The Cure to My Scar

Indebted

I'm on my way to the basement parking lot when I was reminded of my conversation with Mr. Conceited. Will it hurt if he would be a little nicer to other people? I was trying to initiate a conversation with him but all gave me were his blank stares and cold shoulder. He is so full of himself. How annoying!

I opened my bag and get my car key as I was standing right next to my car but why do I feel like somebody is looking after me from somewhere else? I tried to look around the parking but there's no one else around me. I'm not sure if I'm just paranoid but I can sense that there's someone out there, hiding somewhere out there. So I immediately ride in the car and click the child lock in panic.

I lean my head in the steering wheel as I feel like I'm running out of my breath. I don't know what's going wrong with me but I've been acting this way since that day I received a message from Ethan.

I press the button to start my car engine so I can feel a little bit safer once I'm home but it's not working. Not now, please.

I tried to start the engine again but still, it's not working. I tried to seek some help from Nini but she said that she was out of town for a business trip right now. So I tried calling dad but he is not picking his phone. Now, what should you do Chloe?!

I take a look around the parking area once again to see if there's someone else out there but still, there's nobody else but me. So I took all the courage and went out of the car to see what can I do about this situation.

I am using all the energy I have, trying to pull up the hood but I can't make it for some reason. I'm not sure if I was just in a hurry and disturbed that somebody might pop out, but for some reason, I am struggling to do so.

And when I was about to open the hood, I was startled when somebody popped out and jumped in front of me. I collapsed from where I am standing as the stray cat jumped out of nowhere. I was too startled that I cried out just because of a stray cat. And my malfunctioning car added to the fuel. I can't help but feel sorry for myself that I was too weak to deal with this kind of stuff. I sobbed as I rest my face on my knees.

"Have you called your insurance?" A familiar voice asked. I don't know why but I feel better to hear this voice at times like this. Most of the time, I might feel uncomfortable when I hear a man's voice but he is different. Maybe because he once saved my life.

Hearing him talking made me stop crying. I gradually lifted my head and looked at him with all the tears all over my face. I just wanna make sure that he is true and this is not just another hallucination or imagination. Great to see a familiar face in situations like this.

"Crying won't solve anything. Is there no one who could help you?" He asked once again but all I could do by then was to stare at him as I'm still in shock.

"Will you just stare at me and let me talk by myself like a mad person?" He added. He's turning back into his original conceitedness.

"I-I'm sorry... I just... But, yeah. I already called Nini but she's out of town for business. My dad's not picking his phone." I answered. He frowned at my response.

"Then why are you crying when all you have to do is to grab some taxi if you have to go home," He said nonchalantly.

How I wish I could but I'm just too scared to bump with some random guy and then passed out in the middle of nowhere like the way I did in the book signing. I tried my best and took all the courage to overcome this fear but I failed. I'm a failure who was defeated by this fear.

"I want to but I can't. I'm scared that I might bump with some other guy." He furrowed as he heard my statement. He probably thought I'm crazy or some sort of weirdo, telling him about my fear yet I can speak with him like it's not a big deal.

"I-I'm...there's this..."

I wanna explain things to him to make him understand a little bit of my situation but I don't know why I am struggling to finish my statement. I wanna tell him as naturally as I can but it's impossible. It will never be easy to talk about your emotional scar just like no matter how hard you try.

He throws his palm in the air to stop me from whatever I'm planning to say as if he fully understands my struggles.

"Stop it. Just gather yourself and stand up. I'll be done in a few minutes." He said and continue working on my car engine.

And as he promised, he was able to fix it in less than half an hour. I tried restarting the engine and fortunately, it worked. I smiled at him brightly as I feel so grateful he managed to solve the problem on his own. I pulled out my wet tissue and gave it to him as I walked out of the car.

"Here. Sorry for the mess, with my car and my messy face." I explained and he just keep looking at the hands that he is wiping.

When will he ever talk to me while meeting my gaze?

He returned the pack of wet tissue and walked out just like that.

"Wait..." I stopped him from leaving and fortunately, he looked at me. He looked at me with his eyes wide open, as if asking what's my concern.

"Let me...treat you for a meal or something. So I can thank you properly. For this and for saving my life." I explained.

"Once again, I didn't save you. I just do what I have to do and I might gonna do it even if it's not for you. It's not a big deal. And this one, it's just simple troubleshooting. No need to worry about it." He said.

"But still... I just can't stand being indebted. Especially to men. So... please?" I insisted.

"I don't know what's your prejudice with men or how many as$h*les have you met that made you think this way but you don't have to mind me. Okay? That would make me feel comfortable than convincing and inviting me over and over again." He responded.

I was speechless about that so all I could do was to nod in response. But I'm sure I will be able to pay off that indebtedness.

We bid goodbye as he insisted to go on our separate ways so I just obediently agree on what he wanted.

"Thank you." He just waves his hand as he was walking without looking back at me. He looks cool and charismatic though even if I'm just looking at his back.

Thanks to that conceited guy, I was able to go home safe and sound. Nini was so worried that she even had to call me as soon as her meeting ends. I feel so bad that I've been burdening a lot of people around me.

"I'm so sorry, Chase. I was too busy at work and didn't notice your call immediately. Who helped you fix the car?" Dad apologizes as soon as he arrived home.

"It's all good, dad. Good thing I've got some help with this one guy who helped me before in a certain situation I had before." I explained.

Mom and Dad looked at each other as they were surprised to hear me talking about a certain guy and seeking help from him despite my mental condition when it comes to men.

"I know it's hard to believe because I find it weird as well, but yeah. He helped me once and saved me coincidentally today as well." I added.

"Isn't it a good sign, Chase?" My mom exclaimed with so much excitement as if she can see a glimpse of hope that my condition can be healed.

"I'm not sure about that mon but I also find it interesting that I can be somehow at ease when he is the one who's helping me rather than another unknown guy," I responded.

"It was a first since that first-ever panic attack you had, isn't it? Why do I feel so delighted to hear this news?" My dad commented.

I'm not sure if this is a good sign or not but one thing is for sure. That conceited guy named Jace made me feel a little bit at ease despite my haphephobia. He made me feel like I can test myself through his help but I doubt he will cooperate if I will explain my condition to him.

I mean, he may be helpful for those who are in need but he hates being disturbed just like what he has mentioned a while ago in the parking lot. So how could I even ask for his help and let me take another chance to face this fear within my head?

"Hey, Chase. Still with us? Your dad is asking you." My mom interrupted my thoughts.

"Y-yes mom, I'm sorry. Anyway, you are a right dad. That was a first. You are the only guy I can be without panic attacks but he became an exemption, too. Though we haven't talked less than a meter away from each other. So that would make a difference, maybe. But I can see that he is different compare to some other random guys I bump with or talk with." I explained.

Mom's lips kept being arched upward as she listens while I continue talking bout a guy. She witnessed how guys affect me so I'm pretty sure this kind of improvement might be music to her ears.

Well, I am also wishing that he can be a source of hope that I can fully overcome this fear in me.

And I wish I could help him as well and return all the favor he has given me by far.

"Why don't you treat him some meal to pay for his kindness? Just make sure that Nini is with you, just to be sure." Mom suggested.

"I tried but he declined. He hates being disturbed." I explained.

Mom suddenly feels disappointed to hear that.

"But don't worry. I'm gonna give it a try once again." I added.

I went to my room to have some rest when my phone beeped as a new message was received. It was a message I never expected would come. Am I dreaming or some sort of hallucinating.

It's a message from that Jace.

"You keep saying that you will do me a favor in return for saving your life twice, right? I think I will take advantage of that. Let me know when is the right time for me to call you."

Reading his message made me feel excited that I can finally return the favor but nervous as well, thinking if I could do it or not.

I just wish I won't regret insisting on the favor.