**ROSEANA**
Damon gives me a few sidelong glances. He's been asking me why I'm upset, but I have no answer. I know he's irritated by my response, but I don't care.
I moved away from him and left him standing in front of the two women, wondering why my mood had suddenly changed. I moved to the aisle after pushing the cart.
"Let me," he said. He arrived out of nowhere, by my side. I would have pulled the cart away from him because I didn't want to see his face, and I knew he'd just keep asking me questions, but I couldn't because he took the cart from my grasp. All I can do is roll my eyes.
"What are we going to buy next?" he inquired. I can tell he's trying to strike up a conversation. He leaned in to look at the shopping list I was holding, forcing his body to lightly nudge into mine.
My brow furrowed. It was as if he was purposefully pushing his body against mine. In addition, our height difference irritated me. Next to him, I look like a child. People who see us will mistake me for his younger sister.
I appeared so small next to him that he had to gently bend his back to make our faces equal, and I had to elevate my head to appear taller in his eyes. I am not that little; in fact, I am taller than the average Filipina. He's just tall.
I moved my feet away from him. I did it in the most inconspicuous way possible so he wouldn't be puzzled, but he still noticed.
When he looks at me, his brow furrows, and he asks, "What are you doing?" He narrows the gap between us.
"Huh?" I asked as if nothing were wrong. To avoid his scrutiny, I go through my list.
"You're avoiding me. Seriously, Roseana, what's your problem? I'm getting impatient here," he remarked, his voice irritated.
I looked at him. "Damon, I told you there was nothing wrong; you are overthinking," I replied.
When he heard my response, he arched his brow, as if ridiculing me for trying to convince him with such a flimsy excuse.
"Oh, come on, Roseana. You don't think you can fool me with that, right?" he questioned, sounding as if he could see straight through me.
"Rather than complicating things, why don't you just cut us both some slack and tell me what's up?" he added. I'm not sure if his ears are red due to the hot weather or because of his hot head.
I gave him a shake of my head. Instead of responding, I just kept looking for those on my list. When I looked back at where we were, I couldn't see Martinez. I just wish he wasn't blocked by girls who like him. Poor guy.
I was so preoccupied with shopping for our groceries that I didn't notice Damon wasn't strolling beside me. I'm not sure where that man went. Perhaps he left me and went home because he was already fed up with me.
I took a glance at my already full cart. How am I going to carry it now that my companions appear to have abandoned me? Martinez abruptly vanished, and his employer didn't even say where he was going, leaving me alone.
'That's what you get for playing hard to get, Roseana.'
My head shook. Instead of listening to my brain, I went in search of tissues. I had a hard time finding that section because of the size of this grocery store. This is my first time shopping at this type of grocery store. It's not like the typical grocery store I used to know as a poor girl.
To buy here, apparently, you must have a membership card. Things that only the wealthy can afford.
"After years of looking, finally!" I exclaim. When I saw the row of bathroom tissues, my eyes almost created stars. I must have looked everywhere before I discovered it.
I could actually ask for the personnel spread around so that I don't have to strain to find these tissues, but I'm too bashful. Talking to other people now feels like a burden. I'm not only embarrassed to ask, but I'm also frightened they'll recognize me and take me to Cedrick.
I am aware that I am paranoid. Yes, I think too much, but I can't help but feel terrified. I have no idea what that man was thinking. I'm not sure if he's still hunting for me, which is why I'm taking extreme caution.
In fact, getting outside is a significant step for me. As much as I am terrified to go outdoors for fear of running into Cedrick, I also don't want to rot inside Damon's house. I was able to escape Cedrick. However, purposely caging myself to avoid being caught by Cedrick is the same as being imprisoned by him.
I've decided to live a worry-free life. Life is too brief to be afraid.
When I tried to reach the tissue on the fifth rack, I grumbled. It's so far over my head that I can barely touch it, even on tiptoe.
"Why isn't everything going my way today?" I grumbled. And how come that rack is so tall? I hope they take into account customers who aren't extremely tall. I think I'll need a ladder.
Other tissues are available, which is nice if that's what I'm going to buy, but it's not the brand that Damon uses. Damon is a very picky and organized individual. He wants this tissue in particular, which is strange because tissues are all the same to me, and I never thought about choosing a brand. I'm happy with anything as long as it does its tasks properly.
My heart almost jumped with joy when my hand reached the bag of tissues. I want to clap my hands as I finally make it. I'm already sweating even though the place is fully air-conditioned, just because of this tissue.
When I lifted the bag of tissues from the rack, the tissues fell in my direction. I didn't notice that there were some on top of what I took, so everything fell into place.
"Miss!" I heard someone say. Someone grabbed my hand, my face collided with something hard, and I fell to the floor.
When I opened my eyes, the man inquired, "Are you okay?" His golden eyes are concerned as he looks at me.
"Huh?" I replied, "I-I am fine."
"All right, can you please stand up now?" he asked.
I looked at him, perplexed by what he had said. It was only now that I realized he was lying on the floor with me on top of him. I blinked numerous times, trying to figure out who this man was and why we were in this position.
I took a look at my pushcart. Tissue bags were strewn over the floor. So he's the one who grabbed me to keep me from being hit by the falling boxes. I attempted to rise but was met with a sharp ache in my ankle.
"Ugh!" he grunted when my body collapsed on him due to not being able to hold my weight.
I mumbled, "I'm sorry." To cover my humiliation, I bit my lower lip. My cheeks flushed even more as I heard his laugh.
Someone inquired, "Ma'am, are you okay?" I raised my head and opened my eyes. Many people are staring at us right now. Perhaps they heard the sound of the falling bags and looked to see what was going on.
My gaze was drawn to a pair of blazing eyes. I held my breath as I saw Damon erupt in rage. Goosebumps spread across my body. His jaw is clenched, and I've spotted veins forming in his hands, which are balled into fists.
"Ma'am, can you stand up?" I could hear the staff talking to me, but my attention was drawn to Damon, who was walking fiercely towards me. Martinez was following him. When he sees me, his eyes widen. In shock, he dropped the tub of ice cream he was carrying.
My heart pulses quicker with each stride Damon takes. Roseana, you are certainly doomed.