Chapter 2

I didn’t know what got to me. The next thing I know, I was already in bed, wearing nothing. White sheets covered my body as I sat up on a foreign place.

Damn. What happened last night?

For the first time in six months, I have gone to the club. I promised myself that I won’t force myself to drink more than my alcohol tolerance limit. But what the hell? I can’t even remember anything after dancing with a man!

I heard the shower open. Fuck! Someone is here with me?

My eyes roamed around the whole room. The way I can smell the sea breeze from here made me automatically think that I may be in one of those ocean front view suites in the hotel. The white and blue walls got me.

I looked around to look for my clothes. I almost slapped myself when I saw them near the door. Was I too excited last night? Damn it!

“Fucking stupid, Darren Fall…” I muttered under my breath as I walked towards my clothes with the blanket wrapped around my body.

Well, if it’s a consolation, at least I already lost my virginity to my first boyfriend in high school. Not to this unknown man, whoever is in the shower. At least nothing was gone with me. The hymen was gone anyway.

Just when I was about to reach for my underwear, the door of the toilet opened. I almost jumped and landed on the ground butt first if the man did not hold me down.

My heart almost leaped out of my chest when I saw the face of the man. Fuck! Isn’t he the guy who was watching me since I first got into the club? What the hell just happened? Did we just—

I can’t believe this!

The man stilled me in front of him as he observed me from head to foot. His jaw ticked and it made me dizzy. Damn it, Darren! This is not the time to adore a fucking godly human.

His brows furrowed as his gray eyes landed on mine. “Are you just leaving?” He asked in a curious tone. But above all, I think he was trying to accuse me of something I was about to do.

Well, I thought it would be better if I didn’t know who it was right? It would be less embarrassing if I hadn’t known who that bastard was. But then, too late. I already know.

I bit my lip and narrowed my eyes at him. “What happened last night?” I asked him, finding the courage.

Godly Human smirked and I almost frowned at how handsome he was. His sole dimple on the left cheek made my heart skip a beat. He is very pleasing to the eyes, alright! Anyone can attest to that!

“You don’t remember?” He asked in a husky voice.

I gulped as my system started to shake. Fuck! He took a step towards me and all I could do is take a step back because my insides are all wavering.

He took another step and I took one step back. And again. And again. It has been on repeat until my back reached the cold wall.

He smirked and trapped me in between his arms, his body and this damn cold wall. “Aren’t you sore?” He asked in a serious tone.

My eyes widened in horror. Now, that he said it, it suddenly hurt…down there. My head started to throb as well. This fucking hangover is attacking at a time like this. Great!

His grin got wider. Maybe he thinks he’s won this argument. Well, he kind of did. And I hate myself for that. I haven’t lost in a single debate at school. But why am I quivering in front of this man? There are a lot of more handsome men in Vegas. All the celebrities and top models are there. Who did he think he is? Damn!

“You should eat first before you go.” He told me.

I looked at him and saw that his facial expression has somehow calmed down. In a way, it has helped my system tranquil too. Everything inside me needs to calm the fuck down. I hate it when I lose my cool.

He turned from me and walked towards his baggage. He put on a simple white shirt and a black pair of jersey shorts. While he was getting his clothes on, I did the same, too. This blanket is so embarrassing I need to change in my clothes.

I walked towards the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I knew it. I look and feel like shit for a reason. I fixed my hair in the best way I can in this situation. I also gargled and hit my head when I realized that I have been so close to Godly Human with my morning alcoholic breath. What a shame, Darren!

When I’ve already fixed myself, I got out of the shower room only to be welcomed by the fresh smell of brewed coffee and pancakes. I bit my lip as I saw Godly Human preparing the table for breakfast. He looked so hot as his biceps flexed effortlessly with his every move. I can watch him all day—

Stop damn thinking those kinds of thoughts, Darren! Damn it!

Godly Human suddenly glanced at me and I’m sure that I am beet red at this moment. All these silly thoughts are making me blush! Fuck! I wish I remembered what happened last night!

“I hope you like pancakes and coffee. It’s the only food I have right now. I just got back yesterday night from New York.”

I nodded and bit my lip.

“Come on. Let’s eat.”

On why I am eating with a stranger, I don’t know. But there is something with Godly Human that pulls me to him. No matter how I hated the fact that something happened between us—I’m guessing I initiated it because I am like that when I am drunk—here I am, still eating breakfast with him.

“You’re new here?” Godly Human asked me.

I shook my head.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “I don’t know you. I’ve grown up here. You’re new.” He said before chewing the pancake.

He’s been living here? He grew up here?

“What’s your name?” I asked. In the bathroom, I decided to not know anything about him because I think it would be better that way but right now, all my curiosity is killing me.

No. He can’t be Mr. Greene, right?

“Julian.” He replied simply. “You’re Darren, right?”

Oh fuck. This is what I was afraid of. He knew me but I didn’t even know him. “How’d you know my name?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I heard your guy friend call you by that name.”

Guy friend? Could it be Greg?

“By the way, you dropped your phone on the way to my suite.” He handed me my iPhone. He raised his brow as he saw me taking it from him. “Are you a guest here?” he asked.

He isn’t suspecting me of being anything, right? I have perfected my decoy as an average woman all these months. This Godly Human cannot bust me with my phone alone.

I shook my head. “No. I work here.” I kept my phone in my pocket. I need to put that away.

He raised his brows, as if he was surprised that I am an employee in Hermosa. “Where do you work?” He asked.

“The Strand.” I replied nonchalantly as I poked on the cherry on top of the pancake.

“Really?” He asked. I nodded. Now, he seemed interested. “What do you do there?” He leaned his chin on his palm as he looked at me with such attention.

“Barista.” I popped the cherry in my mouth.

“Barista?” He said while nodding and grinning at the same time.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why? Is there something wrong with that?” I asked.

He laughed and shook his head. “I just never thought you were that type.” He told me. I frowned at him. “I thought you’d be like a princess or something.” He grinned.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at his failed pick up line. “Try harder, Julian.”

He laughed, as if he didn’t notice that I just called him by his first name. “Do you stay in the staff house?” He asked me.

I nodded. “Yes. It’s really good in there. Very comfortable.” I replied.

“Do you have work today?”

My eyes widened when he asked me that question. Damn. I looked at the clock and I immediately stood up and grabbed my things. It’s almost twelve noon and I am already three hours late. I bet Henney is already mentally killing me right now.

“I have work.” I told Julian. “I have to go.” I told him as I put on my boots.

He stood up and walked up to me. “I can drive you towards the staff house so you could change your clothes.”

I looked down at my clothes and cursed under my breath. “Sure.” I told Julian without thinking. It was really fast. I was really fast. I just combed my hair and washed my face before putting on decent clothes to get to the café.

I ran towards the café and was welcomed by Henney who was looking so worried. “Where have you been all night?!” She asked the moment I got into the counter. “Greg was going insane because he couldn’t find you anywhere. We couldn’t find you anywhere!”

I bit my lip and apologized for suddenly disappearing. I explained what happened leaving out the details of what happened between me and a stranger. I know I’d get a litany of lecture if I told her that now. It’s not even a big deal to me now.

“Don’t ever do that again!” Henney pointed a finger at me. She sighed hard and calmed down. “Are you okay now? Are you having some hangover? What?” She asked me.

I smiled and shook my head. “I’m good now. I can deal with a little headache.” I told her and placed my things under the counter.

She nodded and did not ask further. “I covered up for you with Ms. Heart. She was asking where you’ve been and I told her you were sick. Be ready if she asked you something weird.” She primed me.

“Good afternoon, Henney, Darren…”

I froze before I could even nod when I heard Ms. Heart’s voice. I shut my eyes forcefully to curse myself mentally before facing her with a big smile on my face. Henney did the same. But my smile immediately faded. My eyes landed directly on the godly human behind our manager.

He’s now wearing a button down blue shirt coupled with a pair of black slacks. He looked corporate and now I am thinking of only one thing.

No. It can’t be. It couldn’t be, right?

Ms. Heart eyed me. “Hey, Darren. I thought you are sick today.”

I faked a smile and bit my lip. “I was having a major headache last night but I’m fine now so I came, Ms. Heart.” I replied but my eyes couldn’t escape from the godly human’s gaze.

He’s almost grinning as he stared at me with such humor in his eyes.

Fuck. I don’t even know if I’m screwed or sick anymore.

Miss Heart nodded. “You could have just taken the day off. I have called Celine to help Henney today.” She told me.

I smiled. “I’m sure I can handle it now, Miss Heart. Just a little headache.”

“Have you taken your meds?” She asked me.

I nodded. I hope this ends this conversation.

Julian was looking at me with an amused smile on his face. I think I’m getting paler by the minute with the intensity of gaze he is giving me. I feel like I am screwed. And I think I’m even getting sicker.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Greene.” Celine suddenly entered the counter coming from catering the customers in the outside.

My whole system froze.

“Good day, Celine.” Julian greeted back.

My eyes widened in shock. Now, I feel like the whole world is crashing under my feet. Julian is Mr. Greene. Julian is my boss. Damn it!

Moments ago, I was hoping I could’ve remembered something from last night but right now, I have never been thankful that I couldn’t remember what happened.

Miss Heart smiled. “Well, I guess Henney and Celine know Jules.” She looked at me. “Darren, this is Julian Greene. He is gonna be the café’s supervisor from now on.” She introduced him to me.

“Welcome back, Mr. Greene.” Henney and Celine chorused.

Julian smiled at both of them before eyeing me once again. “Nice to meet you again, Darren.” He told me, shocking the hell out of me. How could he say that?!

Miss Heart, Celine and Henney looked at me suspiciously. Can the earth open up and eat me right at this very moment? I would gladly offer myself!