Chapter Four

“I’m serious here, hon.” he said. Oh shit! He’s really serious!

I’m doomed! What am I going to do now?! He sounded so close and the hammering of my heart is not helping me either.

His hot breath fanned the sensitive skin in my neck. The intoxicating feeling as it touched my skin made me open my eyes in an instant.

“You’re stubborn.” said he. He heaved a sigh and shook his head as if expressing that I’m too impossible to deal with.

‘Stubborn?!’ my eyebrows met at what he called me. Annoyance is visible in my face as I looked at him.

“Don’t look at me like that.” he said looking more annoyed than I am.

I composed myself. I made sure that there wouldn’t be a hint of emotion in my voice when I replied, “Then, leave.” my eyes were as dead as a corpse too.

He stared at me surprised, his eyes furrowed and his forehead creased.

“Wait, now you’re mad at me?” he asked as if not believing what he is seeing in me.

I looked at him with disgust in my eyes before diverting it somewhere, away from where he is.

“And may I ask why, young lady?” he asked demanding an answer. I could hear the irritation in his voice.

Ignoring the sharpness of his stares, I manage to formulate a reply.

“You are not supposed to be here---" he cut me off.

“Says who, you?” he said sarcastically. “Tiara stop pushing me away. You are sick and I am here to take care of you.” he sneered.

“But you don’t have to!” I yelled. I felt the liquid forming around my eyes so I looked the other way so he wouldn’t see my tears.

“Didn’t I say that you are mine? So, I am obliged to take care of you.” he answered coolly as if it was the most senseful thing to say.

“Since when did I became yours?” I asked, suppressing the tingling feeling in my stomach.

But he just shrugged his shoulders and did not say a word after that, so I got irritated again. “For the record, I don’t fucking remember that I gave my blessing to any guy to own me.” I scoffed at him.

 He glared at me. Clearly, he does not like what I said.

“Or are you, perhaps, related to me in the past? Were you one of my obsessive suitors before----?” I said, wrinkling my brows at him.

“You’re talking nonsense!” he cut me off with a grimace evident on his face.

“I just want answers! But looking at you right now, I conclude that you’re not happy to give me any. For someone like me, who is suffering from amnesia, you’re confusing me Professor!” I burst out in frustration.

Normally, I don’t like people, whom I barely knew, to learn about my current condition. I’m not comfortable sharing about that information to others. That is why, it astonished me that I just blurted out in front of him. Three years ago, my parents said that I had an accident, which resulted for my memories to be erased. Every day I feel like I am a half-empty bottle…

He is just looking at me. There is not a single emotion evident in his eyes.

And right there and then, I felt a pang in my chest. I’m trying my best to recall anything about Professor Fortez. If I could remember a thing about him in the past, maybe I could answer my own question and I’ll not be confused of his actions but my stupid head can’t remember anything.

 “I don’t know why you are throwing a tantrum. Right now, I think you’re going crazy. And I don’t plan knowing what’s going on that pretty little head of yours.” he arrogantly said after a while.

As soon as I heard his reply, embarrassment crept to my sanity. I pulled the sheets up to cover my burning face. Shit! I’ve said embarrassing words. I have just accused him as one of my obsessive suitors, which I don’t know if I ever had before!

“Also, I don’t care about you, having an amnesia, you are still MINE, and that is what matters. Keep that in mind, honey.” his voice sounded husky at the moment, which lingered in my ears.

I fell silent, not knowing how would I face him, I let my face covered by the sheets.

“You were drunk that night. You were so damn hot and alluring to everybody. Every man is ogling at your body while you were dancing in your own universe. I had punched half of them though.” he muffled something that didn’t quite reach my hearing.

I uncovered my head to see him. “Huh, what did you say? I didn’t quite hear it.” I asked, intrigued.

“Why did you get sick? Did you get soaked in the rain? You know pretty well that now is the wet season. It will rain anytime. Aren’t you bringing an umbrella with you?” he scolded me like I was a ten-year-old elementary school girl.

 I rolled my eyes. How did he know that? I always forgot my umbrella in my condo even the one he lent me that night.

“I get it but eat your lunch first. You should not skip meals.” he said while opening a lunch box.

‘He’s prepared.’ I thought.

“Eat.” he said feeding me like a baby.

“I can feed myself. You don’t have to---” I couldn’t finish my sentence when the food is already in my mouth.

“Just eat and don’t complain.” he said. Displeasure is in his eyes.

Well, I don’t have a choice then. Eat Tiara, you’re crush is feeding you like a baby.

'Wait--- baby…' I suddenly remembered something. 

“Can I ask you something?” I asked after swallowing the food in my mouth.

“Later.” he replied.

“Eeeehhh? I want to ask you now!” I exclaimed.

He sighed in submission. “What is it?”

“Yesterday while I was on my way to Publication office, I heard you talking to someone on your phone. Was that your child? Are you married? Who’s the lucky girl?” I asked one after the other.

'Please tell me I’m wrong… please, please.' I inwardly wished.

  He looked at me stunned. He is speechless for a bit.

'Professor… please.' I begged silently.

“I don’t have a child yet…”

'Thank God I’m so happy—' my bliss is just in a split of a second.

“… but I’m married.” he answered.

‘OUCH! He’s married…' My face drained its color.

“C-congratulations Professor.” I said faking a smile.

“Hon—“

“Don’t call me that!” I said sternly.

“Now, you’re mad again. Tss!” he said, looking askew.

“I’m full you can go now.” I said and went back into the sheets.

“Are you jealous?” he suddenly asked.

“I-I’m not! Why would I be jealous?!” I shouted. I even turned my back at him.

I feel the jolt of sadness covering my frame. Why is he like that? He loves to make me feel confuse! What are these all about?! He’s very sweet… then after a while he’ll act as if nothing happened. I just want clarity that’s all. But now that he’s giving me that, I’m being a coward.

Anxiety is eating me. I hate this feeling.

I felt a hand encircled my waist. I yelped in surprise.

I use all the force I have to free myself from his arms but he is fighting back. He tightened his hold instead.

“Professor! What do you think you’re doing?!” I said angrily.

“Hugging you.” he said nonchalantly.

“Please don’t.” I whispered. ‘Please don’t make a fool out of me because I’m falling…’

I heard no response but he removed his arms. “I’ll just take this call, hon.” he said then he went out of the clinic.

Right after he closes the door, a single tear falls out of my eyes but I quickly wiped it away. I gather my strength to pull myself up. I also managed to fix my hair before I decided to go out of the clinic silently. I saw him talking to someone on his phone, facing the opposite direction where I’m in. I sadly smile before I left off the campus.

A smile curved into my lips as I felt the sun kissed my skin. I am having a sun bathing at the moment, facing the beautiful skyline of Montefalco Island resort. This is my third day here and I’m enjoying my freedom. This is life!

I love the sea breeze at night, I like the warmth of the sun during the day, and I like the sea foods very much too. It’s heaven in here. There is something in this place that is making me want to stay and never go back.

In here, I don’t have to think too much. In this place, everything can go smoothly. It is in here, I found peace. If I go back, everything will be twisted again and I’m scared of what will happen next.

“Hi Miss, do you mind if I join you here?” my thoughts were cut by a guy appeared in front of me.

Shit he’s yummy!!!! Hahah! Oh well, same old Tiara… welcome back self!

I flashed a flirty smile at him.

“No, of course! Help yourself. I’m Tiara by the way.” I introduced myself and stretched out my hand for him.

He returned my smile and he shook my hand then kissed the back of my palm thereafter. “The name is Sid Hart, Milady.”

 “Nice to meet you Sir Hart.” I said while smiling from ear to ear. His delectable abs are shining in front of my eyes, yum!

“Ah, it’s Sid Hart, Milady.” he corrected me.

“Well, my name is Tiara not Milady either. Can I just call you Sir Hart? I like it more.” I said without erasing the smile in my lips.

“As you wish, Milady.” he said, a genuine smile is plastered on his sexy lips.

I chuckled, “I like how you call me too. So, Sir Hart, how old are you?” I asked just to open a conversation.

“Twenty-two. How about you? And why are you here in this island?” he asked.

“I’m twenty. And I’m here to enjoy!” I said joyfully and threw my arms in the air.

I heard Sir Hart laugh at me so I face him. The next thing I knew, I’m already laughing along with him. He’s different, he can spread happiness to the people around him even to those who are eating by unexplainable sadness – like me.

“How about you? Are you here for the same reason as mine?” I asked him.

“Yeah. I’m on vacation. I needed a break from hefty office works.” he answered.

We spent the whole day together. He is fun to be with. We went diving, swimming, snorkeling, jet skiing and many fun activities all day! When the dark came, we happily ate dinner in one of the sea food restaurants in the island.

“Milady, may I know the reason of you being here in the beautiful island resort of Montefalco?” Sir Hart asked out of the blue then took a sip from his glass of wine.

The corner of my lips twitched by his question. “I think I already answered that Sir Hart.” I said faking a smile.

“Yes, but your answer earlier was a lie. Will you give me an honest answer now?” he asked in a way a detective would interrogate someone whose been suspected to be the culprit of a crime.

“Tell me, you’re not just an ordinary vacationist in this island, are you not Sir Hart?” I said grinning. “Tell me if I guess it right, you’re an undercover agent, are you?” I asked eying him.

His eye brows furrowed then he smirked.

“You’re too observant for a twenty-year-old student, I like you.” he said.

“Should I say, I like you too?” I answered, then giggled but I stopped when I realized something. “By the way, how do you know that I’m a student?” I asked, seriously looking at his eyes.