The Bossy Intruder (English)

Chapter 10 - A Restless Soul

Alondra’s face burned as her eyes flicked unwillingly toward Micah’s bare chest. Broad shoulders, lean muscles, and a few droplets of water still clinging to his skin. She quickly dropped her gaze, clutching the bundle of clothes she’d gathered from the floor as if it were a lifeline. The cool metal of the cross she’d thrown earlier pressed against her palm, grounding her in the moment.

She cleared her throat softly, trying not to look like a deer caught in headlights.

“By the way,” Micah said suddenly, his voice rough yet oddly calm, “why were you kneeling with a cross in your hand earlier… if you’re not a p********e?”

Alondra’s head snapped up in shock. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted as if to argue, but no words came out at first. Then, with an embarrassed gulp, she blurted, “I thought there was a ghost.”

Micah froze. His brows furrowed for a heartbeat before his hand shot up to cover his lips. “Damn!” he hissed, the word muffled against his palm.

“Sir, what happened?” Alondra asked anxiously, stepping forward. She hugged the clothes tighter to her chest, her heart pounding like a drum.

“It’s hot,” he muttered, dragging his palm down his face, fingers briefly pinching the bridge of his nose. His piercing eyes narrowed at her as if trying to make sense of her words. “Ghost? You thought I was a ghost? That’s… crazy.”

Alondra’s shoulders hunched, and she bit her lip nervously. “I—I never thought someone else would come here,” she stammered. “Besides, they say that if a place has been abandoned for too long…” Her voice trailed off as she bowed her head, her chin nearly touching the pile of clothes she was hugging. “…it would be inhabited by ghosts. That’s why I really thought there were ghosts here. I just wanted to help your soul find peace.”

For a long second, silence stretched between them, heavy and awkward. Alondra peeked up cautiously through her lashes, fully expecting to see anger flash in his stormy eyes.

But instead, a low sound escaped Micah’s throat. His lips twitched. Then, to her utter astonishment, he threw his head back and laughed.

“A restless soul,” he echoed between chuckles, clutching his head as though laughing made it throb worse. His deep, velvety laugh filled the room, rough around the edges yet startlingly warm. “Oh God! My head hurts. This… this is all your fault.”

Alondra blinked, her mouth slightly open. She wasn’t sure what shocked her more - his sudden laughter or the faint smile tugging at his lips as he rubbed his temple. Was this really the same man who, minutes ago, had looked at her like she was an intruder in his private sanctuary?

Her fingers tightened on the cross. “A-are you angry at me again, Sir? Did I do something wrong?” she asked in a small voice.

But Micah only shook his head slightly, a wry grin still playing on his lips. He lowered himself onto the bed with a heavy sigh, waving a hand dismissively. “Go now. I’m really sleepy.”

Alondra hesitated by the door, still clutching the clothes and cross like a shield. She couldn’t help but glance at him again. His chiseled face now softened with fatigue, the laugh lines lingering faintly at the corners of his eyes.

“Does your head still hurt?” she asked gently.

His eyes were already closed, but his reply came low and steady. “I’ll be okay.”

“Happy birthday, Sir,” she whispered.

His lips curved slightly, almost imperceptibly, into a faint smile. “Thank you,” he murmured.

Something warm fluttered in her chest, and she quickly turned away, biting her lip to keep it from showing.

She didn't know why her heart felt tingly when he thanked her and when he smiled. He did look kind. Maybe it was just because he had been hurt. Anyone who was stood up by their bride in front of the altar on their wedding day would probably hate the whole woman race just the same. She just felt happy to hear him laugh.

But what if he wakes up the next day and be back to being snobbish? She had to sleep early if that was then. He might throw her out when he wakes up the next morning. He can't see her when he wakes up. She must be out of the house before he even throws her out.

MICA'S head was still slightly aching when he woke up. He was even shocked when he felt the soft bed behind his back and the coldness of the air conditioner in the room. He was used to waking up in the cold breeze. If not in some cheap hotel, he would usually wake up in his tent or be greeted by the clear sky if he had slept outside.

He was back in the Philippines. In the condo where he was supposed to live with Belle after they get married. And for the first time in years, he was in a good mood. Not because he was drunk last night. He couldn't help but smile when he remembered the woman who was kneeling in front of him last night. She mistook him for a ghost. A lost restless soul.

Yes he was lost but he did felt he finally rested. He didn't wake up lonely. It looked like she had God's favor because she was able to make him laugh and he woke up feeling good.

He slowly got up then held his head. "Hangover." He said. Or maybe it was because of his fall from yesterday when the trespasser on his condo unit launched herself to him thoughtlessly. Correction. His charity case now.

The truth is he didn't have any plasma on how to start his day. But he didn't have any plans of running away. He had no more plans of leaving the Philippines unlike his original plan when he learned that Cougar wasn't really in the verge of death.

He went out of his room after washing his face and brushing his teeth. The whole house was silent. No one's there. He knocked at the guest room. "Miss Enriquez are you awake? It's almost seven a.m. If you are going to the office you better wake up now."

When she didn't answer, he turned the door knob. It was open and there was no one in the room. There's no sound coming from the bathroom either. Where could she be? It's still too early if she had gone to the office already.

He went to the kitchen and was shocked when he found readily prepared meals on the table. There was fried rice and a sunny side up egg with eyes and a smiling lips made of ketchup. He couldn't help but smile because of that. He also noticed that there was a sachet chamomile tea beside a teacup. Beside the plate are two pieces of headache tablets.

He saw a note sticking out from under the teacup. He took it and read what's written on it.

Sir, I wasn't able to greet you a happy birthday yesterday. This is all I can do for you. Please take your medicine. Thank you for letting me stay and I'm sorry for the trouble. — Alondra Enriquez

The doorbell rung. He hurriedly ran to the door to open it. He put a welcoming smile on his face. "Alondra, thank you for the..."

"Alondra? Who's Alondra?" Steele asked with furrowed brows as he entered. Arice and Cougar followed with paper bag filled with food at hand.

"The heck man! You made us worried!" Arice said while shaking his head. "We went to your parents' house in no time. Now they know you're back. They said you should show yourself to them because they are worried sick about you."