CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

“Uhm… Wes”, I pouted apologetically, tugging his shirt slightly not to divert his attention from the road but to give me a little.

“I’m sorry”, I added, leaning in and whispering directly into his ear.

But Wesley was still unresponsive.

I sighed, sitting back in my seat as the silence loudened, like a weight on my chest, a lump blocked my air, and I swallowed hard— maybe my guilt or the invisible lump.

“And here we are, your street doesn’t look as bad as it was previously, you should go to church for a Thanksgiving”, he beamed.

“Oh Wesley, stop this already” I complained, trembling with fear, I just don’t like the way this is going.

Have I made him so angry already, or…

“You aren’t going to talk to me no more?”, I questioned with an upturned smile.

What’s even going on, I can’t read his expression, how am I supposed to feel? What am I supposed to do?

“Ok fine, if it’s what you want, suit yourself, 

He parks the car, sitting directly in front of my house, but that was all, was I supposed to open the car’s door myself— of course I should but that’s not when I’m with Wesley, he always flatters me with Princess treatment.

This is unlike Wesley, he would usually help me with the car’s door, walk me to my door, or do some other things, but now look at him waiting for me to do it myself.

“You know… you are not exactly the most subtle person I have met, I have dealt with worse human Wes”, I shot at him.

“Subtle?, me?… Hmmn… I don’t think so”, he replied bluntly.

“But… it’s me— your princess shiny armor”, I entwined my fingers on my lap staring at him with doe eyes.

He doesn’t reply again, but this time, he pauses, with a deep breath, then he opens the door and steps out, walking over to open mine for me.

I have a mini scream of jubilation in joy.

But still, I wasn’t satisfied as my joy was short-lived, Wesley’s face was just too strong and emotionless, like a bread’s dough without water.

I slammed the back of my palm on my temple dramatically.

“A small smile would do justice to your perfect face Mr. Wes”, I remarked, trying to tease him out of his fluster.

“Who’s Wes?”, he blurted, his voice cold and nonchalant.

“Yay… you finally talked to me”, I celebrated, but shortly, a chill of defeat ran through my veins.

“No no!, relax, I never stopped talking with you princess in shiny armor, maybe you just weren’t listening, and I’m sorry”, he pleaded.

“Alright, for the gram”, I said, raising a finger like a student seeking permission, an evil smile plastered on my face as the idea cooking in my head was about to be unleashed.

I took out my phone, and swiped open my camera, “Alright, let’s take some pics now, I like your shirt, you are just too hot”, I praised, setting a half-photo pose.

“Since you started taking pictures five hundred years ago, don’t you get over this pose, it’s old fashioned, archaic, and antiquated, why would I want to take a picture with you? Your phone is smarter than you are”, he giggled in the mountain of peak evil.

A tear almost ran down my cheek as I swallowed hard, “I’m the only one you are describing this hard? Am I now redundant?” I sighed in nostalgia, “I used to be hot”, I shook my head, agony filled.

“Yoh… Yoh… what’s that look for? I was only jo…king … he pleaded, chuckling through the words, he took my hand apologetically.

“Don’t touch me!”, I yelled trying to hide my pain with a smile but it wasn’t working, my voice shaking, “Barbarian indeed, your jokes are antiquated also”, I cursed silently in annoyance.

But then I paused, scrutinizing his expression deeply.

It still wasn’t clear— I want it to be crystal clear that he is no longer angry with him even if I was angry with him, I must make him smile.

He grabbed my phone swiftly, “let’s take a pic now”, he ordered, angling my phone into the perfect position, I could calculate the difference between the one I had previously—the lighting, the angle, and the filter all looked so aesthetic right now.

I grinned, sitting upright and closing placing my head on my palm. Before I could open my eyes in a blink, Wesley’s lips grazed my cheek, planting a soft kiss on my face.

I froze for a second, the shutter sound clicking bringing me back to the present.

With my arm crossed over my chest, I tried to act unbothered, “ Let’s take another one, smile for me or I’m not leaving here”, I protested, focusing on the speedometer to avoid his gaze as my cheeks grew hot.

A fake smile plastered on his lips, his eyes were not affected as the smile ended artificially at the edge of his lips.

“Not enough, should I tickle you?”, I threatened.

Wesley slid his hand into his pocket, posing as he waited for me.

“You leave me with two options then…
I’ll drive you to work, but you can’t and you won’t join me inside, so you’ll wait till I’m done in my ca…”

I don’t let him finish., “Perfect!”, I yelled.

I’m already bored, what would I do when I’m inside my house, I want to work already, I cried inside of me.

Before I could react, Wesley leaned in.
I flinched, Was he going to kiss me right now?
His face few inches away from mine.

“Fuck, you’re crazy”, he cursed, his breath hot on my face.

Puzzled, I panicked, “What are you trying to do?” I protested as he lifted me in his arms.

“Put me down!…
Wes…
Are you crazy? Put me down already, no no… put me back in the car”, I ordered struggling.

Wesley grinned with joy as he carried me in his arms towards my house.

Unbelievable.

His eyes sparkled in delight, “I’ll always be here when you need my help, just say it.

I guess your legs are functioning now, happy home day”, Wesley teased as he set me in front of my apartment.

“Home day? What’s home day?” I asked again.

Wesley chuckled, I’m glad he isn’t cold again, that shade of him is scary…

“Home day is for JOBLESS people, to stare at their ceiling, I slipped my credit card into your bag, get anything you want”, Wesley whispered.

Now should I be mad, happy, or confused?
“I’m not jobless, it’s because of you and your company’s safety that it seems like”, I clarified.

“Alright, then go back to work”, Wesley protested.

“I… I… I can…” I replied, stammering it fiercely.

“Just look at you, Don’t make me run late, see you later”, he waved retreating.

“Alright then, go back to work”, I waved.

“But… come get your card, why would you leave it with me? see… Mr Rome and parable or whatever— whoever you are, I won’t be held liable for any misfortune, I’m not a scammer but I don’t need your card too, and if I need I’ll finish this account till you owe this country, I’ll rob a bank in your name, don’t test me”, I yelled trying to make him stay a second.

But nope, Wesley was soundproof again.
“See how he looks like a… like a…, screw him”, I cursed, stamping my feet in pain as I am unable to get a word to compare him.

“You are welcomed, oh, I’m just too generous, Anna isn’t ready for my generosity”, he yelled from the distance with a mischievous glint in his voice.