CHAPTER 18

"Sav! Get up! Open your eyes! Come on!" Andrei pulled my feet. He's an annoying alarm clock!

"I am still sleepy, Andrei! Leave me alone!" I am still sleepy yet I felt his fingers playing with my hair.

"Are you okay? You're pale." I opened my eyes and to my surprise, he's vexed.

"I am not okay because I am still sleepy! Give me 10 minutes, okay?!" I wrapped my arms around him but he's a jerk, he's already pinching my ear. Do I have a choice? Damn!

"Eloise's boyfriend is here and he's one of the applicants, come one! Butler Jang's waiting for us!" I rolled my eyes.

"I'll just take a shower!"

"Wait! Where did you get this?" His eyebrows met while looking at the bruise on my left arm.

"I don't know, it's nothing. I'll be ready in 20 minutes, I'll just take a shower."

Andrei nodded and left me inside the room, I have random bruises each day and I don't know why.

...

While I was walking downstairs with my long slimmed cardigan, cleavage-bearing inner top partnered with high waisted shorts, the bodyguards also on their black suits and red ties, bowed their heads.

"Good morning, young lady!" They greeted me and I just smiled. Our bodyguards are all handsome, if you're looking for a boyfriend, come here.

One of our househelps gestured the way and I saw Eloise, she's waving her hand when she saw me coming.

"Good morning, young lady! The applicants were already gathered, they're all well-trained and well-experienced." Butler Jang greeted me, I just nodded as a response.

"Alright, let's begin."

I crossed my arms as I was walking towards Andrei's direction.

"Is Jared really busy right now?" I asked as I was trying to fix his messy hair. Andrei is a demigod, some of his patients wanted to stay longer in the hospital just because of my brother.

"Of course! Tonight, they're free." He said.

"You're free today, jerk?" I asked him, he looks bothered.

"It's obvious, bitch!" Andrei replied and rolled his eyes.

I called Eloise to ask her something, I wrapped my hands around Andrei's arm.

"Your boyfriend's here?" I asked her.

Eloise is already smiling. She looks so happy and I suppose it's because her boyfriend is here.

"Yes, Savi!"

I just leaned on Andrei's shoulder, I am feeling dizzy and I just want to close my eyes. Why am I even here? I could've just stayed there and tell Andrei that I ain't feeling well.

"Ramirez, the same question!" Bulter Jang asked the man who looks like Justin Beiber. He got the face but he's not my type.

And what's with that question thingy? Funny.

"I am willing to die for the young la---"

"Next please!" Butler Jang stopped him. They're willing to die for me? My foot. Assholes.

"LOVE!" I narrowed my eyes at Eloise who's cheering for her boyfriend.

Eloise is euphoric and I kind of jealous. Why am I always jealous of someone's happiness? Why? Because the heavens deprived me that? Perhaps, my fate is kind of melancholic. I do have Andrei, my friends, my. . . family but my heart still feels empty.

"Are you okay?" Andrei asked and I just nodded as I was stooping down my head.

"This is suicide, would you still do it?" I heard Butler Jang's question and to my fucking surprise, a familiar scent leaked the whole place.

Fuck. . .

My knees went numb, something inside me just fucking exploded. I wasn't ready for this wave. I ain't ready to dive in. The same pain and hatred assailed me, Andrei pulled me closer when I almost lost my balance seeing him. Those torturous eyes, those dark feautures... he's very intense and when his eyes found mine, I don't know anymore how it feels breathing. His eyes, they're leading me somewhere.

"I don't fear death but I fear dying without trying to survive." He replied.

I was paralyzed, why am I seeing him here? Why? My lips parted and I later found myself running away from them, I don't care about those who saw me running.

I was panting, I went to the kitchen and leaned on the counter to support myself. Barry. . . why? Why are you doing this to me? He's the father of Eloise's baby? And she was the girl he's planning to marry? Fuck. Why?

Had I known, things could've been way different. I should've told him my name because his fucking girlfriend's working on us! Damn. Of all people, why her? And she's even pregnant. Wow! So, they're fucking while I was hurting? They're fucking while I was miserable? They fucked!

But I don't want to appear miserable in front of him. I heaved a sigh, trying to lessen the pain in my chest. I decided to go back to the garden. I don't want to hide. I'll face him.

"I am so happy, Sav. Guess what? My boyfriend's now your escort! God heard my prayers!" Eloise said those words in euphoria but I stayed silent, I don't want to smile. I was just silently standing next to my brother.

"LOVE, COME HERE!" Eloise called him to come and I couldn't fought the urge to look of how much he changed. Butler Jang handed him the folders and he nodded politely.

"I am so happy, Savannah. I---"

"Shut up! I am not asking if you're happy or not!" I can't let her talk anymore. She annoys me.

Andrei's playing with his dog but I held his hand, I am not feeling well.

"You're so cold, you're sick?" But before I could answer that, Butler Jang and Barry were already in front both of us.

"Young lady," Miss Jang, smiled as she was trying to introduce my fucking new personal escort, my fucking ex.

"Barry Dale Casas," I said in no emotion.

"Y---yes, young lady." He swallowed hard so his adams apple protruded. I don't know what he's thinking, is he even guilty or he's trying to hurt me more?

I left them on the garden, I am not feeling well. I am feeling sick so I headed back to my room without even locking my door. I am just silently sitting in front of my windows, sighing continuously while massaging my temples. Is this also fated? Come on, this is crap. Tell me, how am I supposed to move on if he's even here and her pregnant girlfriend is here too? Shit. Of all people and of all places. Why Eloise? Why Barry? Why me?

"This ain't even funny!" I murmured

I heard knocks from my door and thinking it's Andrei, I let him in.

"Young lady," But I was mistaken, he ain't Andrei because the one who came in is my newly hired escort! Wow.

I stood up and my eyes landed on the folders he was holding and I almost lost my balance again. Why am I sick all of the sudden? What the hell is happening to me?

"Are you okay?" I was quick to dodge his hands but the warmth stayed longer.

"Shut up!"

"Y---you're pale. . ." He wants to reach for my hand again, he's fucking worried.

"Touch me and I'll fire you." I said in vehemence.

"Sorry but, are you oka---"

"Do I fucking look okay?" I replied and he's paralyzed for seconds. I drifted my eyes on him, he's clenching his jaws. I don't know what he's thinking.

"You're Eloise's boyfriend and you're the father of his child." I was hoping that, this could at least, lessen the leaden burden in my chest.

I saw how his hand held the folders tightly and he then, loosen up his tie. I want to make him feel bad for hurting me, for fooling me. I look at him, trying to hide any emotions from my eyes. I want him to think that he's just nothing but my only bodyguard, my bodyguard and nothing more.