Chapter 3: Have fun with me

"Vi!" I rolled my eyes for God knows how many times already. He even wave his hand to me, acting like he and I are close. Tss.

Here he is again, sitting comfortably at our sofa as if he owned the house.

For the past three days, he kept on coming back here, acting like it's his staycation. Don't he have one, anyway?

Well, not my business to mind. But he's really disturbing!

I pass him by and directed myself in the dirty Kitchen. I an trying my very best to ignore him, as much as possible.

I learned that he is Ate Vernice's friend. They went to the same University together, and now goes to the same company, only that, Ate's a regular employee while 'that man' is trained to be a boss. And honestly speaking, I don't know why. Well, not that it concerns me, but I am assuming that perhaps, he came from a wealthy family. 

Aish! Why am I even thinking about that? It doesn't concern me at all.

I made myself two toasted breads and a glass of milk before walking towards the gazebo. Usually, I read books here while watching our gardener takes good care of the plants or just simply feel the silence and peacefulness of the place.

I put down my tray of food and then started reading, but goodness to heaven! I wasn't even done reading the first page when someone sat on the chair across mine, not even asking my permission.

Great. What does he want?

"Good morning." He smiled. Took one of the breads from my saucer and then bit on it.

I tilted my head, eyeing him. "What?"

"Huh?"

"What d'you want?"

"This." He raised the toasted bread near my face.  "---and you!" He winked.

I raised a brow.

He fake a cough. "I-i mean..." he stuttered as he looks away. "Y-you... It's b-because..., I wanna make friends with you."

I made a blank face. "I don't make friends."

"Introvert?"

"Not yours to know." I annoyingly stood up and left him in the gazebo.

Tss! What a great way to pester my peaceful morning, huh? 

For the next following days, he continued coming to our house. I don't know if he's just visiting Ate or they're actually up to something - something related to work? That's why I almost lock myself into my bedroom in order for me not to see him. Yeah, I am purposefully trying to avoid him. Maybe because, I am not comfortable when he's around or I am just really annoyed at his presence.

I spent hours reading novels inside my room or petting Belle. I would just go out when it is time to eat.

For days that he's here, he would join us for lunch, he even tried to strike a conversation to me but I am too annoyed for him to entertain any conversation. At the end, he would look like a talking puppet, talking to someone that isn't fond of any conversation.

"Vio, I'll buy groceries later, want to come?" Ate ask while we're on the dining area, having our lunch.

I eyed her. She's smiling anticipating for my answer. Beside her is Marcus who's eyes are boring on me too.

"Pass. I'll read my books."

I heard her heaves a long sigh. A problematic one. "Summer is almost done, and for your whole vacation, you did not even go out of the house." Her voice is soft. Maybe she's trying to make me understand.

Well, is she seeing something wrong to what I am doing? 'cause I can't see one.

"Maybe you should go out also some other time, to have fun outside. Don't stuck yourself here."

"I'm having fun with my books." I suddenly lose my appetite, so I stood up and climb up the stairs to my room.

I hate the way she meddle with my life and decisions.

Why don't she just go out on her own if that's what she want. I just don't like the way she's trying to control my decisions in life. Can't she see that I can make may own decision now? I'm grown up. I have grown up, without her, so why act like I have her now? Tss. Such a waste!

Days pass again. To wake up, eat, take a bath, read books, pet Belle and sleep again has been my routine for the entire summer. If Ate thinks that reading might bore me to death, for me, it's my therapy. It's my only rest after each tiring day and my only escape to the very toxic world I live. Tss. I know she can't understand me, 'cause she don't really read, except for business books, of course.

For those past days, Marcus also kept on coming back here, Ate of course entertains him, which makes me wonder; aren't they tired of seeing the face of each other? Tss. For heaven's sake, they're seeing each other's face every day.

"Good afternoon." He give me a wide smile.

I just nodded as I surveyed the living room for Ate's presence but, I can't see any trace of her.

"Where's Ate?" Even if it is against my will, I have to ask.

"Upstairs. We'll go swimming. Want to join?" He made a puppy eyes.

"No." Tss.

I pass him by and immidiately goes to the kitchen. He's talking nonsense.

"Come on. You look pale, I think you need sunlight." He followed me from behind. Such a persistent old man, huh?

"Then, sunlight is what I need, not water with chlorine!" I don't care if I sounded rude but I do want him to realize that I never like his presence.

"Know what? You're such a killjoy."

I face him with right brow raised. "Should I give a d*mn?" I turn my back but before I could make my second step, he already caught me in his arms - carrying me.

What the hell!

What prank is this?

"What the hell are you doing?"

He laughed. "I told you, we'll go swim." He's walking towards the pool area now.

"Who are you to decide for me?" I yelled. "Put me down!"

"Marcus. And yes.. later."

"I said put me down already!" I started hitting his firm chest.

"Fine."

The next thing I heard is the heavy splash of water and his sexy laugh. The cold water embracing my body gives me chills.

"So?" His annoying face welcomed me once I got out of the water.

"I hate you!"

"Uh, say you don't mean that 'cause I like you, darling," He said in a sing-song voice. He even had the audacity to smile truimphantly! Ugh! I hate him, really! 

Gosh! I wanted to blow a fist at his face due of annoyance. Ah, I wish I could do that!

I balled a fist due of frustration.

I was about to got off the pool when I suddenly felt a strong arms stopping me to do so. His embrace from behind gives me warm that fought the coldness of the water. I hurriedly swim near the edge of the pool - ready to get off the water. "Nah-uh, you're not going anywhere." When I face him, he shook his head as amusement is drawn at his face.

Then he whispered at my ear; "have fun with me, my Dear." 

Suddenly, I felt the butterflies on my tummy began to dance crazily again.

Bloody hell! What am I exactly feeling?