Chương 33: Promise Me

"Why did you lie to me about where you live?" Adam looked at Stella with confusion. He furrowed his brows thinking when he had done that. Just as he was about to voice out his thoughts, his mind drifted off to the conversation they had when he had dropped her off the first time. He had said it in the spur of moment just to make her agree. He didn't think that she would remember it.

"I-I am sorry." He could only apologize about it now.

"Why did you?" Stella asked him again.

Adam heaved out of a sigh, "I didn't want you going back alone that day."

"That's it?" Stella narrowed her eyes at him.

Adam nodded in response only to make Stella raise an eyebrow. "And why is that?" She asked him again. "Why is it that you didn't want me going back alone?" She continued.

Adam looked away, choosing not to answer her. He couldn't just tell her about his feelings. He was afraid that she would hate him and might even leave the job.

"Isn't it normal for employees to return back to their homes a bit late? Why do you care so much about it? Or me?" She continued questioning him, still looking at him.

Adam did not give her a reply, and chose to ignore her. He continued sitting quietly, looking into the distance.

"Adam? I am asking you something." Stella was getting angry because of his ignorance. "Adam?" She called him once again only to meet by his silence.

"Okay! Don't answer me if you don't want to." She said, raising her voice a bit, getting up from the bench. "I am leaving, I will find myself some hotel to stay in for the time being." She said turning around.

Adam finally turned his head to look at her only to find her on her way back inside. "Stella?" He called her but didn't get any reply.

"Stella?" He shouted once again. He was frustrated, running his hands through his hairs which were already disheveled by the wind blowing.

He looked at her retreating back, his eyes filled with complex feelings. "Crap", he cursed himself out loud getting up from the bench, heading inside.

"Stella? Hear me out at least." He tried to stop her as she was already on the stairs going to the first floor, but didn't get any reply.

He followed her up to her room and saw her dragging her suitcase. 'Didn't she put her clothes in the closet?' He thought looking at the suitcase that was being wheeled out by her.

"Where are you going?" He asked her with aggravation.

"I told you. I will find myself a hotel." She replied without looking up at him.

"No you're not." He said, gritting his teeth.

"Yes I am." Stella replied looking into her hand bag, making sure she didn't forget anything.

Adam was enraged because of her stubbornness. He tried to reason with her, "You can not leave, no unless the matter is resolved."

She walked out of the guest room along with her handbag and suitcase. She stood before him in the hallway, looked into his eyes, "Aren't we friends? Why can't you tell me the real reason? Either you tell me or I am leaving. The choice is yours Adam." She waited for him to say anything but didn't get a response. "Thank you so much for your hospitality. We will meet tomorrow in the office, Sir." She gave him a polite smile, one that was professional.

She turned around to leave but Adam stopped her, grabbing her right wrist. "You are not going anywhere." He said holding her wrist firmly but not too tight. "I am leaving." Stella tried to take her hand back only to make his grip more firm.

Adam pulled Stella towards himself and pushed her against the wall, careful not to use too much force. He trapped her by placing both his hands on either side of her head.

"Why are you being so stubborn?" He asked her, narrowing his eyes in the process.

"You are the one who is being stubborn here. Can't you be honest with me? Can't you just tell me the truth?" Stella retorted, glaring at him.

"The truth about what?" He asked her to which she replied, "Why are you so good to me? You have known me for hardly a week. Why do you treat me so well?" She finally voiced out what has been bothering her so much.

"You want to know the truth as to why I am so good to you? Are sure you can handle it?" He asked her with a smirk to get a firm nod in response.

"But promise me one thing. You won't avoid me, and you won't leave the job. Promise me, and I will tell you the reason." He said looking at the little lady trapped in between his arms.

"I promise." Stella replied, her voice full of confidence. "No matter what your answer is, I won't leave the job or avoid you."

He looked at her deeply only to see a pair of hazel eyes looking back at his gray ones.