**ROSEANA**
When I awoke, I shuddered from the cold. I didn't know I'd fallen asleep in the living room again while waiting for Damon. When I wake up, my skin is freezing since the air conditioner is on full blast.
I can feel the wind on my skin, bringing on goosebumps. I'm shaking slightly and fantasizing about a warm quilt wrapped over my body. But I won't move. My entire body felt heavy. The home was so peaceful that it became deafening as time passed. The only sound I could hear was the air conditioner running.
I don't want to get up. I'm awake; my eyes are open, but I still feel like I'm sleeping. When I looked at the wall clock in the living room, I noticed it was already past nine o'clock at night. That explains why the living room is dark. The sun was still up when I decided to take a snooze earlier. Because the curtains were open, I was astonished to see that it was no longer bright outside when I opened my eyes.
The loud ringing of the doorbell broke the silence of the surroundings. My sleeping heart was automatically brought back to life. My body's circulation appears to be working fine now.
I got up slowly. My body felt the excitement, but I didn't have the energy to move.
I froze when I sat down on the sofa because I felt dizzy. My environment appears to be whirling.
"I should have eaten dinner before I went to nap," I mutter to myself as I massage my temples. I completely forgot to eat. No, I didn't mean not to eat. I intended to wait for Damon to get home so we could eat together, but it's already midnight, and he hasn't arrived.
I double-checked that I wasn't dizzy before standing up. I was terrified I'd trip when I stood up.
I made my way to the door. The doorbell did not stop ringing.
My brows drew closer together. "Why is Damon using a doorbell when he can just scan his fingerprint on the scanner?" I thought.
Damon's home is overly modern. The fingerprint scanner is the means of unlocking the door. The house still has a key, but the scanner is more convenient.
I remember my first visit to this place. I was beyond surprised. I can't even imagine that such technology exists in the Philippines. That is only shown in international dramas.
When I opened the door, Martinez, Damon's secretary, appeared. When I saw him, my ready smile faded. I even peered behind him, hoping to see Damon in his usual suit, but I was saddened to see him not there.
Martinez may have seen that I was staring at someone behind him, so he shook his head. "Good evening, Mrs. Salvestre," he said again, smiling.
I agreed by nodding. "Good evening, Ronnel," I said as I opened the door to let him in.
As he made his way to the kitchen, I followed him. "What are those?" I inquired.
"These are your grocery items. And my name is Rommel, not Ronnel," he clarified.
I was amused by how he responded. "Yeah, that's what I called you." I laughed. He simply shook his head.
"Why are you doing that? Is it still part of your job to buy groceries for your boss?" I inquired further, and Martinez glanced over his shoulder as he placed the food he had brought into the cupboard.
He straightened his back and adjusted his glasses. "Actually, no. But I'm getting paid more for this, so." He cleared his throat.
That's understandable. "Can I also work at Damon's company?"
"Why would you bother? Didn't you agree to marry him so you could live in luxury?" he asked sarcastically.
"You know that's not the reason."
"Then why are you looking for more trouble?" he questioned. "You marrying him was already a huge problem."
"What did you say?" I didn't get the last sentence. He kept his voice as low as possible, probably so I wouldn't hear what he was saying.
"Nothing. Have you taken your medicine?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, perplexed. As I asked him, my brows furrowed.
Martinez turned to face me. He has finished arranging the groceries he purchased. To be honest, Damon's secretary is a bit of a tasker. He also does admirably in the kitchen.
He said, "You're sick."
I promptly replied, "I am not."
Martinez leaned against the sink and folded his arms as he stared at me. Damon sprang to mind as I watched how Martinez stood and gazed at me. When I say something that amazes Damon, I imagine him doing the same. He'll stop what he's doing, cross his arms across his chest, and listen to me intently.
"You are; that's why my boss called me on my day off just to tell me to go buy you groceries," he murmured to himself. He's meant to keep it to himself, so he was taken aback when he discovered he'd spoken it out.
When he looked at me, his eyes almost sprang out of their sockets. When he noticed my brows knit in uncertainty, his sun-kissed skin turned pale. I stood up from my high chair and marched directly to him.
Martinez had lost his bravery and was unable to look me in the eyes. I came to stop in front of him.
"Keep your distance, ma'am; I don't want to die young," he said to me, clearly avoiding me. He will practically throw himself under the sink if he can just to avoid me. Because of how he is reacting right now, it looks like I am harassing him.
“Explain!” I demanded vehemently.
"What?"
"Don't act stupid, Martinez; I know what I heard, and what you said was clearer than your eyes."
He swallowed and cleared his throat. His mouth stayed shut.
"You know, Martinez, if you were an animal, you would definitely be a dog because you are so loyal to your boss. Unfortunately, you have to explain to me what you spilled or you won't be able to get out of here," I said, looking at the man intently. I noticed how firmly he closed his eyes. When he tried avoiding me, he was barely breathing. But no matter what he does to get away from me, he can't because I have him cornered.
"Fine! I'll explain! But you have to give me some distance first," he added hesitantly. "I swear! I swear!"
I took a step back, satisfied with his response, but not far enough for him to escape, just far enough for him to breathe properly. True, he just breathed a sigh of relief when I went away from him. I gave him a sidelong glance.
"Mister Salvestre directed me to bring you groceries because he checked your card usage and discovered that you haven't purchased anything this week, not even food. I guess he's worried that you're starving yourself to death," he continued warily, his voice low, as if he didn't want anyone to hear what he said.
"So, what does it matter to him if I don't eat?"
Damon did not return home for a week. He departed the night we had a disagreement, and he has not returned home since.
It's been a week since he left, and I've not been getting enough sleep the entire time.
When I heard Martinez take a long breath, my attention was drawn back to him. "He cares about you," he muttered.
"Who? Your boss? There's no way."
Damon is concerned about me? I'd like to believe him. Nicely, the idea of someone caring for me is an overpowering feeling for me. However, no matter how fantastic it feels, I can't seem to accept the notion that Damon genuinely cares about me.
I'm merely a wife signing papers for him. He merely married me to have someone pretend to be his wife.
Martinez had already left, but that was still on my mind. When he received a phone call, he left quickly. I was more shocked when, in his haste, he almost flew out of the house.
I went into my room after Martinez had left. I didn't bother eating. I have no appetite and want to stay in bed.
I touch my forehead. I think I have a fever.
"I'll just take a rest. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow," I mumbled.
I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep again. I had just awoken when I felt something chilly touch my flesh, moving from my cheek to my neck.
I sighed. When I felt that chilly thing on my flesh again, I turned away.
"Stay still." That voice seemed to be swept away by the wind, but I'm sure it was Damon's.
I forced myself to open my eyes, despite my discomfort. I attempted to clear my vision by blinking, but it remains cloudy.
I muttered, "Hi." My dry lips curved into a smile.
I didn't get a response from Damon, but the smile on my lips didn't fade.
"I already miss you; please return home."
The next thing I felt was the warm, smooth touch of something on my lips.