Careless Whisper

6 - Lost & Found

Samantha's POV

I'm a complete disaster, a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty.

Today has been a chaotic mess of aimless wandering, with no destination or purpose in sight. Ordering food online felt like trying to decipher a foreign language in the dark; I was utterly clueless and felt utterly defeated.

As the day draws to a close, it's become painfully clear that things have spiraled far worse than I ever anticipated.

I'm starving, my stomach growling in protest at the neglect it's suffered. In a last-ditch effort to salvage the day, I turned to Google Maps, hoping it would offer some semblance of direction.

Despite the plethora of options at my fingertips, I ended up settling for some onigiri from a nearby convenience store.

I requested that it be heated and devoured hungrily on a quiet street corner, the blandness of the rice doing little to satisfy my gnawing hunger.

It's all so mundane, so colorless.

The onigiri tasted off, the rice clumping together in a soggy mess. I forced myself to finish every last bite, though each mouthful only served to deepen my dissatisfaction.

As I ate, I found myself lost in thought, idly scrolling through my phone and pondering whether or not to reach out to someone, anyone, for solace.

I despise this feeling of helplessness, this overwhelming sense of being adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

I'm unable to navigate even the simplest tasks on my own, and the realization leaves a bitter taste in my mouth that not even the most flavorful of foods could wash away. Onigiri did nothing to alleviate my hunger; if anything, it only served to exacerbate it.

I find myself yearning for someone, anyone, to swoop in and rescue me from this pit of despair, to offer me a glimmer of hope in this dark, dreary day.

"Shouldn't you be in your villa?" To my surprise, a woman took a seat right beside me, holding a green sealed paper plate with "Pork Sisig" printed on it. Joy washed over me as I realized who the stranger was.

"Jezreel..."

"Eat... Then go back home." Her voice caught me off guard-deep and slightly cracked. I noticed her silent sniffles as she stared at her food, playing with it for a moment. I was mesmerized by her breathtaking side profile, only then noticing her swollen eyes.

"Are you crying?"

"Are you full?"

"No... Not yet." I turned my attention to the food in front of me, opening it and savoring its aroma like it was the most enticing scent in the world.

It not only tantalized my brain but also stirred something in my stomach, causing it to growl.

"Then eat." It was embarrassing how she could make me feel like the youngest. I started eating, wondering how she got in, when, and why she was dressed as though she were attending a funeral. I mean, she was wearing all black...

"What brings you here?" Her question seemed to break the awkwardness between us. There was a distance, an invisible wall that kept us from connecting. If this was her way of breaking it down, I was more than willing to play along.

"I can't cook... I don't know how to." My face heated up as I chewed my food.

"You're old enough to drink alcohol but you don't know how to cook. How amusing," her tone was sarcastic, the hint obvious, yet I chose to ignore it.

"I have maids," I defended myself with a shrug, grateful that she was engaging in conversation instead of giving me the cold shoulder.

"Well, you don't have one anymore. You better start learning how to cook."

"I will surely do that." I heard her hum in response, a clear sign that our conversation was coming to an end.

Damn this girl.

Silence enveloped us once more, the awkwardness creeping back in. I wanted to break it, but I had no idea how.

I wasn't skilled at engaging in meaningless conversation; I was trained to converse with those of high rank, in business-like terms that revolved around companies.

My dad raised me that way, and to be honest, I prefer it.

I miss my old life...

A life where my dad was always there, guiding me and telling me what to do.

"Go home after you eat, Madame." It wasn't my first time hearing her soft voice but dang, this voice of hers right now sounds so soothing.

She stood up, ready to leave, but I reached out and gently grabbed her arm. I needed someone with me; I didn't think I could spend a night all alone.

"Can you stay with me for the night?" My voice sounded desperate, and it was a bit embarrassing, but I didn't care. I really need someone right now.

"No." She pulled her arm away and walked off. I watched her leave, but she stopped halfway through the door.

She turned back, our eyes meeting. She came back inside and walked over to me, stopping in front of me. I was surprised to see a vulnerable expression on her face.

Metaphorically, she looked like a mess.

Literally, she looked like a goddess.

"Let's go."

"W-where?" I found myself contemplating an odd notion: I had an inexplicable desire to be found, akin to a lost kitten yearning for rescue in the depths of the woods or a bewildered bear wandering the unfamiliar streets of a city.

Her words felt like a lifeline extended to me, as if she were offering a hand for me to grasp.

"Your villa, obviously," she stated matter-of-factly, before turning away. Despite the simplicity of her response, I couldn't help but smile at her. She truly is adorable.

\\

"No, I'm serious. You can go ahead first, I can wait." I was surprised that she agreed to stay in the villa. I tried to make her feel like a guest, not a maid, but she seemed intent on testing my limits.

Now, we were having a sort of argument-well, that's how I saw it-about who would use the bathroom first. It felt ridiculous, but it was so difficult to please this young woman. It was like trying to tame a fire-breathing T-rex.

"You're the owner, I'm just a caretaker, so go ahead." We stood in front of the bathroom door, each insisting the other go first.

"This isn't going to work..." I relented, but not completely. I had an idea that I thought might satisfy both of us.

"I have a suggestion, and as the owner-like you've said-I want you to follow my words." I could see her jaw tighten, a sign of her irritation. I knew I was being stubborn, but I couldn't help it.

"Let's take a shower together," I proposed confidently. Jezreel turned her back to me and walked away.

"I'm out of this," she declared.

"Hey! Where are you going? Hey, stop it! Okay, I'm gonna take a shower first, just don't go! Hey!" I followed her like a child, struggling to keep up with her long legs.

Damn this tall woman and her long legs.

Once I caught up with her, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her with me.

"Stay with me... Please." I lifted my chin slightly, hoping to catch a glimpse of her expression. Yet, there she was again, her face a mask of indifference.

And then there was me, pouting like a child, trying to win her over with the cuteness that had been my trademark since birth.

She pulled her hand away and walked past me. I took it as a sign that she was staying, so I made my way to the bathroom and drew a bath. As I sank into the warm water, I tried to relax and let the tension of the day melt away.

Jezreel...

Why did she look so vulnerable earlier?

No... I shouldn't dwell on her.

Nearly half an hour passed before I emerged from the bathroom. I headed to my room and slipped into my yellowish sleeping robe. It never really looked good on me, but I kept it as a reminder of Tae-young, who had gifted it to me.

As I stepped out of my room, I saw her wearing the pajamas I had lent her. They were oversized on me, but they seemed to fit her perfectly.

I couldn't help but notice her curves, and for some reason, it made my breath catch in my throat.

She was beautiful, and I wasn't envious of her beauty. I was simply mesmerized, as I had never before looked at a woman and found her beautiful enough to take my breath away. This was a new sensation for me.

How strange.

\\

"Are you sure you don't want to try?" I asked Jezreel as we sat on the balcony, a bottle of soju between us.

She shook her head, her eyes fixed on the crescent moon. I hummed softly, my eyes following hers to the sky.

Despite the distance between us physically, it felt like we were closer than ever. The silence between us wasn't awkward anymore; it was a comfortable silence, the kind that only true understanding could bring.

We sat there for what felt like hours, but was probably only a few minutes. The silence was finally broken by Jezreel's voice, her attempt at starting a conversation.

"You're poisoning yourself with alcohol," she said, her voice tinged with concern. I chuckled softly and took another sip.

I knew she was right, but I couldn't stop. Alcohol was my crutch, my escape from this unbearable new reality.

"And I figured you love your health that much," I replied, knowing full well she abhorred alcohol. She had mentioned it during our first night at the hotel.

Water and tea were her preferences, and she had a particular disdain for coffee.

"You know, that's really good. You're not drinking. You're saving your life," I said, admiring her profile.

"Alcohol is not my thing and never will be. I don't want to kill myself" she responded.

Her upbringing had instilled in her a sense of responsibility. Alcohol should never be a casual drink.

I wished I could follow her example instead of drowning my sorrows and then praying for relief from the hangover.

"I'm not killing myself... Just trying to drown this depression," I confessed. I knew she was worried I might do something drastic, but I hadn't reached that point.

I could sense she didn't believe me, not after what I had said at the hospital.

"Depression? You're living a life. You have money, reputation, and power. What's there to be depressed about?"

"That's what I thought at first... I'm wealthy, pretty, smart, and I can do anything with a bit of effort and money... What's there to be depressed about, right? But I'm lost. I have no one by my side now. I'm all alone, and my father thinks I'm worth nothing..." My voice trembled, my heart aching with each word.

"I feel like I'm not worth loving." I closed my eyes, feeling tears form and spill over. I was startled when a hand gently wiped them away.

When I opened my eyes, our gazes locked, and my breath caught in my throat. Her eyes, filled with unshed tears, glistened in the moonlight.

This was the first time I had seen her so vulnerable, and it made my heart ache even more.I found myself holding her hand, leaning into her touch.

This expression of hers, so tender and familiar, felt like a caress from someone who understood my pain. I wanted to hold onto this feeling, to the comfort she offered.I wanted someone to guide me, to tell me what to do.

This new reality where I had to do everything alone was too much to bear. But just as I began to relax into her touch, she pulled away and walked off. I didn't follow her.

I just watched her go, feeling the weight of my loneliness settle back in. Why chase after someone who clearly despised me? Her actions spoke louder than any words.

I stayed on the balcony until darkness took over, falling asleep with a heavy heart and an empty mind.

When I woke up, the sunlight peeked through the curtains, its warmth contrasting the coldness of my air-conditioned room. I walked to the kitchen, startled to find Jezreel there, busy with something.

"You should learn how to wake up early... It's already afternoon." Jezreel pulled something from the fridge and handed it to me before walking past.

"Are you cooking?" I asked, more out of surprise than anything.

"What do you think?" she replied sarcastically. I looked down at the unfamiliar cold drink in my hand and raised my eyebrows. Turning, I watched her take off the apron she was wearing.

I was about to ask about the drink, but my question died on my lips as I caught sight of her abdomen.

Seeing her toned abs jolted me into reality. She was just wearing black pants and a sports bra, something I hadn't noticed earlier as I wondered why she hadn't gone home yet.

My eyes lingered on her perfectly shaped abs. I could hear her talking, but her words were a blur. I realized she had paused and was now glaring at me.

Her cheeks were tinged with crimson, and I couldn't help but grin foolishly. She gave me a disgusted look before covering her body with the apron she was folding.

There was the Jezreel I knew.

"I see you're in great shape... Boys would drool over you once they laid eyes on that" I said, pouting slightly as I pointed at her perfect abdomen. Manang Ticia had taught me that it was rude to point with a finger, so I used my lips instead.

"I'd rather die than witness a guy drooling over me." She disappeared from view and returned seconds later wearing a white shirt. I giggled as she walked past, looking annoyed and embarrassed, which I found adorable.

"Why not? Guys would kneel for you if you dominate them," I teased.

"I'm not into romantic stuff. If you want someone to talk to about that, go find someone else." For a moment, she looked like a kitten trying to appear intimidating, though she was more like a T-rex, or better, an alien.

"You have a perfect body that even women would die to touch. You must be shaping it for someone special," I continued, changing back to the original topic as I followed her to the dining room.

There, I almost died of shock seeing the amount of food.

"Did you cook all of this by yourself?" I marched to the table like a child, my eyes wandering over the various dishes.

"Do I have a twin who could help me?" Her sarcasm was back. Now, I was the one drooling. There were tteokbokki, samgyeopsal, kimbap, noodles, drinks, fruits, and sweets.

This was a feast.

"Wait... Are we going to eat all of this?" I asked, watching her set the utensils on the table. I counted the plates and glasses, dumbfounded.

I looked back at her, surprised to find her already staring at me with her usual stoic expression.

"I thought you were smart. Guess it," she murmured, walking away. I wanted to ask her to stop beating around the bush, but before I could speak, I heard a honk outside.

I went out and saw a van at the gate with Manang Ticia peeking her head out, waving at me with a big smile.

"You said you're lonely... They'll keep you company," Jezreel said, standing beside me with the remote in her hand. I watched as the gate opened and the van parked in the front yard.

As the van came to a stop, I felt a mix of emotions welling up inside me. Jezreel's gesture was unexpected, and it touched a part of me that had been numb for too long.

The idea of having company, of not being alone in this huge, empty villa, was both comforting and overwhelming.

I glanced at Jezreel, her expression as unreadable as ever, and for a moment, I wondered what she was thinking.

"Madam! Na-miss ka namin!" Manang Ticia greeted me with a tight hug, her warmth contrasting with her husband's polite smile. Even though I felt confused and out of place, their presence was a much-needed relief.

"Tama na yan, pumasok na tayo at baka lumamig pa ang pagkain na niluto ng isa dyan," Manong Chad said, stealing a quick glance at Jezreel before heading inside with a travel bag.

I guessed it was full of clothes, but I couldn't fathom why. Manang Ticia followed with enthusiasm, waving me to join them.

"They're going to live here with you... and me" Jezreel murmured, her voice devoid of enthusiasm. I looked at her in surprise, only to see her roll her eyes at my bewilderment.

"Don't tell me you don't remember what you said last night."

"What did I say?" I asked, feeling a growing sense of uncertainty. She rolled her eyes again, walking away and leaving me standing there in the doorway.

"Ewan ko sayo, Madame."

\\

Jezreel's POV

Actually, she said nothing nang idala ko siya sa kwarto niya. I mean, there's one thing about dominating stuff but I don't care about it.

Alam ko naman na gusto niyang makasama ang mag-asawa. Maybe she grew fond of them for the past week they've been together. I know I said I should not get myself involved with rich people but I'm just helping.

Kasi ayaw ko na maulit iyong dati.

Maybe - just maybe - she won the heart of her father and she does back, she's gonna be happy. I mean, her mind will be.

Kasi alam ko iyong sa kanya, hindi.

I don't want the history to be repeated. I'm scared... So f*****g scared.