Chapter 2: Strange Things

“Huh? What do you mean?” I asked after he said it.

“Nothing. Just be careful next time,” he said, and then turned his back to me. He started to walk towards the cabinet and get something from it. It’s a white shirt. Oh, neat. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him while he was busy dressing himself. Is this a sign of being a pervert or not? Staring isn’t a crime, right? Never mind. I remained in my previous position, and he caught me again... staring at him. He smirked again and said, “Gotcha!”

I glared at him and stood up.

“I’ll go,” I simply said after a moment of silence.

“Okay, be careful. Don’t go near that guy again. He’s just a crazy man. People said here that he’s nice, but he has a mental disorder that he chases the person who’s watching him while doing his work. He doesn’t want that, he hates it.”

“I see. Thank you again, Taddeio.”

“Don’t worry about him. As long as you keep your distance from him, nothing will go wrong for you. You’ll be safe,” he added.

I moved my head to indicate that I understood what he said and raised my hand to bid my good-byes. I grabbed the knob and opened the door. My hand was still on the knob when I turned my head to Taddeio. I want to say something aside from "thank you," but I don’t know where to start. I saw him still and waiting for what I would say.

“Uhmm... Are you free this weekend?” I gasped when I finally asked.

“Why?” he asked and crossed his arms in front of his chest. He looks hot in it, I admit. I was awakened by the sudden sound of a snap. I didn’t realize that I was lost in our conversation.

“I’m free. I'll fetch you at 6,” he stated and uncrossed his arms and put it inside of his pockets.

“You still need anything?” he asked again after I was stunned in my place.

“N-,” I cleared my throat first, “Nothing. See you then.”

I finally got out of his room. Oh sh*t! I forgot I didn’t have any left in my funds. Why did I have the guts to invite someone over for a meal? I’m such a dud. What the hell? What would I do? I have insufficient funds now. I haven’t paid some of my school expenses. I thought I would be free from expenses on my first day, but I have already extended and cut my funds by half.

I was stumbling like a zombie on my way back to my room. I just wished that I wouldn’t encounter that guy again. Even though I already know that he’s mentally ill, I’m still scared that he will go crazy on me again. I never want to experience it for the second time.

As I was walking down a serene hallway, thoughts and questions poured out. What did I get into? The last time I checked, I was here to continue pursuing my dream course. Why did I choose to live in this abandoned apartment? Gossips were roaming around about the history of this apartment; it said that it was on fire three years ago and the landlord doesn’t have enough money to fix the damage. It’s been an expensive area to live in the past, but because of the tragic happenings, the cost of living here has dropped severely. I’m from the province, near the city where I am now. My mom insisted on getting me a much better room, but I declined it because I wanted to nurture and become independent enough to live on my own. She contacted me a day after I moved into the apartment. She said she couldn’t pretend that her only son and was now off of their scope even though I was the one who did it, is finally away from them. In terms of actually doing it, of course, my father’s family has never failed to make me feel like an outcast.

As I’m not concentrating on what’s happening around me, I didn’t notice that someone had stopped in front of me. It’s the landlord.

“Good morning!” He said it with a big smile, holding a jar full of a red liquid...

“Good morning, Mr. Manore.” I replied.

“Can I ask what’s inside the jar?” I added.

“Oh, it’s the pig’s blood that I requested from John. He lived there with his wife and had a butcher's shop near here. Well, he also has one here,” he cheerfully answered.

“And you’ll use that for what? If it’s okay to ask,”

“Speaking of, I cooked Dinuguan for breakfast. You should freshen up and go to the kitchen after that. I’ll use this on my other menu. I forgot to bring it earlier with me. The good thing is that Sarah said that I forgot to bring this jar.”

“Oh! No, thank you. I’m good, Mr. Manore.” I protested.

His plastered sweet smile turned into a smirk, which made me flinch because it’s my first time seeing him like that. His grin says that something bad will happen if I don’t accept his offer. I have trauma with innocent-looking people as they turned out to be more evil than the evil ones. I had no choice, so instead of getting the conversation going, I forfeited and said that...

“I’ll go.”

“That’s nice, then. Hurry up! And don’t miss out on my own recipe for pork dinuguan.” He said happily and continued walking towards the kitchen area of the apartment. Those smiles that seem to be innocent but can stab you if you’re just a mere second late in turning back. He was creepy the first time I met him, and still is. It’s actually a long way even though the rooms are only on the second floors, as they are in the left and right wings.

I was currently in front of the stairs when sudden I met that guy again. I was hoping that he wouldn’t do anything to me as it’s still broad daylight and anyone would notice him.

What was I thinking? Why did I sound like I was hoping that he’d do something to me?

It’s already too late to act like I’m going to the left wing, where Taddeio's room is, even though I practically left minutes ago. I was busy calming myself when he approached me first. He smiled and offered his hand for a shake.

“I’m sorry about last night. I was out of my head because of too much liquor consumption. Don’t think too much about it. I’m sorry again. We didn’t have a formal introduction last night. I’m John.”

We could have a formal introduction when he caught me last night. And maybe killing is the next step. Then we’ll have that introduction in my wake. I suppose I’m okay as I can joke about it now.

“I was shocked, but let’s put it in the past. Merchaiass,” I said and then shook his hand. He smiled and invited me to come over some time. I only pursed my lips and nodded. I don’t want to be the butchered pig sold in the market. Kidding aside, he left after he said it.

I feel okay that we’ve talked after what happened, but I’m still doubting him. I remember how he wanted to hit me with his bolo. His demonic eyes and his grin made me wonder if he was Satan himself. I went to the right wing of the floor and went inside my room when I reached the fifth door.

So, actually, the apartment consists of 4 floors. It was said that the 3rd and 4th floors were prohibited for some reason. The 2nd floor is where the rooms are, while the 1st floor is where the landlord’s room, the kitchen, and the bathroom are. The shower room is for all, any gender, no special treatment, I think.

When I reached my room, I immediately picked up my toiletries and proceeded to the bathing room. It’s actually nice to know that I am alone here, which means that I can comfortably clean my body. I was just turning the shower on when someone walked by and went to the space beside me. He is the man that practically saved me from death last night. I was caught off-guard when he said something.

“You’ve got a nice ass back there.” He grinned and just continued doing his thing.

“Pervert!” I showed my middle finger to him to let him shut his mouth.

He looked at me and showed his perfect smile, and then it turned into laughter.

“You’re blushing! And you look like a tomato!” He’s persistent in teasing me, which makes my blood boil.

“I’m certainly not! I will never, ever blush because of some pathetic unattractive man!” I am fuming mad! How dare he? I AM NOT A F****** TOMATO!

“And if I am a tomato, then I will be the most handsome and attractive tomato that you’ve met.” I added.

“Yeah, you are,” he whispered.

“Come again? I didn’t hear you. You were saying something?” I asked.

“Nothing. You want me to let you come or do you want to help me to come?” He teased me by naughtily saying this while wiggling his eyebrows.

“YOU SHUT UP! MOTHER FUCKER!!” I picked up the bar soap and threw it at him, hitting him directly in the forehead. Bulls eye! Serves you right, you prick!

I hurriedly finished my morning routine and went out half-running. I am fully embarrassed about what happened in the bathroom. I certainly wanted to strangle that man. But, he’s handsome. I smiled when a scenario popped out. What is this, Merchaiass? I thought you were not into love after what happened a couple of months ago. I don’t understand myself because he’s different. He’s different to the point that it scares me, because I know as time passes by, my heart will start beating for him. Not now, but soon...

I wanted to put up a fence or something that could totally block his existence. I wanted to erase those reactions that I got from his actions. My mind wants it. But my heart tells me to continue and be free.

I was walking down the hallway when I bumped into a weird kid. He was intently looking at me with his dagger eyes. He’s the son of the landlord. I saw him when I was inquiring—scratch that, when Grandpa J brought me here. He seems deadly and no one can touch him aside from his father. My mind brought me to the incident where I accidentally touched his back. I was only getting the dust off his shoulders. You won’t believe what he did to me. He flipped my hand and twisted it. I thought at first that it had been dislocated or something, but thankfully, no bones were broken. Mr. Manore scolded him, yet his eyes were on me. Why do I have an enemy in every place I've been in? Do I look like a troublemaker? I don’t think so.

I could remember that I was bullied when I was a kid. I just don’t know what happened in high school. My amnesia started there. I forgot his name, but Mr. Manore’s son’s attitude is completely different from his father's. He is totally the complete opposite of Mr. Manore, but they are totally similar when it comes to their faces. They share the same eyes and nose.

His gaze broke when his father called him. I saw his father waving at him. Maybe he needs to do some chores.

I shrugged off the interaction and continued walking towards my room. But, the kid was weird, and I don’t think I would last if we had an eye-to-eye competition. I got some clean pants and shirts. I also combed my hair after that and put some cologne on.