Chapter 7

I feel a sudden thirst as though my throat is dry. 

"Can I have some water?" 

"Oh, yes of course! I'm sorry I almost forgot to give you drinks." 

Isabel hurriedly gets a pitcher from the fridge. I listen to the melodious flow of water as she pours it into the glass. She goes back to where I am standing and hands it to me. She is watching closely as the water goes down through my throat. She seems to be enjoying the view. What's with this woman? Is she a lesbian? She seems to have a crush on me. Well, I knew perfectly that I'm attractive but it never cross my mind that I can also capture a woman's interest.

"Beware of how you stare, you might fall in love with me."

I see her blush and her earlobes turn red as tomatoes. That's cute. I smirk and give the glass back to her. 

"Thank you." 

"You're welcome and excuse me, I was not looking at you for any reason that you're thinking. It's the tattoo just below your ear that I am staring at. Is that glow in the dark?" 

"Tattoo?" 

I don't have any tattoos on my body. I find it dirty to have those marks on one's body. What is this woman talking about?

"But it's still daytime and the surroundings are still bright. Glow in the dark tattoos only lights up in dark places. Is that a new invention? Can I see or touch it?" 

She says all those things without a break. I hold her hand when she steps forward to touch my neck. I give her a cold stare.

"I don't have tattoos, lady." 

"Huh? What do you call this?"

I did not expect her to use her other hand. She tiptoes and quickly touches that spot under my right ear.

"Ouch!" 

Isabel involuntarily pulls her palm away from me. She exclaims and almost cry in pain.

"What's wrong with you?" 

I stare at her blankly and wonder what happened to her palm. It's not like my neck bit her.

"It's hot! Your tattoo is burning hot! The moment I landed my palm on your skin I felt like I was touching a fire." 

"What? Are you on drugs?"

"I'm serious!"

"Alright, let me see your palm." 

I snatch her hand and take a look at her palm. My eyes widen and my lips slightly open upon seeing that she gets burn from it.  Seriously? She gets burn from touching my skin.

"Get off me! What kind of creature are you! Look, your skin is still glowing!" 

She pulls her hand from me and points her finger to that spot where she has touched a while ago. She's scared and almost hysterical. 

"Listen to me, Isabel..."

"No! Don't come near me!"

Isabel steps backward trying to escape from me yet I'm too quick and in a second I am already holding her arms. 

"You didn't see anything. Just forget what you saw."

My eyes flash a reddish glow as I say those words with my eyes looking straight at hers. I do not expect the next thing to happen.

"Mmm. Why are you holding me? Are you done drinking?" 

Isabel blink and glance at my tight grip on her arms.

"Huh?" 

I ask with confusion. I think I got dumbfounded and can't comprehend what is going on. I release her arms. She looks at the glass in her hand and walks towards the sink.

"Are you now feeling good Isabel?"

She turns her head to me and gives me a 'what are saying' look.

"Since when did I feel bad?"

"..."

She forgot what happened? But how? Is it because of the reddish glow that flashed in my eyes? Could it be my new ability? Possible. 

"What's going on here? Why did I hear screams?" 

We both look at Catherine who is already standing outside the bedroom door. I feel like my mouth has zippers and I can't talk. Gladly, Isabel speak.

"What screams? I didn't hear any." 

Now, I fully understand the situation. She forgot what happened to her palms. I wonder, is the burn still in her palms?

"Ouch! Oh my God. How did I get this burn in my palm?" 

She grimaces while supporting her palm with her other hand. Catherine faces me with a suspicious stare as if I'm the one who's responsible for her friend's burn. Oh well, partially I am.

"Good thing I brought ointment last time. Be careful next time."

She walks towards the first aid cabinet and gets the ointment. She reaches for Isabel's hand and applies an ointment to the burn. I watch the two women. By the look at them, I know that they love each other dearly. I can feel their hearts so close to one another. Sherika and I would surely be that close if she hadn't died ten years ago. A bitter smile plastered on my lips. 

"Are you alright Ms. Brown?" 

I did not notice that Catherine is already done applying an ointment on Isabel's burn. She is now looking up and frowning in front of me. 

"Sorry, are you saying anything?"

"She says if you want to join us for lunch."

Isabel answers me while getting the table ready for lunch. I can't stay with them for long. I still have something to do back home besides I have to travel to West Land. 

"I appreciate your hospitality but I will just have it next time. I still have some business to mind." 

"If that is the case then you better get going."

Is this woman throwing me out? I can't believe that's all I will get for helping her. She's shameless.

"Okay, I gotta go. Be careful next time. I'm not always available to help you." 

"I will be careful next time." 

She says that with a little space between her eyebrows. 

After leaving Catherine's house, I immediately drive to the city of West Land. I'm going to visit Brown's Architectural Design.