Bab 3: CHAPTER 03
LARA
As soon as I stepped out of Scott's front door, I ran as fast as I could to my house. It was quarter to eleven, and Ashley would call my home phone any minute from now, and if no one answered, I'm sure she would come banging on Scott's door.
That girl is scary. She's the second person I feared. I know all of you know who's number one. I was panting when I arrived in front of my door. I quickly unlocked the door and pushed it open at the right time. The phone rang. I dived onto the sofa and promptly picked it up.
"Hello," I answered.
"Good." She answered and hung up. See, that girl has no manners at all. I slumped on the couch, panting and drenched with sweat. I sighed, then closed my eyes.
"Scott Miller." My mind whispered, and I giggled. I thought Scott Miller was an older man with a fat belly, grey hair, and a wrinkled face, but Scott Miller is very handsome and a young man. He has very expressive eyes and a beautiful smile. His chuckles sound so good. I hugged the couch and felt giddy when I remembered him touching my face.
"Oh my goddess, his hand was so warm, and when he smiled while biting his lower lips. I sighed, biting my lips, then sat on the couch fanning myself, rolled on the sofa again, and felt giddy.
Oh, god, I have a crush on Mr. Miller. I pat my face, sure that it was red as a ripe tomato because of blushing, but I couldn't help it. Scott Miller is so edible. I bite my arms only to wince in pain. Stupid me, but oh, god, he's so handsome and hot, and his body. God, I thought I would die earlier when I removed his top. Lucky me, I'm an expert at hiding what I feel, or I embarrass myself in front of him.
Oh, dear lord. For the first time, I felt attracted to the opposite sex, and why, of all people, I felt that towards Mr. Scott Miller. He's not on my level. He's too high for me, and I'm sure many women are parading in front of him, not only ordinary women, but those women you see on the front page of a magazine, well-off, and degree holders, not like me, a high school student. I'm sure he won't spare a glance at me if only he doesn't owe me his life. My shoulder deflated, and I slumped on the couch like a woman in drought.
"What are you doing?" I screamed in fright, and my instinct kicked in, and the next thing I saw was Owen wincing in pain in the corner.
"Yah! Kid, why did you kick me?" He snarled, glaring at me. He stood up, nursing his back that hit on the wall.
"Sorry, why did you pop out of nowhere? You don't even ring the bell." I snarled and settled back on the couch.
"Not ringing the bell, you asked me? I've been ringing the bell for a few minutes now, but no one answers. I thought you were not home, so I used my key, only to see you act like a crazy woman hugging and hitting the couch, mumbling incoherent words no one could understand." He snarled back. "And you even patted your face, grinning, rocking your body, blushing, like a lovesick puppy." He said.
My face turned into a beetroot this time because of embarrassment. Oh God, He witnessed me in my crazy mood, fantasizing about Scott Miller. Oh god, I'm sure he wouldn't stop teasing me because of it.
"I did not." I denied it even though he saw me in action.
"I have a video." He smirked, raising his phone. I quickly stood to snatch it from his hold, but he dodged me. I promptly kicked his right leg, and he fell to the floor. But he quickly stood and kicked me back, but I blocked it. He grinned and threw the phone in the air. I jumped on it, but he pulled my right leg and threw me on the couch. He laughed, catching the phone, but I quickly bolted up and threw a roundhouse kick at his back, sending him to the wall. He groaned in pain, glaring at me, but he gasped when he saw me holding his phone.
"No! Lara! I have an important document inside it." He warned me, but he kneeled on the floor on the verge of tears when I threw his phone on the wall, which dropped beside him, broken.
I dusted my palms and settled back on the couch, watching him pick up the pieces of his broken phone on the floor.
"That's what happened when you tried to tease me," I said. He glared at me, annoyed, then stood up and smacked my head.
"Ouch!!! That hurt." I pouted.
"Hurt? The smack hurt, but the kick you threw me. Do you think it doesn't hurt me? You know what's inside this phone?" He snarled.
"A video of me. Owen!!!." I whined when he smacked me again.
"I'm just teasing you, stupid."
"I know." I giggled, quickly stood up, and ran into my room, locking it.
"Lara Carter opened the door!!!! Come out here now!!! He screamed.
"Just send your phone to the technician. I'm sure they can recover every document you stored there, and it's your fault."
"Okay, I'm sure they can save the video of you fantasizing about Scott Miller."
"What?? I quickly opened the door, and he stood there, grinning.
"I'm not fantasizing about Scott Miller." I glared at him.
"Really? I heard you say his name and said he was hot and handsome."
"What? Yah!!! I screamed and ran after him, but that guy ran so fast that when I reached outside, he was already driving away. I sighed in defeat. I'd ignore his teasing as if I didn't hear him tomorrow.
I went back inside and cooked ramen for dinner. After I ate, I went to my room. I washed up and went to sleep with Scott Miller inside my mind.
***
I was driving to school the following day when I noticed a black SUV following me. Every time I turn right, it will follow. When I turn left, it will follow also. I did it five times, and they kept following. When I arrived at school, it drove past me. I couldn't see the people inside because it was heavily tinted.
I went to my locker after I parked my car and took out the books I needed, but I was startled when someone hit the locker beside me, and I glared at the culprit. Owen was standing there grinning.
"My phone is okay now, and the video is secure and clear." I ignored him as planned last night, but he kept following me.
"Lara Carter is in love." He whispered, which earned an elbow from me. "It's okay, Princess. I supported you 100%." He continued, but I kept moving, not looking at him.
"And he might be the answer to your problem with Blade." I stopped moving this time and looked at him. He grinned.
"Why don't you date him? I can see that his eyes always linger on you too. Maybe he likes you too. I discovered he was Scott Miller, the owner of Miller Corporation. He's wealthy. He can help you break your tie to Blade." He grinned.
"As if he will like the kind of me, I'm sure he won't even glance at me if I don't save his life that night, and I'm sure he has lots of women lining up in front of him," I whispered, head hanging down. "
"So, you admit that you have a crush on him?" He grinned, poking my cheeks.
"Fine, Happy." I pouted. His head locked me on his arm, ruffling my hair.
"Owen," I whined and pushed him away, fixing my hair.
"Don't bring yourself down. You're a beautiful Princess. Scott will ask you out one of these days." He said, smiling.
"Don't give me hope when that thing doesn't happen.
"Just believe me. I know a man when he likes a woman. Now go to your class, and stop sulking. Scott likes you too." He said and gave me a light push before leaving for class.
I pouted, but a smile formed on my lips. I stepped inside my classroom with a smile, but my smile instantly vanished when a flying eraser smacked my face.
"Sorry, Lara, It's not meant for you. It's for Jake over there."Scarlette said, not feeling sorry at all. I'm sure she saw Owen messing with me a few minutes ago. That's why she's doing this. I ignored her, went to my desk, took a wet wipe out of my bag, and wiped my face. I saw her smirking at the side of my eyes, then high-five her friends.
"Someday, I'll have my revenge on you bitch, and I'll make sure you'll never forget it." I thought.
Our teacher arrived and started our lesson.
During lunch, Owen accompanies me to the cafeteria to buy lunch, and we eat at the back of the school.
"Someone is following me this morning. Black SUV, with plate SCO2359."
"I'll check on it. Are you going to be in your crush again later?" He asked with a teasing smile on his lips. He chuckled when I nudged him on his side, then nudged me back. Owen is like an older brother I never had, the same as Ashley. They cared for me so much and treated me as their younger sibling—an overprotective older brother and sister.
"He doesn't ask me to come, so I think no," I replied, looking at Scarlette and her cronies not far away, throwing me a death glare.
"Lara, Blade."
"I don't want to hear his name." I quickly cut him off. That name brought fear to me every time. He's a monster, and I'd do anything to be far away from him. That marriage contract, I'll make sure to make it null and void.
"You know that sooner or later, they will find you, or maybe they have already found you, and they are just watching."
"I know, as long as they don't drag me back home, I let them be." And Blade, I know he signed that marriage contract just because of the position he'll possess after. Who would want to be married to someone you haven't met? I thought.
"Any information about the people that we are looking for?"
"None. It seems like they don't exist."
"Grandpa, did he contact you?"
"Yeah! And he said that he wouldn't force you to go back home anymore. He waits for you whenever you want to come back."
"That's good, then. Did he mentions Blade?"
"No."
"Good. We need to get back to class. The bell will ring any minute from now."
"Okay. You want me to accompany you home later?"
"No need. I called you when I spotted that car again."
"Okay, be careful. I have something to do after class. But call me if you see any suspicious person following you."
"Okay, I will." He stood up, then pulled my hand to help me up, then wrapped his arms around my shoulder.
"Can you stop being touchy? Someone already threw an eraser at me earlier. I don't want to be hit by something again later."
"Why did you let Scarlette bully you anyway?"
"I don't want to be kicked out of here. I like this place, and I'm used to it already."
"And Scott is here too." He teased me. I glared at him, but he just kissed my forehead and slightly pushed me to my room before he left. I sighed and went to my desk.
After class, I quickly went to my car, but someone pushed me, and my left face hit the side mirror of my car. I winced. I knew that the bruises would appear there soon.
"What did I tell you? Please stay away from Owen, but you did not listen, and you let him kiss and hug you. You're a slut." She snarled.
I took a deep breath and opened my car door, but she pushed it close. "I'm not done talking to you bitch." She screamed and slapped me.
"Owen is like a brother to me. If you like him, then go." I snarled back. My patience is getting thin. "And besides, Owen has a girlfriend already, and they love each other so much. Even if you try to flirt with him, he won't glance at you." I snarled, didn't wait for her to retort, and went into my car. She banged on my door, but I quickly drove off home. If I stay there another minute, I might do something I'll regret later.
I arrived home, and I instantly became alert to see a car parked not far away from my house. The driver's side opened, and I was relieved it was only James, Scott's friend. Why is he here? I stepped out of my car when he moved towards my car.
"Good afternoon, Miss Carter. I'm sorry to disturb you again, but Scott asked if you were free. He wants to ask if you can come to his house because I can't be there for him again." He said, scratching his nape.
"Why doesn't he want to hire someone to care for him?"
"That man is stubborn. I already suggested it to him, but he said he doesn't trust anyone except you."
"I'm not his nurse," I muttered.
"It's okay if you're busy. I will tell Scott that you have a lot of homework to do. That's why you can't come."
"Okay! But it won't take too long. Only two hours."
"That's enough time. I only need to meet a business partner over dinner. It's just fast, maybe not more than two hours."
"I'll take a bath and take my things inside. You can go ahead. I'll walk to his house."
"I can wait if you want. I'm not in a hurry. My dinner meeting is not until seven in the evening."
"Okay, if you insist. I won't take long." I told him and went inside my house without inviting him in.
"No one stepped inside my house except Ashley and Owen. And I don't trust Scott's friend for now. I hurriedly took a bath and. I went back outside after. James stepped out of his car. I locked my door and went to him. He opens the door of the passenger seat and lets me in.
"Thank you." He nodded his head, then got in the driver's seat, then drove off toward Scott's house.
We arrived after ten minutes. James got out of the car and went to my side, and opened the door.
"Thank you," I muttered. I got a smile, and he led me inside. Scott was leaning on the headboard of his bed when we stepped into his room.
A smile formed on his lips when he saw me. A smile that takes my breath away.
"Thank you, James. You can leave now." James just nodded his head and left.
" It won't take too long. Only two hours.
"It's okay. I'm so grateful to you for coming, Lara." I nodded my head and sat on the edge of his bed.
"Have you eaten?"
"No, but there's food in the kitchen already. James bought it. It's enough for both of us. I'm sure you haven't eaten as well."
"Yes, and I'm starving. Wait here. I'll take the food." He nodded, but his eyes didn't leave my cheek, where the bruise was now visible. I ignored him and went to the kitchen.
I prepared the food that was on top of the dining table. It was fried chicken, vegetable salad, egg rice, and steamed fish. I put it on the tray with two plates, a fork, and a spoon and brought it to his room. I put it on top of the bedside table, then went back to the kitchen, took out two glasses, and looked for juice inside the fridge. I saw a box of orange juice. I took it out and poured some into both glasses, then took two bottles of bottled water, then went back into his room. I set the drinks on the floor, then prepared food for Scott.
"What do you want to eat?" I asked while placing some rice on his plate.
" I like the fried chicken and the fish. I eat the salad after," he answered. I put a slice of chicken on his plate and some steamed fish.
"Can you eat on your own now?"
"Yes, thank you." He answered. I took one of the trays, then put it beside him, and I put his plate over it, together with his juice. After that, I eat as well.
"What happened to your face?" He asked, his eyes fixed on his food. "I slipped while walking to my car, and I hit my side mirror," I answered.
"You're being bullied again, then." He said as if he didn't hear what I said.
"I said I slipped."
"Because someone pushed you. Am I right?" I frowned at him. Why is he being nosy now?" I thought and continued eating, ignoring him. I'm starving, and he has no right to question me.
We finished eating without uttering a word after our previous conversation. I quickly gathered our dishes, took them to the kitchen, and washed them. After that, I went back to Scott's room.
" Have you changed your bandage already?"
" No." He answered shortly.
"Come, I'll change it," I said and took the box where he keeps the bandage and antiseptic and sat beside him again.
I unbutton his top, with his eyes not leaving my face. "I'm sorry if I am a burden to you. It's just that I felt comfortable with you." He whispered. "I felt awkward about you being quiet."
"Don't mind me. I just had a bad day at school," I told him and slowly and carefully removed his bandage. His wound still looks swollen, and the skin around it is still red. I carefully cleaned it, applied antiseptic, and bandaged it back.
"I returned the first aid kit inside the drawer and went inside the bathroom. I took a small basin, filled it with warm water, took a face towel inside the cabinet, and returned beside him, placing the basin on the bedside table. I dip the towel in the water, squeeze it, and wipe his face. He just watched me without uttering a word.
"Lara, when I get better, can I treat you to dinner?" He asked.
"Are you bribing me, Mr. Miller?" I asked. He smiled.
"I think I am. I don't want my only nurse to resign. And she's an excellent nurse so far." I smiled at that.
"I think you need to treat me to many dinners if you want me to nurse you until you get better."
"Deal." He quickly answered.
"I'll choose the most expensive restaurant," I said while wiping his arm.
"You said I have a lot of money. I won't get bankrupt by just treating you to dinner." He chuckled when I rolled my eyes. I smiled and continued the task at hand. After I wiped his body, I went to his closet and took out his pajamas, helped him wear his top, and I let him wear his pants. I returned the basin to the bathroom and put the towel in the hamper to give him privacy.
"I'm done." He called out after a few minutes.
"You're good now? I want to go home now." He nodded his head, smiling.
"Thank you, Lara." He said and motioned me to come closer. I went beside him and sat on the edge of the bed. I was startled when he planted a kiss on my cheek, and I blushed instantly. He chuckled, then wrapped his arms around me.
"Thank you. Good night Lara, and take care on your way." He whispered and kissed my cheek again before pulling away from the hug. "Now go." I just nodded my head like a robot and left his room. As soon as I stepped out of his front door, I squealed, felt giddy, then ran away from his house, grinning from ear to ear, but I abruptly stopped when I felt a presence not far from me.
I resumed walking, pulled my phone from my back pocket, and dialed Owen's number.
"Lara."
"I'm being followed."
"Where are you?"
"I'm heading home. I went to Scott earlier, and I'm walking home."
"I'm near. Just keep moving."
"Okay, tell me if you got any information from them, okay?"
"Okay." He answered, and I hung up.
Hadiah
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