Chapter7 - The most stupid word ever invented
1212 Words
Alondra stood stiffly beside Tracy, her palms clammy as she clutched her small handbag like it was a lifeline. Every muscle in her body screamed exhaustion, yet her mind was still spinning in anxious circles.
Across the room, Micah sat like a king in exile. Broad shoulders relaxed against the creaky wooden chair, legs casually crossed, one hand rubbing the nape of his neck in apparent irritation. His sharp features, chiseled jaw dusted with stubble, high cheekbones, and eyes like storm clouds. He seemed carved in marble under the flickering lights. Even in his state of mild dishevelment, the pristine white of his shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows and his clean, expensive scent screamed wealth and authority.
Alondra gritted her teeth. He’s handsome, alright. But also a certified jerk. A dangerous one.
“Then, it’s your fault for not bothering to read our messages. I just lent her a hand,” Tracy lamented, her voice steady yet edged with steel. She squared her shoulders, refusing to be intimidated by her cousin’s stormy expression. “She was only going to stay in your place for a couple of days. Besides, no one lives there and you have plenty of other condo units across the Metro.”
Micah’s brow furrowed, a muscle in his jaw ticking. His deep voice cut through the precinct’s din like a blade. “You don’t know how scared I was when I visited your condo in Robinson’s Tower. It gave me creeps! I felt like it’s been inhabited by evil spirits and ghosts because it’s been vacant for too long.”
“That’s stupid! There’s no such thing as ghosts,” Micah retaliated, his eyes narrowing slightly, though a flicker of amusement briefly softened his hardened features.
Tracy crossed her arms and leaned forward, undeterred. “Don’t you know that’s what happens when a house has been abandoned for a long time? I heard the condo unit below yours had been vacant for six months, and now the new owner says they keep seeing a white lady in that house. Who else would want to live in your unit if it’s haunted? It’s better that someone stays there, even for a while. Besides, Alondra had nowhere else to go. She’ll only be there until she finds a new place. She even volunteered to clean the place for you.”
Micah’s dark eyes snapped to Alondra, their intensity making her shrink slightly. “And do you think I’ll allow her to take refuge in my condo after what she did?” His voice was low, dangerous, like a rumble of distant thunder.
Alondra lifted her chin, trying to muster courage though her knees felt like jelly. “Sir, I was just defending myself against you. What if you really were a thief? There’d be nothing left in your condo if I wasn’t there. You should be thankful...”
Micah’s gaze hardened into daggers. “There’s tight security in that building. How could a mere thief get past that? And I have nothing to be thankful for. My return has been more unfortunate since I met you.”
Alondra’s heart sank. Heat burned behind her eyes, but she refused to let the tears fall. Not here. Not in front of him. She bowed her head slightly, fighting to keep her voice steady. Please don’t fire me. Please don’t throw me out. I’m not a bad person. I’m just… unlucky.
“I stand my ground,” she whispered, forcing the words past the lump in her throat. “I was just defending myself. You should be thankful that’s all you got for accusing me of being a p********e and an extortionist. That’s a grave insult to my womanhood.” She bit her lip, her voice rising with quiet desperation. “I’m pure and innocent! Never been kissed. Never touched.”
Micah ran a hand through his hair with a sound halfway between a groan and a growl. “Ugh! What a mess. I just want to go back to my condo and rest.”
“So what are we going to do, Sir?” the policeman asked, shifting uncomfortably. “Are you still going to file a complaint?” Then he turned to her. “Miss, are you going to file a complaint?”
Alondra shook her head quickly. “No, sir. It was all just a misunderstanding. It turns out he’s not really a r****t but the owner of the condo. I’m sorry for wasting your time.”
“That’s right. Let’s just go home and rest. We’re all exhausted,” Tracy said firmly.
As the police officers released them, Alondra’s chest felt unbearably heavy. There was no assurance about her future. What am I supposed to do now? Should I beg Micah to let me stay? If he throws me out, where will I go?
“Micah, I’ll drive you to Tita Mildred’s house. I’m sure they’d be delighted to know you’re finally back,” Tracy offered.
“No. I’ll be staying at Robinson’s Tower. I’ll meet Mom in my own time,” Micah replied flatly.
Alondra swallowed hard. “S-Sir, how about me?” she asked nervously, voice barely a whisper. “D-do you want me to leave?”
Her eyes stung. Don’t cry, Alondra. Stay strong. You can’t go back to Tracy’s. Her place is too small for her husband and baby, and your co-workers… No. You can’t impose. Marlowe? Nana Bertha? No. She couldn’t burden them either.
“I’m tired of thinking, Miss,” Micah growled, his sharp gaze pinning her in place. “Do you really think I’m so cold-hearted that I’d kick you out in the middle of the night? If something happened to you, that would be my fault.”
“But you two will be alone in that unit. Are you sure about this?” Tracy asked tentatively, her brows furrowed. She gripped Alondra’s arms reassuringly. “I’ll bring her to an apartelle.”
“I don’t have money for a room,” Alondra blurted out, voice cracking slightly.
She could still feel the phantom weight of his body from earlier—his warmth, his strength, the fear that had nearly paralyzed her. Don’t get any ideas, Alondra. He’s your boss now. Your terrifyingly handsome boss.
“Don’t get any ideas, Miss,” Micah said coldly, as though reading her mind. “p********e or not, you’re still not my type. I just want to sleep as soon as I can, and my mom’s house is too far away to bother Tracy.” He gestured vaguely toward the door. “Besides, she has a family and a baby waiting for her. We’ve bothered her enough. My condo is too big for the two of us anyway. I’m not a r****t. If you’re still scared, I’ll ask the guards to stand outside your guest room to ensure I don’t have the slightest interest in you.”
“I-I’m really sorry, Sir,” Alondra said in a low, shaky voice as she bowed her head.
“Sorry?” Micah’s laugh was low and humorless. “That’s the most stupid word ever invented. As if a simple sorry can make things right.”
Alondra’s stomach twisted painfully. She bit her lip so hard it almost bled.
- Writer
