Chapter III: Trace of Her Nightmare

As the car moves, my brows were vaulted as I glare on the road. When my sight alighted on the rearview mirror, I caught the guy beholding me.

“You okay?” he asked.

I don’t know what to say. I just avoided his gaze and looked at outside the window. Then, I heard him scoff.

“That’s how you express gratitude?” the guy playfully queried. And when I looked back the mirror, he’s still staring at me and he even beamed. “I’m Damon, by the way…” he said and offered his hand which I just looked at. 

Do I look like I asked for it?

“Okay,” I shortly answered. And then, the silence covered the place again. “Oh, by the way…” I suddenly remembered.

It felt weird when our eyes met when he faced me and his brows raised. “Uhm?” His lips formed a smile. Is he playing with me now?

I asked, “That gun earlier, is it---”

“Real?” he answered in abrupt. He took out the gun and I was staring blankly at him, not until he placed it against his right temple.

My eyes enlarged. “Hey?!”

“Worried?” he teased me.

And when I realized I acted strange, I sat straight and just looked on the road. I just heard him chuckle and I felt how my cheeks burned in embarrassment.

“It’d be better if it’s real,” I muttered in sarcasm. After some moments, I realized something. “How can I repay you?”

I don’t like the feeling of owing something from someone else. It makes me feel throttled.

“If it’s money, let me pay for it next time…” I said. I couldn’t pay him now.

“You don’t have to,” he mumbled, chuckling.

If I’m like others, his words must calm me. But I’m not them. I brutally loathe this feeling. I stayed quiet for a while as I think of what I could give to him.

Then, I thought of something I am not sure if I will regret later.

“Where do you live---” he asked, but he didn’t continue his words when I leaned near him and I kissed his soft red lips.

“Stop the car,” I whispered as my hands move from his face down to his chest.

From my peripheral vision, I saw how he took his hands off the steering wheel and his hand started crawling over my back. Hurriedly, the mood inside his car turned fiery as we caress every corner of each other’s body. He then lifted my body and placed me above him. I could already feel his huge member converging my warm quim.

My fingers snaked from his jaws, through his neck and his body. I saw how he grinned, so I slowly took off his black polo shirt and his fine physique greeted me. Bit by bit, I inclined near his face and beside his sweltering ears, I hissed, “I will bring you to haven tonight.”

We made out along the heated evening and he even drove me to the road near our area, but of course, I didn’t let him know where I was living.

"Are you okay?!” Celine asked as she sits beside me.

As a response, I nodded while I was staring blankly on the glass of margarita I was drinking, thinking about what happened last night even though I should’ve just put that out of my mind as the usual encounter with men.

But I don’t know why can’t I forget about it.

“Your man brought you something. I left it inside your locker,” she blabbered.

With mere confusion, I asked, “My man?”

Celine giggled. “Toby!” She hit my arm. “Not unless you have another man!”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need them!”

And while we’re talking, a brown-haired young guy wrapped his arm around Gia and the lady just smiled at me as they walk away.

I will also leave work early. It’s my Mom’s birthday today. Though I know she won’t be glad to see me in our home.

As I opened the locker to get my bag, I noticed that there’s an umbrella inside it. I took it and there, I’ve read a note attached, “Don’t catch a cold, Gia!” It was from Toby. I sneered reading his corny message.

 After work, I went to the mall for I was planning to get my Mom a bag, but when I passed by Il Cielo, a well-known perfume brand, I couldn’t resist the urge to go inside. Besides, Aunt Emily told me that Mom used to love perfumes when she was younger.

The staffs warmly welcomed me so I smiled a bit and started sniffing those scent strips, trying to find what my Mom would love.

But what does she like though? I’m not even sure.

While I was gaping over the shelves of perfume, I then realized that I was standing before a very familiar man from the other side.

It was Damon!

Before he could see me, I bowed down and slyly walked out of the line of shelves. But at the end of it, I was interrupted when I realized I was staring at the bulge of a guy who stopped walking because of me too.

I gulped as I look up. And I was startled when his smile greeted me.

“What are you doing here?!” he exclaimed.

With what I’ve heard, I was gravely offended. Do I look like I can’t afford these stuffs?

“Excuse me, I can buy these---” I cut my own words when I saw a price tag on the rose-colored perfume I randomly picked. “Oh, it’s only---” I just raised my brow and put it down.

Then I saw him annoyingly grinning while staring at me.

"Why are you following me?!” I acted out. I saw how his brows furrowed. “Guard, this dude’s stalking me!”

Immediately, the guard went near us. So, I playfully looked at him.

“Sir, what’s happening here?” My eyes enlarged when the security asked him.

“This girl’s following me,” Damon whispered as if I didn’t hear it.

“Hey you---” Before I could finish it, I was dragged out of the store.

In the end, I just bought a cheaper perfume from other stall. I was excited to hand this to her. As I went home, I saw how my Mom’s grimace changed when she saw me. She’s drinking with Aunt Emily. But regardless, I walked to her and gave her my little gift.

“Happy Birthday, Mom!” I warmly greeted her and beamed.

Without any excitement, she took and opened it. But Aunt Emily and I was shocked when she suddenly turned hysterical and threw it on the floor, creating an earsplitting sound of shattered glass.

My jaw dropped as I try to save the left fragrance on it. Deep down my heart, I felt like I was more shattered than this fragile bottle.

With my eyes starting to well up, I couldn’t help but yell, “What’s with you, Mom? I saved my money for this and look what you’ve---”

“Why would you… always remind me of that nightmare?!” she bellowed which made my heart explode even ruthless.