Chapter 5: Stop Trying, Please!
1225 Words
"Feliz... say something... I don't like seeing you like this," Riz said with concern, as it had been two hours since her friend had been staring at the glass of liquor in her hand, refusing to speak to anyone.
"If you need anything, just call me... I'm going to sit with my friends for a bit," Charles said to his sister, glancing at the small figure who remained silent before walking away.
Tears streamed down her face. It was heavy; her heart felt like it was being squeezed, making it hard to breathe. It was a lump in her chest. That image still lingered in her mind, refusing to go away.
"Love... just loving each other isn't enough, is it?" she suddenly whispered to herself.
Riz sighed. "Want a drink? It might help." She mixed a new glass of liquor for her friend, as the one in her hand had become bland.
"Ugh..." Feliz lifted the new glass of liquor and drank it all, hoping the alcohol would wash away her heartache. But the wound was still fresh, still new, so it hurt.
"If you get drunk... I'll take care of you..."
The small figure nodded to her friend before lifting the glass to drink, one glass after another.
One hour later...
"Riz, the club is closing. You should take your friend home," Charles said to his sister, turning to look at Feliz, who sat silently crying until her eyes were swollen. She cried heavily, but no sound came out. It must have been a very pent-up cry.
"Okay, okay... you go first, I'll take my friend home," Riz replied.
"Come on, get up... I'll take you home." Charles gently pulled the small arm of Feliz to get her to stand up with his strength.
"Don't touch me... I can walk by myself." Feliz shook off Charles's hand and stood up, but because of the effect of the alcohol she had consumed, she stumbled. Fortunately, Charles caught her small waist in time, causing her beautiful face to bump into his strong chest.
"Ugh... I feel sick..."
"Feliz!"
The force of the impact on his strong chest made her head spin, and she vomited all over Charles' shirt.
"Ugh..."
Charles sighed. "All over," he said, but he didn't feel disgusted because, as a doctor, he had encountered patients with all kinds of illnesses.
"Big Bro... I'm sorry... it's all messy..." Riz apologized on behalf of her friend, fearing her brother would complain.
"It's okay..." The tall figure took off his stained outer shirt and helped the small figure to the car. It seemed she had passed out. "After throwing up, your stomach feels better, right..." Charles muttered to himself with a hint of frustration.
"Big bro... I'll take Feliz home myself. I'm not drunk..."
"I'll take her home."
"Big brother... you're not planning to seduce my friend again, are you?" Riz stared at his face seriously. "Please, big brother... Feliz is a good person... and I love her very much... if you're thinking of playing around like with my other friends... please stop that thought... even though you're my brother... I won't allow it!"
"And what if I'm not playing?"
"Big bro! When you wanted something, you said this exact sentence... I don't want to lose Feliz... I'm begging you, big brother... give her a break, just this once."
"I'm serious... I don't intend to play," Charles replied to his sister with a serious tone.
"No, big bro... I don't believe you!"
"Then what should I do to make you believe me?"
"Prove it, big bro... If you're serious, you won't try anything with Feliz. Don't even touch her, not even a hair."
"Alright... I'll prove it."
"But if you have any intentions... you'll definitely have to deal with me!"
A few days later...
"One iced latte, please," a familiar voice said.
"Sure... please wait a moment," Feliz replied.
Lately, Charles had been frequenting the coffee shop more often. He used to come in the morning, but now he was there almost three times a day. On days when she wasn't working, the staff said he didn't come either.
"Here you go... 4.58 bucks, please."
"Here... tip..."
"No, I don't want a tip... You've already tipped me hundreds this week... It's too much, I can't accept it."
"You made it just right for me... I'm just leaving a tip... Please keep it," Charles said, handing over a green bill.
"No, I won't take it..." She insisted, then opened the drawer and took out the change to give to Charles.
Charles sighed at her unyielding stance.
"Next time, please bring smaller bills. The shop doesn't have change. It's troublesome to exchange. I hope you understand," she said politely before handing him the coffee and turning to take the next order.
"What's this? Can't even leave a tip... Why is it so tough to hit on a girl? It's so easy to fool others," Charles muttered to himself before sitting down in his usual corner, which had become his regular spot, so much so that the shop owner, Jay, had put a nameplate on the table for him.
'Dr. Charles Table'
"Feliz, Dr. Charles must really like you... He always gives big tips," a junior staff member commented.
"No, he just sees women as prey... I'm just hard to get, so he tries harder than with others."
"Wow... I wish I could be prey... If it's for Dr. Charles, I'd agree."
"Get back to work. I'm going to class now. I'll come back in the evening to help at the shop," Feliz said to the junior with a kind smile.
"Okay... You can go, I'll handle it..." the junior said, and Feliz nodded before heading to the back of the shop to take off her apron.
"Are you going to class? Want me to give you a ride?" Charles, who had somehow come outside, asked.
"Yes, but I can go myself. No need to give me a ride," she said, sidestepping to wait for the bus at the stop, but he blocked her path.
"I'm free today. I'm going to see Riz anyway... Let me give you a ride..." Charles insisted.
"Don't think I don't know what you're up to. Stop trying. I'm not falling for your tricks," Feliz said, sidestepping again, tired of Charles's persistence.
Charles sighed. "I'm like a dog. Completely lost face..." He muttered to himself after Feliz got on the bus.
He doesn't know why, but the more he tries to follow her, the more she distances herself, and that only makes him more interested in her. She has something unique, more captivating than any other woman he's met.
Even though he uses tricks to lure his targets, those people willingly come to him. Words and smiles are just tools to entice, and in the end, they can't deny wanting him. He's never forced anyone, but once he's had his fun, he doesn't think of pursuing anything further. And that's what makes those women unhappy, because each of them hopes to tame a player like him.
He sent a message to the group.
Charles: Guys... I want a girlfriend.
Kim: ?
Sun: ?
Kim: Did you bump your head?
Sun: Is that for real?
Charles: Seriously.
Kim: Who made you like this?
Sun: Don't tell me it's Riz' friend.
Kim: A freshman? Damn, Charles!
- Writer
