Three

~~Kate~~

I’m doomed!

For the first time in a long time, I didn't know what to do. I wished I could apologize to my mom, who painstaakingly raised me to be composed and elegant, only for me to embarrass myself now in the worst possible way.

“I don’t remember calling for an exhibitionist on Christmas Eve,” the man continues, genuinely pondering who I might be.

I also want to know who he is, but maybe later when I’m dressed. So, without thinking twice, I push him away and turn around to escape. Whoever he is, I can’t introduce myself wearing nothing!

“H-Huh?”

I step onto something smooth and the next thing I know, I’m looking at the white ceiling.

“A-Aahhh!”

“Watch out— Ught!” The man groans, following the loud thud on the floor.

I open my eyes and let out the breath I’m holding. “I’m alive,” I whisper, feeling my body intact. Though falling to my death doesn’t sound bad after what happened.

“Great. You’re welcome,” says a familiar voice. It takes me a few seconds to realize I’m lying down on top of him…. Of the man I just met! “Can you move? Get off if you can,” he urges.

Blood rushes through my cheeks. As if bumping into him buttnaked isn’t enough, now I’m on top of him in the hallway.

What are you doing, Kate? Get your ass off that poor man!

“Um. I-I’m getting up,” stammering, I pull myself up.

I want to scream, but I don’t want anyone else seeing me in this state. Yssa would die laughing if she ever found out. I can't let her know that the first time I've ever had a physcal contact with a man is while I'm naked, with shampoo still foaming on my head.

That lizard… Argh! Lizards won’t bite, so why do I have to run like that? Stupid Kate!

“I-I got to go—Mmmp!”

Before I can finish my farewell speech, his hand finds its way to my mouth. What now?!

Is he going to kidnap me? Does he think I’m an escort who came to keep him company? No! Keep it together Kate. You just have to tell him you’re Yssa’s guest.

Right! Yssa!

“Shh! Someone’s coming,” he whispers and drags me inside an empty room, hsi hand still on my mouth.

I feel the cold concrete wall touching my back as he pushes me against it. The lights are off and it’s difficult to adjust my vision with the foam dripping from my head to my eyes.

“Armando, did you hear something?” It’s Yssa!

I was so busy trying to escape from the mess I got myself into that I didn’t notice people were coming. Should I thank this man for saving me? At least he’s the only one who saw my embarrassed state, though I still can’t trust him. Who knows what his identity is.

I haven’t gotten a good look at his face earlier, but he seems older. Did Yssa mention anyone else around this age living with her and her dad—wait.

No way! Is he Yssa’s dad?

“I thought I heard someone screaming, but there’s no one here when I came to check,” Armando replies. “Wait a minute. Miss Yssa, did you play with water in the hallway?”

Oh shoot! Armando is sharp. I can tell by the way he watched us bake earlier. I’m so sorry, Armando!

“Not me. I just came out of my room after a bath,” Yssa replies. “Oh, look at the time. We should set the table before Dad returns. Kate’s probably still taking a shower. Come on, Armando. I’ll help out.”

Their voices trail off as they head down the stairs, their footsteps getting further with each step until the sound completely disappears.

“They’re gone,” the man says as he lifts his hand off my mouth. He lets out a deep sigh, his hand pressing next to my head.

“By any chance, are you Yssa’s friend?”

I nod, even though I’m not sure if he can see me. I can’t bring myself to say a word right now. It’s not like we’re in a proper situation to chat. First off, I should get out of here and return to the guest room to finish my shower.

“Hah! I don’t know what you kids are doing, but didn’t your parents teach you not to run around at your friend’s house, especially in your birth suit?” He says, his warm breath fanning my skin.

Excuse me? Of course, my mother raised me well! It’s just that this house is lizard infested and… Argh!

I want to argue but now’s not the right time. I should go and rinse off the shampoo on my hair.

“The door’s over there. You should be able to find your way out like this. Or would you prefer me to turn on the lights first?

“N-No!” I say almost immediately. “Don’t turn on the lights,” I whisper.

I hear him hum in response and take a step back. I raise my arms forward, navigating my way to the door through the dark. It’s going smoothly until my toe bumps into something, prompting me to jump back and fall down while holding back a painful cry.

“Oww…” I sharply breath and moan in tears.

“What happened?” He asks, sounding concerned as he bends down in an attempt to help me.

“I stubbed my toe,” I whisper, wincing as I clutch my foot. The throbbing pain makes my eyes water, and I bite my lip to hold in a cry threatening to escape.

“Let me see,” he says firmly and bends down. “Oh, let me turn on the lights first.”

What? No!

I immediately stand up when I hear him and reach out for his arm. There’s no way I’ll let him see me naked for the second time.

“Don’t!” I protest, pulling him back with all my might.

He bounces back, and for the second time, we both fell again. This time, he’s the one on top of me. Something wet and warm touches my lips, but what bothers me more is the hard thing poking my thigh.

Oh, mom! I’m sorry for failing you.