Chapter 7 (CONTROL)

CRIMSON

When Mr. Adamos came before me like a bolt of lightning, I couldn't believe how quickly he was because he caught my phone before it hit the ground. He was the same as last night when he saved me from falling on the pole.

I looked at him blankly and shook my head. I can't say how I'll feel, especially now that he's looking right at me. What's the matter with this guy? Since we met last night, he has been staring at me as if he wants me. Is he interested in me?

But as Mrs. Li pointed out, he has a girlfriend, and it would be inappropriate for me to develop romantic feelings for him because I will be working for him. And for goodness' sake! He's going to be my boss. I shouldn't think any differently.

"Your phone." Mr. Adamos gave me my phone, which he was holding, but I was stunned by how beautiful he was and how quickly he moved. I am stuck in a daze.

I tried to speak, but nothing came out of my mouth. Mr. Adamos grabbed my hand and placed my phone before I realized I was making a fool of myself by looking at how he was towering over me. His height—I think six-foot-three—his ash blonde hair, and his bi-colored eyes... Oh, God! He is so dreamy... What a beautiful man I have in front of me. And now I'm beginning to wonder whether I should be afraid of him.

"T-thanks... Ugh! I stuttered. Even when trying to say 'thank you,' I found myself stumbling. Silly me!

"Have you had your breakfast already?" he asked me casually.

I foolishly responded by moving my head from side to side before realizing I needed to indicate that I was finished with breakfast. I made a funny face as realization hit me, and then I nodded. Mr. Adamos grinned as he glanced at me, indicating that he considered me amusing.

"Come with me." He turned around and started walking ahead.

Oh, gee! So, what should I do? Not following him would make him believe I'm afraid of him, which is not the case. But if I stick with him, it would be an admission of me liking him and...

No… No… What the heck am I doing?! What am I saying?! Gosh!

Not knowing what to do, I followed him.

I had just entered the coffee shop he went to and was looking for him when I saw his hand gesture. I saw him standing in the corner of the store, and even though it was hard to move while he was looking at me, I did.

"What do you like?" he asked, pulling up a chair.

I blinked first. It looks like because of his good looks, he is making me feel more at ease with him. I'm a fool if I think that way.

I stared at him dumbfounded, unable to respond to his questions. The next thing I knew, he called an attendant to order me coffee and food. I saw that he didn't get himself anything. It took me a long time to find the right words to ask until the food was served.

"And... w-what about you?" I asked shyly.

"About what?" He answered me with another question.

I sighed and put on a shy smile. I was so scared of him last night, and I still cringe when I see how he looks at me now. But, stupidly, I can't stop wanting to follow him.

“Your… your breakfast…” I pushed the cake he ordered to give it to him.

"It's yours. I am done with my breakfast. Just have your breakfast and then we'll pick up your things at your apartment.”

I rolled my eyes at what he said because I didn't like how he told me what to do. He's so sure of himself that he thinks I won't turn down his money-based offer.

I could see his sports car outside through the glass wall. I've never worried about being broke, but when I saw Mr. Adamos's multimillion-dollar sports car, I realized how different our lives were. The thought of having the experience of riding in a sports car with him made me feel excited and smile—a smile that quickly faded from my lips as sadness engulfed me once more.

I sighed. I shouldn't be so thrilled since I'll only be his worker. No more, no less. A housekeeper.

"I–I didn’t agree to work for you," I said out of the blue. The man's rich and relaxed attitude made me feel tense.

But why should I worry when all I will have to do to make money is work for him and pursue my dream of finishing college? That's all my reason, and I should not worry about silly things. Yes, I won’t like him no matter what. I need to guard my heart.

He just looked at me, and I was dumb enough to look back.

I swallowed what I thought was a lump in my throat and then said... "Yet... I-I mean, I'm not agreeing with you yet."

"Why?" he asked and turned back to the magazine he was reading.

"I—I'm not sure," I said in a stutter. "Can I have three days to think about it?"

"Three hours. After we're done here, I'll take you to your apartment and wait for three hours until you can decide."

"Four days." I rebutted.

"Four minutes. It's only yes or no," Mr. Adamos boringly said. "Your time starts now."

What a smug, handsome freak he is!

My eyes bulged. My nose flared.

Darn the guy for acting as if he could control me! As if his offer could entice me... and yeah...

Oh, hell yes, I'll be honest that I am! But the way he is dictating to me... I need to consider whether I want to take him up on his offer, even though my instincts tell me not to trust him.

He doesn't know what it's like to be poor because he's rich. How bad that it made him feel like he was entitled to be dominant with others because he has everything!

I returned my eyes to the people gawking at his sports car outside the glass wall. Even people who wear nice clothes admire his car.

I sighed while thinking about my decision. Being rich is genuinely fantastic, which made this man in front of me full of himself like he could have everything with his money and that he could manipulate anyone as he did with Mrs. Li. And indeed, he is obviously manipulating me too right now.

"No," I shook my head slowly, not looking at him. "I-I don’t want to. I-I'm sorry, but I can't work for you, Mr. Adamos."

"You still have another two minutes." He disregarded what I said.

I stay silent. The man is intimidating me. I wait another two minutes to say I won’t work for him. I am now deciding that I won't work for him because I can't be tempted by his offers. I could go back to college with my savings. I don't need a tempting offer, for it might cause me harm one day.

"Time’s up! Decide now." 

I was suddenly surprised by what he said. I nodded and was ready to decline his offer. I chewed and gulped the cake I put in my mouth before I could answer.

I looked into his eyes and was about to say I would not accept the job when I couldn’t find any reasons why I wouldn’t grab the opportunity. His eyes mesmerized me, making me nod my head to agree with him.

"Yes, I will work for you."

I had already uttered the words before realizing it was like signing my death. Mr. Adamos grinned while gazing at me, and I knew then that I was screwed.

My brows furrowed. I am now questioning myself more than my situation is. Why do I keep agreeing when all my heart wants is to say no?

Oh my... So help me, God!

**********

The next thing I know, I am now in the mansion of Mr. Adamos. I thought that I would stay only in his condo unit. I want to ask, but I still look for a possible reason why I am here.

"Are you—I mean… am I going to sign some documents as your housekeeper?" I asked. There was nothing wrong with asking, so I continued to say what was on my mind.

He smirked, and I found it sexy. I grimaced with my thoughts, then erased what was on my mind first.

Oh, gee! Why am I acting like someone who has been struck by love?

"You are going to stay here in my mansion until I come back. I will go to Greece for some important matters, and that is why I need someone to take care of my house while I’m gone."

"This house?" I clarified and let my eyes roam around. "I will be your housekeeper here while you are overseas. Did I get it right?" I can’t say that his mansion looks modern, but it has a creepy appearance. The displays are scary.

"Yes. You will stay here alone, and a friend will check on you once a week, so you will report to her whatever you need to report."

I nodded. I want to discuss what Mrs. Li told me about working as a stay-out housekeeper and how I am dying to go back to college.

"You can enroll in any university you like once I am back," Mr. Adamos said as if he read my thoughts. "And your stay-out housekeeping job will begin the same way; just stay here while I'm out of the country."

The last sentence he stated made me reluctantly nod. That is too much of a coincidence. He is not guessing what I am thinking; he can read my mind.

Again, that thought made me doubt that he is not a human! He is an aswang!

But it's funny that I was not scared this time, as my curiosity made me want to learn more about him. What are you really, Mr. Adamos?