My Soul Will Find Yours : The Fulfillment of the Promise

He Was Bullsh*tting Me

"It was my spidey senses," Charles said without blinking. "It was telling me that you're not fine."

"Be serious, please!" I wailed, frustrated.

"I am serious!" he insisted.

"I'll ask again," I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Charles, how did you know I was crying?"

"I just know," he said through stiff lips.

"Charles!" I groaned. I was starting to get pissed off with him!

"Nat, to be honest I also don't know, okay?" he exasperatedly rubbed his face with his hands. "I was serious when I said I just know. As for the reason why, I have no other explanation but what I just told you."

I stared at him, studying his face and looking for any sign that he might be hiding something from me, or worse, pulling my leg. His face was smooth and gave nothing away.

"This wasn't the first time," I sighed and looked away. "And you also gave me that same excuse that time."

"It wasn't an excuse. I was telling the truth that time the same way I am right now. Besides, what good would lying to you do?"

I gave him a look that clearly said what I was thinking: he was bullshitting me.

"Believe me. I don't understand it either. One moment I was deep asleep and suddenly I wake up to the sounds of your sobs as if we're in the same room," he sat beside me before lying down on the bed. He frowned when his searching hands found no pillow. "Where are your blanket and pillows?"

"On the floor," I answered, although I knew he was trying to distract me. Unluckily for him, I wasn't going to give up until I get any decent answer from him.

"Huh?"

"I prefer sleeping on the floor with just the duvet as my mattress," I replied simply. "Stop changing the topic."

"What else is there to talk about?"

"You're really not telling me the truth?"

"I'd be lying to you if I say more," he sighed before closing his eyes. "Nat, we've known each other all these years. I would never do anything that would ruin our friendship."

Friendship? Do friends hold hands and kiss the other's forehead? I was very tempted to ask but was once again hesitant to voice out my thoughts.

"Get out," I said, trying my best to ignore my brimming curiosity. Mixed with the frustration I was currently feeling, I might strangle him if he stayed any longer. It was a deadly combination. "I'm not going to cry anymore so go back to your room."

He opened his eyes and sat up. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure."

His hand reached out to caress my face, startling me. He was looking into my eyes with a very strange expression. I tried to look away but couldn't. It was as if I was entranced. Hypnotized, if you will.

"Nat, you're very important to me," Charles whispered. "I know you're going through something right now. I respect that you want to keep it private so I'm not going to ask you for details. However, please keep in mind that I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

"Charles..."

When he leaned forward, I subconsciously clenched my fists. My heart started to beat fast at the realization that he was going to kiss me!

"Umm..."

Charles' lips landed on my forehead. "I'm always here, okay?"

I nodded, my mind in complete jumble.

Satisfied, he gave my cheek one last stroke, bade me goodnight, and returned to his room. Before I heard the door shut, I heard him say that the breakfast buffet was only until eleven in the morning. My eye caught the digital clock on the bedside table, it said that it was almost two. After a while, I went back to the duvet and pillows on the floor. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell into a deep slumber.

~~~

I was awoken by a visit from a housekeeping staff hours later. I was pleasantly surprised to be given a bag containing the clothes I wore to work yesterday. They've been washed, neatly pressed, and folded. Apparently, Charles had them laundered and the paper bag he handed me last night contained only my shoes.

After a quick shower, I opened the bag. My cheeks reddened when I saw that a pair of disposable underwear was mixed in the bag. Thinking that he must have asked the hotel staff for them made me almost want to sneakily leave the hotel. I was embarrassed to the core!

And then an even more embarrassing thought crossed my mind: he probably saw my underwear in the bathroom last night! I washed and hang it on the towel rack to dry so I could use it today!

More embarrassing still: he realized I was naked underneath my robe when we were talking! Argh!

"Crap!" I said out loud. "Way to go, Hinata! You're lucky Charles isn't one to take advantage of your stupidity!"

~~~

Breakfast with Charles was not how I dreaded it would be. He was being his normal self so I thought it would be ridiculous of me to act the opposite. After we had our fill, we went back to our rooms to collect our belongings then proceeded to checkout.

"Thanks again for last night, Nat," Charles said as soon as we reached Marina's shop.

We came to the hotel in his car last night, mine was parked here overnight.

"Anytime, Charles," I smiled.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you to your car?" he looked like he was very hesitant to part with me.

I chuckled. "It's right next to yours so there's no need, silly."

"Okay," he grinned a toothy grin that made it difficult for one to believe he was a prestigious lawyer. "Let me know when you get home, alright?"

"I will," I unbuckled my seatbelt and transferred to my car.

From the rearview mirror, I noticed that he only drove off when I was about to turn left on the intersection.

~~~

As it was a weekend, the streets weren't as crowded and traffic not as heavy. I reached my village earlier than usual. I slowed down when I saw that an unfamiliar car was parked on our driveway.

"Mum?" I called out as I changed into my bunny slippers. "I'm home."

"Hina, we're in the kitchen," mum replied.

Going to where she was to formally greet her and our guests, I couldn't help but smile when I heard her hearty laughter from the kitchen. The familiar scent of my favorite rice porridge filled my nostrils as I got closer to where they were.

I heard the door of the downstairs toilet room open. Instinctively, I turned to look towards its direction. The moment I saw the tall person emerging from the door, I couldn't believe my eyes. I wasn't expecting to see him again. Let alone this soon!

"Wha... What are you doing here?"