Loving Him

Chapter 9

"You're absolutely stunning, Ate Levi, and I never imagined you had such hidden sexiness," Micah praised her.

Levi's face lit up with a smile as she admired her reflection. She was wearing a form-fitting semi-formal dress that accentuated her curves. Her alluring figure would surely catch the attention of any man.

"Thank you, Micah. It's my first time wearing this type of dress," she remarked, adjusting the neckline of her dress.

It had a flattering V-line cut, reaching just below her knees. She was relieved that it wasn't a slit type dress; otherwise, she would have opted for a different one. The dress was a lovely peach color, complemented by a matching peach purse and flat sandals.

As for accessories, she wore a necklace that was a gift from her mother. On the other hand, Micah was dressed in an elegant off-shoulder formal dress, white in color, with a yellow ribbon around her waist. She looked both pretty and alluring.

The two of them descended the stairs together, both wearing radiant smiles.

Meanwhile, the married couple, Mike and his wife, were already seated inside the car.

However, upon reaching the car, Mrs. Montenegro suddenly changed her mind and suggested that Levi should ride with Mike instead.

This was not an unfamiliar strategy to Mike, as he understood his mother's intentions. She simply wanted to bring Levi and him closer. With no other option, he reluctantly agreed to the plan.

Levi followed closely behind him, and he couldn't help but notice that she always held onto her heart-shaped pendant necklace. He had to admit that she now looked more human in his eyes, despite her simple and unassuming attire. Nevertheless, her natural beauty remained undiminished.

In fact, Levi's beauty seemed to radiate even more, bearing a striking resemblance to an actress who portrayed Marimar in a popular TV series on the GMA channel. However, he couldn't quite recall the name of that captivating actress.

"Hop in!" Mike exclaimed, jolting her back to reality. Memories flooded back to her, of the joyful days when her beloved mother was still alive. Acting swiftly, she entered Mike's car.

Indeed, her companion was remarkably handsome, dressed in a tuxedo and exuding undeniable charm. She was confident that many women would be captivated by his dashing appearance.

It was not unfamiliar to him, as women had pursued him before. Some had even shed tears upon hearing false news of his marriage and subsequent suicide. Others had claimed to be content with bearing his child, without the need to chase after him any further.

Levi adjusted her seatbelt and directed her to gaze out the window. The atmosphere between them felt somewhat awkward. Only the faint sound of the air conditioning accompanied them as they journeyed towards the mayor's residence.

The car suddenly came to a stop, and Mike attempted to start it again without success. He got out of the car to investigate the reason for their halt.

His frustration grew as he discovered a flat tire. Levi quickly joined him, asking what had happened. "What happened?" she asked him immediately.

"Our tire is flat," he replied, lacking enthusiasm. Mike rubbed his temples, feeling unlucky in that moment.

"Fix it. Don't tell me you don't know how," Levi responded directly to him.

"How am I supposed to fix it? I don't have any tools with me. Do you really think I can magically fix this without any tools? Are you crazy?" Mike replied irritably to Levi.

Levi suggested calling someone for assistance. She hurriedly tried to open the car, only to realize it was locked. She turned to Mike, gesturing for him to unlock it. As he approached, he remembered that the car keys were inside. Mike let out a curse, realizing his mistake.

"What the heck!" Mike exclaimed, kicking the flat tire in frustration. Levi was taken aback by his reaction but quickly composed herself.

"Do you think your swearing helps us in this situation? What we need is a solution," she calmly responded to him, scanning their surroundings.

The area was dimly lit, with a large house across from them that appeared to be vacant. The silence was eerie, causing Levi's hair to stand on end. She swallowed nervously and hugged herself for comfort.

"Oh, so you're scared now? Don't tell me you're afraid. I thought you were supposed to be brave," Mike teased, irritating Levi. She turned to him and pouted.

"Who wouldn't be scared in a place like this? It's so dark and eerie, especially that house over there. It looks like a haunted house. And it's so quiet, it's almost deafening," she replied to him, while he continued to examine the car tire.

"It looks like we'll have to leave the car here," Mike stated. He surveyed the surroundings, his gaze landing on the imposing house in front of them. It seemed abandoned, with a rusty gate left open. They had no other option but to enter the house and spend the night there.

Levi felt a sense of unease as Mike gestured towards the house she could barely bring herself to look at. She was genuinely afraid of its appearance. Why did it have to resemble a haunted house?

"We should just leave it and go," Levi suggested, taking the lead and starting to walk away.

"And where do you think you're going? It's too dark out there, Levi. I think we need to go there," Mike said, pointing towards the old house that sent chills down Levi's spine.

"No way, Mike, don't joke about that. We could get in trouble for trespassing," she quickly made an excuse.

"If you don't want to, then don't. But I'm going to spend the night there. Why are you so scared anyway? You're with me, and can you please stop with your exaggerated reactions, it's disorienting," Mike complained, taking the lead and walking towards the old house.

Levi had no choice but to follow him. Despite her reluctance, she needed Mike's presence at that moment. She tightly wrapped her left arm around his right, seeking reassurance.

Mike was startled by Levi's action. He felt a strange sensation within him, a familiar feeling that he had always tried to ignore whenever their bodies came into contact. He found himself gazing at Levi's face, where fear was evident, as she was sweating profusely. But he couldn't deny the fact that, this time, she was incredibly captivating. Her innocence was truly unforgettable.

"Are you just going to stare at me? What now? Where should we go? Do you think there are people here? Mike... I'm scared, please don't leave me," Levi trembled as she pleaded with him.

Secretly, he couldn't help but smile at their current situation. He couldn't quite comprehend it, but he felt something special that night. He found delight in every reaction from Levi.

"That's why you better hold on tight to me, or else I might leave you," he replied to the perspiring girl.

Mike searched for a light switch, and luckily, he found one. The entire house lit up, and Levi finally let go of him. He couldn't help but feel a slight pang of regret for what she had done.

"Phew! Thank goodness there's light now," Levi let out a relieved breath as the room brightened. The fear that had engulfed her just moments ago suddenly dissipated.

It was evident that everything inside the house was old. Some items were covered with white sheets, possibly to protect them.

Mike noticed that they seemed to be from the Spanish colonial era, judging by the architectural design of the house, which had a distinct Spanish style.

As he lifted his gaze upward, he noticed the old yet antique chandelier. He was truly fascinated by what he saw. There were antique jars and other decorative pieces. He couldn't help but wonder about the whereabouts of the house's owner, considering the significant value of these antique designs if they were to be sold.

They heard a clanging sound of metal. They turned their attention to the entrance and noticed a person slowly approaching, walking with an uneven gait. Levi tightly clung to Mike and quickly sought refuge behind him.

Meanwhile, Mike secretly relished in observing Levi's reactions. He had been noticing her fear all along. Mike let out a sigh and mentally prepared himself for whatever the approaching person might say.

"It seems like you're lost, sir. Do you know that you're trespassing?" The hunchbacked woman said to Mike.

"Apologies, but we're here because our car broke down. I'm with a lady, and we're concerned about encountering any danger if we were to walk on the dark road. So, if it's possible, could we spend the night here?" Mike explained in detail. The woman stared at him for a moment before shifting her gaze towards Levi.

"Is that your car outside? In that case, I will accompany you to the room that will be assigned to you as a couple," she replied and began walking ahead towards the room they would be staying in.

Levi wanted to correct the woman's assumption, but Mike stopped her.

Annoyed, Levi pinched Mike's side. He was taken aback by her actions. Thankfully, he managed to control his urge to shout.

"Are you out of your mind? Why did you agree to be in the same room?" she angrily asked him.

"Please, Levi, not now. This is not the time for arguments. I want you to cooperate. This is the only way I can ensure your safety. And don't jump to conclusions. I'm doing this for my mother. I don't want her to worry," he explained, trying to keep his voice calm.

Levi blinked in surprise at his words. Everything could have been fine, but he had to retract his statement. Why couldn't he simply admit that he found her attractive? She secretly smiled at the thought.

"Here, this is the guest room for you." The woman said, her smile still in place. She was about to depart when Levi stopped her, gripping her hand. Mike couldn't help but be intrigued by Levi's actions, his brows furrowing slightly.

"I know it may be asking too much, but I've been feeling hungry for a while now. Is there any food available here?" she pleaded, her stomach growling in agreement. The hunchbacked woman smiled and caught Mike's gaze for a moment.

"I will prepare some food for you. In the guest room, you'll find clothing for both men and women. Feel free to use them," she kindly replied before taking her leave.