07: Him

"You seemed tired."

I pursed my lips into one thin line and sat on the couch inside the living room of Zed's unit. Yes, I am freaking tired, exhausted. That Kiel Alexandro Ramirez made me do many things. I know that it isn't normal for a secretary. I just realized that he wants me to suffer and struggle. What did I do to him and he treats me like this? Anyway, I will just bear with him. This is about money, about how I will live and get better.

"Can I have water?" I requested, closing my eyes. My body is sore. The current time is 10 in the evening, that is my off for today. I will study my schedule and Mister Ramirez's. Yes, he just let me go home at this kind of time. I started my work in the morning and I just have a minute's break as I took my lunch.

"Here." Zed handed me a glass of water. I heard him sigh before he sat on the couch facing me. I looked at him. He looked so worried, staring at my pale face. "This is your first day as his secretary," he stated. "Yet, you're not well."

I drank the water and shook my head. "What do you mean?"

"What did Mister Ramirez make you do?"

"Many."

"What are those?"

"Normal work for a secretary," I uttered and let out a light sigh. "I am fine. Do not worry about me. Anyway, have you eaten your dinner?"

"Don't divert the topic, Tal."

"I am asking, Zed. Have you taken lunch?" I raised my left brows at him. He just looked away and leaned against the seat.

"I waited for you."

"Tsk, too late to have dinner. You should not have waited for me."

"I bet you have not to take yours also," he said. And yes, he is right. I did not have time to eat my dinner. I just eat once for lunch. I am not hungry, though. I am too preoccupied with my responsibility in the company. "Come on, let's eat. You should not take a rest without eating."

I have no choice because I felt my stomach twitched. I felt hungry. I do not have to starve myself. I deserve to eat. We headed to the dining table and I just watched Zed serve me. We then started to eat silently.

"Are you fine?" he asked after minutes when I cough. "Here, water."

"Yeah, I am just fine." I drink water for the second time. After we eat, we prepared ourselves for a rest. I really felt so weak and was like I do not have enough strength to do things. I felt so tired. "Zed, good night." 

He smiled at me. "Good night, Tal. Have a nice rest."

When I entered my room, I sighed and lied on my bed. I stared at the ceiling. Earlier, I want to sleep and have a rest, but when I settled myself in my bed, I cannot even close my eyes. My mind flew to another dimension. My mind flew about where my parents are and how they are doing right now. Are they fine? Are they alright? Do they miss me? How I wish I can go back to the time when everything is fine. Where everything is happiness. Everything is well.

I forced a smile, a faint smile. "How are you guys?" I slowly asked and bit my lower lip. "I miss you. I did not expect this. Mom, you left us first. And Dad followed. Look, I am now alone. I don't have you anymore. I didn't have a family anymore."

I felt a light gentle breeze pass through my face, it came from the window. Oh, I thought it is already locked. I stood up and went near the window so I can close it. It is an evening for Pete's sake. I was about to lock it when I glanced at the dark sky full of bright stars. I sighed. I hope my parents are there, watching over me.

I looked down at the building. There is a small count of people on the ground. I was about not to mind them when my eyes accidentally darted into someone near a huge tree. I should not make it big of a deal, but his appearance made me goosebumps. The man is wearing a dark hoodie and a cap. And fuck, he is looking up my direction! I felt the loud tug on my chest. I almost collapse! H-He is sort of a creepy person.

And his eyes... it is crimson. Is it or did I just imagine the color of it?

I gulped hard as I felt cold. The electricity of fear pass through my system and I felt weak. I stared at his eyes even if I am afraid that made the man look down and move his cap to cover his face. Then, he walked away like nothing. He gets off the place peacefully. I closed my eyes because my body started to shake. I closed the window quickly and run towards my bed, then I covered my whole body using my comforter.

Fuck! Who is that man?!

He is creepy! Why is he looking at my place? Why is he looking at me? And those eyes... those pair of eyes were like an eye of a devil.

I bit my lower lip and ended up praying. I struggled to sleep that night but good thing I was able to do so after an hour. Yes, I just had asleep for two hours. When I woke up, I remembered those eyes. The mere image of that man last night made me a freak. That was undeniably creepy. That man made me upset. 

Who is he?

"You seemed pale."

I looked at Zed with shock. I thought who was it! "Uh, nothing."

He creased his brows because of my reaction. "Come on. Let's have breakfast."

I nodded my head unconsciously. Seems like I got lost in myself. I did not notice what I am doing and what I am saying. My mind came straight to blank. I couldn't think clearly.

"Do you have hot water?" I asked Zed while looking for water in his kitchen.

"Yes, in the heather."

I nodded my head and went near the heather. I get a cup with my shaking hands. I am still nervous! Shit!

I was about to get hot water when my hands shakes more, and yes, I lose grip on the glass, and it fell down the floor. I yelped in horror.

"Tal!"

I looked at Zed who ran after me. "I... I am sorry..."

"What happened to you? Hey, that's fine. Come here, don't cry."

I then covered my face with my hands. "I am afraid..."

"Why? Tell me."

I shook my head. "That man..."

"Who? Who is that man? What are you saying?"

I felt dizziness as I looked at him. "H-Him..." The last word I uttered before I lost consciousness.