No Strings Attached

Chapter 5

Nunew opened the lights and he immediately saw bloods in the tiles just near the toilet bowl. He look for a mop which he finds near the sink and immediately wipe the floor. He silently prays that Toy only broke his arms and no fracture on his head.

He felt Zee's presence before the latter even start talking. "Do you need me to do anything?"

Nunew close his eyes. Zee's body is just hot. He swear that one of these days, he will get Zee's blood sample to be tested.

"No, I'm good." Nunew continue wiping the floor. He continue scrubbing the floor but the blood stain remains on the tiles. Nunew haven't finish scrubbing when he heard cries coming from the room.

Zee grab the mop from his hand. "Go, I'll finish this."

Nunew didn't argue with Zee anymore. He immediately went to the sink and wash his hands.

He went straight to the little children's room and sit on the bed to coo them again. The small children must be very scared when they saw Toy. He can't blame them since he was also shock when he saw a lot of blood. He continue to rub their backs until they drifted off again to sleep.

He felt that Zee went out of the bathroom but he tries so hard not to look at the latter. But it was no use, his very presence was disconcerting.

Nunew was sure that Zee radiated electric currents to shock his flesh to awareness. Nunew wished Zee would just go away.

"It's late, you should really go." Nunew carefully stood up and went outside the little children's room. He felt that Zee followed him.
He check the other rooms too. Everyone is sleeping including Sarang and Jaeyun. He checked again the little kids room and make sure they are covered with blankets.

After he left the little children's room, he saw Zee staring at him intently. He hates how this man makes his heart beat crazily. His almond eyes so dark and deep that it was making him feel drowned. He wonders how many women and men got lost and drowned with that seductive almond shape eyes. He was sure there a lot.

He tried to avoid Zee's gaze and went to the living room. Zee stops at the wall full of pictures.

"Is this you?" Zee ask, pointing to a certain picture.

He was sixteen that time in the photo holding a then six months old baby Sarang. His hair still black at that time.

"Yes." He replied.

Nunew and Sarang were both smiling at the photo. They have a lot of pictures like that hanging on the wall. Playing, laughing with the kids and Sarawat.

Zee shouldn't be here. He had no business here. This was Nunew's home. He felt like he was more naked now compare to awhile ago as Zee stares at their happy photos.

He shouldn't~

His cellphone rings from his pocket. He immediately answer it hoping that his loud ringtone won't disturb the sleep of the little children.

"Watt?"

"Sorry if I only call just now. Toy's arms now in a cast. We will just buy medicine and then we will head home okay?"

Nunew felt relieved. Like the big rock on his chest have been lifted off. "That's good. I'll wait for you guys here. Everyone is sleeping already."

"Good. Thanks, Nhu. And the guy with you? You better explain that." Nunew blinks. "Yes. Yes. Okay. Take care."

He ended the call and never look back at Zee. He felt like Zee is following him. Like a walking heater.

"You should go, Zee." Nunew said. "I'll wait until your friend comes back."

"No need. This neighborhood is safe. But thanks for the offer. And thank you for staying here anyway, and thank you for helping out a bit."
Zee move closer to him. He felt like his back is on fire.

"Where are the other helpers in this house? What if you're not here? Who will be left to take care of the children?"

Nunew tried to make his step bigger to get away from Zee. "Sarawat have two assistants. But they attended a seminar today. They'll be back on Monday."

"I'll stay until Khun Sarawat returns."

"No~~"

"I'll stay until they come back, Nunew. And that's final."

He felt like pushing The Great Wall of China everytime he had discussion with Zee. Yet, the toughness and hardness in his voice ignited a need inside of him he dared not to identify.

"Fine. Whatever."

Zee's long hands gently grab his wrist pulling him towards the couch.

"Get some sleep. You look tired."

"Thanks."

His eyes wandered for the throw pillow in the couch, Zee stood up and get it for him. "Sleep here. I'll sit on the chair."

He saw Zee sit on the wooden chair. Nunew thought he can't get any sleep with Zee around but he can feel his eye lids getting heavier. He then remember that they are saving energy in the orphanage.

"Can you turn off the lights." Nunew said.

Zee stood up and Nunew watched the latter's body move with economic grace. His careless fluidity was just unfair. And it was just wrong that at this godforsaken hour, Zee looked like a billion dollar. He never look haggard at all.

The darkness seeps in the room and he felt Zee sits on the couch just above his head.

"How did you become a volunteer here?" Zee gently stoke Nunew's silky long blonde hair.

He must be really sleepy as he saw himself opening up to the Roman God. "My Auntie Yaya's housekeeper, P'Jimin, she always volunteer here and bring me everytime she will go."

"Your Auntie allow you?"

"My Auntie wasn't always at home. I was always left alone in her huge house. I got bored so I went with P'JiMin."

Both of them stayed quiet as Zee continues to stroke his hair tenderly.

Maybe Zee's long fingers have magic. He was sure of it. There's a sleeping potion on his magical hands. Because after a few seconds, Nunew found himself drifting off to dreamland. So peaceful that he never had for a while.