I was concerned if I ask too much. Starting that day when I asked him if he was a playboy, he always distanced himself from me. Whenever I tried to get near him, he always avoids me. He answers me casually but with short responses. I also tried once to make weird and silly faces in front of him to get his attention whenever I had the chance. He will just avoid me and focus his eyes on his laptop.
I was confused that it making my head hurt every time I see him busy. Just like today, I was busy cleaning his condo and he was in front of his laptop again. I was just vacuuming in front and he didn’t even give me a glance. Weird. I don’t know how to get his attention. He’s been like this for three days straight, been too busy, and keep avoiding me as if I am not existing.
I sighed. I’m overthinking again. He’s a grown-up who’s too busy, especially since he has businesses to handle too. He’s a businessman and will take over his parents’ company. I should understand that. And maybe, he has some errands too that's why he’s been on his laptop.
I finished vacuuming. I glanced back at Denver and saw him look in my direction. He furrowed his brows as if I did a weird thing.
“What?” I asked, but he shook his head and called someone on his phone. My lip protruded in a pout and sighed before leaving him.
It’s early in the morning and here I am already busy. It’s boring but I don’t have my books with me. It’s my pass time. I have my sketch pad with me, but I need a new one for it. It’s Sunday and I don’t have my school supplies yet. I didn’t bring it with me. I decided to buy it at the nearest mall here since Denver is too busy to accompany me.
I took a bath first before wearing my usual outfit. Long denim pants and a white t-shirt. I wear mostly pastel or neutral color shirts because I have a light brown skin tone. I keep my short hair in a half ponytail as it suits my heart-shaped face. I put only face powder on both cheeks and lip balm for my lips. I sighed as I saw myself in front of the mirror.
I look simple. I’m not that beautiful as my sister but I do have good genes too. I got most of it from my mother, especially her brown eyes. She has darker shades while I have light, almost hazel if stared close. I’m thankful that my sister is also a model, she taught me some of her beauty tips and such. I learned some of it from her.
I met Denver’s eyes as I took my way down the stairs. He looks at me with furrowed brows and a slightly creased forehead. He arches his brow as if he’s asking with his stare. He’s still holding his laptop in his right hand.
I went near him and timidly smiled. “I will buy something.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“Supplies? I have class tomorrow,” I said and continued my way down. He follows me with a look and I felt his hand on my wrist. I was startled that I almost lost balance. Thankfully, he was behind to support me. “Thanks.” He remove his hand after.
I fake a cough and go directly to the door of his condo. I heard Denver call my name but I was already inside the elevator. When I was already in the lobby, I saw a familiar face of a young man with his black three-piece suit. He glances at me and gives me a bored look. He walked passed by me and entered the elevator.
Wait, is that Dwayne Smith? What is he doing here?
I can’t help but smile as I saw my long-time idol here. He’s a musician and I love his songs. Most of them were his own compositions and they really made me feel the emotions every time he sings. He’s from Clivette University, also a prestigious school in the country.
I was still smiling even while I’m inside the bookstore here inside the mall. I bought the things that I needed even with the thought that Dwayne is also in the same condominium tower as Denver’s. What a lucky day to know that.
I was about to pay for my things when someone called my name. I furrowed as I look around, only to see Daniel beside me. He was smiling at me and I can’t help but smile too. He looks very approachable and a very carefree man.
“You’re alone?” He asked. I nodded and didn’t respond immediately as I need to pay for my things. When I was done, I glanced at Daniel who was beside me.
“Yes. I have class tomorrow.”
“Hmm, why is Denver not with you?” he asked as we walked our way outside the bookstore. I looked up at him and shrugged. “He’s busy?”
“Maybe. He’s been in front of his laptop for three days. He didn’t even talk to me that much too,” I said, with a bit of a whining voice. I don't know why I feel comfortable with him even we've just know each others few days ago. “He’s not like that before though.”
I heard his chuckles. “He’s kinda busy because our friend asks something from him. Don’t worry, he’ll be available after he finishes that.”
I nodded. I felt my cheeks flush as I heard that reason. So that’s why. I’ve been worried for nothing. I heaved a sigh and smiled at him.
“You want to eat?” he asks. “It’s almost lunchtime.”
“Uh, I don’t know. Denver’s alone at his unit. I didn’t prepare lunch for him. He might get starving,” I muttered, and I saw how his stare went deeply amused with what I’ve said. He smiled as he grabbed the bag full of the thing I bought.
“You’re caring.”
I shook my head and didn’t respond. I don’t know how to answer a compliment.
“Let's just take out and will eat lunch at Denver’s condo unit,” he suggested. I smiled and nodded before I followed him inside a fast-food restaurant.
While waiting for our order, I type a message for Denver that we’ll eat at his condo. He didn’t reply though. I was about to put back my phone inside my pocket when I receive a message from Kian. I furrowed and opened it immediately.
Kian:
Why are you absent?
I didn’t see you. Are you okay?
I asked your teacher and she told me, you transferred school.
What school?
I will visit you.
I’m kinda worried.
Reply if you have seen my message, hm?
Me:
I’ll call you later, Kian. I got busy. Sorry. I will explain everything.
I put back my phone when I saw Daniel already got our orders. We walked back to the Madrigal Towers, where Denver’s condo is. He’s on the 15th floor. A smile crept on my lips as I remember my idol taking the elevator earlier.
“Why are you smiling?”
“H-huh?” I asked, dumbfounded. “No. uh, nothing. I just remembered something.”
“Hmm,” he hummed before he chuckles. “You are kinda different to be Denver’s girlfriend. And you look young. You sure you’re not a minor?”
“I’m 18 already,” I answered him. He just nodded, still chuckling as if he remembered something.
“Uh, Daniel?” He glanced at me. “By any chance, do you know Dwayne Smith?”
“The singer?” He furrowed, remembering something. I nodded and waited for his answer, but the elevator tinged. We got out first and while we're both walking down the hallway, I was waiting for his answer. “What about him?”
“I saw him earlier entering here. Maybe you know which floor he is?”
His eyes kept longer on me. I stopped when we were in front of the door of Denver’s condo. He smirked after and shook his head. I just timidly smile and nodded at him before I opened the door. But before I could do that, someone opened it already. Denver’s eyes already met mine. His brow furrowed and his jaw clenched as he glanced at Daniel then back to me.
I waved my hand at him and pointed to Daniel who carried our lunch and my things.
“I will eat here, dude.”
Daniel entered the condo first before I followed him. But before I could even take a step, Denver holds my wrist and pulled me closer to him. He came closer to my face that our noses almost touch. My back was leaning on the door as my eyes keep eye contact with his gray ones.
“You’re making me hate you more, Sharmienne.”
The way my ears immediately captured his voice, it was clear yet controlled. I can’t deny that for the first time, I felt goosebumps with his cold voice. His gray orbs were screaming danger that I didn’t know when it happened. I don’t know but it was a different feeling when I am with him right now.
“I-I didn’t do anything,” I mumbled, almost out of breath. His face was still close to me. With just a single move, he could kiss me. “D-Denver.”
He sighed. “You didn’t wait for me, huh?”
“I thought you were busy.” I furrowed as I look at him. He still has that look he had earlier.
“I called you, but you didn’t go back nor wait for me, young lady.”
I looked down and simply nod at him. “I’m sorry.”
I thought I can’t disturb him. He was too busy working on his laptop. I just don’t want to be a burden to him.
“Enough with your apologies.”
I nodded before I smiled at him. He stared at me with his usual expression in his eyes when I first met him. His lips curved a little, forming a smirk before I felt him pinch my cheeks with both of his hands.
“Denver…”
He sighed before he cupped both of my cheeks with his large veiny hands. It covered my face fully. I can feel his calloused palms against my cheeks, yet it gives me a tingling sensation in his touch. My smile widened and my cheeks lifted and it may looks fluffy in front of him. I can even feel it blushing with the way his eyes lingered on me.
“You’re too good to be kept, Sharmienne.”