Episode 10

Fernando's POV

All I ever wanted was just a brief conversation with Micaela and then I was gone. She had answers to my past which was the reason I'm here in the first place, but getting stuck with her in an elevator is the last thing I'll ever think could happen to me. Who can change that now that it has already happened? I was so angry at her for bringing me here and getting stuck with her. I mean how can I spend more than an hour at least with her? Who even knows if help is going to come to us?

I hate staying closer with the female gender with the exception of my mom. Spending couple of minutes with them irritates me except we're talking business. What if we spend the night here together, what's going to happen? Damnit! I cussed inwardly and placed my head on the metal, this was really infuriating than one could even imagine. If only there's a signal on our phones she'll reach her ex-boss and seek for help. I was so lost in my own thoughts and drowning in my anger that I didn't even hear the low sobs coming from her until now.

I glanced down and I saw her sitting on the floor with her head buried in between her thighs sobbing. The sobs grew louder and I raised a brow at what is going on with her, why the hell is she crying? She can't tell me she's crying just because I scolded her for bringing me here, right? I stared down at her confusedly not knowing if I should calm her down or just let her be.

Have I really grown this cold not to care about someone else's feelings? I should apologize for overreacting, I guess it was uncalled for, I shouldn't have blame her for getting stuck here, it wasn't her fault, elevators can malfunction at times anyways. I heave a long sigh and squat in front of her. In as much as I hate to have a body contact with her, I gently placed my hand on her arm and she didn't bulge.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have raise my voice at you nor should I have blamed you for the company's faulty elevator" I said calmly and waited for a response. Her sobs never stopped but became even serious than it has been the past couple of minutes. I snorted in disbelief. Is this lady kidding me? I'm apologizing to her and she's slicing more onions, wow, bravo! I applauded inwardly and bit my lower lip frustratingly. Can someone remind me why I came here again?

'To get answers to your past, dumb head' my inner voice answered and I shush it to be quiet. He's right though, if I don't cool things down right now she might not feel the need to talk to me let alone answer my questions.

I have to try another way to make her stop, besides she's making the atmosphere hot and noisy. I huff out a deep breath and reach out for her hair but I refrain from touching her hair and kept my hand to myself. I tried again and I refrain for the second time. Damn! This was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life so far. It's just like I was trying to put my hand on a fire that is burning really hot.

I held my forehead with my fingers and shut my eyes closed for a moment. I just have to pretend it's not going to burn me, that's the only way to get to touch her. I flutter my eyes open and my hand gently touched her head. To my surprise it didn't burn me like I expected, I mean it didn't feel awkward when I touched her, rather all I felt was calmness. Isn't that weird?

"I'm really sorry, stop crying now, would you?" I whispered patting her hair. Her hair was silky and smooth. This is my first time of touching a lady's hair apart from my mom's, to be honest this is how far I've ever gotten close to any woman. This makes me to wonder if all ladies have a silky hair like hers, or is it just hers? The closeness between us made me sniff in her hair fragrance, the smell was really mild and nice to perceive. The smell of her perfume also hits my nose, it was a mixture of roses, notes of orange, and patchouli and vanilla. It was a lovely scent that ignited something in me to pull her closer so that I can sniff it more...but I refrain from doing that, that's not why I'm here.

I was so clouded with my thoughts that I didn't notice her raised up her head and when I did notice I removed my hand from her head and she bows it low again and sobs softly. I stared down at her wishing she would say something at least so I won't be guilty anymore.

"Why do I always have to fail in all I do? Why am I always being blamed for other's people fault? Why am I so unloved? Why am I so unfortunate? Any time I try to do what is right, it ends up badly. Do you think I'm a cursed child? Could I have been the reason my parents also died and left me all alone in this world?"

I gape at her dumfounded. I wanted her to say something but not this, why would she asks me such things? Is it because of what I said to her that made her thinks she's a cursed child? I suddenly felt bad deep inside of me and pangs of guilt watches all over me. I did not just only made this woman cry, but I also made her question her worth in this world which is so bad of me.

I didn't know what came over me, I sat down beside her and I pulled her to an embrace to my chest and wrapped my arms around her fragile body and she sobs uncontrollably to my chest.

"I.. just hate to.. keep living" she muffled to my chest hiccuping and that really cut me deep.

"Shhh, don't say anything, cry if want to but don't wish for dead. Just cry it all out" I whispered rubbing her back. My chin rested on her head and her hair fragrance hits my nose again. I sniff in her fragrance more, it made me wants to bury my face on her hair. But I just maintained my pace before I do something stupid.

Couple of minutes later, there was silence and when I gazed down at her in my arms, I noticed she has fallen asleep. What?! I almost exclaimed aloud. A woman falling asleep in my arms? Many strange things has really happened tonight. I actually had the intuition that tonight was going to be a long night when we left the club, and here we are proving my intuition right. It's quite obvious we won't be having any conversation tonight with her mood right now.

I wonder what is going to happen now? Am I going to leave the city without answers? There's no way I'm going to let that happen, in the morning we'll get to talk. I dig out my phone from my pocket and checked the time, it's 2:05am. I rolled my eyes and rested my back on the metal while Micaela was still lying in my arms. I gently lay her on my laps then I took off my jacket and covered it on body and I relaxed my back on the metal.

I shut my eyes closed trying to catch some sleep but all the things she said to me came echoing in my head causing me not to sleep and I flutter my eyes open. 'I just hate to keep living' her last words sounded like she's been hurt so much and she's tired of being hurt and wants to commit suicide. I think there's more to this lady than I use to know back in highschool. What's behind her words? Another investigation I need to do here before I leave. I shut my eyes closed and this time around I felt sleep taking charge.

***

The next morning, I woke up with the sound of fainted voices.

"Who are they?".

"They seems to be lovers. Can't you see how they're glued together?".

That statement stir me up completely and I became wide awake. My gaze first fell on Micaela who was laying her head on my turso and my arms wrapped around her arms, then my gaze travels down to the entrance of the elevator lift, there I saw more than 10persons staring directly at us. My eyes widens and I flinched from Micaela and she stirs up rubbing off sleep from her eyes. When she was wide awake, her gaze fell on her ex colleagues and her eyes widens in shock with a gasps.

We both rushed and stood up still speechless at the sight in front of us.

"Micaela Alvarado!?" One of the females exclaimed and gasps escaped from all of their mouths.

Mere looking at all of their faces I knew what was coming next, gossip! I doubt if Micaela would be able to stand it if I leave her behind to face it alone. I squint at her and grabbed her hand to mine, I bent low and picked up my jacket and with that I dragged her along with me out of that place to go take the staircase. I didn't bother saying a greeting to anyone to avoid unnecessary conversation.

When we got out of the company building, I let go of her hand immediately like it's been burning me the whole time. "I'll take a cab to the motel, you should get some rest" I said coldly without a smile.

"Thank you. Thank you for getting me out of there, I wouldn't have been able to deal with everyone in there. Can I drop you off at your lodge to show my appreciation?" she offered her voice calm and soft.

"Don't worry, no need for that" I replied not glancing her way.

"Please" she begged and I glance up at her. "Please, just this once".

I stared directly into her eyes and I saw how badly she wanted to do this, if I refuse her she might get angry at herself and start blaming herself again.

"Okay" I replied and a small smile broke on her lips.

"Let's walk back to the next block, my car is parked there" she said and I nodded and followed her.