**ROSEANA**
"That man... do you love him?"
My brows knitted after hearing Macy's sudden question. With so many things she could ask, why is that? I never expected to hear that question from her.
Our conversation ended without me being able to answer her question. I tried my best not to think more about it. I don't want to torture myself into thinking. I am afraid of the realization that I will do as well.
"You know what? I missed this kind of bonding. Ever since you left the café, we've rarely been together." Macy smiled at my side while she was busy cooking the sauce for the pasta. We are making our snack. We just finished having lunch, and yet, here we are again in the kitchen, cooking.
"Yeah. I missed cooking and baking with you.” I agree. "I still felt guilty though. I was not able to help you move your things when you moved to another house."
Macy laughed at what I said. She even playfully rolled her eyes at me.
"Girl, you don't have to worry about that. Besides, it is my decision not to tell you. I know that you will come running to me just to help me move my things. I knew you too well," she explained. A grin was plastered on her heart-shaped face as if she were seeing in her mind what she said.
"You were dealing with your problem at that time. I don't want to cause you additional trouble. Besides, I have our co-workers in the café help me.”
I am thankful for this girl. Amid people betraying and leaving me, I didn't expect that I would meet someone as sweet and caring as Macy.
"You know what? If only it were not raining, I would probably drag your ass on some cheap trip." She grunted. After she said that, lightning flashed in the sky, accompanied by thunder and pouring rain.
I heard on the news that there was a typhoon. That mainly explained the nonstop rain. It has been raining heavily since yesterday. I think it goes along with my bad feelings.
We placed the pasta and the toasted bread on the table. We sat on the floor of the living room while Macy had her eyes fixed on the screen of her small television. She chooses a movie for us to watch. That's all we could do to entertain ourselves because we couldn't go out and walk in the heavy rain.
I can only shake my head when, after almost half an hour of choosing what movie we would watch, Macy ended up choosing a cartoon movie for kids.
Instead of watching, I focused my attention on the food in front of me. I am kind of craving this. I missed Macy's cooking, so when she granted my request for food, she immediately cooked it for me.
"Hey, slow down. You are not a glutton, are you?” Macy handed me a glass of milk. I took it but didn't drink it. I crinkled my nose when its smell reached my nose. Why does it smell so bad?
After eating, I said goodbye to rest. I suddenly felt sleepy. She let me. I even wonder if she heard what I said or if she just agreed because she didn't want to disturb what she was watching.
There is only one room in Macy's apartment, so we share the same bed. That's not an issue for the two of us because, even then, we've been sleeping in the same room. Supposedly, this apartment is only for one person. Fortunately, her landlady agreed to let me stay in the apartment.
My body instantly felt toward the mattress. I lay unmoving in the middle of the bed. I stared blankly at the ceiling.
"I am wondering how Damon is doing."
Even if I tried to get Damon out of my mind, I couldn't. His whole existence seemed to be embroidered already in my system so that in everything I do and in every move, I think of him. I wonder if he eats at the right time. I hope his assistant is taking care of him, constantly reminding him to eat his meal. I wonder if he is overworking again.
I have only been away from him for a day, and I am already missing him badly. I missed talking to him and annoying him. My body is craving his warm embrace. I want to feel his lips pressing on mine whenever he thinks I am asleep.
I turned to my phone, which was on the bedside table. I haven't touched it since yesterday. I turned it on silent and do not disturb mode. I fought the feeling of opening it, checking if Damon had messaged or called me. Despite the pain his words inflicted on me, I still can't change the fact that I miss him badly.
I didn't realize I was holding my phone. I bit my tongue.
"I'll just check." I seem to convince myself.
Message after message popped up on my screen when I opened the phone. I was surprised by the number of messages from Damon. Almost a hundred messages and calls are coming from the same number. I scrolled through it, scanning what he sent me. Almost all of them are asking where I am and demanding that I come home. He said so much, but he didn't even say sorry. He didn't apologize to me. He could not even humble himself.
Maybe I made the right decision to leave. I want to breathe. I felt like a puppet under his supervision. When he tells me not to leave the house, I don't leave. I follow all his wishes. I even gave it to him myself. Yet he still thinks of me that way. His words meant that I was someone who leaches on some men just because of money.
My soles got cold when I read his last message, just an hour ago. In bold letters, he texted me, "I AM MAD, ROSEANA."
I sighed and completely turned off my cell phone. My head hurts because of his text messages. I have decided to take a break from him. That's not a bad thing, right?
I am sure that his anger will also subside. He has no reason to be angry. He can function well without me.
"Macy, can you help me look for a job?" I asked Macy later that morning. We eat breakfast together.
She looked at me in surprise. "Do you plan on staying with me? I mean, don't get me wrong, I want you here, and if I could just convince you to stay with me, I would gladly do so, but won't there be a problem between you and that man?" she asked me.
"My decision is complete, Macy. I want to earn my own money," I said, sure about my decision. I don't want to rely on Damon. In some ways, I understand why he said that. I was solely relying on him. Maybe when I have my own money, he wouldn't think of me as that kind of person.
"I would like to work in a place where Cedrick can't find me," I said. I should not forget that I am still hiding from that man and his goons. That makes my job hunting more difficult, as I have to consider the place and the possibility of me stumbling on one of his men.
"I have this job in mind, but I'm not sure if you will accept it. But there is a high possibility that Cedrick won't be able to track you down in this area. Besides, the salary in this job is high.”
Macy's got my attention. When it comes to work, I can count on Macy's. She is working many jobs at the same time.
"I work in a club."
"What?" I can't believe what I heard.