Chapter 13: You're His Savior

It's Thursday, morning.

Yes, it has been two days since Marcus visited Miguel. However, the resentment in Andrea’s heart still remains.

“I’d like to recommend your aesthetic shirts to my classmates since I like it so much. I couldn’t believe that my boyfriend will find me attractive wearing those. So, thank you.” A senior high schooler petite girl vibrantly commented as she scanned the bangles she additionally ordered from Andrea.

Silence…

“Actually, my roommates wanted to have those shirts too, so, do you still have those lovely designs?” She asked.

Still, silence hailed over. 

“Hey, Ms. nerdy, are you listening to me?” Waving her hand at Andrea’s face, she added.

“Huh? ah! I’m s-sorry. What did you say?” Andrea inquired.

“I said if do you still have those lovely shirts' designs I ordered last day, my roommates wanted it too, so I’d like to order again.” Crossing her hands, the petite girl answered.

“Ah, yeah! Of course, I still have.”

“Okay! Same address and same time tomorrow. Please deliver it.”

The girl gave her the payment for her second purchased and then excused herself.

The moment the petite girl disappeared from her sight, Andrea immediately began talking to herself as she spanked her forehead, and said, “Ugh! … stop meddling to their business Andrea, and stop thinking about them.”

Her thoughts are really wandering from the things Marcus had mentioned the other day.

[Flashback] …

“Do… you… know each other?” Andrea asked Miguel, confusingly.

“He’s my family.” Miguel responded coldly without looking at her.

“Come on Marcus, get inside.” With Miguel gesturing head, he said.

The three of them took their seats and after a long silence…

"Can you tell me what's going on? I'm confused because he's the one who helped me to carry you that night and if he's really your family... so... your family knows? But, why are you still here? Why are you hiding here?"

Marcus looked at Miguel, but since the latter remained silent, so he choose not to butt-in.

Andrea received no response from them, so she added and asked again, “Why did you choose to stay in this small apartment when you have enough money to pay for more than two luxurious hotel rooms? Why did your family allow you to be apart with them when they knew you have an accident? D-don’t tell me you ran away from home just li –” A sudden bolt jolted into Andrea’s head when she realized that she almost slip-up herself. She’s about to gone overboard as she is despicably asking series of questions.

A pair of fierce and provocative eyes met hers.

“J-just like a big coward who flees for commiting a huge sin?” She added, anxiously, instead. She was a bit nervous meeting Miguel’s confrontational eyes.

Sealed his lips, Miguel ignored.

“Ah, no-no, it’s not what you think Miss... Andrea, right?” Marcus opposed and asked hesitantly. He can't contained the silence anymore.

In a serious tone, Andrea confirmed her name to Marcus.

With a single sigh, Marcus revealed, “My cousin hides himself here, because someone from our family wants him dead. Actually, you’re his savior!”

“What? Me? His savior?” pointing herself with a baffled expression, Andrea asked.

“Yes! You he –”

“Stop it! She had nothing to do with it, so she doesn’t need to know!” Miguel cut-off Marcus conclusively. He casted a look from Andrea’s baffled expression before facing Marcus and spoke again, “You bring it over, right?”

“Yes, of course.” Marcus answered shortly.

With a nod, Miguel reacted and said, “Let’s go inside the room. I’ll show you something.”

“Wait! You didn’t answer me yet, why I become his savior –”

Miguel suddenly blocked Andrea’s way. He drew his body nearer at her, cut her off as he put his finger on her mouth, then in a husky and serious tone, he said, “You don’t have to know everything even if someone wants me dead. Just mind that I’m here, so you can pay from that accident you’ve caused me. Okay?”

Andrea couldn’t react yet. Her lips remain parted as a tingling sensation ran through her body. She still felt his hands gently touched her lips. In that moment, she can’t hardly explain the inexplicable feeling of the electricity running through her veins.

With a smirk, Miguel removed his hand, leaving Andrea stiffened.

Hearing the closing sound of the door, Andrea has returned to her senses. She hurriedly gets a glass of water and drank it blushingly.

[End of Flashback]…

“How come I’m his savior? Is his life really in danger?”

Andrea just sighed when she recalled those scenes. In her heart, the confusion of what Marcus and Miguel had said remained unsettled. She wants to know the answers for her questions, but Miguel didn’t give her any single answer. Instead, what she’d got was an inexplicable feeling and a mess in her heart every time she’ll met his gazed and become closer at him.

“No, no. It can’t be. You can’t like him Andrea. He’s a way out of your league!” Shaking her head, Andrea neglected the thoughts of liking him.

“Few days later now, he’ll surely leave. Everything will be back to what it was before.” She whispered into the air. Recounting the days, she realized that Miguel was with them for almost two weeks. The end of their contract will soon bound to happen.

***

Friday came. Miguel is watching through the window how the blazing fire of the setting sun radiated outside. Night will soon appear.

“So, what is it now?” Marcus immediately said after the call was connected. He’s still at the office, sitting on his swivel chair while facing his laptop. Miguel called him up.

“I emailed you the company’s projected plans.” Miguel uttered.

“Yeah, I got it. I’m currently viewing it.” Marcus seriously replied while scrolling the presentation Miguel has sent him.

“Everything is up to you now Marcus.” Leaning sideways and pocketing his left hand, Miguel remarked.

Sighing, Marcus stood up. He walked near his tinted glass to face the orange tinge of the sky with the phone still on his ear, and asked, “When are we going to do it?”

“Tomorrow.” Miguel replied resolutely.

After the call was disconnected, Miguel dropped the phone as he watched his wounded arm. In less than two weeks, the injuries from the car accident were already looking better, with the bruises fading and the cuts beginning to scab over.

Miguel was in deep thought when suddenly he heard some crash outside.

The door suddenly opens.

“Just leave Jake. I don’t want to be with you anymore.” Trina shouted as she guarded the door. She just came in and was about to close the door again, but because Jake has strong force than her, he still managed to stop the door from closing and enter inside.

"No, I don't want to!!! I didn't do anything wrong! What you saw was wrong. So, why are you breaking up with me?" Jake is furiously asking after Trina.

"Don't make a fool out of me multiple times. I know what I saw. You kissed her. So enough! I'm tired of understanding all your nonsense. I'm fed up. Get out of here!" Trina exclaimed angrily as she pushed him away from her.

Miguel, in contrary stupefied to witness the two’s arguments. From what he heard, it seemed like he already knew the reason behind their conflict.

“So, this is the scumbag!” He silently commented with raised eyebrows as he remembered the man whom Andrea and Trina talked about the other day, the reason why they failed to pay their house rental. However, he didn't want to meddle in their conflict, so he began to move slowly as if to enter the room, but before he could even step in, Jake caught his eye, facing him with anger.

"Who are you? What are you doing here, huh? Is he the one you're boasting about, that's why you're trying to break up with me, huh?" Facing and pointing Miguel first, then back to Trina, Jake irritably retaliated.

Due to her anger and inner turmoil, Trina was lost in herself and didn't notice Miguel's presence. Her face turned white as she realized that he was in the corner and overheard their argument.

“A-ah, Miguel I – I’m s-sorry about this.” Trina apologized as she knows his not the type of the person to be pissed-off, because surely, they’ll be finished. “Let’s go. Let’s talk outside.” She faced and told Jake thereafter, she’s about to drag him outside.

Miguel wordlessly moved and was about to go inside, but –  

"Fuck you to sleep here with my girlfriend and for trying to steal her away from me!" Jake said, fumingly, breaking free from Trina's grip and landing a strong punch to Miguel's face. Miguel quickly dodged it, causing Jake to stumble and fall.

Lying down, Jake glared angrily at Miguel.

"Asshole, watch your words! I will never ever steal your girlfriend from you, because I don't like her!" Looking down and facing Jake while directing Trina, Miguel decisively uttered.

“Fuck you! Are you trying to fool me?” In anger, Jake confronted and stood up to face Miguel again.

“Enough! Stop it, Jake!” Trina screamed hysterically. She stood in between to stop Jake from whatever his going to do next.

“What is happening here?” Andrea suddenly interjected. She had just arrived from the market. She had gone out to buy ingredients for cooking as they had run out of supplies.

The three shifted their attention to Andrea who just entered the door with plastic bags on her hand. However, this didn't stop Jake from losing his temper, he angrily whined, “So, you really are siding with him?”

"I'm not taking sides here. Don't twist the situation, because between the two of us, you're the one who cheated. I have no relationship with Miguel.” Trina couldn't help but worry about what might happen if Miguel got angry. She couldn't gauge the extent of the consequences when he did, now that she knew how influential Miguel's family was.

"Huh! So, it's Miguel, huh! Don't fool me. If you have no relationship with this guy, then why is he here? Don't tell me he's the boyfriend of your nerdy and ugly friend, huh?" Jake angrily commented by casting a brief look to Andrea and back to Trina. "If you won't confess, let me make this braggart confess for you." He added, furiously, and was ready to attack Miguel.

Miguel's eyes narrowed upon hearing this. When Jake was about to punch him, he quickly dodged. He grabbed one of Jake's fists and swiftly countered, slamming him in the stomach while seriously saying, "Do you know who I am? What if I tell you that I can erase you from this world? Would you like that?"

A horror was reflected on Trina and Andrea's faces.

"Miguel, that's enough. You're hurt!" Andrea gently called out, reaching for his shoulder as he approached him.

Miguel paused in his intended punch towards Jake. He looked at Andrea and saw her pleading gaze.

He sighed.

Releasing Jake, he turned to Andrea, saying, "Don't let others look down on you."

Then, he quickly went into the room, leaving Jake writhing in pain.