Feigning Affection

Chapter Two

Namika Acyrille Del Rio's Point of View

I was freaking out as I looked up at the old building in front of me.

I AM f*****g FREAKING OUT.

The apartment they want me to live in doesn't even look like a house. It was a haunted apartment. Dirty surroundings, old and withered paint on the walls, the retro-looking roof and the dirty windows. This is not what I expected.

"What the f**k?" I muttered under my breath, looking at the building and the surroundings.

This community is behind the very busy and modern outlook of the city. It is surrounded by lots of makeshift little shelters, and numerous kids are running around playing tag. I think this place is a home for illegal settlers. Their house was made of light materials such as plywood and bamboo. So small and just enough to have something to call home.

What am I doing here? Do they seriously want me to live here?

Gosh. The place smells disgusting!

"Your new home is that one," Primo said, pointing to the last dwelling unit in the terrifying building.This is the tallest building here, but it doesn't make any difference. Still looking gross.

"This is unbelievable," I said, grinning.

I want to shout my rants, but I don't want to cause a scene.

"Come, I bet you are excited to take a glimpse of your new home, "he said sarcastically, and I just rolled my eyes, not in the mood to go with his sarcasm.

We started walking and people started looking at us. There are a hell of a lot of people here.

How do they fit into their houses?

It looks like there's not enough space for them.

They are eyeing us like we're gods and goddesses. Our fashionable clothes and accessories compared to their ragged clothes show the difference in terms of social status. That makes me sad, though. Life is definitely unfair. This place is too noisy too. The laughter of the children playing around, the people gossiping, and all the kinds of noises I can't distinguish. So, irritating.

When we started walking in the corridor of the building, going up the stairs to my flat, I saw a flying frying pan. I was so shocked that I almost got hit by it.

Thank God Primo's reflexes are so good that he manages to pull me to him.

What was that?

I looked around to see where the pan came from and I saw a couple fighting. The woman is throwing everything at a man, who I assumed was her husband.

"Damn you womanizer!" she shouted, aiming at her husband, as she was holding a broom now. I am standing nearby, eavesdropping.

"Come on, nosy and curious kitten," Primo held me in my arms, walking towards the stairs. From the stairs, we walked across three more dwelling units because mine was the last one.

Primo fished out the key from his pocket. He opened the door and I was welcomed to a small and dirty room. I walked inside and I saw that it had one bedroom, a comfort room, a little kitchen and dining area, and a small living room. The walls are painted a dirty white, like now it's literally dirty. The floor is not tiled but has rubberized linoleum. There is old furniture like a worn-out sofa and a 1900's-looking hunchback television in the living room.

A small refrigerator and a table for two is in the kitchen.

I walked into my bedroom and saw a single bed with a worn-out mattress, together with an old vanity.

"What do you think?" he asked, and I just shrugged my shoulders. This is not a place for me, but what can I do right? I have no choice.

I thought they would get me at least a nice place to live. But something like this? It's so ugly and dirty.

"I think I might catch a disease here. Is it even safe here? Damn... " I walked out of the bedroom and slumped onto the sofa. I rolled my eyes because, just like what I expected, it was not even soft. It's not comfortable or functional, and it's only for show.

"They want the best for you. If you're not acting like a brat and a b***h, you don't have to stay here. This is a product of your actions, so enjoying this place is the least that you can do. And this place is safe. We always come here to do charity, medical missions, and feeding programs. They might be poor, but they have got a big heart. Don't judge. "I glared at him while he said that I was a brat and a b***h.

Those words hurt, especially when they come from my own family. They said it without even knowing why I was acting like that. Even though the whole world thinks the same. I don’t care; they don’t know me.

I looked at him standing not too far from me. His back is leaning against the wall while his hand is in his pocket. He looks so cool while roving his eyes over my new place. He doesn't look disgusted or anything.

"You don't have to look after me. I can take care of myself. " I said, moving my eyes as he looked at me. It was embarrassing to be caught ogling at him.

"Actually, your dad asked for this favor. He entrusts you to me, so I have the responsibility to look after you. But no worries, I'm not planning to act as your tail. I will ask my security to ensure your safety and report it to me. I am a very busy person, so I don't have time for your shits, but since it's your dad, I will find ways to help him. " He said he was uninterested in my issues.

My shits.

I nod.

I thought I'd gotten myself a friend who was ready to listen, but I was wrong again. Yeah, people are not around me for me. They are always around me because of my family.

Users

My friends befriended me because their parents wanted to get close to my family for investments and business matters. That sucks.

Well, for this man, I don't know his reason, but I'm sure he will gain something from this.

"All right," I said.

He left, and I was all alone, looking blankly at the wall.

Hayst, at least my plan succeeded. By acting like a brat and a b***h, I get my freedom.

You can do this, Nami...

Joe, our driver, and my security guard, came and brought my luggage to me.

He also brings me some groceries and other important things I need, such as pillows, blankets, and some appliances. He helps me fix my bed and fold my clothes to neatly place them in a small plastic cabinet that looks so cheap.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked as I walked him to the door.

He has been working for our family ever since I was a kid, and so he knows how uncomfortable this place is for me.

"Yeah, don't worry. Easy Peasy" I wiggle my brows to make him feel okay about the situation.

We are very close because he has been with me for so long and we already share an uncle-and-niece relationship. I'm sure he knows me better than my father because we spent more time together. He is the one who brings me to school and fetches me afterwards. My dad always asks him to go with me wherever I go.

When I am sad or happy, I always share it with him because he was there. He became not just a driver, but a father and my best friend as well.

"You can call me if you need anything," he reminded me, and I nodded.

He messes up my hair and leaves.

As I sit on the sofa, everything sinks in.

How is it so easy for them to push me away when what I only wanted was their time and attention? I laughed at my thoughts. There is no need to sulk. I have lots of parties to attend. I quickly changed and put on my bodycon dress with a leather jacket. I wore my make-up and curled my hair. I put on my high heels and prepared to leave.

I am trying to find my car keys when I suddenly remember that my car is not with me anymore.

Oh my gosh.

I get my wallet and annoyingly leave the house. People are looking at me. They are in awe. They keep on whispering that I look so beautiful, and that's not new. I grew up hearing lots of compliments. I hailed a taxi, and I didn't know it was this expensive. It was my first time paying for fares and my first time riding a taxi. Hooray, this is not bad.

I go to a club and meet my friends. One of my friends hugged me. "You look gorgeous as always, babe."

More of my friends come and greet me. I sat beside Lacey, who was already drunk. She is crying over her ex-boyfriend. She is so wasted.

"Damn him. I will cut his balls for doing this to me. How come he chose that cheap over me?" she shouted, gaining laughs from the people around her. I pat her back and comforted her.

"I told you girls are better", I scolded her and she just cried on my shoulders.

"Enough with the crying or you'll just look like a loser. Come on, let's drink." I reached for the bottle of whisky and drank with her all night.

I am so wasted.

I ended up dancing with random guys. I already don't know what I am actually doing. The crowd is shouting my name as I dance in the middle while a man, whose name I barely can't recognize, is holding me at my waist. This is life...

The man is trying to kiss me, but I avoid it. He started touching my butt, so I pushed him away. Damn this p*****t. He smirks and tries to touch me again, but a hand grabs me on my wrist and pulls me out of the crowd, saving me from the maniac.

"Hey", I try to withdraw my hand, but he is holding me tightly.

"f**k kid," he yells as he drags me outside the club.

Who is this prick?

"Hey, where are you taking me?" I shouted at him because he was a man.

He is wearing a hoodie. A hoodie in a bar? His fashion sense is odd.

"Home woman! I just left you a few hours ago and you are already making a scene here."

Is he scolding me?

We stop in front of a car. Ohhhhhhh, I remember this car.

The Bugatti La Voiture Noire.

I looked at the man. Who is this again? Uno? Evo? I don't know, because my head is already spinning. My stomach is turning.

"I am taking you home, kid." He opened the car door for me. I was about to enter when I suddenly felt nauseous and dizzy.

I almost lost my balance, so he helped me. I ended up throwing up on him.

"The hell!" his shout echoed in the parking lot and I passed out.