Chapter 10 Tonight

• I stopped crying. The pain and embarrassment I was feeling was replaced by what was tickling my insides. We left the restaurant not because we were fired but because Senior begged Hugh. I didn’t want to leave but I was scared of Hugh’s seriousness, I thought he was so angry so I did nothing but go with him.
• I looked at him once and I also immediately removed my gaze from him. He’s seriously driving and he didn’t say a word since we left the restaurant. He just took me to his car and we haven't talked since. I didn't even know where we were going.
• I still can't forget the humiliation that happened to me earlier by Senior. But what dominates me more now are what Hugh’s words to me. Okay fine, I’ll admit it. There was some enthusiasm in my heart that prevailed when I saw him when open my eyes and he defended me.
• Even though the embarrassment I experienced was severe, I felt like that was so invalid because of Hugh standing up for me. So here it is and I don't know how to feel.
• "T-thank you." I said briefly, I didn't even look at him.
• I didn’t hear him say anything. I didn't say anything from him either. I just felt like I needed to say those words to him. Because that's really how I feel. I just want to thank him, at least
• "About the surrogacy," I began.
• "I don't want to talk about it." he quickly cut me off.
• I took a glance of him. He still serious while gripping the steering wheel, driving this luxury car of his. I knew that he drank some wine but that doesn’t seem to have an effect on him. I just kept quiet and didn't speak anymore.
• Maybe he’s mad at me because of the stress I brought to him this day. I just make myself busy by watching the dark road we were driving, I gradually felt tired and I finally passed out.
• I just woke up to find that the surroundings were quiet. The car stopped working so when I opened my eyes I quickly looked around. I was relieved when I saw Hugh still sitting on the driver seat, the window on his side was open and his arm is leaning on it. His eyes are shut while his other hand is massaging the bridge of his nose. He looked tired and mad at the same time. But isn't he always like that?
• I moved a little and realized that there’s a piece of blanket on top of me. My heart skip a beat. I didn’t have time to think about how I already had a blanket because I had already grabbed Hugh’s attention.
• "Where are we?" I asked.
• His eyes are blood shot, his hair is a bit messy. He looked tired but not even a little did not lessen his intimidating appearance. He was still serious as if someone had fought him or something.
• "Your place," he said.
• I looked outside and saw that we are really on my apartment.
• "Oh," a hint of shock escaped on my lips.
• His gaze are in front. "You should get inside and rest."
• I paused for a moment, “D-do you want to get inside and have some tea or…” I couldn’t continue what I said.
• An emphatic look he returned to me, he didn’t say anything and so I guess it’s a yes. I smiled lightly and went out of the car. Took my keys and opened my place, it's just good and I always have leaving my studio type apartment clean.
• “Here,” I opened the door widely.
• Suddenly the place seems to be more smaller than the usual. His proud and loud aura boomed into my place that I immediately felt the shame of inviting him here.
• His eyes roamed around my place, from the bed to my desk and to the small kitchen.
• I cleared my throat, “U-uhm, you want some drink? Snack? Uhm, dinner? ”
• His lips are in flat line and his eyes went to mine. I gulped the pressure on my throat.
• ”I’m sorry, my place is probably not the same as yours. But I’m the only one here so… ” I explained.
• It suddenly occurred to me that how could he have known that I lived here?
• "Anything will do."
• I can't read his expression. He seemed a bit more light than a while ago. I just nodded and quickly put down my things. I didn't change and went straight to the kitchen to make dinner. I don’t even know If he’ll eat this food that I made.
• He was quiet so I was afraid to face him while I was busy making dinner with him. Since I haven’t done my grocery because I’m short of budget, I just decided to cook whatever is in there. I saw some noodle pasta but didn’t know any ingredient and so I just cooked aglio olio for him. I toast some bread and made everything pretty fast because it’s just basically garlic, oil and all that stuff.
• When I realized in the middle that I had to ask him if it was okay for me to put some pepper on his food, I hesitated. I counted three before looking at him and to my surprise he’s still standing and leaning on the door, while his hands are on his pocket. And! He’s just watching me, like for all this time? Really?
• He raised an eyebrow maybe asking why I looked at him and with the obvious shock on my face, shocks! I feel so ashamed!
• "Uhm, are peppers fine to you?"
• "You're allergic to peppers." his statement. I nodded.
• "Then don't."
• I nodded quickly and turned away from him immediately. I feel like I was out of breath for a few seconds in that short conversation we had.
• And when I realized what I just saw, "You can sit on the bed." I said.
• I just felt and heard his footsteps so I was reassured that he wasn’t just there and watching me. I took two servings of pasta and when I faced him I seemed to be able to release the ones in my hand.
• He’s now on the bed sitting, while both of his arms are supporting his weight to make himself comfortable. His coat was off and his neck tie was in his hand. The first three buttons of his white dress shirt are now open, his hair is messy and his eyes are bulging as he looks at me.
• “Uhm, sorry. I only have this. ” He stared at the two plates I was carrying.
• I laid it down on my little desk and pulled it across from him. Even when I’m feeling like my legs are turning ice I still managed to grab some water for us before I grab the tiny chair of my desk and sit in front of him.
• I sighed and smiled, "I hope you eat this kind of food." I say a little softly.
• "Why would I not eat it?" Him.
• He looked straight into my eyes and the memory of what happened earlier in the restaurant came back.
• I shook my head a bit and smiled, "Cause it's not an elite food or maybe it doesn't suit your taste." He did not answer me.
• We just look straight into the eyes. Before I shut my eyes it’s him that I saw. I close my eyes for a second and whispered, "Thank you for this food." And when I open my eyes, it’s still him that I saw.
• I smiled but it didn’t reach my eyes. It’s just something inside me felt weird, like somewhere in my heart felt lonely and kind of longing for this kind of soul. He’s a man of prosperity and he has it all. I’m just wondering why would he step up to this extent just to have a child.
• I objected to the two of us looking at each other. I picked up the fork and started eating. I turned to him for a moment, "Eat now."
• I could feel him looking at me, but gladly afterwards he picked up the fork and started to eat. I’m a bit moved since I didn’t expect him to eat.
• ”I-I’m sorry about what happened earlier. And thank you… for standing up for me. ” I glanced at him.
• He’s still looking at me straight in the eye. I know he doesn’t want to talk about it so I shook my head and just let it off. Even if he get mad I will still say that to him, because he deserves it. The place fell silent again, only the utensils are making noise. When I couldn't stand the silence anymore, I started asking questions.
• ”I’m just wondering…” I stopped and felt small looking at him.
• "Why do you want a child through surrogacy?" His eyes went to me. I pursed my lips. I know that’s a dumb idea but… I’m just curious.
• “You don’t have a girlfriend? A wife? ” I will continue.
• "I understand the curiosity, haven't reviewed the contract yet, right?" He smirked playfully. It was as if his demeanor suddenly changed and he returned to his normal behavior.
• I was dumbfounded and realized that maybe the contract included not asking about personal things. Alright, I get it now.
• ”But to satisfy your act of desperateness…” he sip to his glass of water.
• ”I choose who I want to have a child with. Alright? ”
• I stared at him and I was stunned. My lips parted and I didn’t know what to say so I just nodded.
• He sounded so confident and all that I have felt a while ago just turned into ashes. He smirked and moved, he took something from his pocket. Just a few seconds later he was already talking on the phone and said.
• "Grab me some clothes for tomorrow, here at Harrison street near Huston."
• My eyes went wide when he uttered those words while he’s straight looking at me. W-what did he just say? He dropped the call and wiped his mouth with his hankie.
• His brows protruded before he said, "I'll stay for the night."
• Hell. Are we doing it tonight?