CHAPTER 30. WATCHING YOU FOR ANOTHER.
HARA
I let out another loud laugh and patted my chest, trying to soothe the hiccups.
Jason handed me a glass of water, and I quickly gulped it down.
I dabbed at the water drops below my lips with a towel. Composed, I looked up to find him watching me with an amused look.
“You don't have to laugh so loud. "You're going to choke on your saliva,“ He said, smiling at me.
“Yeah, I know. What you said just cracked me up badly. I couldn't help it,“ I said in a low tone.
“Has it been a while since you laughed this much?“ He asked, becoming serious all of a sudden.
I nodded.
He grinned, “So technically, I made you laugh after years of being sad. I can't help but feel proud of myself,“
I chuckled. But I didn't say anymore words. My gaze was on the table which had our plates of chocolates.
“Does that mean we're cool now?“ he asked. I looked up. “I brought you here without your permission. I'm asking if you've forgiven me for it.“ He added.
Right. I almost forgot I was supposed to be mad at him. He'd tricked me into coming here with him. Offering me a ride, pretending he was just trying to take another route to my house. All those excuses were just lies to bring me here, to an expensive restaurant.
I was pretty pissed, but when I got here and had a taste of the food, my anger sizzled away. I'd eaten like some ravenous beast, probably because it's been a while since I had this much to eat.
Now we were on dessert, and I must admit, I love that he brought me here. It felt good to be carefree and not hungry, even just for a short while.
I smiled, “Yes, I forgive you. But next time, let me know ahead of time. So I could choose a less sophisticated restaurant. I feel so out of place here,“ my eyes went to my overly, sized top and my ripped jeans. In a place like this, they were just as good as rags. It's a good thing there were no customers.
“Hey, don't say that. You fit perfectly here. I've been here with a lot of ladies and no one has been as free as you were a second ago. You laughed so loud, not giving a shit. It's admirable,“ He winked, taking a sip from a champagne glass.
I scoffed out a laugh, shaking my head at his flattery. Even without asking, it was obvious he was a ladies' man. It'd be insane to cherish his compliments, thinking they were sincere.
“But why are there no customers here?“ I asked, wishing to change the topic of conversation.
“I rented the place for the night.“
I gawked at his words. “You did what?“
“Well,“ he drawled and chuckled. “I figured you might feel a little uncomfortable from the stares. So I thought to save you from that,“
I was short of words. My gaze took in every corner of the building. It would cost a fortune renting this place for hours. Was he some kind of disguised billionaire??!
“I just thought you'll love it better this way. I'm sorry if it upsets you, I didn't mean to. I could have them call back the customers if you wish…“ he rambled.
I had to smile. Couldn't help it. It's been just two days with him, and I can see there were so many shades of him. He could be an ass, a psycho, a jerk, a ladies' man, a flatterer, but he could also be the nicest when he wanted. Like right now.
“How do you do it?“ I beamed, intertwining my fingers and leaning forward.
“Do what?“
“Be a devil and an angel at the same time,“
He laughed out loud now, running a hand through his hair. “You're the third person I'm hearing this from,“
“Really? Who's the first?“
“My boss,“
“You have a boss?“
“Don't we all?“ He chuckled, “And the second was my ex. The last ex. I have like a thousand ex,“
“How proud you must be,“ I scoffed at his smugness.
“I am. Hold on, I got a picture of her on my phone.“ he began scrolling through his phone. “Nah, can't find the picture. But I have a video where we fucked. Wanna watch?*
“Why would you make such a video?!“ I gasped.
“She did, not me. She wanted to have a memory of our time together. And masturbate to it when she could,“
“She said that?“
“Yeah, she did.“ he nodded.
“She must have loved you a lot, I guess.“
“She loved how good I fucked her tight pussy.“ He gave a cocky smile, “Wanna watch?“
“Nope, would rather not.“
He laughed, this time in a mockery tone. “You're so uptight. Loosen up.“
“I can't be as shameless as you are.“
“That hurts,“ he laughed, adjusting more casually on his seat. “Wanna play 10 questions?“
“Uh…okay–“ I'd barely finished giving my reply before he popped his first question.
“Why are you running from your mate?“
“Because I couldn't take it anymore.“ I breathed out. I became sullen, as I told him everything, about the abuses I went through in Roland's hands.
He was a frightening shade of furious when I was done talking. I've never had to pour out my heart to anyone, and doing it now unleashed my pains. I was in tears.
“He's a piece of shit! My Goddess, how could one be so heartless?!!“ he fumed, balling his hands into a fist. “Why the hell didn't you leave him earlier than you did?!“
“Because I loved him. Roland was my life. I couldn't afford to be away from him, even though he always abused me. I know that sounds stupid,“
“Hey, look at me,“ He tilted my head up, making me look him in the eyes. “You're not stupid for loving him. He's the idiot for not appreciating the love you gave him.“
His words were a bit comforting, but they didn't do much in making me feel better.
“Listen. You should never get used to being mistreated, no matter how little it is. Like the bitch from the bar earlier, belching that way in your face was insulting. You should have called her out for it.“
“Just like you do?“ I chirped in with a lazy smile, sniffing back my tears.
“Yeah, just like I do. I can never be as gentle as you are. That's how one gets badly played.“
We were quiet and then I asked, “Why did you save me that day on the third floor? Why do you keep showing up in front of me? Who are you?“
He was silent. Pale. Like my question had struck a soft spot.
“You're asking three questions at once. That's cheating–“
“Then just tell me who you are. I just opened up to you and came to dinner with you. And I still got no clue on who you are,“ I said exasperatedly.
He stood, and grabbed his keys and coat. “Let's get you home.“ he took a step and turned, “and…I'm that guy who got to watch you for another,“ he said and headed out.
I watched him leave in confusion. I knew I was supposed to follow but I couldn't bring myself to stand. What the heck did he mean by what he just said?