Chapter Seventeen- Likes and Apologies
Michael and I left the office while his sister went to the marketing department for some business matters. As we walked through the hallway, I felt several pairs of eyes on us. Michael's hand was placed on the small of my back. I'd remove it but he'll just put it right back. We were walking too close to each other. When I try to set some distance between us, he would grab my hip and pull me closer to him. I gave up knowing he won't. Michaela's voice echoed in my head. "I think he likes you."
Like, verb, to feel affection or attraction, to be fond of something or someone. How do you know if someone likes you? How do you know if you like someone? I wanted to Google it but Michael would be snooping beside me.
"Did my sister say something?" his voice startled me. I didn't realize I was in deep thought until we stepped in his car.
"Hmm?"
"You look bothered. What did she say?"
Should I tell him? Yes. No. "She asked me if I like you." I blurted out.
"And?" He stared at me blankly, totally unaffected by what I said.
"I told her you're my boss."
"You didn't answer her question. Do you?"
I shrugged. "What do you think?" I decided to tease him.
"Yes, you do." he answered confidently, his eyes so convinced with himself.
I laughed. "Don't flatter yourself."
"Then look at me in the eyes and tell me you don't like me too."
Too?
I had no idea what to say. Luckily, the bright lights surrounding Harlow entrance caught my eye. "We're here." I announced a little louder than intended.
"You're gonna leave me hanging again, won't you?"
"I think you ask more questions than me now." I chuckled and he joined me. Hearing him laugh was like music in my ears. Say what?
"I wonder whose fault is that."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Michael." I waved at him still giggling. Shoot. Madi Daniel is giggling. Is the world coming to an end?
The entire night, I had this stupid grin on my face that doesn't seem to vanish. Michael popped inside my head as I jumped from one table to another to take orders and serve drinks. The guys in suits by the bar reminded me of him. I even checked my phone a few times like I was expecting him to call or text me. God, I must be insane.
My usually forced smiles to customers were no longer forced. I gave them genuine ones as if serving them alcohol was the most enjoyable thing I did in my life. I was being extra friendly to everyone even my bosses noticed. There was something wrong with me. Something strange was going on.
During my break, I pulled out my phone and I suddenly felt giddy seeing a tiny envelope on the screen. I opened the message and there was this weird fluttering again inside my stomach once I saw who it was from.
Eat your dinner.
I rolled my eyes. The message was nothing but serious and commanding. Okay. Fine. I admit. The weird fluttering was still there even with the undesirable tone of his message. I decided not to respond. He's probably in a fancy dinner or something.
Even though it was a weeknight, the club was packed we we're busier than ever. By twelve, Ma'am Hailey asked me to serve drinks at the VIP section since it was also a full house.
To my dismay, I recognized someone I'd never forget. I mean how could I just forget someone who forced himself to me. The pervert was sitting with his three friends at one of the couches at the balcony. They were surrounded with girls in slutty dresses. Ugh. I can't believe we came up here with them once. Never happening again.
Keith was seated at the edge of the couch, clearly ignoring the girl pushing herself into him. The sight made me roll my eyes in my head. I'd never understand why some girls act so desperate to get a guy's attention.
As I was serving drinks to the table near Keith's, our eyes met. He sat up straight once he recognized who I was. I'm sure Kyla gave the pervert a good punch. If he didn't apologize, Michael would have given him one first. He'd never forget us.
I looked away and entertained another table calling for me. Unlucky me, one girl from his table raised her hand looking at my direction. She looked so much younger than me. Sixteen or seventeen?
I made a note to self to remind someone in the entrance about IDs. The inner-teacher in me started kicking in again. This happens every night I find someone too young to be drinking in a club. I can't help it. It's like there's someone inside me who wants to look out for these youngsters. I started calling her my inner-teacher.
Forcing a smile to the girl who was wearing a red dress with gold dangly things which reminded me of a belly dancing attire, I asked what she needed. She ordered eight tequila shots and I wanted to grab the phone from her hand and call her parents right away.
"I didn't know you work here." Keith, the pervert commented as I placed their drinks on the table. I rolled my eyes with his tone. He was trying to converse with me as if we were close. The nerve!
The belly dancer called her friends' attention by yelling 'Shot!' repeatedly. That was my cue to leave. Ignoring the pervert's statement, I asked if they needed anything else. Two of them shook heads and mumbled thanks. The others were too rude to even answer. I turned my heel to walk away from them.
"Wait!" Keith called behind me but I snubbed him and paced to the stairs. "Wait up!" What does he want?
I breathed heavily and curved my lips into my first forced smile of the night before turning to face him. "Is there anything you need, Sir?"
"No. I just... Can we talk?"
"About what?" You trying to kiss me?
"'Bout what happened the last time I was here." I raised an eyebrow. Why would we talk about how perverted he was?
"Sorry. I don't have time for bullshit. I have work." I blurted. There goes my mouth filter. I continued climbing down the stairs ignoring him.
"I'll be waiting!" I heard him yell before my ears were filled with howls and laughter from the first floor.
When my shift ended, I can feel my feet aching from standing for hours. I stopped by the employee's exit to sit on the steps to rest my legs for a bit. Three drunk giggling girls stumbled in front of me. I stood to help them but they held each other up. They laughed harder as if it was the happiest night of their life. I found myself laughing with them until they hailed a taxi. Somehow, I wished I could be as carefree and wild like them even just for a night.
I've had those days when I keep thinking of what my life would have been if I had parents. What if I was just a regular college student who doesn't have to worry about her student loans and rent? What if I had a family or at least a relative who give a fuck about my existence? Would I still be the uptight and withdrawn?
"Are you okay?" an irritating now-familiar voice spoke beside me. I didn't realize Keith was already sitting close to me on the steps. I rolled my eyes and stood, preparing to leave. "Are you on your way home? Can I give you a ride?"
"Yes you can," I started and he grinned. "but you may not." I sneered.
"I'm really sorry about that night. I've been meaning to apologize properly but I didn't have the guts. I'm not gonna make any excuses for my behavior. I was drunk and stupid and heartbroken. I'm really sorry. The guy from that night was not me. Honest."
"How original." I praised sarcastically.
"I deserve that. I guess I also deserve that punch from your boyfriend after all. Like that from your friend."
I remembered Kyla telling me she punched this pervert in the balls. "Nobody messes with her." Wait. Who's my boyfriend?
"You should have warned me." He laughed and I surprisingly joined him. "Does this mean you forgive me?"
Come on, Madi. The guy looked sincere. You of all people should know what alcohol does to people. Even God forgives.Who are you not to? "Fine. You're forgiven." I muttered after giving myself a pep talk.
"Thank you. May I give you a ride home now?"
Before I could answer, I felt the air changed. With the breeze of the night, goose bumps formed through my arms. Is it going to rain or something? Is oxygen getting sucked up?
"She already has a ride." Michael's voice and touch sent shivers down my spine. His hand was pressed on the small of my back making me freeze from head to toe. How could he affect me like this?
"Okay. Thanks again." Keith looked at me then to Michael like a scared cat.
I watched as Keith walked to his car. It took me seconds to notice Michael in front of me. "What the hell, Madi?" he yelled.
"Whoa!" I was taken aback by his scowl. "What is your problem?"
"What's my problem? You wanna know what my problem is?" he paused to inhale. "Why are you with that bastard? If I remember correctly, that son of a bitch forced himself to you nights ago." It was the first time I heard him curse. He must be really pissed. "And now you're laughing and chatting with him. Are you friends now?" I stared at him blankly before he yelled, "Answer me!"
"Hey! You don't have the right yell at me! What is wrong with you?"
"What's wr-. Seriously, Madi? You're with the guy you called a pervert! What if I wasn't here? He could've forced himself to you again. If something like that happens to you, I don't know what I'm gonna do.I can't bear the thought of someone else touching you." I can see his chest rise and fall underneath his clothes. He raked his hand through his hair, a gesture he does when frustrated. When did I notice that?
"Michael, you're obviously overreacting. Keith was sincerely apologizing to me for what he did. He was even offering me a ride home."
"And you're just gonna accept it?" he implied, exasperated.
"The apology, yes. The ride, no. I know I've recently developed a habit of accepting free car rides from complete strangers but I'm not stupid."
My statement clearly lightened his mood. "Complete strangers huh?" I shrugged. "I'm sorry for yelling. I don't want you near that guy ever again."
"I can't stop him from coming to the club where I work." I reasoned.
"But I can." he whispered more to himself. I wanted to ask what he meant by that but he spoke again. "I'll take you home."
End of discussion.
The car ride was nothing but awkward. At least on my part. Michael was never awkward. He's always so calm, business-like and refined. He always looked so goddamn perfect. Life is so unfair.
I mentally recalled what happened in the past hour. All the things he said. He was frustrated and pissed at me for talking to Keith.
I don't know what I'm gonna do if something happens to you.
I can't bear the thought of someone else touching you.
His words replayed in my head like a broken record. I rubbed my knees with my hands. My legs felt shaky. If I continue feeling like this I may not be able to walk.
Then there's my weird reaction to his presence. Goose bumps and shivers? What the heck, Madi? I was having a conflict of emotions inside me. I had no idea how to handle it.
"Did you eat dinner?" Here we go again with food talk. I didn't respond but he already knew the answer. He was infuriated as he leaned to David whispering instructions.
The driver made a U-turn. Minutes later, the car was on an unfamiliar road. I saw a street name and realized we were way far from my boarding house and near to an exclusive subdivision. He wasn't planning to take to me to my home. "Where are we going? If you want to eat we can just go to 7 Eleven again." My voice a bit nervous.
"There's no way we're eating at a convenience store again."
"Then where are you taking me?"
A smirk was suddenly planted all over his face. "My place."