Chapter 18 Friends for Life

BETTY’S POV

I have been in the house alone for almost half of the day and I started to feel bored. Thinking of possible things to do, I climbed back up to my room and stopped right in front of the library. Butterflies flew in my stomach at the sight of thousand books.

“Wow.”

The door creaked as I opened it wafting the old scent. A Pile of books was neatly stacked on glass-walled bookshelves according to their colors, titles, and authors. The room smells wood, musk, and a slight….. lavender?

I switched on the light to see the room clearer and was surprised to see a small balcony with pots of flowers. Slowly withering from the absence of care, flowers slowly wilted with the atmosphere of the room. The room looks like the national library that you need to climb up a ladder to reach the farthest part. It’s clear that no one is taking care of this room. Or should it be no one is supposed to be in here? I decided to take a glass of tap water and watered the lavender over the balcony. This could be my favorite place in the whole house. Sunlight reflects the glass window imitating the silhouette of the purple wilted flowers to the wall. It’s magnificent. I can live here with my whole life. Fresh air grazes my skin the moment I opened the window and I instantly feel so relieved that this place even exists. I stayed over the balcony looking at the trees swaying outside. Birds chirped and the sound of water from the fountain in the front yard. This is literal heaven. You can sit over the balcony while reading a book.

“What are you doing, Ms. Hernandez?”

I jumped in surprise when Mr. Dawson appeared behind me with his coat over his shoulder and his suitcase in his right hand.

“I—I thought you will be in the office?”

Carrying the empty glass of water, I froze in my spot like I am caught from doing bad. Sunlight is shining through him unable for me to make out if he is mad or something.

“What are you doing here?” he repeated in a stern voice. He sounded so tired and exhausted given his weary appearance. He slowly settled his bag on the table and put his hands in his pocket.

“Why are you carrying a glass?” He added walking towards me.

“Uh, I got bored and thought I could read books or something… but I found these plants dry and decided to water it.”

“You don’t have to do that. I have helpers here who can water them.”

“No, it’s okay. It’s fun actually. Lavender is my favorite flower. Elegance, luxury, and calmness. That’s what lavender means.” I smiled stating the characteristics of the purple flower.

“They suit you, Mr. Dawson."

He is staring at me for too long I am now starting to think if he is thinking or just plainly spacing out.

“I’m sorry Ms. Hernandez.”

“Eh? For what?”

“I brought you into my private issues. Don’t worry, I will fix this.”

Sincerity can be heard from his voice and the next thing I know, he is now putting his arms around me caressing my hair so gently.

“I’m sorry.”

I was speechless and my body went rigid as I took our situation in. His embrace went tighter and tighter as he stroked my head. Something is clearly bugging him. I want to know what it is, I want him to open up more so I could understand his battles. But given this man is more reserved than anyone else, I doubt he will say anything about it. His embrace got, even more, tighter putting my head on his cheeks as I felt his breathing on my scalp. I don’t know what is happening for him to be this way. It’s so out of his dictionary. He even doesn’t want me to be near him since I started working for him. I remembered the last time he distanced himself away from me when I try to grab his tie to adjust it. According to him, he doesn’t want anybody touching him. And then now he is embracing me for dear life.

The once tight embrace loosened, letting me go. Stared into my eyes with a smile on his lips, I got enticed once again. What is wrong with me? My heart pounds as if it’s going to burst now. No, don’t let go, Mr. Dawson. There’s so much I need to understand why I keep getting butterflies whenever I say his name, whenever he is around and at times, he will smile at me.

But why do I have this urge to hug him back? I want to feel him close, to hear how his day went. I want him to open up more. I want it all. But why do I feel like something is holding me back? A pang of disapproval in all of this.

“I’m really sorry. I mean it. Uh, by the way, I already found you a new apartment. You can leave this house whenever you like. Also, I want you to be at the office tomorrow. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Okay.” Came my only response.

“Here’s the key and the address.”

Without stealing a glance and not waiting for my response, he turned away from me. I was left speechless and frozen. Yeah, this is for our own good. I shouldn’t stay here any longer. The media is all eyes on us, watching our every move.

I padded my way slowly back to my room and started packing my things up.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?”

Elizabeth greeted me with urgency in her voice. She must’ve heard the news about the weird man in my apartment.

“Uhmm.. I’m actually heading to my new apartment.”

“Where are you staying right now? I heard about the news and James here wouldn’t stop bugging me where you at.”

“Liz, can you keep this a secret?”

“Yeah, of course. What is it?”

“I’m currently staying at Mr. Dawson’s house. But he already got me a new apartment and will be gone here any minute now. I am packing my things up. Just--- don’t tell anybody.”

“Say what?! You’re in Mr. Dawson’s house? Girl, you don’t want to be in real big trouble, do you?” she whispers the last comment but loud enough for me to shush her down.

“I know, I know. I shouldn’t have agreed to this. But I got no choice. He offered and I wasn’t thinking straight last night. I was scared.”

Elizabeth heaved a sigh over the phone and came to her calm and friendly tone. I don’t have the energy to argue or explain everything to her.

“Want me to come and get you? I’ll bring Japanese foods and alcohol.”

Now that’s something I need today. A smile crept on my lips knowing that making friends isn’t bad after all. Elizabeth grew on me for being always there whenever I want someone to talk to.

“Okay. I’ll text you the address.”

“Okay. Will be there after office hours.”

I hung up and stared at my suitcase filled with my clothes and toiletries.

“Time to go, Betty. Chop chop.”

I chuckled at myself trying to make everything sounds better. A lot happened from these past few weeks. I saw my ex-boyfriend, caught up in an issue with my boss, faces all over the internet and swarmed by reporters and weird man in my apartment that brought me into my boss’ house and lived here for one night. Too much to take in and too hard to grasp in my little hands.

“Mr. Dawson?” I called while knocking on his office door situated in the living room adjacent to the visitor’s lounge. A faint Yiruma piano music is playing seeping through every crack of the house. He must’ve loved listening to piano music while working.

I opened the door only to reveal Mr. Dawson playing the piano. I thought it’s coming from his speakers. Wow, what else could this man do? However, the song sounds sad, yearning, and lonely at the same time. Yiruma’s Room With A View is something you’d want to listen to if you want to be emotional.

Why is he playing such an emotional song? I stayed there until he finished playing and how it is so good to hear in person. I mean nothing can make it better than played in person. He stopped in the middle of the note and turned his head in my direction.

“Sorry to interrupt. I just want to say that I’ll get going now. Elizabeth will give me a ride to the new apartment.”

“Okay, see you at the office tomorrow. Your car key is on the kitchen counter.”

I nodded and slowly closed the door. I took the whole place in for the second time and came strolling with my suitcase out of the mansion. I chuckled at how I look like I got kicked out for doing something bad.

“Ms. Hernandez.”

“Yes, sir?”

Handing me a paper bag tightly sealed, he smiled at me like he is really sending me off. Why do I feel sad that I’m going to leave this place? Heck, I just stayed here for one night and I’m already sad? Is it the refrigerator filled with food or the library, or is it Mr. Dawson that makes me sad?

What the hell are you talking about Betty.

“Take it.” He said weakly nodding in my direction.

“What is this?”

“Just take it. That’s not a bomb Ms. Hernandez. Take it easy.”

Mr. Dawson opened the door for me revealing Elizabeth’s red car. She waved at me and helped me carry my suitcase to the trunk. Giving Mr. Dawson courtesy, Elizabeth bowed to him in respect.

“You two take care. See you at the office tomorrow.”

With the paper bag in my lap, the car started to move away from the house. I can still see his reflection from the side mirror, standing on the doorstep looking at our retreating selves.

“What’s that?”

“Uhm this? I don’t know. A gift?”

“And Mr. Dawson is giving you a gift now?”

“It’s not what you think, Liz. Just think of this as a gift-giving like you and Roman type of friendship.”

“Whoah, careful there missy. How do you know about Roman? Wow, I am starting to feel like you began to act more like your boss.”

Laughing at her antics, I forgot the slight pang of sadness I had in me for leaving Mr. Dawson alone. It’s the same feeling when you visited a puppy store and you have to leave to catch the train but you just can’t get that puppy out of your head. You want to buy it, but you don’t have the ability to raise it well.

Like you want to keep something, but it’s not yours.

After hours of driving, we finally arrived at our destination.

“Here we are.” Liz parked in the parking lot and helped me carry my suitcase. It’s the first time I bought someone in my apartment, though it would also be my first time to see my new loft. It’s situated on the 15th floor with tinted glass walls. It looks fancier than the previous one.

“Wow, Betty. I can finally say Mr. Dawson likes you. No offense but, our apartment is nothing as good as this and it was him who chose this, right? Poor us, it was the HRD who choose the place. Well, it was nice but I love this place. Just look at the ceiling and floors.”

I scoffed at her remarks and gave her a good glare for uttering nonsense comments. We circled the place and indeed it’s nicer and comfier than the previous apartment. It has a small fireplace, the cream plush sofa is on the farthest end of the room, it only has one room spacious enough for a solo like me. Gray mattress and cream carpet are already situated in the room making it more aesthetic. Marble countertop divides the living room and dining area where you can see a small pile of Emily Dickenson’s books. Tinted glasses covered with black and white solid curtains emit elegance and privacy from the outside world.

Elizabeth opened the curtains and gasped at the sight of it. City lights, skyscrapers, and a nice view of crimson sunset over us.

“Wow, Betty. I would kill just to live in here. But I’m not going to kill you since you’re my best friend.”

Bestfriend.

One word I once loathed for. But as I stared at Liz standing over the window with a smile on her face, and the sense of familiarity every time we’re together, I can finally say I indeed found myself a best friend. I know this may sound odd, declaring someone as a best friend when you have just known each other for less than a year but something inside you can never lie. I’m grateful for having someone I can talk to about my miseries.

“How about you stay here for the night?”

Liz stared at me and then a smile crept on his face and hugged me constricting my breathing.

“Okay! Only if you let me borrow your clothes. I don’t have anything with me now.” We both laughed nonchalantly and managed to forget our problems once again.