Chapter 8

VIII. Stay

IT WAS ALREADY MID-JUNE, and the weather was starting to get warmer as each day goes by. What I like about San Diego is that the climate is not too hot, it just had the right kind of summer breeze that would make you want to go to the beach. I spent most of my time with Piper, and sometimes with Piers when he's not busy with paperwork regarding the BSAA. He's been spending a lot of time typing on his laptop or going to the headquarters for the past few weeks lately.

"Piper," I called out and the six-month-old Shiba Inu immediately ran towards me and jumped on the couch. He sat my lap which made me smile. I presented the newly finished scarf I knitted for him, and he tilted his head adorably, curious at the item I was holding. "You like it? Try this on, buddy."

Somehow, as crazy as it sounds, I thought that Piper and Piers' eyes look a bit similar and when I wrapped the scarf around the puppy, it made him look extra irresistible. I hugged Piper tightly and showered him kisses.

"Hey,"

I pulled away from Piper and didn't notice that Piers was already standing in front of me, a relaxed expression on his face.

"Piers, hey," I gently smiled at him.

"You seem to be loving each other's company." He took a seat on the single couch across from me.

"Of course, we do. Well, you're missing out because you've been kind of busy for the past few weeks lately. How are you holding up?"

Piers sighed, and there I noticed that he was a bit stressed. "There has been a few attacks and raids for the past months. It required updates and our attention. But that's to be expected, I'd be more bothered if there were no attacks."

"I'm making some tea, Piers. I think it would help, it reduces stress."

"Thanks."

I smiled sympathetically then Piper stole my attention when he went up to lick my cheek which made me stifle a small laugh. Piper and I looked at Piers, and I don't know if I only imagined it but I saw him looking back at me with an expression I cannot recognize, I'm not sure if it's sadness or indifference. But before I could decipher it, he was quick to shift his expression and instead gave me a tired smile. I put Piper down the couch when I heard the kettle hiss, implying that the water is ready. I excused myself then went to the kitchen to make both of us a cup of tea. I paired the drinks with a plate of homemade cookies. When I returned to the living room, I caught Piers playing with Piper.

"This scarf looks familiar." Piers commented as I settled the tray on the coffee table. Before Piper could jump on the food, I stopped him.

"Oh, you noticed? I made Piper the exact same scarf I made for you last Christmas. You two look kind of alike now."

Piers gave me a playful glare which rewarded him an innocent smile from me. He took a cookie and his cup then savored it, leaning against his seat as he did so. Noticing his taste on tea, I couldn't help but comment: "You don't put anything on your tea?"

"No, I prefer my tea plain."

"So... you basically suck on a tea bag?"

He snorted with a subtle smile as he sipped on his drink again, "Looks that way, doesn't it?"

"I don't like to drink tea without sugar or milk."

"I don't think you have to like it to be able to drink it, Cheryl. You just drink it to get the benefits." He looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes which made me slightly pout. "Besides, you don't like bitter things in general."

"I never said that."

"You didn't need to. I always notice you not eating your vegetables."

I stared at him wide-eyed in surprise, "I do eat vegetables," I corrected him, making him smirk. "Just not the bitter ones."

"You loved baking after all." He commented, making me look back at him again. "You always brought different types of desserts at the house years ago."

"Yeah, I guess so..." I chewed on another cookie as I averted my gaze elsewhere. I didn't even perceive myself as the person who has hobbies, let alone love something. I just resorted to baking to divert my passiveness somewhere else. I remember one time when Henry was in a foul mood, he hit me to get his anger out. On that same day, I baked some chocolate cupcakes while I didn't care whether my tears and blood mixed with the batter. I brought it to school the next day and my classmates loved it, oblivious to the fact that the food they ate was laced with pain and suffering. "But I'm surprised you still remember that. That was over, what, nine years ago? And I thought of you as the type who didn't like sweets."

"Not much, no," He licked his lips, making my eyes follow the motion. "but I do enjoy them every once in a while."

Piers looked at me. I held his gaze for a few seconds before he averted it to look at his ringing phone. He sighed again before he stood up.

"Sorry, I need to take this."

"Sure thing."

I watched him disappear to the kitchen as I heard him talk to Chris about the recent incidents. I wonder what was happening lately? I leaned on my seat and closed my eyes as my thoughts earlier finally dawned to me. No... I don't want to do that anymore. There was no reason to. I don't want to muffle the bitterness by adding too much sugar just for the sake of comfort from pain. I don't want anyone to taste what my life was like, especially him... Piers has been nothing but a wonderful friend to me. And even though we see each other every day, I still couldn't help but miss him.

But I truly understand. Whenever I'd get the urge to go over and knock on his door, I always stop and remind myself that he is just doing his duty after all. And while I do feel a bit lonely about not being with him, there are things that demanded much more of his attention; things that he have to defend; things that are much of greater importance than me. Who was I to complain? He doesn't owe me anything. I was just his friend... another shameful product of bioterrorism. And... it sucks.

"Cheryl," his smooth voice snapped me out of my pool of thoughts. I opened my eyes to look at him. "I'll just go out quick, I'll be back later."

"Did something happen?"

"Nothing serious, we're just going to have a brief meeting and then I'll just submit my report."

I slowly nodded my head and stole a glance at the wall clock and it signed 9:30, I bet that he'd be gone for the whole day... but one can still hope.

"Cheryl," He called out again and looked at me with a creased forehead, a look of concern evident on his handsome face. "you feeling okay?"

I forced a smile, "Of course, why do you ask?" Piers parted his lips as he was about to say something but seem to decide against it. Instead, he pursed his lips in a thin line before shaking his head. "What time should I expect you home?"

"I'll just text you."

I nodded and then he walked away to his room to prep, leaving me alone to resume my thoughts again. After a few minutes, he came out of his room in his casual clothes, my eyes focused on the patch of his jacket which has the logo of his task force—BSAA. He looked at me again, as if he was trying to scrutinize and analyze me. I gave him a small smile and without a word, he went out of the apartment complex and there I exhaled the breath I was holding in. I plopped my elbows against my knees and covered my face, my heart aching for an unknown reason. I heaved a deep sigh as I heard Piper whine and lightly bite my arm. I turned to see him looking at me with those worried puppy eyes, I gave him a small smile to let him know that I'm okay and I petted him.

I took Piper to the dog park so that he could roam around, meet and play with the other dogs. I just sat on the bench at the corner and watched my puppy run around the park. Other pet owners would try to strike a small chat with me, but I could only dismiss them, seeing as though I was not in my best mood and still uncomfortable around strangers. As a result, they considered me rude. After about an hour or so of Piper playing around, he finally got tired and I carried him in my arms as we went home to eat some lunch.

By afternoon, I received a text from Piers informing me that he will be coming home a bit late, which wasn't surprising. This isn't the first time that he had come home late or way past bedtime. I just sighed and tried to keep the thought off by cleaning the whole apartment and working out, taking all of my frustrations out on the punching bag.

When the day is near on its peak, I suddenly felt the urge to go to Piers' room. It was my first time going inside his room, and I wonder if he'll get mad for invading his privacy. But as of the moment, that was the least of my concerns. I looked around the dim room, not seeing much detail due to the dark but my body searched for his well-made bed. I went over and dropped on it face first, inhaling the remnants of his scent. I laid on the side and curled into a ball, staring into nothing in particular. It was already 9 in the evening, and I wonder if he has already eaten his dinner... he tend to skip his meals that I would need to knock on his door to inform him that it was already dinner time.

But then I heard the sound of the front door open, making me immediately sit up on the bed in panic. Piers is home! As much as I was excited to see him, I don't know what excuse I'll say for barging into his room. I whispered a curse to myself as I quickly laid on the side of the bed, my back facing the door as I pretended to be asleep.

Really, Cheryl? Really?

I heard his footsteps getting louder and the creak on his bedroom door. I stiffened as I didn't hear anything for a moment but after a while, he closed the door, leaving the room a little too dark for me to see. I swallowed and shut my eyes as I felt some weight on the bed and realized that he laid next to me, making me bite on my lips in embarrassment. I could almost feel the warmth of his body, making me want to turn around to meet his face. But instead, I stayed still, and waited for him to fall asleep so that I could sneak out of his room.

After about twenty minutes, I tried to listen for steady breathing from him indicating that he was sound asleep and then, very slowly, I moved to sit up but I stifled a gasp when I felt a strong arm push me back to the bed. I couldn't move as Piers pulled me close to him, hugging me from behind, his breath on my neck sending goosebumps on my skin.

"Don't go..." He whispered, making my eyes widen in shock, but then they lowered to his hand on my stomach, and then I finally understood that I wasn't the only one feeling this way. He said the one thing I was always dying to say to him. I can only hope though... that he somehow feels the same. I bit my lower lip to suppress the sob that was threatening to come out of my mouth, my hand went to envelop his warm ones.

You can always leave me, Piers... you can leave me and I can take it... but I won't go anywhere. I'll stay where you'll leave me. I'll always stay with you.