Chapter Ten

“ROEDEN.”

He raised his head and looked at Peter. “Yes?”

“Avon called. She said she couldn’t contact you on your phone.”

Roeden took a glance at his phone that was now turned off. He forgot his charger at home.

“What did she say? She couldn’t make it today again?” This morning, Avon told him she would come to the office that day.

“She’s in Makati police station.”

“What?” He stood up abruptly and grabbed his car key.

Roeden did not waste any time and went to the police station.

Avon was sitting in front of the police officer’s desk when he got there. It looked like she was giving her statement regarding the incident.

“What happened?” he asked upon reaching her.

She immediately stood up and hugged him. Then, she buried her face on his chest and cried. Roeden’s arms automatically hugged her back. Then, his hand went to Avon’s back and gently caressed her to comfort her.

“Tell me what happened…”

Her hands clenched against the fabric of his shirt. “I-I’m scared…”

Roeden gritted his teeth. Avon’s words and the tone of her voice says it all. Something bad happened. That was when the police officer spoke to him.

“She got molested in the bus,” the police officer said.

“Fuck,” he said in a low tone. He distanced himself a bit and cupped her face. “What did he do to you?” Roeden said through gritted teeth.

But Avon could not speak and just continued crying. And he knew the reason why.

The first time it happened to Avon, she got traumatized. Since then, she could not bear being touched by strangers, especially men. Of course, he knew about it because she used to confide everything to him.

He turned to the police officer. “Is it done?”

“We’re not done yet because she doesn’t want to talk.”

“Let’s get out of here,” said Avon.

Perhaps she did not want to undergo the same process that she experienced back then.

“We’re not going to file a complaint. We’re leaving now,” Roeden told the police officer and ushered Avon out of the police station.

“HOW are you feeling now?” Roeden asked as he settled in front of the steering wheel.

“I’m feeling better now that you’re here.” Avon turned her gaze on Roeden, who was looking at her too. “I’m sorry for disturbing you. I have no one to call—”

“Don’t be sorry.” He reached her hand and pressed it gently. “I’ll drive you home.”

“No. Take me to your office.”

“But—”

“I’m done crying, so I’m fine now.” She wagged her brows.

“A-are you sure?” Roeden sounded doubtful.

“Mm-hmm…” Avon grinned. “Don’t worry about me. He didn’t go that far. It’s just that I ‘m so scared.”

He stared at her with his mouth wide open.

“Fine,” Roeden said afterwards and sped the car away.

His office was not that far from the police station. It only took them half an hour to arrive.

“HAVE you eaten your lunch?” Roeden asked as they walked to the lobby of the building going to the elevator.

“I ate before coming here. I’m still full,” Avon replied nonchalantly.

“How about coffee? Do you want coffee? I can order and have it delivered—” He could not finish his sentence when she suddenly turned to him. Roeden did not know why, but his heart suddenly somersaulted inside his untrimmed chest.

He absent-mindedly caressed his chest as they stepped inside the elevator.

“Where is your office?” Avon asked. Her finger was ready to press the button.

“Eighth floor.” He pulled her to his side so they could be close to each other. “Let me carry your bag,” he said afterwards.

She looked at him for a few seconds before handing him her backpack. Roeden was shocked at how heavy it was. What was inside her bag? Stone?

“Why is this so heavy?” He winced.

“You know me. I’m a girl scout. I don’t leave the house without all the essentials.” Avon grinned at him as if she expected what his reaction would be.

“Yeah, right.”

Soon the elevator reached the eighth floor, and they stepped out. Avon came in first. She waved at Peter since they knew each other too. Then, she came inside his office life a boss and sauntered towards his table. Avon took his seat as if she was the owner of the place. And Roeden did not even utter a word of protest. Instead, he was amused. Seeing her act like that made him think that the old Avon she knew was back.

“My laptop, please,” she commanded after a while.

Roeden opened her bag and took her laptop that he carefully laid down on his office table. “Here…”

Before leaving the office, he was the boss. Now, he was not sure if he still owns the title.

“You said this morning that you are going to show me something. Where is it?” Avon said without looking at him. Her eyes were now focused on her laptop’s screen.

“Oh, that. What a minute.”

He called Peter through the intercom and asked him to bring the drafts their creative team had come up with. Roeden let his secretary explained everything to her as he sat on the visitor’s chair, watching her.

“If you have questions…” Peter turned in his direction. “Just ask Roeden. He knows everything. I’ll leave you two here.”

Avon raised her thumbs in response.

He gave Peter a nod when he walked past him.

“I’m glad everything’s okay with you,” he told her.

“For now. My mind might change, you know.” She closed the lid of her laptop and grabbed it.

“Where are you going?” His brows furrowed.

Avon pointed at the couch. “There.”

“Why are you leaving the table when it’s more comfortable to work on it?” His gaze followed her.

“I prefer the couch,” she said and plopped down. “And I can put my feet above this table and my laptop on my lap.”

A smile curved on his lips. Of course, Avon has her own preferences. Roeden reclaimed his seat, but instead of going back to work, he just stared at her. Watching her minimal movements like they were all a big deal.

“Stop acting like that, Roeden.” Avon raised her head and looked at him.

“What?” he asked, bemused.

“Stop staring at me and get back to work. Don’t act like a love-struck teenager who got locked inside a room with his ultimate crush.”

Roeden’s eyes grew wider, and his cheeks burned. How come she knew he was staring at her when she was looking at her laptop’s screen the whole time? He did not even saw her glance at him.

“Do you have an eye up there?”

“None.”

“Then, how could you—”

Avon arched her brow. “I can feel it, dummy. Where’s the coffee, by the way?”

Roeden shook his head. “Sorry, I forgot.”

She scowled at him, but to his astonishment, it made his heart skipped a beat. That was kinda weird. But since it was Avon, it was only natural that she drove him crazy. Yeah, she was the only girl in the world who could turn his emotions upside-down in the weirdest way possible.