Femme Fatale

Chapter 25: Provocation

After running from somewhat we don’t see but we can feel and hear while roaming around the campus at night, I got separated from my group. I’m about to go at the women’s room when someone bumped into me and the next thing, I know I’m underneath this man, Poseidon Nevaeh.

Everything stops for a while when our lips meet and our eyes staring each other. Like we’re both paralyzed for a moment that even my heart skipped a beat, this is my first kiss and he take it away from me in a blink of an eye.

“You alright?” he pulled away after I don’t know how long “I’ll put your head on the floor now.” gently laying my head on the floor as he caught me when I fall “You clearly didn’t hit your head, are you going to lay down the floor for long and scare the others?” get off from me in an instant

“Ah right!” get up “What are you running from, are you being chase by ghosts??!”

“What’s after me are scarier than ghosts.” looking behind me “Don’t tell anyone that you see me.” continue to run on the way where I came from

“Wait …” watching his disappear from my sight “What just happened?!! You kissed me and now you run??!” touching my lips as I could still feel that kiss even if it’s just an accident “What’s wrong with you??!” talking to my heart “He’s Poseidon Nevaeh, you’re not supposed to react to him!”

“Ex-Excuse me, are you human??!” a girl walking towards me with a bunch of other girls “Even if you’re a ghost have you seen Prince Don???”

“Now I know what he means scarier than ghosts.” looking at the girls “He ran … that way!” pointing them at the right way

“Thank you!” girls running at the way I pointed them “Why did he ran away from us? He should be protecting us since he’s our leader.”

“If I were him I runaway from my group too, wow, they’re so desperate to take advantage of the situation, they’re lucky I didn’t deceive them.”

I arrived at the finished line a little later than my own group. Seaof and Poseidon are sitting together like they’re souls left their bodies, with their clothes almost torn apart and messy hair as if they’ve been attacked.

“Here comes the traitor!” Poseidon glaring at me the moment he saw me coming towards them “I should’ve just let your head hit on the floor.”

“Hit on the floor??!” Seaof looking at Poseidon and me “Why, what happened???”

“Don bumped into me when he’s running away from his crazy fans and …” suddenly reminded of the kiss that I thought I deleted from my memory

“If not for my reflex she would’ve hit her head on the floor.” Poseidon continued my statement

“Th-That’s right!” trying to calm down “Though it’s entirely his fault because I won’t fall if he didn’t bump into me.”

“I see.” Seaof open a bottle of water “Here, drink some water, you must be thirsty after such activity.”

“I think you need it more than me.” feeling sorry for both of them “I assume we didn’t win the competition.”

“Group 14 won.” Seaof replied “They’re the first group who came altogether.” sighing heavily

“It’s alright, I never expect our group to win from the start, specially his group.” pointing at Poseidon “You shouldn’t run away from your own group.”

“Easy for you to say.” Poseidon scowling at me “If you’re only here to annoy me will you please get lost; I don’t have energy left to argue with you.”

“Fine, I’ll give you a break.” turn around and smile “Why am I smiling??” walking away from the two

The event ended up at 10:30pm, most went to their dorms while others went home. Papa Justin picked me up and Seaof came along with us because Poseidon is going back to Seoul for his family gathering the day after tomorrow.

“I know everything Nene.” Papa Justin went to my room to check on me and he’s smiling like he’s teasing me about what happened earlier

“It’s nothing alright!” turning to the other side of the bed “I want to forget it, please don’t remind me!”

“Hahaha, fine, I guess you’ll have sweet dreams tonight.” closed the door after he left

“Geez, this is so annoying!” cover my face with pillow as the kissing scene keep playing on repeat inside my head

The next morning, I know why Papa Justin keep on smiling like a fool whenever he sees me. I really hate it when I can’t keep anything from him because he always knows what’s on my mind and even if try to conceal, the memory is too strong that I can’t even control.

“Seaof, let’s go to the market, Papa isn’t himself right now, that he keeps on smiling without a reason.” walking towards the door to put my shoes on

“What’s wrong with me being in a good mood??” Papa Justin teasing me again “Hey, don’t invite Detective Kim, I’ll stop, alright?!”

“What’s between you two?” Seaof getting confused because Papa Justin read my mind loudly “Nene, didn’t say a word Justin.” looking at Papa and me as he walk towards the door to accompany me at the market

“We talked about her last night, you know Detective Kim, right?” getting back at Papa by telling a story about Detective Kim to Seaof

“Ah Detective Kim, I really wonder why she’s always asking Justin for help when he’s not even into criminal psychology.” Seaof closed the door after we got out “But I think Justin is really good in everything, because if not that Detective won’t ask for his help.”

“He’s not that great, oh you didn’t bring your car, I’ll take the car key from Papa.” get back inside and Papa Justin throw me the key “Thanks!”

“That was fast.” Seaof looking at me “See he knows before you say a word to him, now I think the rumor that he can read minds is in fact true.”

“Geez, he’s just a great observer, and when it comes to me, he knows me since I was a child so there’s nothing amazing about it.” get in to Papa’s car

“You can drive??” he gets in to the passenger seat and put his seatbelt on

“I’ve got my driver’s license.” showing him my license “Trust me, I won’t let anything happen to you.” (It’s not your time to die with my hands yet.)

“I do trust you.” nodding at me like he’s convincing himself that he’s safe with my driving skills

“You don’t sound sincere at all, but what else can you do?” hitting the road after I start the engine

“You don’t have to rush, Nene, we’ll get there.” Seaof holding tight to his seat as I drive with my own pace

“This is my normal speed, I’m not rushing.” full stop at the red light “You’re not going to throw up, are you?” looking at his pale face

“I don’t want to mention it but I think I’m gonna throw up.” opens the window and relieve himself without care about his image or reputation

“Oh my, you can’t be my passenger.” patting his back “Let’s stop at the pharmacy first.” handing him the box of tissue

“I’m alright, it’s just that I’m not used with your driving skills.” wiping his mouth with tissue “I don’t need any medicine.”

“If you say so, we’re near at the market, so hang in there alright?” stepping at the gas again

He really held back until we finally arrived at the parking lot in the market. I left him first to buy water to rinse his mouth, this man absolutely has weak stamina, I might be the man in our relationship who’s protecting him rather than him.

“Are you good to go?” waiting him to pull himself together “You may stay in the car if you’re still not feeling well.”

“I’m fine, I can’t let you go alone and carry everything, I’m coming with you.” wash his face with the remaining water and wipe himself dry with his handkerchief “Let’s go.” turn to face me after refreshing himself

“You don’t have to play pretend that you can go on, I can’t carry you along with the bags in case you fainted.” worried about his health

“I’m not pretending, I can carry you while we’re buying the ingredients if you want.” smiling at me brightly

“I can walk, you don’t have to carry me.” walking off first “We’re buying ingredients for Roast Beef for tonight’s dinner and Lamb Chops for tomorrow.”

“Alright, anything you want to make for our meal.” following me in to the market

After buying everything we need, he volunteered to take the wheels instead as he doesn’t want me to see him in his embarrassing state. We arrived home before lunch and he assisted me in the kitchen to prepare our meal as well as the Roast Beef for dinner later. Since I joined the debate event for Monday, he helped me practice while we’re waiting for the sunset and finally have our precious dinner set on the table.

“Haist …” Papa Justin sighs heavily before the doorbell rings “Tell her I’m on a vacation somewhere faraway and I won’t be back ever again.”

“Is it, Detective Kim again?” Seaof looking at Papa Justin “That’s your expression whenever she comes knocking on our door at campus dorm.”

“I didn’t call her.” stand up and walk towards the door to welcome the guest “Papa told me to tell you that he’s not gone forever.”

“Then I’m here to eat his share for dinner, what’s that delicious smell welcoming me to your dining room.” Detective Kim walk in straight to the dining

“I made Roast Beef for dinner.” close the door after I opened it widely for her “What do you have for us tonight, Detective Kim??”

“Nene, let’s eat first, I don’t want to hear a crime while having a meal.” Papa Justin coming out from the kitchen with plate, fork, and knife for Kim

“Yeah, I definitely agree.” Detective Kim nodded “Thank you.” get a slice of beef immediately after she received what Papa Justin brought her “What are you doing here Seaof? Can’t you stay away from Justin that you’re even in his residence this Saturday evening?”

“Detective Kim, I’m not your rival, I’m staying here when Don goes to Gangnam to attend his family gathering every first Sunday of the month.” he replied “You don’t have to get jealous with me, I’m not interested with your Dr. Tranter.”

“You have your own residence in Dongbaekseom, you should go home instead of staying at your friends house, besides there’s a single lady lives here what if Nene can’t get a man because of you, will you be responsible for her??!” Detective Kim also provoking Seaof to confess his feelings

“Detective Kim, with all due respect, me being here doesn’t have anything to do with any man, if that man can’t accept how Nene stay with her male friends under one roof then that’s his problem, besides I don’t think Nene will stay single for the rest of her life.” he responded

“Yeah, I told him that I want to fall in love, but if my future boyfriend can’t accept everything about me then he doesn’t deserve me at all.” I said

“You’re in the right track, sweetheart.” Detective Kim smiling at me “By the way, this is delicious, you can even get married because of your cooking skills, you’re actually a perfect wife material, you only need to find a worthy husband.”

“Hey Kim, I’m still here!” Papa Justin exclaimed “She doesn’t even have a boyfriend yet but your talking about marriage to her.”

“It’ll be nice if my first boyfriend will be my husband too.” eating my meal while we’re all trying to send the message to Seaof

Maybe we had him thinking that he stayed quiet for awhile during dinner. He volunteered to wash the dishes while Papa Justin and Detective Kim stayed in the room to have their conversation about another case.

It’s late night and I went to the kitchen to have some milk before I go to bed. I saw Seaof staying at the backyard staring blankly ahead while sitting at the couch. I wish I also had the ability to read people’s mind but I think I know what he’s thinking at the moment.

“Can’t sleep??” handing him a glass of milk “What are you doing here outside? Aren’t you cold??” sits on the couch beside him

“Thanks.” took the milk and drink “Why are you still up??” changing the subject

“I got thirsty so I went for a milk before I go to sleep, how about you, you haven’t answer any of my questions yet?” looking at him while drinking milk

“I’ve been thinking a lot of things.” he sighs “I just want to feel the air even if it’s cold here outside.”

“If not for the plants and trees here we won’t breathe a fresh air.” looking at the surrounding “What are you thinking about??”

“My future.” he said without hesitation “Everything has been laid out to me and all I need to do is to follow, I thought I’m alright with my life plan but recently I don’t feel like myself when I thought I lost the chance to be with the one I want to be with.”

“The one that you’re talking about, do you like her?” I know that it’s me we’re talking about but I have to pretend I know nothing

“I don’t just like her, I think I love her.” glancing at me “But I can’t tell her how I feel for some matters.”

“You just said it awhile ago that you don’t feel like yourself when you thought you lost the chance, but what if because of your silence you really lost the opportunity to tell her your feelings?? I know I’m not a love expert and I’m not bragging about my experiences from the boys who profess their love to me, but I genuinely appreciate their courage to say that they like me, well that’s my point of view as a girl I don’t know to your perspective.”

“I’m also not bragging but I never initiate the confession ever since, though I had serious relationships before, it’s always me who accepts their feelings, I don’t know what to do … now I’m the one who needs to ask the question and the fact that it won’t be easy for me to do it because of our current situation … also I’m afraid that I lose her for good in case she rejected me.” looking up at the moon “I’m too problematic, aren’t I?”

“Yes, you are, but as a friend, I’m advising you to tell her what you truly feels no matter what it takes, whether you lose her to someone else and regret it for the rest of your life or you lose her because she rejected you but at least you won’t regret since you take courage to tell her what you feel and you only need to move on.” tapping his shoulder “It’s only a matter of to do or not to do, but which makes a greater loss between the two??”

“So, in other words, you’re persuading me to do the confession??” staring at me “It’s not that easy but I’m not sure if should take a chance on her.”

“Don’t make things complicated alright?” staring back at him “If you love her just tell her and don’t think of anything else, you’ll figure it out once she rejects or accepts you, if she rejects you then move on but if she accepts you then rejoice, as simple as that.” finishing my drink out of frustration

“You’re right it’s just simple, I only need not to think of anything else but my feelings for her.” he also finished the drink straightly “I have a mustache, aren’t I? I don’t usually drink milk since I turned 20.” wiping his mouth with his hand

“You’re already tall you don’t need to drink too much milk, but me I still have a chance to get taller than my current height.” stand up “I’ll wash the glasses, give it to me.” wiping my mouth with my hands too in case I also have a mustache

“It’s alright, leave it to me, you need to go to bed now if you want to be taller, though I think your height is just right for you.” took my glass in my hand “You’re at the same height with Don when you wear your heels.”

“Those are three inches high, but Don’s height isn’t that bad, I slightly look up to him when I wear flat shoes.” chuckles

“I wish I’m a six-footer like Justin, I’m short by two inches that’s why I prefer my footwear that makes me two inches taller.” he said shyly as we walk inside the house “But don’t tell anyone about it, that’s our little secret, alright?”

“Is it a secret if everyone can notice it?” accompanying him to the kitchen “You know, us students always have a say to what professors wear in the classroom, specially you and Don, you two quite into fashion and everyone knows it.” watching him wash the glasses we used “You two knows how to suit up like models so every time you walk in to class everyone is talking about your outfit of the day.”

“Now I know what the fuss is all about, thanks for sharing me the class information, to be honest I really don’t know about fashion because I don’t have my own designer like Don, so I admit defeat to him in terms of outfit.” wiping the glasses dry before he put it to the shelf

“That explains a lot, please do me a favor, don’t wear oversize clothes again. Remember the time when you went to class, your long sleeves tucked out and it weren’t fold nicely that it almost covered your hands, as well as your pants that day it’s too big that you keep on stepping on it.”

“Noted. I actually wasn’t in the mood that day so I’m not paying attention of how I look.” staring at me “What outfit do you think is good for me??”

“Hmm … anything I guess as long as it’s on your size.” walking out from the kitchen “Besides you have the looks it’s just that Don outshine you most of the time because of his extreme visual, I don’t think that you’ll have hundreds of girls if you’re not handsome.”

“Am I handsome??” smiling charmingly at me “I thought I just had the s*x appeal … ah please forget what I just said … I shouldn’t say it out loud.”

“But I heard it, well ...” looking at him from head to toe “I don’t object, you may say it.” walking towards my bedroom “Good night, sexy friend.”

“Please don’t call me that, it’s quite embarrassing.” scratching his head “Good night, Nene.”

Close my bedroom door “He’s really weird and funny.” Climbed up to bed and lay myself down to sleep.

The next morning, because it’s Sunday we went to church for the mass. When we get home, I started to boil the lamb for dinner while preparing our lunch and Seaof assisted me in cooking again. I really wonder when this man will muster his courage and confess because I’m not doing it for him.

“I think I’m ready for the debate tomorrow.” done practicing with Seaof while waiting for dinner time “How about you what are you doing tomorrow?”

“Morning priest … Don and I took the marriage booth, if only I can play in the band like the other professors then I won’t be doing it.” he replied

“Well that’s quite effective for you guys not to be chase by your fans, because for sure that you two will be married many times tomorrow.” chuckles

“You’re scaring me Nene; I don’t like the idea of marrying many times … I’m only marrying once and that should be to the one I truly love.”

“The more reason you must confess to her, who knows you might get married in the end.” encouraging him more

“That would be a happy ending.” smiles at me “Anyway, the lamb is almost ready, what are we going to do with it?” watching the time at the clock

“We’re having Lamb Chops so I’ll show you my chopping skills, have I told you that I’m good with knives??” walking to the kitchen

“I’m not sure if I should be happy or afraid of that skill of yours.” following me behind “The only thing I know is your good in cooking.”

“Hammond is great with arrows and me with knives, together we could actually be warriors if we’re still living in ancient times.” preparing the lamb

“I believe you, and speaking of Hammond with arrows, he’s competing to the archery contest, tomorrow right?” helping me with other ingredients

“Yes, though it’s unfair because he’s already a known athlete to archery but he still participates because he wants to show off his skills.”

“There’s no rule that prohibits him to join, perhaps he could inspire others to join the archery club, who knows?” helping me to put the lamb on the chopping board “You know what, when I was a kid I always admire people who can do sports, because of my stamina I only learned music.”

“Geez, don’t be too hard on yourself, music isn’t that bad, so tell me what instrument can you play?” chopping the lambs carefully

“Piano.” watching me chopping “That’s the only musical instrument I can play, but I can sing.”

“That’s great!” continue chopping the meat “I wish I can see you play the piano and sing at the same time.”

“I’ll grant your wish someday but for now let’s cook that lamb, how can you chop it at once and fast??” watching me thoroughly

“It’s a matter of strength and agility, aside from the meat itself and of course the weapon used.” chopping the last part of the meat “See, I’m done.”

“Weapon huh? I think you were a warrior in your past life.” assisting me to cook the chopped lamb

“Well I’m still good in fighting and using knives to so I’m still a warrior in this life.” mixing the other ingredients

“You’re basically right, any man would feel inferior to you because you’re good in everything.” tidying up the counter because of my mess

“You flattered me too much, but the reason I get strong is because I want to stand on my own, I don’t need anyone’s protection I can protect myself.”

“Then will you protect a weakling like me?” sweet talking to me like he’s indicating something

“You’re my friend of course I will, it’s not always the man who protects us women can also do it.” reassuring him of his safety “I won’t let anything hurt you, I could be your bodyguard if you want to.” (I won’t let anyone kill you because you’re gonna die in my own hands.)

“That’s too much to ask, but I think I can trust my life in your hands.” staring at me sincerely “You can also rely on me with other matters, you know.”