In Love With My Rival

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: whole thing between us

                “What are you doing to me?”

                She heard him whisper. Yes, she was not sleeping at all. She was faking it because she wanted to know what he would do. To her surprise, she felt him sitting in front of her, staring at her face. It was making her uncomfortable that he was staring at her like a creep, but she had no choice. She had to do this. She wanted to listen more. 

                His voice was deep, but it sounded so soft to her ears.

                “Please don’t go out. It won’t be long. I just have to use the bathroom.”

                It was not the latter sentence that she was so interested in, but the former. Please don’t go out. It sounded so good hearing him order her that. She was ordered many times by her father, but they were all demanding angry orders. She fulfilled them by exerting so much effort and time, just to please him.        

                Zephyr, ordering him to stay in her place and to not go out was something. Something different. The way he said that just moved her heart.

                Don’t overthink. He is just doing his job to protect you.

                That voice in her head said, getting her hopes up. She knew that she should not make a big deal out of it but it still meant something for her. When he walked into the room earlier, that was when she finally looked up and she hesitated if she should follow him or not. But it would look so desperate if she follows him there, so she just stayed put as he ordered and waited for him. She pretended to sleep and she was right when she assumed he would come to her and just stare at her.

                “What are you doing to me?”

                She remembered his question.

                How in the world am I going to answer that question?

                She did not know. She had no idea what she was doing to him. She was not even aware that she had done something. Was it when she almost kissed him just earlier? What? Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, completely forgetting that she was only pretending to sleep. She could not help it.

                Ugh. I’m going crazy. I need to open my eyes now.

                She thought, but he was still there right in front of her, still staring at her.

                I don’t care.

                She was about to do it… to open her eyes and look at him when the door to her office opened again and walked in Mason for the second time of the day.

               Damn it, Mason. You are such an intruder. 

                “Oh! Right, I see you two are not yet done. I think I’ll just come back here later.” Mason said playfully with a hint of annoyance and impatience in her voice.

                The door closed once again. Ava thought it was the perfect time to open her eyes so she did only to stare right into his brown orbs. Beautiful. She found herself getting lost in them… in him. They were too beautiful that she did not want to look away. Just not yet. 

                “What are you doing to me?”

                She whispered his words back. She kept staring at face and the reaction she got was a slight frown as he looked at her intently. There was hunger in his eyes. She saw it. She was not assuming because she could clearly see the heat with her own eyes. She did not want to assume anymore. Not only it would embarrass her, but it would hurt her too.

                “I don’t know,” Zephyr answered honestly. 

                Zephyr was stunned to be asked the same question. Was she confused too? What was he doing to her? He had no idea. He thought it was only her who did something to him. He was confused that his brows furrowed in a frown. He wanted to clear things out. The situation was making him go crazy. It needed to stop.

                “This needs to stop.” He finally brought up all his courage and told her that. Sometimes, he could not believe why he felt so weak around this woman. It was just so unusual for him. 

                There’s just something about her that made me want to protect her with all I can.

                “What needs to stop?” She asked, sounding so completely clueless about the fact she was making him feel things he should not feel. It annoyed him.

                “This.” Answered. “This whole confusing situation.” He paused. “We have to be strictly professionals with our roles.” He emphasized, hoping it was clear enough.

                Breathing almost hard, he watched her and waited for a reaction. She was just staring at him until she leaned back saying, “Oh.”

                Yes, that was all he got from her.

                “I’m serious, Ava.” He sighed, standing up from the chair and rubbed his hands over his face in frustration. “I can’t be feeling this way. I’m your bodyguard. You’re a VIP, and I am just nobody from Mexico. I am here because I am willing to protect you and not to give people the wrong idea about us.”

                “I know.” She smiled at him.

                Ava could not deny that his words hurt a bit. It was a blow right to her heart. She could not blame him because he was right. There was nothing wrong with what he was saying. Casting her head down, she let out a sigh and looked anywhere, but him.

                “I know.” She repeated. “And I’m sorry. I’m sorry for acting stupid.” She said, without looking at him. There were a few moments of silence before she looked up at him again and seriously said, “Don’t worry. It won’t happen again. I’m sorry for not giving you the terms and conditions. I actually have the contract prepared. If you don’t mind, you can’t sign it now.”

                “Where is it?” He asked. 

                Ava opened a drawer of her desk and pulled out a long brown file folder. She opened it and laid it properly on the table.

                “You can carefully read it first before you sign your name on it. I will give you time.” She said, standing up from her chair.

                She watched Zephyr sat on the chair in front of her desk again. When he started reading the contract, she finally made her way towards her room. But just when she was about to open the door and get inside, she heard him ask,

                “Where are you going?”

                She did not turn around to see if he was looking at her. Instead, she just answered, “I’ll just be right here in my room. Just knock on the door once you’re done.” Without waiting for his reply, she pushed the door open and got inside. She curled herself up on the bed and just wonder off her mind. She thought her father and her mother, wondering how they were doing. She missed her Mom. She wanted to go shopping with her gain. She missed those times when they would just take a stroll in a mall and not buy anything. Because of that, she reminded herself to call her when she could. 

                At the moment, she just wanted to be alone. She just wanted to be with her own deep thoughts. These moments happened every time when she felt lonely. 

               Aren't I lonely all the damn time? I'm smiling when I die. 

                She must have been through something to be so lonely, excluding the fact that she was an only child. Being a lonely child was not a happy thought at all. She wished she had a brother, someone who would protect her from boys. She wished she had a sister who could share fashion with and a baby brother or sister she could have fun with. 

                Jealousy spread through her when she once again faced the reality that she didn't have those, that she might be forever alone. Relationships were not in her mind yet. She thought it was just a waste of time. Maybe, she would get into one when she could make her father proud of her already. The man was expecting too much from her and she was pressured to keep up with those expectations.