**ROSEANA**
"I'm not doing anything wrong," I said emphatically. I feel the annoyance resurfacing in my system.
He is the one to blame, but why does the tone of his speech seem like he is turning everything against me? If, with normal people, he is the one who should apologize, in our case, it is me who almost apologized to him. Yeah, right. I forgot that when it comes to Damon, you are not supposed to expect what usually happens to other people.
He made me feel like I did something wrong just because I chose to wear these clothes.
I heard him gasp loudly. "Don't challenge me." It looks like he can't control his anger. It seems like I have just awakened the monster.
"I am not challenging you. I am merely stating the truth. There is nothing wrong with my clothes. If what I'm wearing irritates you, don't look. Simple as that.” I answered bravely. I feel bold. It was like suddenly I dared to talk back. I used to not be able to do that. If this happened before, I was already running before I could even speak.
Maybe that's because he's not here, or at least I can't see him, so I'm feeling brave. I know he sees me. How would he see what clothes I am wearing if not?
A staff member passed by, so I got his attention. "Excuse me, do you have this product?" I asked the male staff. I showed him the name of the oatmeal I was looking for. My other hand was still holding my cell phone, pressed to my ear.
"Yes, ma'am. This way.” The staff led the way. He showed me what I was looking for. I thanked him. He smiled at me in return and went back to what he was doing.
"I am mad, Roseana. Damn, mad.” with labored breaths, he said. I rolled my eyes. Damon knows a lot about this.
I knew he was angry. Every time he calls, he never fails to let me know how angry he is with me. What does he expect me to do? Coax him? He doesn't even need to tell me that he's angry now. From his successive sighs and his harsh words, I knew he was really angry.
"What does that have to do with me?" My question seems pointless. I winced at the tone my voice turned out to have. I seem to be too ungrateful at this point. Do I sound harsh?
You know that you are the reason he is like that, Roseana. You dare to ask him what you have to do with his anger. I cringed, especially at the scolding of my brain.
I will never forget the help he gave me. I especially do not remove from my brain the debt I owe him. But that doesn't mean that because he helped me a lot, he has the right to insult me and speak hurtful words to me. I will accept his words if I did what he accused me of, but I never did what he thinks I did!
"Change your clothes."
I looked at my phone unbelievably. He is being unreasonable.
I ended the call. I am irritated with him. I am disgusted by the words coming out of his mouth. He's different from the Damon I've been with. He is so bossy. He is expecting me to do what he tells me to do. I am not a robot, and I think he wants me to be like one, so I will obey everything he says.
I put my cell phone in my pocket. I can feel it vibrating, but I just let it be. He will get tired and stop calling me eventually.
Instead of bothering myself with that arrogant man, I focused my attention on shopping. I want to go home right away. I'm still sleepy. I plan to go back to sleep when I get to the apartment later.
Today is Monday, so I have work tonight. I will make the most of this day to rest because I will be up all week again.
My brows knitted in annoyance when two girls bumped into me. I almost collapsed in the aisle because of what they did, but they didn't even apologize. They just kept giggling as if they were being tickled.
I ignored them and went to the cashier. It seems that all the things we need are here already.
I was slowly pushing my cart, alternately walking and looking at the aisle, when I almost fell over. My push cart collided with another push cart. My eyes widened, and I immediately walked toward the woman holding the pushcart.
"Are you okay?" I politely asked her.
"Are you hurt?" I added, concerned because the woman is also old. I helped her to stand properly.
"Hurt?! If I hit you with a push cart, will you get hurt too?" she asked me angrily. She was shouting at me so loudly that she was getting the attention of other shoppers. "I'm sorry. You just appeared suddenly." I apologize. What I said is true. Either she didn't look ahead of her or she was walking so fast that she bumped into my push cart. I'm just walking slowly, and I'm also looking to not bump into someone, so it's unclear because of my negligence. Nevertheless, I didn't want to embarrass her, so I was the one who humbled myself.
The woman's nose snorted when she heard what I said. She didn't like what I said. She laughed lightly. That kind of laugh is already annoying. Her glare turned sharp.
"Look, woman, you're the stupid one, and then you're going to blame me?" I flinched when she shouted at me.
"Stupid!" she pushed me after saying that.
I gasped. She pushed hard because she was a big woman. I feel like my whole system was shaken. I didn't expect what she did, so I couldn't prepare.
Instead of my back hitting the floor, it hit the wall. No, I'm wrong. I stiffened when I felt strong hands encircling my waist.
I was about to look at the person who caught me, but I could hear his familiar voice. "Who gave you the right to talk down—more so, push my woman?" he grimly asked. He supports me so I can stand upright. His hands tightened on the small of my waist.
“S-She… it's her fault! She does not look at what she is passing by!" I saw fear pass through the woman's eyes. If earlier she was like a tiger in anger, now she is like a gentle rat trying to fight the tiger.
Damon stepped forward. He still didn't let go of my waist, so I couldn't do anything but step with him too. He towered over us. The woman was looking up at him, literally. The whole area was silent. No one attempted to disobey him. Maybe they didn't want to share Damon's anger.
"Apologize to her." His voice was deep for the woman. My lips pouted at what he said. Why did he ask the woman to apologize to me if he had not apologized to me yet?
"N-No," said the woman hesitantly.
Damon's muscles tensed. He seems to be running out of patience with the woman. I was nervous because he might suddenly slap the old man.
I held his arm, slightly massaging it. I could feel his relaxation. I angle my head to look at him. I saw how his eyes softened when he looked at me. It also disappeared quickly and was forced by a sharp gaze when the woman spoke.
"She was the one who bumped into me. Why would I apologize to that stupid woman?”
I feel like my head is hurting from what is happening. She is at fault, but why is she even more angry?
"Damon, it's okay. Let's go." I got his attention again.
He only answered me with a firm no.
"Look here, woman. You better apologize while I am still controlling myself.”
"Trust me, apologizing is the safest option you have," he added. I felt goosebumps.
I guess I wasn't the only one who was scared by the tone of Damon's voice because the woman who was yelling at me earlier bowed. She avoided meeting Damon's punishing eyes.
"I-I'm sorry, Miss," she muttered, enough for the people around us to hear.
I thought Damon was going to leave after he heard the woman apologize, but he didn't. He looked at her intently. "I better not see you again," he muttered.
He took my cart and pushed it himself while one of his hands was on my waist.