Chapter 2
2311 Words
Clifford’s order came not long after I got my tequila shots. He looked at me intently when he saw what I got for myself.
“Stressed at work?” he asked me.
I looked at him and shook my head as I downed a shot of tequila. “I’m not yet working,” I replied.
He raised his brow. “You’re still a student?” he asked me again.
I don’t know if I should be happy with that or not. Did he think I was old for my age or did I just look mature? Or maybe my attitude?
I’m sure if some other guy asked me that question, I would be pissed as hell. But since it’s Clifford, I’m trying to look into the brighter side of things.
“I’m on my last year,” I replied. “I’m going to intern at Valeria’s next week.”
I don’t really know why I am telling him that. I just couldn’t help myself. Maybe I want him to tell me something about himself too.
He nodded and then brought his glass of beer down. He looked out at the port while I stared at his charming view. I wish I could do this as a leisure. He’s handsome. He’s so pleasing to the eyes and he’s stirring a lot of emotions in me.
“How old are you?” I asked him without thinking. I guess, I was so mesmerized with his side profile that I actually forgot to choose my words for a moment.
He looked at me and smiled. “I am twenty-seven,” he replied. “I’m guessing you’re twenty-one?”
My lips protruded before nodding. “Yes,” I said in a small voice. He’s six years older than me. Would he like me even now that he knew that I am way younger than him?
Most guys hate it when they girl is too young. But then, I am not a minor anymore. I can do anything I want in my life. Would he think about the age gap?
Wait a minute!
Why am I already thinking about us when I barely even know him? Sure, he’s handsome and all but I am suddenly disappointed at how submissive I can be to him. He’s someone who treated me different ad he’s a million times better than any of the guys I have met in my whole life. But that doesn’t mean that I would treat him like some god.
Well, he is…but ain’t I being an easy lay here?
I took one shot down before looking at back at him. I am an expert when it comes to lying and making a front because I have been doing that in front of my mother for so many years. I always show that I am okay. I’ve never showed myself longing for a father even though I am badly wanting to know who and where he is, why he left us, if he has a plan to come back to us or at least just show himself to me.
I can show everyone I am alright just like how I can make Sage think I am into him when in fact I want to puke in disgust whenever I see his face.
I can be a good actress. Maybe acting like I am not interested in this man is also a piece of cake.
Clifford sipped on his glass of beer. “You want to become a fashion designer in the future?” he asked me again.
I cleared my throat and nodded. “I want to own a big fashion line and build my own name in the fashion industry,” I replied.
He leaned closer, seemingly very interested in our topic. I don’t know any guy who would take interest in things like fashion—especially a manly guy like him.
“It has been my dream to run a fashion company. I like designing clothes so much. I think it’s what I’m good at and that’s the path I want to go,” I continued. “My mother doesn’t exactly like it but I got her to agree when I told her that I will be pursuing fashion in college.”
Clifford tilted his head to the side. “Why would your mother not support you in that?” he asked.
I sighed. “We…have our business…” I wasn’t sure about that. I’m sure the business was not left to us but to Heaven. I don’t really care about it because I take no interest in it. And that’s why I feel embarrassed when I own it.
He nodded at my reply. “So you are expected to take something in line with business management?” he probed.
I bit my lower lip and nodded. “I took some additional units about business so Mom wouldn’t get angry at me.”
He nodded before leaning his chin on the back on his hand, his elbows leaning on the table. “Are you an only child?” he asked me.
I nodded. “Only daughter,” I replied.
“Same here,” he replied. “I’m an only son.”
My eyes are fixated on him. He’s trying to open up about him and I don’t know why I feel great about it. That means he’s willing to share a part of his life to me, right?
Well, I’m nothing to him but a random girl he saved in a club but like they say, it is way easier to open up to a stranger. There’s no judgement.
“My father is a disciplinarian. He’s a retired Brigadier General of the Airforce,” he told me. “Having a father like that is like having my whole life laid out in front of me even before I even know how to walk.”
I watched his expression change as he talked about his father. It’s quite obvious that he isn’t a fan of his father and the way he was brought up. But actually, based on what he said, it wasn’t fun. It’s never fun to not have control of your life. That’s why I hate it when Mom tries to do so.
I want my freedom. And I deserve it.
If I fail, then I learn my lesson. If I succeed, then that’s well and good.
“Are you a soldier, too?” I asked him.
He looked at me and smiled weakly. “I’m in the Air force,” he replied. “I have been in the force since I graduated.”
My eyes widened in shock. I don’t even know why I am still surprised. It was quite common sense for him to follow the footsteps of his father. It was a no-brainer. But his type is like those who would go into modeling or something. He’s got prominent facial features that would be on par with the men in magazines.
He might even take the prize from them. He’s that attractive.
He smiled sadly at me. “I’m on furlough now,” he added.
My lips parted. Was that the reason why I couldn’t find him the past few months? He’s on the force and he can only come out once in a while.
He raised his brow at me. “Don’t you have any more questions?” he asked me.
I was slightly taken aback by his question. Did he think I had a lot of things to question? “Like…what?” I asked back.
He smirked. Handsome. That’s all I could think when I saw his smirk. Some boys smirk at me but I never felt attracted to them. They all just looked the same to me.
On the other hand, Clifford is different. His smirk excites something in me. And no one has ever done that to me ever.
He shrugged and leaned on his seat back. “I don’t know. The usual?” he replied, unsure. “How long do I stay in the force? How long do I stay on furlough? Why did I choose this? What do I want if I didn’t become a soldier?”
I raised my brow at him. “Well, I think you have been asked around that a lot,” I told him.
He chuckled lowly and nodded. “That’s what they always ask me.”
“Who?” I asked, a little provocative. “Your girlfriends?”
He stared at me and smirked. “Girlfriends? I don’t do girlfriends, Julia,” he told me in a serious tone. “I can’t do girlfriends because I am always in the base. I can’t commit.”
There was something in his voice that tells me to stop. I need to stop now. And I know I have to stop now because he already gave me a disclaimer. But why do I feel attracted even more? I should be wanting to run way now.
“So, you’re saying your loyalty is with the state?” I asked him.
Clifford shrugged. “You can say that.”
“You’re not loyal to women?”
He narrowed his eyes at me. His jaw clenched tight and I find it so hot when his jaw ticks. “Are you saying I’m unfaithful?”
I shrugged. “I’m just asking, Clifford,” I replied with a meaningful smile. “Were you guilty?”
He furrowed his brows at me for a moment before I saw the side of his lips rising. “Why do I regret asking you if you have any more questions about me?” he said in a low chuckle before leaning closer to me. “I’m not unfaithful, Julia. I’m a one-woman man when I’m in a relationship.”
I smirked and leaned closer as well. On where I am getting all the confidence when I know I am trembling deep inside, I don’t know. But I feel like I am loving this exchange. It gives me a different sense of fulfillment that I am not stuttering anymore.
“Oh, so, Mr. Officer is loyal. That’s good to know,” I uttered as I subtly flipped my hair.
So, this is how it feels to genuinely flirt. I always felt disgusted when I do it with Sage. That’s just…plain…ew! I even cringe at the thought of it.
His stare at me darkened. “Are you trying to insinuate something?” he asked in a low, sexy and husky voice.
It almost sounded like a bedroom voice to me. If only we’re not in this open area.
I shrugged and looked out at the port to ignore his question. I am not trying to insinuate. I’m just teasing him but I think I went overboard on this one.
“It’s been years since I got a girlfriend,” he suddenly said and that made me turn to him.
My eyes widened when I saw his face so close to mine. His dark brown eyes are on me, as if with a goal to make me lose all my sense.
And holy hell. I have never seen anyone this close before. My heart is suddenly pounding against my chest. I’m getting dizzier and dizzier like I am drunk on his stare.
He never blinked. He was just looking at me intently like he’s trying to read my mind.
Am I too obvious? Am I too open? I don’t know. Can he read me right now? What will he read anyway? My mind is already blank.
“You’re even more beautiful up close,” he whispered softly as the wind blew.
I swallowed hard. Now, what? Am I expected to say something back? Should I also compliment his godly features? What? I can’t think!
He tilted his head to the side. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
My eyes widened a little but I managed to control my expression. “Why are you asking? I thought you don’t have time?”
He pursed his lips in a thin line. “Maybe I don’t,” he replied. “Maybe I do,” he added in a confusing way.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Are you drunk?” I asked with a smirk.
“I wouldn’t be this tame if I’m drunk,” he replied. “But I really hope you don’t have a boyfriend. It would be a lot more regrettable that I met you under that circumstance.”
I stared at him and gathered all the sanity I have left. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Does that satisfy your curiosity?” I asked him and he just smirked.
“Maybe,” he replied before sipping on his beer once more. “Maybe I’m satisfied.”
- Writer
