Chapter 5

Luggage

I look around only to see people eyeing us. There is a hint of confusion registered in their eyes, leaving me without any choice but to get into his car when he pushes me inside. I try to open the other door but much to my dismay, it’s already locked.

“Where are you taking me? Where's my car?!”

“Don’t worry. I'll take care of it. Give me your keys,” he extends his palm at me.

I want to resist but hell, he's right. Resisting won't benefit me at the moment. He's especially persistent with his plan. I'm not surprised actually. He's always been like that. That's the reason why I hate his gut so much I want to punch him in the face. Scowling, I scan my bag and almost throw the keys in his face but he is able to catch it fast. There’s a smirk painting on his lips before he turns his back at me. An old man approaches him, perhaps, one of his men. He was telling him something which I reckon is to take care of my car. After giving his word to the man, he bows down and leaves right away.

He then returns to his car and sits right next to me. Wow. This day can't get any more annoying, huh.

“Take us to Aurora Subdivision, Jackfruit Street,” he says to his driver.

“Yes, boss.”

My eyes widen hearing what he just says. I turn to face him with a frown. “How did you know my place?”

“You shouldn’t be surprised. I just know everything about you,” he says nonchalantly.

“Well, then. Bravo! You did great!” I say in sarcasm, clapping my hands in his face before rolling my eyes at him in irritation. 

I also notice the driver giving me a weird face through the rearview mirror. He must be thinking I'm out of mind. But the one sitting right next to me is sicker than I am. He's a creep. Dave just clicks his tongue and keeps his cool, obviously trying to ignore me. I want to annoy the hell out of him but I just can't stand looking at his face. So, I cross my arms and look away, uttering a silent prayer that I can survive the whole drive.

By the time I reach my room, I scream at the top of my lungs. I throw myself on the bed, fidgeting. My hands rub my face as I clench my teeth. 

“What the hell does he want from me? Why does he have to interfere with my peaceful life again? He fucking knows everything about me that it gives me chills! I swear I'm gonna finish him myself!”

Suddenly, my phone vibrates in my skirt. I grab it out and the number is unregistered. Annoyed, I hit the answer button and pressed the phone to my ear.

“Hello?”

“I'm giving you twenty minutes to finish packing. Hurry up. Otherwise, I'll drag you out myself,” then the call hangs up before I can even speak a word.

I can already tell by the voice who it is. That manipulative bastard. Twenty minutes to pack all my things? He's kidding me, isn't he?

Then, a text message appears in my notification. I tap it open and it comes from the same number who just called me seconds ago. 

"Just pack the things you're going to need. You don't have to bring the entire closet. You have nineteen minutes left to get things done. Time's ticking. We have no time to waste."

A frustrated groan escapes from my mouth as I slam my phone on the bed. Can't this day get any better? I drag myself towards the closet and gather all the clothes. I don't have any choice but to do as I am told so. 

I smoothly pack the things I need for five days. I know he wanted me to extend the amount of time staying in his place but I care less. He can freeze to death all he wants!

It takes me almost an hour to pack the things I need. I do that on purpose, though. To annoy him. He made me wait for nearly two hours. I'm only giving him what he deserves: to let him take a dose of his own medicine. 

I am not the same person that you used to know.

After wrapping things up, I sit on the bed and scan the four corners of my room. I'll be leaving this room for five days. I'm going to miss everything here. My bed and. . . My eyes widen realizing something. Then, I remember Klara. My best friend needs to know about this or else she'll freak out. I pull the phone out of my pocket and dial her number. 

“Hello, Brii?” I breathe a sigh of relief when she answers my call.

“Klara, I'm sorry for interrupting you. I just called to inform you that I won't be home tonight.”

“Huh? But why?”

“I have an urgent matter to do in my job. I'm actually done packing my things. I'll probably be gone for three to five days.”

“That long?” 

I don't see her right now but I can feel that her forehead is creasing by the tone of her voice.

“Well, I don't have any choice. I don't have full control of my job. I'll talk to you once I get back, okay?”

I know that she’s not convinced of my alibi. I am planning to tell her but not at the particular moment just yet. After exchanging each other's counsel, we finally bid our goodbyes. She's worried sick so I don't want to add up to her distress. For the first time in four years being in the same house, we won't be spending time together in five days. Unless we both have out-of-town seminars.

A series of knocks brings me back to my senses. Yeah, I know it’s him and it’s time for me to go out of my room. I drag myself towards the door, feeling so pissed.

“Brianna!” he calls me behind the door.

I click my tongue before twisting the doorknob, pulling it open. My eyes immediately meet his impatient gaze, his face frowning.

“Stubborn. You nearly reached an hour. Why do you keep disobeying me?”

I scoff. “Just be thankful it didn't take two hours. Like what you did a while ago," my arms cross against my chest, giving him a mischievous smirk I can muster. "You should know by now that girls tend to spend a lot of time just preparing for themselves. Extend your patience, mister."

“Whatever. Just hurry the hell up!” he shrugs before leaving me behind, not even helping me carry my suitcase. What a gentleman he is. I can't believe him honestly.

I was left without any other choice but to carry the suitcase alone. Well, I'd rather be taking my time carrying my heavy bags than spending time with him. I'll never ask for his help. Not in a million years.

I try to fix the luggage wheels before grabbing it downstairs. After a step or two, someone tries to grab the luggage out of my grip. I raise my face only to see Dave's face, looking so pissed off.

“I wonder how much pride you have in yourself,” he tells me. That makes my brow lift up. "You could have asked for help. Can't you just set your pride aside? Your obstinacy is beginning to hit my nerves."

There is some sort of seriousness that lies in his voice. Afterward, he leaves me behind, taking my luggage with him. I scoff behind him, shaking my head.

Never will I go down on my knees and beg for your help. Mark my words.