**ROSEANA**
My gaze automatically flew to the source of the voice. My eyes widened. I took a step back. A mischievous light hit his face, making me see his jaw clenching with my two eyes. My emotions swirled as I processed the unexpected encounter.
"Damon..." my words came out in a whisper.
I couldn't believe that I was seeing him now and that he was here in front of me. The person who has been on my mind these past few days—the one who is the reason why I can't sleep well at night—is right here in front of me. He was wearing a simple white t-shirt and knee-length khaki shorts. His hair was messy as if he were too lazy to brush it.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him. I wandered my eyes inside the bar. It's a good thing that he is seated at the far end and in the dark part. People won't notice us.
My eyes searched for Macy. I saw her bringing drinks to customers. I can't see Ric. Maybe he is inside his office. People inside the club are busy. Most of them are drunk, while others are minding their own business.
"Afraid they'll see us?" I looked back at Damon when he spoke. He didn't answer my question.
"Damon, what are you doing here?" I asked again. I want to see him, yes, but he shouldn't be here. What if someone sees us? What if someone recognizes him? To add, I don't know how to explain to Macy when she sees us together. Knowing her, that woman will surely ask questions.
"Afraid, huh? Does your lover know that you are married?"
My eyebrows meet. What is he saying? The cold tone was tinged with anger. I can't see his expression, but I know he's angry again.
I felt him gaze his eyes at me from head to toe. I want to cover my body because of the way he stares at me. My clothes are not obscene. The clothes cover what should be covered, but the way he stares at me, it's like I'm exposing too much skin.
I wanted to lower my skirt when my eyes lingered on my exposed thighs. I suddenly want to strangle Ric because this is his chosen uniform among the waitresses.
"How much are you?" he asked me in a cold voice. His dark orbs looked coldly at me.
I clenched my jaw. I took a deep breath. My expression softened as I consciously composed myself. I didn't let what he said affect me. I'm sure he only said that because he was angry. I don't want to go along with his anger; that's why, despite feeling angry, I maintain a calm demeanor, choosing restraint over a reactive response.
"Damon, stop it," I softly answered after I completely calmed myself down. I give him a begging look. I know he can see my reaction now. He averted his gaze from me.
A long silence fell between us. I remained standing in front of him while he sat on the sofa. His arms are crossed on his chest. I can't help but glance at his arms, whose muscles flex every time.
I missed being caged in his arms. I miss the feeling of safety whenever he hugs me. I never thought that the random stranger that I met that night could make me feel at home just by hugging me.
I mentally smacked my head. Get your thoughts straight, Roseana. This is not the time to fantasize about your gorgeous husband. We are not on good terms yet. I have to get him out. This is not the right time or place for us to talk. I am afraid that instead of getting better, the situation will only get worse.
"We need to talk," he said after minutes of silence.
"Yes, yes, of course, we will talk,” I answered. I am nodding my head as I say that. It seemed like the weight I was carrying on my chest was reduced when I heard what he said. I am glad. I am glad that he took the initiative to open the topic about it. I thought we would be separated forever.
"I mean now, Roseana." I was stunned by what he said.
"Damon, I have work. And this is not the right place for us to talk," I said. I bit my lower lip when I saw his face darken.
“I have to finish my shift. I can't just leave all of a sudden," I said quickly when I saw his reaction.
"Do you not want to reconcile with me? Don't you want us to be fine?” he asked.
“No! ” I flinched as I raised my voice, and some of the customers near us looked in our direction. I smiled at them and looked at Damon. I saw the rise of his side lips, forming a smirk, but that quickly disappeared and was replaced by his emotionless expression.
"Of course, I want to talk about us. But you see, I am working, Damon. I am just a mere employee. I am not the owner of a company unlike you," I explained. I am not like him, who can leave his job if he feels like it, and no one will fire him. I need to work harder. This is the only work I have right now.
"What do you want me to do then? Watch you go back to those drunkards while they are salivating on your body? What are you even wearing? Don't tell me you are dancing like those women on the stage as well." My eyes widen.
“Damon!” I grunted. I glared at him. The man rolled his eyes at me upon seeing my angry face. "My work is different from theirs," I answered him firmly.
"You better be. Hell will break loose if you ever try, Roseana.”
I felt goosebumps run through my spine. He was so serious while saying that. It didn’t occur to me that the time would come for me will love this possessive side of him. I never thought that I'd even experience his possessive side in the first place.
I shook my head at him. I pretended as if I was not affected by what he said. I tried to regain my composure, even though the truth was that my knees wanted to give out. My knees feel weak, and I just want to sit on the sofa.
I looked behind me when I heard a customer calling me. He is drunk, but I know the man. He was nice, and on the few nights he went to the club, I learned that he wasn't rude or disruptive.
"I need to go back," I said goodbye to Damon. He didn't answer me, so I took it as a yes from him.
"Yes, sir?"
I returned to my work. I pretended not to be bothered by the eyes following my every move. I tried to ignore his stares and focus on my work.
"Lots of customers today, huh?" the bartender greeted me.
I smiled tiredly at him. He handed me a glass of water, which I accepted.
"Thanks."
"Yeah. They have plenty of money to entertain themselves," I said.
"Are you alright? You can rest at the locker area," he suggested. Maybe he saw the tiredness on my face.
I shook my head. "No, I can still finish this night," I said.
He laughed at me because, before I could even finish what I was going to say, I yawned.
"Hey, don't act cute to Rose, Edwin."
Edwin's face was crumpled because of what the newcomer, Samantha, said. She placed the serving tray she was holding in front of us.
"Samantha, you are disturbing my approach."
The woman laughed at him. "But of course! I am saving Rose from your venomous grasp. Don't add her to your long list of ex-girlfriends," Samantha said.
"But I am serious about Rose!" Edwin insisted. “Don’t get fooled by what Samantha said. I am no player," Edwin explained, which earned me a laugh. He cannot fool me.
I unconsciously looked at where Damon was sitting. I felt like a bucket of cold water was splashed on me when I met his blazing eyes. My smile disappeared from my lips. My phone vibrated.
I fished it out of my pocket.
"Come here." That is the content of his message. Two words, but why does it seem so scary?
I left Samantha and Edwin. I walked closer to Damon. I breathed a sigh of relief when my colleagues didn't notice me.
I stopped in front of him.
"Damon," I muttered.
"Come here," he whispered.
I hesitated to follow his order. I looked around. They won't notice me, right?
I walked closer to him. My eyes caught the bucket of beer on the table. Empty bottles are on the table.
Concerned, I look at him. I looked at his face when I sat next to him.
"You are drunk," I muttered. His eyes are droopy. His cheeks are a bit red.
"No. I can hold my alcohol," he answered. His speech is not slurry, so I don't think he is that drunk.
"I am mad," he added.
I felt his arms encircling my waist. He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him.
"They might see us," I muttered. My breaths are labored. Being this close to him is lethal for me.
"I don't care. I missed you.” I felt his face on my neck. He is back at it again, sniffing my scent like an expensive perfume.