forty-one

Kao

I was waking casually down the stairs towards the main door as I got ready to go to the university.

It was Monday and I had a class at seven thirty so I needed to be on my way very early to avoid traffic and being late.

It was a hard task to do considering I slept very late last night because a certain someone wouldn't let me off even in my mind.

Although Pete made true to his promise that he wouldn't bother me while I work on my deadlines which thankfully I did manage to finish, I can't seem to stop thinking about all that he said when I'm no longer working and my mind was not occupied.

It was a struggle because I didn't have anyone to talk about it to.

Kaleb was still away and I couldn't possibly talk to Rein even though we've been talking through a messaging app regularly then as she was still recovering.

Not that I'm sure I'd be able to talk to them about it tho.

I mean, it's just really too much for me to think about at the moment.

I heaved a sigh and checked on my phone.

My new phone.

From the company as Pete would put it.

Ugh!

I'm thinking about Pete again.

I shook my head.

I already texted my motorcycle ride towards the bus stop but just so I could save time, I decided to walk outside the compound to met my ride half way.

I was almost at the gate when a blaring honk disturbed my peaceful Morning.

I stepped aside and looked back to see a very familiar car.

I saw him greeted me from the inside of his car.

"Good morning!"

I rolled my eyes when I saw Pete.

"What the hell is up with you yet again!?!"

I spatted at him the moment he rolled down the window of his stupid expensive car.

"Hop in."

He motioned for me towards the other door.

"What?"

"From now on, I'll be the one to send you to school every morning and fetch you afterwards. Also, if you need a driver to go anywhere, I'm your man."

"You're crazy. Just go to wherever you want to go. My ride would be here anytime soon."

"I'll be where you're gonna be. And, no! Your driver's not gonna be here as he found a new job in the city. Didn't he tell you?"

Pete told me the same time my phone vibrated and I saw an incoming message from the motorcycle driver telling me the exact words Pete just told me earlier.

"How did you know about this? Wait-."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

Did he just take my driver away without telling me!?!

"Come on, the man needs to feed his family. He'll earn more on the job that I helped him get than him driving around the city under the heat of the sun."

I groaned and closed my eyes in annoyance.

This guy really wouldn't stop.

Just because he has money, doesn't mean he can just do whatever the hell he wants.

"That's not my point! My point is once again, you decided for me! Yes! You're my boss and all but that doesn't give you the right to make decisions on my behalf."

When I said I wanted an easy life, I didn't mean for it to have someone decide for me.

"The guy asked me for a job, I gave him one. What did I even do!?! Also, I figured, I'll be in the city most of the time from now on anyway, so might as well hit two birds with one stone right? We go to the city and come back home together, what's wrong with that? After all, you said it yourself that you're my secretary."

I heaved a sigh and looked up at the heavens for guidance.

I can't think of wanting to strangle my boss this early.

I was about to respond to him when I finally calmed down, only to be worked up again with what he said.

"Also, I'm trying to court you right?"

Yeah, he didn't really have to say that out loud even if it's just the two of us.

"I didn't say yes to that."

I said matter of factly.

"But you didn't say no either."

I blinked at Pete.

He's right.

Why didn't I?!?

Should I!?!

What the!

"Whatever!"

I said as I walked off and went on my way towards the bus stop.

I'm sure a thirty minute downhill walk wouldn't be that bad.

"Ow! Kao! Hey! Where are you going!?!"

I heard Pete called me over as he convoyed with me.

"To hell!"

I groaned under my breath when I noticed him on his car beside me moving with my walking pace.

"Kao! Hey, it's almost seven, you have a class in thirty minutes, do you really want to risk being late by walking towards the bus stop without any assurance that you'll have a bus to ride on when you get there instead of sitting comfortably with me in the car!?!"

Honestly, I think that sounds better than being with Pete.

"I'll be fine."

I said as I continued to walk and so does Pete in convoy.

"Kao, I swear, if you take one more step, I'd announce to everyone that I'm your boyfriend!"

I stopped on my track and pivoted at the guy smiling cockily at me.

"How old are you? Ten? And to whom would you tell it to? It's not like a have network of people who are interested with my life."

Does he really think he's that funny!?!

And why would he even say stuff like that!?!

"So you're okay with me telling people about you being my boyfriend?"

I blinked at him.

What a jerk!

"I didn't say that!"

Ugh!

Why am I even talking to this guy!?!

"I mean-Ugh! Can you just leave me alone? Please, kind sir!?!"

I yelled at the guy who looked too amused at the moment which irked me even more.

"I'm trying to date you again, so that would never happen."

I quickened my pace as I retorted without looking back.

"I don't want you to date me. Okay?"

My voice is echoed in the stillness of the morning.

"Not now, maybe, but that's basically the reason why you should give me a chance, so I could change your mind."

I groaned in exasperation, I hate this guy!

"I don't want you changing my mind."

I replied as made a little side step to avoid stepping on a rock.

"You also don't want to be here three months ago. But look at you now."

I stopped walking once again when I heard what Pete just said.

He's emotionally manipulating me and I hate that it seemed to be working.

"Oh, so you're telling me now that I overstayed my welcome!?! It was not me who went ballistic when I tried to run away just in case you forgot!"

The nerve of this jerk to really call me out for something he wanted me to do all along.

"What!?! No!!! What I'm telling you now-no! What I'm asking you now is for you to be fair and give me a chance. And to hop in the car because it's already seven O three."

I heard Pete mention the time and I hate how my mind shifted, advising me to just hop in the car and forget my bad blood towards Pete for the sake of my attendance which really was stupid if I were to call it because why would I try my hardest to avoid him only to give in in the end!?!

Wait-that's basically what happened with me and Pete from the very beginning right?!?

He took me and brought me in with him in his huge ass mansion and extravagant life and provided me a better life which I declined at the beginning but I ended up enjoying.

And I hated how I felt like it's happening all over again.

I heaved a sigh and bit on my lower lip and I didn't know why and didn't plan to but I suddenly felt the urge to cry and before I knew it, I was walking down the the road sniffing.

My eyes watering and I didn't know how to stop.

I almost forgot that I was not alone if only for Pete holding me by my arm to stop me from walking.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

I heard his voice laced with concern as he held me on either side of my arm trying to get me to look at him but instead, I bowed down and cried some more as Pete pulled me in for an embrace that I ended up burying my face on his chest as I cried my heart out.

And until then, I didn't know why or what I was crying for.

Must be all the stress, must be all the lack of sleep or must be all that of Pete's recount the last time, I really am not sure.

All I know was that, as I felt Pete's arms around me and I felt his hands soothing and tapping me from my back trying to calm me down, I was crying even more but this time, my heavy heart seemed to have eased little by little and I was feeling better and better in every tear.

I looked up at Apollo-I'm still crying when he met my eyes with his saying that everything was okay and I couldn't help but cry even more.

But it was no longer heavy in my heart.

I sniffed and raised my hand up to my face to dry it with Pete easing up his arms around me and instead of pushing him away, I raised my hand around him and hugged him back.

It was a bold move.

A surprising one at that.

I never thought of doing it and I never thought I would have the courage or that I even wanted to do so.

All I know that time, with Apollo's arms around me and mine around him and my face was buried in his chest not minding me even if I was crying, as we hugged each other in silence, I've never felt so calm and peaceful since my parents died and I was left alone five years ago.

We stayed like that for I don't know how long before I was finally able to compose myself.

I pushed Pete off me and went on to drying my face with the handkerchief I had on my bag and quietly did the same with Pete's soiled clothes.

I bit on my lower lip and avoided his gaze when I saw how my snot was all over his shirt.

I felt a little embarrassed as started pressing the handkerchief on the segments and remnants of my breakdown earlier when he stopped me and held my hand.

I looked up to him and felt flushed in the face.

I was sure I was not at my best at the moment.

My eyes were definitely puffy, my nose red and I looked like shvt!

"I'm-I'm sorry."

I said quietly to which Pete replied as he was still holding my hand.

"It's okay. You don't have to say sorry. Are you okay now? We can go back home so you can take a rest if you want. A day off from school wouldn't be that bad."

He told me in a very gentle voice that I felt like crying yet again.

I didn't know why I was actually feeling this way at the moment.

I was never too emotional until now, apparently.

Just looking at Pete's furrowed brows as he regarded me and asking me if I was okay made my tears pooled yet again that I had to buy harder on my lower lip just so I could stop my tears from falling but it was too late.

I was starting to cry again.

"Oh, god! Did I do this!??"

I heard him groaned before he pulled me in for a hug get again as I started crying and hugged Pete back so tight I thought I was gonna break him.

Then, it suddenly dawned to me.

I missed this.

His warmth.

Pete.

I missed him.

And I had to pull away with the realization.

No.

I shouldn't.

I should not feel this way.

Not for Pete.

Certainly not for him.

But then I looked up to him and met his eyes and I didn't know what happened but the last thing I remembered was that I pulled him in.

And then, we were kissing.