The Underworld Prince Next Door

CHAPTER 10

HARRIET'S POINT OF VIEW

"Hmm." My head is aching. It feels like it will explode anytime. I hate this feeling.

I can't even open my eyes. It feels like, it's burning. How horrible this feeling was.

I forced to open my eyes and let my sight roam around.

It's dark. How long did I sleep?

I grabbed my phone inside my backpack and unlocked it.

The examination was held in 7th. But its already the 10th? What the hell?

I heard a low growl from somewhere. What is it? Where is it?

Mabilis akong bumangon mula sa sofa para hanapin ang pinanggagalingan ng tunog.

Muli kong narinig ang mahinang tunog na iyon. Kasabay ang pangangasim ng tiyan ko.

Teka lang, tatlong araw na akong hindi kumakain... Gutom lang pala ito.

I knead my teary eyes and slowly stood up and walked through the kitchen. I washed my face and feels okay and refreshed. I gurgled water and brushed my teeth, too.

"Ah! I feel so fresh." I exclaimed with satisfaction.

Tomorrow will be the distribution of our report cards and also the day where we will know who is the top. I can't wait to spend this vacation from the eyes of those lunatic students.

I crouched to scan all my foods inside the fridge and saw a meatloaf and the dessert that is supposed to be for my neighbor. It's already half-frozen. But that's how I originally like it.

While cooking the meatloaf, I also started to make chocolate-strawberry pudding.

I turned on the T.V and watched it from the kitchen.

"Another murder of demi-humans are being presented by the mysterious—"

"The hell? Do you think I will care about that guys? What an eyesore." I changed the channel from the news to movie central.

Every night, demi-humans are being killed. Berserk beasts are no exemption. But those incidents are just repeating by itself for hundreds of whatsoever times and it irritates me.

How about the humans they are killing? Why don't they present it in T.V?

"Shameless." I uttered and return to the stove to make the plating.

Justice here really are so-so.

I came back to the living room and started to eat there while checking on my email.

Everyday, I am repeating this cycle. Before and after school, I'll check my email. While breakfast in every working days I have, I'll check my email. And the rest, I will write and finish my manuscript.

Being a writer is not that easy. Being a writer needs more than imagination that not everyone can ever imagine. It needs patience, will, wit, and more. It also needs experience, too, to make it more realistic to be able to deliver your whole thoughts to the readers.

"Uhmm." I moaned as I tasted the dessert I made. It really is satisfying if you can eat what you made. Crow loves my desserts so much.

Wait! How he is?

'Argh! Stop thinking about other people! Think about yourself first!'

After dinner, I started to work by finishing all my manuscripts. I may have all the time in the world, I need to work hard to prove myself.

But while I am in the middle of concentration, I was disturbed by the three knocks at my door. I stood up from the sofa and opened the door. And an unexpected visitor is in front of me now.

"Crow?"

"Hi!" He replied with his usual smile on his face.

He is wearing white tee with a faded pants paired with his leather jacket. He looks like a gangster from T.V.

"What are you doing here?" I asked awkwardly.

I know its just a misunderstanding and also an accident. But I can't help but to be embarrassed whenever I remember that scene.

"Uhmm. Can we talk inside? I have something for you, if you don't mind."

At this very moment, I feel a bit of comfort with his approach. Especially the touch of red color on his cheeks. He looks so cute that I can't help but to chuckle.

"Eh? What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" He panicked.

"Wala. Wala naman." Sagot ko rito. "Pasok." Niluwagan ko ang pagkakabukas ng pintuan para papasukin ito.

Nahagip ng mga mata ko ang mga kasama nito na may dala-dalang malalaking bag na may logo ng isang kilalang shopping mall sa Area 666. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanila at kay Crow pero hindi na ako nagtanong. Anuman ang dahilan ni Crow, sisiguraduhin kong pagkakatiwalaan ko iyon at iintindihin. We are friends, after all.

Nang makapasok ang tatlo, lalabas na sana ang dalawa niyang bodyguards ng patigilin ko ang mga ito.

"Wait! Have a quick snack first. Thank you for your hard work." Inabot ko ang dalawang piraso ng sandwich na puno ng hamon, keso, letsugas at kung anu-ano pa.

Nakailang ulit ako sa pagbalot nito noon dahil lagi itong nasisira dahil sa laki ng sandwich na ginawa ko sa kanila.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa na tila ba hindi makapaniwala. Hindi rin nakatakas sa paningin ko ang takot habang tinitingnan nila si Crow. Sa huli, tiningnan nila ako na para bang may nagawa silang kasalanan sa akin na hindi ko alam.

Nalilito ako kung bakit ganoon sila, pero wala ako sa lugar para kwestyunin sila.

"Take this. Or else I will be disappointed. I made these for you." Pagpupumilit ko kasabay ng pag-abot lo ng inumin sa kanila.

Alanganin nilang kinuha iyon ng nanginginig nilang mga kamay.

Lumingon ako kay Crow na abala sa pagtatanggal ng mga bagay-bagay sa bag na dinala nila. Pero dahil sa seryoso siya, hindi na niya ako napansin pa.

Agad akong pumunta muli sa ref para kunin ang pudding na ginawa ko kanina. Inilapag ko iyon sa lamesita na malapit sa kaniya. Napahinto ito sa ginagawa ng makita niya iyon.

"What's this?" Tanong niya.

"I made puddings earlier. I made that one for you. In case that you will drop by." Matapat kong sagot sa kaniya.

I saw his Adam's apple goes up and down. I think he didn't expected this to come.

I kneeled and helped him sort everything out. I don't know how to start our conversation that makes me feel uncomfortable. The silence between us makes me feel uneasy, big time.

"I bought this on the way here. I know that you're tired because of your examination and you will be preoccupied to think about your supplies here. So I volunteered." Paliwanag niya.

I cannot deny that I am touched with this.

"Thank you. I'm moved by this."

I saw a pinch of red color on his face that I can't help but to smile about. Is he blushing?

"B-by the way. I am sorry for what—"

I placed my forefinger on his lips to stop him from his speech. His lips is so soft like woman's. It is thin and pinkish unlike other man. He is so cute especially with his parted lips and wide eyes.

"Don't mention it."

"But you must pay for snatching my first kiss." I added with a pouted lips.

I don't know what he was thinking nor what is his reaction for this statement. But all I know is that, I am glad to give this experience in one of the most valuable person to me.