Stares

08

Alessia’s Point Of View:

“Good afternoon, sir. What can I do for you?” Trying my best to be formal as I could, I greeted him with a fake smile.

I stopped walking when Yadiel also stopped in front of the lines of papers placed on the cabinets and shelves.

Earlier, when he heard what I said made me overthink my job. Different scenarios were came flashing back my mind.

I really thought that he would fire me or worst put me in jail. I was thinking that what if he’ll kick me out of the company on my first day, that would be humiliating.

Tons of what if’s literally popped out from my mind.

What if I’ll lose this job just because of my blunt mouth? How can I provide the needs of my family? How can I buy Naomi her medicines? How can I help my sister finish her studies? That would be so fucked up.

I don’t know what my life would be without money.

I bit my lower lip when he stopped trailing his fingers on the back bone of the folders just to glance at me.

He scanned me from head to foot before shaking his head and putting back his attention on the papers he’s holding.

Yadiel’s body was facing the shelves so as his face making me to witness the beauty of his side view. He was wearing his eyeglasses that was supported by his tall nose line.

The way he remained his poise and composure everytime he lifts his arms to scan and compare the paper that he was holding against the paper that he was finding is just so manly. His dimples were showing even though he’s not smiling.

My eyes trailed from his long eye lashes down to his rossy lips and stops when it reaches his neck. His adams apple went upside down everytime he swallows as well as his veins and well-defined jaw line.

“What I said earlier—” I was cut off when he looked at me before walking his way to the other side of the shelves and only stopped after reaching the section ‘S’ where all the title of the books starts with letter S.

I hurriedly followed him and did not even noticed that I’m already close to him causing me to bumped my forehead on the side of his shoulder.

My hand automatically flew to my forehead and didn’t failed to grimaced due to the pain I felt.

I stepped my feet few steps backwards from him as I continue to gently rub my forehead expecting the wound in it. Unconsciously, I raised my eyes only to see the sharp button attached on the shoulder of his coat with white laces hanging around it as if copying a King’s dress.

I felt him stiffened when that happened and left his hand holding a brown folder midway that has a title of ‘Smith’s.’

“I’m sorry,” I apologized and grimaced in pure pain.

I shut my eyes closed and creased my forehead, believing that it could ease the pain before gritting my teeth to prevent myself from spitting bad words.

Fuck that button! Why does he have to wear coats like that.

“Watch where you’re going.” He flatly warned with a straight-face.

He even rolled his eyes on me while sighing in disbelief.

“You should stop wearing clothes like that,” I groaned, annoyance was written all over my face.

Yadiel stopped from what he’s doing and took a fast glance at me. I heard him chuckled making me twitched my brows a bit.

He did not talked after that and just finished what he was doing.

I’m honestly confused right at the moment especially when I saw him pulling my papers out of the folder before putting it down on the top of the coffee table.

My eyebrows made a line as I anxiously fidgets my toes.

What if he would really kick me out of his company because of that? That will make my life more miserable than ever.

All our expenses, our daily needs, my siblings’ tuition fees and Naomi’s medicines was all I could ever think off. I don’t know when and how will I find some money to sustain my family if I ever lose this job.

I didn’t know that I was spacing out and was caught off guard when Yadiel held my wrist and pulled me gently to follow him.

“Wait for me,” he left me unsaid when we reached the visitor’s area, hands were now both inside his pockets.

Without hesitation, I stepped my feet and obediently sat my ass down on the couch as I patiently waited for him to come back.

Tapping my heels on the floor and scanning my eyes inside the office, I immediately noticed his presence especially when the other side of the couch sank.

My eyes flew to him only to see the first aid kit that he was holding.

“What’s that for?” Pointing at the ointment and the cotton ball on his hand, I asked.

“It’s a treatment for your stupidity,” he blurted out as he put the ointment on the cotton.

He was about to hold my chin but stopped when I diverted my head on the other direction.

A line appeared on his forehead right after he let out a heavy sigh.

“I can manage.” I insisted and was about to snatch the cotton but failed.

Yadiel grabbed my both hands and locked it using his free hand before placing above my thighs while the other one was now damping the cotton ball around my wound. His lips were slightly open while focusing to my forehead, clearly don’t want to be disturb.

I annoyingly avoided myself to him and tries to let his hand off of my hand but didn’t succeed.

“Stay still.” Authority was screaming in his voice as he intertwined our hands.

I feel like I can hear the drops of water in the sink because of the sudden silence between us.

My breath hitched after realizing that instead of letting my hand go, he then remained it like that for a whole minute while treating my wound. I swallowed my lump as my chest continue to thump faster than before.

We’re only inches away from each other and I can barely breathe because everytime I gasp for air all I could ever smell is his sweet yet manly scent.

Makes me want to dug my face on his neck and sniff his perfume.

“What’s between you and Amelia?” He asked out of the blue and rested his hand whose holding the cotton on the top of our casually intertwined fingers.

I gulped and averted my gaze on the other direction to avoid awkwardness.

“What do you mean?” I squared my shoulders and wet my dry lips using my tongue.

“I’m not gonna tell you to report to my office without any valid reason, Ms. Smith.” The tone of his voice shows seriousness as he looked at me with his natural sharp eyes.

“So, you did not reported me to your office because of what I said?” My eyes twinkled in joy and pursed my lips in so much happiness.

That made Yadiel’s face crumpled and scrunches his nose with pure annoyance in the eyes.

“I don’t know if I should be glad that you slapped me with your words or I should kick you out because of that.” He addressed with a flat tone and watched me in the eyes.

“I need this job.” I stated as if I can make him follow me to whatever I want without him complaining.

“And why do you need this job?” With a business tone in his voice, he jokingly asked.

“To live.” Was all I can say and without any hesitation, I moved inches away from him.

I felt his shoulders stiffened as if not expecting my answer before looking the other direction to avoid my gazes.

“Why did you suddenly went silent?” My nose wrinkled confusedly.

He will always avoid his eyes whenever he meets mine and fidgets his fingers while anxiously tapping his foot against the floor. In the end, he slightly stood up to put the cotton and ointment on the top of the coffee table before sitting back to my side.

He rested his back on the couch and inclined his head to look at the ceiling. He even put his left arm on the top of the couch, and unintentionally, side swiping his thumb on my bare shoulders causing me to flinch a bit.

“You should’ve known the consequences of your action before doing comotions. You even talked behind my back. Expect the worst, Ms. Smith.” His eyes bored into mine and gave me a blank look.

That sent shivers down my spine.

I pressed my lips together and lowered my head to my heels.

“I promise, I did not do that to make a comotion. It’s Amelia who started it!” I voiced out. It made my blood boil in an instant. “She even told me that I was a poor bitch! Who the hell would’ve let that word slipped their tongues. Well, not me. If I really knew that you’ll kick me out I should’ve slapped her really hard then.” Flames of anger shot my being and narrowed my eyes on him.

Yadiel’s mouth turned dry especially after seeing my reddish face and have to swallow multiple times to get his senses back.

I stared at him for a minute with both brows furrowed before twitching the side of my lips in confusion. Tilting my head a bit, I lifted my hand to remove the glasses his wearing.

“What are you doing—” he was cut off of when my finger tips touches his skin and slowly, removes the strand of hair that was in his eyelashes all the time.

“Are you not bothered with this?” I shook my head and blew the hair strand away. “Why?” My forehead wrinkled when I noticed that he was just staring at me with amusement in the eyes.

He tried to open his mouth but ended up closing it again when nothing came out.

“Oh, this,” I raised the glasses that I was holding causing him to glance at it.

I did not let him talk and closed the distance between us to put his glasses back.

Unconsciously, he let me do what I want and even draw nearer to help me put his glasses on.

“Lower your head a bit,” I said while looking at his messy hair.

I thought he would decline me, but to my surprise he really did lower his head. Biting my lip to prevent myself from smiling I brushed his hair with my fingers and naturally fixed his hair.

He’s like Noah who doesn’t know how to fix his hair right. From his elementary days up to his high school days, I did nothing but to scold him about his hair while brushing it the way it used to be.

That boy is really lazy to the point that fixing his hair is a big thing for him.

“There,” with satisfaction, I flashed a bright smile.

It’s like the anger that I felt earlier disappeared.

It’s too late for him when I caught him smiling while staring at me all the time as if I’m a portrait in a museum to admire me like how his eyes twinkled at me. I stared back.

The dimple on his cheeks were showing, defining how deep the holes in it along with his reddish lips and curved eyebrows that defined his seriousness.

I was about to talk but cut midway after hearing a loud curse coming from the now ajar door.

“Shit!”