and the intense pain earlier. She was not awake until it was late afternoon. She could hear Charles bickering someone over the phone. He was talking fluent British English, and a little mix of French tone. Sam was pondering if she should disturb him as he was still talking to someone on the hall. Though they shared the apartment, Sam knew how important privacy was. She decided to take a shower before going out. At least, if she turned on the shower, Charles would know she was awake without disturbing him. Samantha did not hear the conversation as she turned on the shower and went in.

After the shower and being decently dress, she walked to the kitchen and saw Charles was busy cooking. "Your girlfriend is lucky to be with you, you know" she said as she entered as she savour the handsome man. Charles laughed, "Sammy, you do know I don't have a girlfriend or anyone. I am totally different when I am here than at work" he said as he placed the plate in front of her. "Everyone is scared of me" he added, "and you should be" he murmured. However, Sam did not hear the last part.

"I bought your favorite cake when I was out, and a pack of popcorn for later" he said as he sat down with his share of plate.

"Why would they be afraid of you?" she asked as she take a spoon, "You are super nice. Is it the voice you got when you talk seriously like on the phone?" she spilled. She froze when she realized she said something she should not say, "Oh sorry, I overheard your conversation earlier, you sounded serious and honestly it was new for me. But I stepped away immediately and went to the shower so I could not hear anything from the phone call you got" she said in one go. She did not bother to breath. Charles eyes were on her. His onyx eyes were melting her on the spot. She could not calm down. "I got present for you" Charles changed the topic. He placed a rectangular gift wrapped with red colored wrapper and a blue ribbon on tap.

"This is for getting in to one of the prestigious company in the city" he said, "I saw your old phone and I think its about to be junk" he added as he glanced at her phone. Samantha laughed it of. She was delighted to receive a gift. She unwrapped it within seconds and was ecstatic to see a phone. She thanked him graciously. It was a cellular phone which was just release to the market. She was certain that it was expensive, "You should not buy me such expensive gift," she said as she looked at it as if adoring the phone. If she was honest, she needed a phone, but this kind of phone was a luxury for her. It had a six inches screen, and the frame was blue coated metal. "Nonsense" Charles said, "You can't have a phone as outdated as your old one" he added and laughed. "Just accept it or I will just throw that if you will not accept it" Sam clutched on it. "Don't!" she exclaimed. Charles smiled. He knew that she was thrift, and she did not want anything to waste. So, he knew if he said he would just throw it, she would relent.