CHAPTER 2: REMINDED BY HER

Chelsea’s POV

“It was nice meeting you Zae” I escorted her outside and Ken is just there waiting.

“I hope this wouldn’t be the last time, I’ll see you again and… I’m sorry about earlier” she apologized.

I laugh awkwardly and assure her that everything is great and that I understand. She began going towards her car, where Ken was waiting, and I decided to go inside first to change my clothing.

To be honest, I'm still stunned by what happened. I'm perplexed.

When I told her I felt at peace after meeting her, she almost kissed me. What exactly was it?

It's simply incredibly odd. She was only being herself, but she had a significant impression on me, and I couldn't get upset or throw her out because of her odd gestures.

“I missed you”

Those phrases keep playing over and over in my head!! She said this before attempting the kiss. I was too surprised to respond right away. Gosh! What exactly is all of this? I'm completely distracted.

“Chels” I turned back and it was Ken, “that girl is really fine!!” he stated.

“And strange too…” I slowly said.

“Very strange!” Ken overreacted, “Anyway, do you want me to change your clothes?”

“What?!”

"You seem so engrossed talking to that girl you've completely forgotten you're soaked in rain. You'll catch a cold," he expressed concern.

He’s right. I am too captivated meting her and there’s an urge in me that want to meet her again.

I went upstairs and take a shower and went down again to Ken who was waiting for me.

“Did you visit him?” he immediately asked before I could even sit.

I didn’t answer him because he already know the answer.

“I was worried sick when you didn’t pick up your phone and it suddenly rained heavily”

Ken has been keeping an eye on me for the past few days. He always makes certain that I am doing well following Dale's death.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“Checking up on you. I am just a concerned human being” he simply said.

“I told you I am fine. You don’t have to come here every day for me. I never asked you to” I told him.

“You didn’t ask doesn’t mean you do not need it. I don’t even need you to ask for it because I do care for you and I still care for you even if you chose Dale over me”

“We’re not having this conversation now” I stood from my seat but he immediately grabbed my wrist to stop me.

[Ken sighed]

“I’m sorry”

I look at him and he’s sincerely apologizing.

I chose to sit close to him and sighed deeply before falling silent.

“You know you can always cry on me” he gently said after some moment of silence.

I didn’t speak but those words… I suddenly melted. Tears started to pour out and the thing is, I started sobbing.

Ken wrapped his hand around me and pulled me close to his chest. I just grieved and let the never-ending pain, that wouldn't go away despite how many tears I shed day and night.

Ken’S POV

Thankfully, I think she is already asleep. At the very least, she may relax and stop worrying. She's been through a lot recently, and I don't want to add to it, and what I said earlier was inappropriate. I should not have brought it up before. Tsk! I can be really insensitive at times.

Why does Dale have to die? That guy left Chelsea miserable, tsk!

I noticed the cup of coffee on the table as I was deep in contemplating. Chelsea does not drink coffee, thus it was most likely from that girl.

She likes coffee. Dale does like coffee too.

I'm not sure who she is, but she looks familiar to me. I thought I saw her before, but I couldn't place her. That woman is likewise difficult to read.

Why did she say those remarks in the first place?

[flashback]

"Your auto is working properly ... Miss?" it's time to put my flirting skills to this woman."

"You don't need to know," she said flatly.

That is not a promising start for me. I assumed she'd simply bite in.

"Hey, hey, hey," I say as I run in front of her, blocking her path.

"Don't get in my way or I'll smack you"

Whoa! This lady is both violent and fearless.

"Are you attempting to hit on me?" she inquired, her face filled with disgust.

She's absolutely stunning and beautiful, but does she has a boyfriend?

"Don't you think I'm charming?" I jokingly inquired.

“Yuck! Never. I'm sorry, but I'm not gay."

Huh? Okay, I didn’t get the logic of what she said.

"Never mind," she says as she walks past me and unlocks her car, then she stops, "Don't even dare to hit on her."

“What? Is she talking about Chelsea?

"Why should you care?" I inquired.

I'm moved in an instant when she looks at me because of what I said.

"I'll f*cking run after you if you do," she snarled as she jumped into her car.

[end of flashback]

Who is she, really? She’s freaking strange.  

Dale's POV

I can't disguise how stressed I am right now. There is no other option but to tell her the truth. She's been suffering as a result of my death, and I can't bear looking at her.

"Good afternoon, is Ms. Chelsea Romero here? I am her friend. I was actually here yesterday," I explained to their helper.

“Yeah. I saw you yesterday, but Ms. Chelsea does not welcome unsolicited visits. You can notify her ahead of time, and Ms. Chelsea will give me instructions to let you in."

I nearly forgot about it. I used to be able to get in and out anytime I pleased but not in this state. 

“I’m really sorry for the inconvenience but can you please tell her I am here because I have something really important to tell her” I really humble myself so she’ll help me.   

“I’m really sorry---”

“Her late fiancée has something to tell her” I directly said before the helper could even finish her words.

She was skeptical at first, but I was able to persuade her and she let me in. I went to her room and knocked on the door. I couldn't hear any answer from her from inside, so I kept knocking until I realized the door was open, at which point I decided to enter.

Oh, that’s why she didn’t hear me because her shower is on. She’s taking a bath---

Wait… she’s crying?? I can hear her sobs from here.

“I want to *sobs* die”

[continue sobbing]

Listening to her wreck me. I couldn’t wait for her so I decided to come near. Her cries got even louder as I got close and she kept saying that she wanted to die.

I noticed the door is slightly open. Something is pushing me to go in but what if she’s… taking a shower and naked? I am not a pervert---

“I’m sorry *sobs* so-o-orry”

[whimper]

I have a bad feeling about this. I decided to look into the small opening of the door to see her.

“God please forgive me for this *sobs* I’m sorry!”

“Shit!! CHELSEA!!!”

I run to her and grab her hand holding a blade. What the f*ck!! She’s committing suicide?? Does she think we’ll see each other on the other side??

My heart dropped the moment I saw her on the side of the shower attempting to cut her wrist to end her life. It got the crap out of me. Sh*t! what if it happened?!

“What are you doing?!! You can’t be killing yourself!!” I madly said while she continued to cry heavily.

“Please… just let me… please” She was trying to lose a grip from me but I didn’t let her.

I can feel it. I can see it. You’ve been too hurt, my love. I’m sorry.

“I can’t do this anymore *whimpers* how will I be able to move on *sobs* It…hurts… like hell *whimpers* I want to die… please!”

I grab her and brace her in my arms, “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry”

I can’t hold back my tears. This is killing me.

“Don’t hurt yourself please” I begged.

She’s crying at me. I make sure that she feels secured while she’s letting it all out.

“I’m here. I am just here for you and I can’t forgive myself if you harm yourself because of me, Seya” I told her.

I am comforting her when she suddenly calms down and looks at me with a curious face.

“What did you say just now?” she seriously asked.

I wiped my tears and seriously look at her.

“Chelsea… I am your fiancée… I am Dale”

She stopped crying after I caught her attention. Her brow furrowed and her eyes were looking straight at mine. I can’t figure out her thoughts but she just stares at me for like a minute while processing my words.

“Are you crazy?? Who the f*ck are you? Why did you call me that?!” she’s starting to get frustrated.

“Listen, hear me out---”

“LEAVE!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!” I froze when she shouts at me. Did I make her that mad?

“Seya please just listen to me!!”

She stood and pushed me back. Her eyes widen and she’s puzzled and confused.

“Don’t call me that!!?”

I continued to stare at her.

“Seya---”

“H-how did you k-know that name?” I can feel her shaking a bit.

She pushes me again and speak, “don’t call me Seya! Only Dale calls me that!” she shouted.  

I can’t utter any words now. All that I did is look at her.

[scoffs in disbelief]

“If you’re trying to cheer me up, it’s not working. I’m telling you it’s not funny. I thought you were strange and you still are”

“Believe me, I am Dale,” I told her.

[Chelsea sarcastically laughs]

“Are you high or something? How do you expect me to believe you?!” she started to feel frustrated.

“No. Just hear me---”

“Please… just leave me before I call our guards and drag you out… so just leave while I still have patience”

This time, her voice is calm but desperate to do what she says.

[sigh]

Before I step out from her room, she said something, “I think you should see a doctor”

That hurt. It’s not only that I look stupid but I hurt her more thinking that I am trying to play with her feelings.

“It might hard to believe now… it seems impossible… that even myself is having a hard time…” I slowly and calmly spoke to her.

"But do you know why I unexpectedly appeared and hugged you in the graveyard yesterday?" Because I've been watching you everywhere. Do you understand why I speak to you so casually? Because that's how I used to communicate with you. I prefer bitter coffee to sweet coffee, whereas you don't enjoy either. I constantly sit in the same location on the couch because it's in front of the window where I can watch out for you to arrive, and greet you with a kiss and hug as you go through the front door. The painting was purchased in France, despite your repeated warnings that I shouldn't because it's worth three thousand dollars and insanely expensive, but I did anyway."

I was smiling while recalling those days. We’re really far in our relationship.

“You’re… lying…”

It will be too much to take it by now so I will make her understand every step of the way.

“Five… twenty… one, three, fourteen... you know where to find me” I gently tell her and force a smile before I leave.