The Beauty and the Inked

Twenty-one: Jealousy

I judder little when I felt a warm hand skimmed my bare back. My bed was warm, and the curtains of my window were wide open letting the sunlight strike directly on my skin. I turned to see who was sitting beside me, my eyes widened to see the demigod.

I tried to pull my blanket to cover my torso, but Zack was heavy, stopping my attempt.

"What are you doing in here?" I asked. Ugh. My cheeks were heating as his eyes focused on me. Saying that I'm uncomfortable under his gaze is an understatement. God, I never wanted anybody to see me only on my underwear. Girl friends are exception, of course.

"I never knew you like sleeping like these," he gestured to my barely covered body. If I can disappear right now, I would. His hazel orbs piercing to my brown eyes.

I regret that last night after barging in here, I stripped from my clothes and discarded them on the floor and went straight onto my bed not minding to put some pajamas. My matching navy blue underwear is completely on show in front of Zack.

"Get out," I hissed. Remembering what happened last night, "Who let you in here?!" the answer is obvious. Of course, Yssa, your mother. I can hear cupboards open and closing downstairs. Why would she let him in?

Zack hovered above me stopping my mind to jump into more conclusions, his arms placed on the either side of my head. His proximity makes my breathing uneven. Go away. I turned my head to the side to avoid his attempt to kiss me. God knows what will happen next if his lips touch mine. I heard him chuckle because of my silly move. He's enjoying my discomfort, huh? The bastard.

"Get dressed. We're going to see your Dad," he said standing and walking away. Wow. Who the hell gave him the permission to order me around?

"Who said you can come with me?"

He turned to look at me before closing the door. The smirk on his face irritates every fiber of my being. I rolled my eyes, though he wouldn't see it anymore, "Arghh!"

. . . .

"Mum, why did let him in my room?" I asked. Though my voice was a whisper, even I almost flinched with harshness in it. Zack was seated pretty far from where my mom and I were standing.

"You said he's your friend," she answered, innocence lingered her voice, her eyes gauging my reaction. But behind it I can see the guilt. Maybe she already realized what she had done. Good.

The kitchen seemed to be a little suffocating, since I'm with the demigod again and my mom. Two of the most people I don't have any clue how to stand; though Zack's case is a little different. But nonetheless, I don't know how to deal with both of them.

As we ate lunch, in my case a brunch, they were engaged in a little chat.

"You do?" my mum asked, after Zack telling him he draws random stuff. I've seen some of his works back at his place, and I admit that he's not just good. He got the talent for it.

"I took arts," Zack added.

"Oh, I see. Yssa has still a year to go, right, darling?" she asked me, and I nod a little. Oh, chat on your own and don't bother engaging me. That way, I'll appreciate it better.

"When are you going to look for a school?" Zack asked me. Ugh, I wish I knew the answer. It hasn't crossed my mind.

I shrug, not giving them any word.

"I can help you," Zack offered. Of course, he would. Now let me think... First, he helped me with a hotel room then helped me to get a job, and now this. Did I miss anything else?

"No, really I can help you," Zack's voice stir in my head before I could contemplate any further.

"That would be lovely!" my Mum chirped. Luckily they had continued with their conversation, without trying to involve me in it. That's not hard to do, isn't it? They can talk all they want until their throats gone dry.

I'm too furious; Zack haven't apologized for what he did last night, and my Mom let him in my room. Though she already said sorry, I'm still mad. For heaven's sake, Zack saw me barely dressed! My cheeks heated with the thought. I'm embarrassed and pissed. Unwanted emotions stir inside me. Darn. Being seen with only your underwear and bikinis are two different things. Bikinis were made to be shown around, while unmentionables are too intimate to be exposed to others.

"So you're going to ignore me now?" Zack asked after my Mom had cleared the table and now doing the dishes. His eyebrow slightly raised and the smirk on his face almost sends me to the edge to cut his head off. Is he deliberately trying to annoy me?

Well, if he's going to pester me, I will make sure he wouldn't succeed.

I waved an innocent smile then left him; I went straight to my room. I have to visit my Dad, just in case he wakes up; I want to be the first one to talk to him. God, I really miss him, and again I felt regretful. I was weak. Unable to stand the happening from my past, that's why I ran away. I don't have to keep on reminding myself about it, but I couldn't stop.

I can hear my Mum still working in the kitchen, and having a chat with Zack. Their voices were muffled, almost inaudible.

My day was a bit exhausting; Zack didn't stopped chivying me all day long. I had managed to get to the hospital by taking a cab, which I know made Zack fuming. Good. I want to annoy him as much as he does to me. Though he was angry about my senseless move, he stayed with me at the hospital. I was sort of perplexed with his presence. Every now and then I told him to go, but I don't protest nor say anything about his hand clutching mine. I guess it's because of the assurance that lingered his touch. I need him here.

"Visiting time is over," I heard a voice said from behind us. The voice came from a woman who I assumed is in her mid-twenties. She was wearing a blue nurse's scrub, which made me think... where's Logan?

"Oh, okay," I stood up, followed by Zack.

"Err, excuse me..." I approached her, "Do you know where Logan is?" I heard Zack huffed behind me, but I chose to ignore him.

"Uh, yeah. He called in sick this morning," she said with a calm voice, "Anything else?" she asked.

"Oh, that's all. Thank you," I smiled at her. I watched as she disappeared down the corridor. Logan's sick. Maybe I should ring him and ask if he's feeling better? Yeah. I'll call him when I got home.

"Didn't you hear me?" Zack's voice interrupted my thoughts, "So you're intrigued about his whereabouts?" sarcasm filled Zack's voice. It was my turn to huffed, "Aren't you going to answer me? Do I have to ask the same question again? For the third time," his voice was stern.

"So what if I'm intrigued, Zack?"

"So, you're intrigued then?" I can hear the annoyance in his voice, his features changed from impassive to shitty. Oh my god, I just asked where Logan was. I assumed there's nothing wrong with that. But I guess with Zack's reaction, he's not happy with my curiosity.

"So what if I'm intrigued?"

We should stop starting our sentence with 'so', it's driving me nuts, and it's very childish to argue about this matter.

"So?" he asked. Well, that doesn't made sense at all. Ugh, I'm dying to know what's running inside his mind. I don't know whether he was just trying to provoke me or he was just too utterly lost to argue properly.

I did what's best, I walked away. If we will continue arguing about that silly matter, I'm definitely sure we will both end shouting to each other. I don't want to make any scene in here. My feet scurried away, and I can hear Zack behind me.

"You can't answer me because you like him, don't you?" his words made my feet stopped. What?! What made him think that I like Logan? What's with liking Logan? Logan is nice and very vivacious. He was never rude to me... but that's not my point. I don't like him. But what does Zack have to do whether I like Logan or not?!

"What is wrong with you?!" I hissed. His features gives it all away, the anger in his eyes were visible enough. Hazel orbs fuming and he look scary again. Just like last night, but I'm too fed up with my own anger to be frightened.

"My question is pretty simple," he said in a low voice, "Actually, it can be answered by a 'yes' or 'no', Yssa," his voice was accusing. Whoa.

My blood boils under my skin as he continued to push my buttons, he's being irrational. It was like he's trying to get the answer he desires. As if he was already assuming that he was right. But guess what? He's wrong. My brows knit together as I spoke, "No, Zack. Happy now?"

"Stop denying!" his voice made me flinch. Oh, please not in here. Eyes were watching us intently. Nice move you made there, Zack.

I stomped away from him, trying to shield myself from the judging eyes around me. This couldn't be more embarrassing. I was almost out of the hospital when he grabbed me by my arm, his grip was tighter than I had expected.

"What is wrong with you?!" I asked him the second time, I tried to pull my arm away from his grip but he only tightened it and I shrieked in pain.

His eyes locked with mine. For an instant, I saw doubt flashed in it, but it became impassive again seconds after. He let go of my arm, then I rub the part where his grip was, silently praying that it wouldn't bruise. This is the first time he almost hurt me, nearly hurt me physically.

"I'll take you home," he said with an icy cold voice, and it sent chill down my spine. I don't understand him. Why is he like this? I'm completely flustered by the fact that I don't know anything about his personality. This is a proof that I know very little about this man. All I know is that he quickly shifts from being a jerk to being nice. But that was only based on my encounters with him. I had never seen him like this before. I would take his jerk state rather than this. For a second I was scared, but there was a part of me that screams I'm being ridiculous. Maybe Zack was just caught up in the moment, and it wasn't his intention to hurt me that much.

I followed him as he strides towards his car, my head was down. The anger I felt had dispersed and now I'm left with my disconcertment. Unwanted feeling stirs inside me again, fear is what dominates. It surprised me that he still opened the passenger door for me. Thought he wouldn't bother anymore. I get inside without any more words. If I would shut up, maybe this wouldn't go further into a huge mess, right? Right. He was obviously avoiding looking at me, which made me feel more and more gingerly.

I want to ask him why is he acting this way. But it would only result into another confrontation. Well, we haven't even resolved what happened last night, and yet we had another argument. I rest my head against the window, trying to keep distance from him as possible. I may not be angry anymore but I'm not cowering back. There are things about him that I can't understand. It's crazy that I feel like I need him but seconds later I want cut his head off. We over react most of the times. We. I can't just take the blame here, he should know his part. I don't even know what we are.

"Do you need a lift tomorrow morning?" he asked me as we stepped on the front porch. I shook my head in response. I don't need a driver. I can get there on my own, and I don't want him to feel like I'm using him just because he got that luxurious car. That's very cheap.

For minutes we were just staring at each other, we both look like a fool. If he wants to say something he have to do it now, or I'll get inside and sleep away my stress. I would prefer the second choice. It’s more beneficial than the first one. Minutes felt like hours, his hazel orbs pierced my chocolate brown eyes.

"Do you like him, Yssa?"

I let out an irritated groan after realizing that he was still reeling from that stupid thought. My index fingers connected with my forehead, trying to find the most accurate words to explain this to him, "Zack..." I started, "I don't like him. Okay? Why would you think that I like him? Yes, he's nice. But I don't like him. He's a friend," I wasn't aware that my eyes were closed until I had opened them to meet his gaze.

He relaxed a little. Thanks heavens.

"I don't know why you have to fuss about this," I murmured, feeling a little exhausted with his childishness.

"What about that guy from the pub?"

"Who? Andrei?" I was literally surprised with his question. First Logan, and now Andrei? I don't like them intimately. They're somehow I consider as friends since I just got back here a couple of days ago.

"If that's his name..."

"So you followed me last night?"

"Of course," he admitted, "I was cheesed off, but I couldn't let you go home alone. But then I saw you having a good time with him," he explained.

I was alone drinking for a while before Andrei approached me. Why haven't he get to me first before Andrei did?

"I was all by myself most of the time last night," I pushed, trying to extract any answer from him. I'm not a freaking mind reader, but I know what Zack is trying to say.

"What about him? Do you like him?" Zack asked.

"Are you jealous?!"

"What?! No—"

"You are!" I gushed, "That's why you're so furious," I can't stop giggling. How childish of him to be jealous. I can't believe he would act all whining because of this, "It's very puerile to—"

Zack cut me with crashing his lips against mine. His kiss was aggressive, full of dominance. This is different from the last time. His actions were assertive. I felt his hands snake around my waist and he pulled me closer to him, almost crushing me, "Kiss me," he said against my lips.

I wasn't kissing him back?

He continued to mold his lips with mine, and so I move my lips against his complying with his request. A moan escaped from the back of his throat, I know that he was pleased. My hand found its way to reach the stubble on his chin, and the other to his hair. I tugged at the roots, emitting another groan from him. His warm lips are all I can feel, nothing else.

The sensation is very alien for me. He bring me to new places, I felt like I was swirling in cloud nine. It was just Zack and me. Nothing more. He can drown me with this warn fuzzy feeling that swirls inside me.

"Can I stay for tonight?" he asked as he pulled away.

"Uhm..." stay for tonight? I guess?

"It's okay if—"

"No, it's okay. You can stay," I kissed him lightly on his cheek, "Let's go inside," I fish my keys from my bag and opened the door. I guess my Mum was already asleep, the house was dim.

. . .

Zack was laying beside me, my back to his front. I know he feels uncomfortable sleeping in his jeans, but I'm gladder that he was sleeping in it rather than only his boxer briefs.

"Zack?" I tried if he's still awake. Maybe this is the perfect time to know more about him. It's now or later, and I want it to be now.

"Mmm?"

"Can I ask you something?" the hesitation in my voice was clear, but I hope Zack didn't noticed it.

"Sure," he prop his self on his elbows to lie on his side. I did the same, facing him.

"Would you mind telling me where your family is?"

"They're here."

"In Manila?"

"Yeah."

"Tell me about them," I run my index finger on the ink on his arms. I would want to know the reason behind these characters. One step at a time, Yssa. I listened intently as Zack tells me about his sisters and his parents. The gleam in his eyes as he speaks tells me that he is very fond of his family.

"Why are you living alone?" I asked.

"It's not intently. There were just things that I had to do, so I decided to live on my own," he's very confident.

"Things like?" I hope he wouldn't mind my question. I just want to know him more.

"My job," he said.

"And that is?"

"I work as an artist."

To be honest, I thought being an artist is something you do out of passion. I'm being judgmental and naive.

"I know what you're thinking," he said as he chuckled, "I do delineation or sketches for magazines, news papers, websites... I work in my place then I send them my outputs," he continued.

"I see," I hid my face for being ashamed, how stupid of me.

"Don't be shy," he said, tilting my chin using his index finger. "It’s okay," he gave me a reassuring smile.

"Why do you have so many tattoos?" I asked, leaving the topic to be forgotten.

His eyebrow rose, amused with my unexpected question, "Well, it's a form of expression," he said coolly. "I've got loads of ideas. I'm more addicted to coming up with ideas for tattoos rather than the tattoo itself."

I nod. So, the ink on his skin has different stories, not just some characters.

"Why were you in New York?" as the question slipped from my mouth, I felt my cheeks heat. Remembering the first time I saw him. I guess he remembers, too. A smirk was playing on his lips. Ugh, what a wrong question, Yssabelle.

"I was on my vacation," he answered, "Your questions are much disarrayed," he lightly laughed. Of course, I only ask whatever that pops in my head.

We talked more about him, learning things about Zack is wonderful. There are few things about him that surprises me, like he doesn't know how to swim. He told me about Leo trying to teach him, but ended giving up. He also used to live with his friends, but they moved out when Nick and Henry went to school. While Leo and Luke work for a living. So he was left alone living in his flat.

"Can I ask something in return?"

"Uh- yeah sure."

"What happened to your Dad?" he asked me.

I knew that's coming. I hesitate for a bit, but then I remembered that it's Zack I'm talking with. The demigod, who consumes me in every possible and yet bizarre way, "He got into a car accident," I said. Just saying this out loud pains me.

Zack trace circles on my back, making me feel a little comfortable under his touch. It worked, but there was still a part of me that is hurting.

"But I think it’s not an accident," I continued. Tears were brimming, and I'm trying my best to keep my emotions intact. “Some people like what my dad has.”

"Why were you away from your parents?" the question deepened the stinging pain in my chest. Zack tangled his fingers with mine, as he lies on his back. Making my head rest against his chest.

I let out a shaky breath, reliving the past makes me drown in pain, and I can't risk it. But with Zack here with me, I know I will be fine.