CHAPTER 26: HIS TREAT

CHELSEA

I don't know how long I've been staring at the mirror. It's interesting to look at yourself when a dress fits you. When I was satisfied with myself, I immediately left the fitting room, and when I left, I saw Kent sitting on the sofa while waiting.

He immediately stood up and came to me.

"How is it? Is it okay? I don't know if it suits me... What do you think?" I asked.

"Beautiful..." he mumbled.

Did I hear it right? Does he think I'm beautiful? Is it me or the dress? Maybe I'm just misunderstanding things. Don't assume anything, Chelsea Leigh!

I was immediately shaken by my thoughts. "Miss, that's a total of Php. 10,599. Do you have a membership card?" The sales lady smiled at me.

Oh, right. I almost forgot that this dress is very expensive. It looks like I'll be saving up for the next few days. "I don't, I'll use my credit card," I said while taking the wallet from my bag.

I was immediately surprised by Kent's sudden hold on my hand and his words, "Use mine." He offered me his credit card.

"What are you doing? I'm—after all, I'm the one wearing it, also, I don’t want to bother you anymore. You did so much for me today." I refused his offer.

"Here miss. I'll pay." He handed his credit card to the sales lady which I couldn't stop. "After this, I have a request for you. This is my bribe in advance." He said that I was immediately surprised.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

He ignored me and started to walk out when he got the clothes in a paper bag that I was wearing earlier. "Let's go." He said. I chased him and forced him to look at me.

"Kent, first tell me what it is. Explain it to me first. Later, what will I have to do in return just because of your help..." He stopped at what I said.

He caressed his forehead and blew out the wind. "Chelsea, I have no intention of harming you. I have no such intention towards you... Can we just talk in the car? You probably know that my name is a bit noisy with people. So if you don't want us to get misunderstood here and grab some attention, let's first go to the car then talk." He said.

After all, he was right. Maybe some people might see us being together. It's sure to make a lot of noise when they were the one who made stories about us. I just nodded and we got into the car together. I noticed that the rain was milder than before. It's good that the sky is calming down.

When we got into the car, I immediately asked, "So what is it?"

"I needed your help." This is a straight answer from him.

Help? For what? What can I offer to help him?

"What do you mean?"

He smiled at me and put on his seatbelt, "Well... In the future, I'll be having a concert. I would like you to help me design a suit for me."

"What? My design?"

Is he sure? Why me? There are many great fashion designers out there who can really help him. Why me? Am I still a beginner? I haven't even entered the university I intend to study...

"Why not. I know you can do right what I ask you to do. I have confidence in you Chelsea." He said this which made my heart beat faster.

Is he crazy? Why does he seem to know me better than myself? Not even me, I don't know if I can handle it. What if I make him disappointed? It's a shame. "But I... Kent... I haven't made even one presentable design, also... I haven't gone through any professional training... So maybe it's different. There are many famous fashion designers that will help you and for sure, the designs they can offer you will be quality... Unlike me..." I said while bowing.

"Alright alright, don't be negative about that. It's not even there yet. You immediately think of yourself like that, you're not even trying. This isn't the Chelsea I know. Try it first, is that possible? Don't you immediately lose confidence in yourself. I'm sure you can do it." This calmed me down and the car started to run.

"Eh because..." I couldn't continue what I was going to say when he suddenly spoke again.

"For this performance, I have many music fans coming from all over the world. That's why I have a lot of confidence in you that you can do it well. Don't you?"

I don't know what to answer. I don't want to say a word that I will regret in the end. But if I'm always like this, I always don't trust myself and don't leave my comfort zone, how can I learn? How can I grow?

"I agree..." I said and he immediately looked at me as if he was expecting this, "don't worry, I won't let you down."

"That's the Chelsea I met. Because of that I'll treat you to dinner." He said and immediately turned the steering wheel.

"What are you doing, stop… you already did a lot for me today. It's embarrassing." I said shyly while scratching my head.

"It's the last time. I'm really hungry and it's not good to see if I'm the only one to eat, isn't it? So just chill there. It will be my treat." He added.

It's a shame, it seems like I've become too much of a burden for him today. I will be really good at designing what he will wear for his concert so that I can at least make up for the kindness he showed me.

While on the road, I noticed that something vibrated in my bag. I immediately looked for it and when I saw that it was my cell phone, I immediately opened it. Shit! 15 missed calls from Redemon. Why didn't I notice this earlier? You're so stupid, Chelsea... Why is my phone mute... I'm so tired of this again. I have to go home.

"K-kent... Can we eat dinner next time? I need to go home..." I said weakly to Kent. He looked at me with surprise on his face and when his eyes focused on the phone I was holding, it was as if he understood what I meant.

"Is that so? Alright, it's fine. I'll take you home." He said with a smile.

I don't know how long we were on the road, but because of my nervousness, I felt like it took longer to get to the mansion. I'm sure when I go home, that demon will spit fire on me.

I noticed that we were already inside the villa. It's good and I'm almost home. "Just go straight..." I said to Kent. He followed my instructions and finally, we arrived. I immediately removed the seatbelt and got out of the car. "Thank you for today! Be careful when you go home!" I said to Kent before running into the mansion.

When I got inside, I noticed the silence inside the mansion. Where are the people? I went straight to the living room and I was very surprised to see Redemon sitting there with an obviously bad expression on his face.

"Uhh—have you eaten yet?" It was out of my mind to ask him.

He just smirked at what I said and looked at me from head to toe, "your clothes look pretty nice." He said while letting go of his silly smile.

How can I escape this Redemon? Think, Chelsea Leigh... Think! "....Umm, I'm about to go upstairs, if you're hungry I will just ask Manang Fe to cook for you." I said bravely and immediately went up to my room.

Those are great views. It's like the time of my death is being set...

Why didn't I notice that he was calling? Even if my phone is on silent, I will definitely notice. It's because of the vibration but why didn't I notice it?

Why is he calling me? Did something happen? Did he need me earlier? Argh—what should I do...

I looked at my phone staring at Redemon's missed calls. Hey, why do I feel like I have to choose between death now or death later... My thoughts blew me away. I can not do anything. I can't just avoid him. The problem will only get worse.

I was about to leave my room when it suddenly opened by itself and I was very surprised that it was Redemon who opened it.

"Uh—do you need something?" I nervously asked him.

He smiled and entered my room, "Am I required to need something first before entering my wife's room?"

I swallowed my saliva at what he said. Is this really the day of my death?

"Sit down first, I was just about to go look for you..." I offered to him.

He followed my offer and while sitting, his attention seemed to be focused on the paper bag on my table. That's the paper bag with only my dirty clothes earlier.

I closed the door and waited for him to speak but it seemed that he was also waiting for me to speak. "I was with a friend today, I didn't notice that you were calling... I'm sorry... Is something up?" I broke the deafening silence.

He faced me and stared at me with his demonic eyes. "Friend? That's fine. It's fine that you didn't notice my call. Otherwise your date with the big famous musician would have been interrupted." He said it sarcastically.

"What are you talking about? I'm not dating Kent. We're just friends. Don't be mean!" I was annoyed to answer what he said.

This man is crazy again. I just didn't answer the call and he already thought I was dating another guy? And how did he know Kent was with me? Did he follow us? He made sure to follow us. The size of the lump in its brain is really big.

"Just friends? Your friend treats you very well..." He stood up and suddenly went in front of me. "How long have you guys known each other? Your friendship is already good enough so that you can send each other expensive clothes? Can you introduce me to this kind of friend?" He said to my face.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't understand what I said? Is your brain really that weak just because you meet other men? I'm saying that I also want to make friends, the kind that specifically come to pick me up when it's raining, send and buy me clothes, and spend time with me when I'm alone." He said to me seriously.

I couldn't speak. I don't know what to say. No matter what I explain, he will definitely not believe me. Why does he think like that? Why did he think badly of me? I have no intention of flirting while we are both under contract. I'm not that kind of girl.

"What, nothing to say? Guilty conscience?" He said it even more annoyed.

I just looked down at the floor. I don't know how else to talk to him. It seems that everything I say is wrong.

I was surprised when he suddenly walked to my closet and opened it. "This is rubbish. You haven't even touched it. I haven't even seen you wear it. Seems like they aren't Miss Garcia's standards!" He said as he took all the clothes and threw them on the floor.

I immediately laughed at his actions. Am I correct? Is he jealous? He's jealous of Kent? He wouldn't act like this for nothing. "Mr. Buenavista, we are in a marriage contract. You have no right to interfere with my freedom and even less right to insult my personality. If you just came to ask about that, then please leave." I scolded him in the face but he didn't seem to move. "Fine, I'll leave." I immediately took my bag and marched out.

He suddenly pulled me. "What? You still have enough pride to throw a tantrum?"

I immediately pulled my hand and he let go of me. "Maybe you. The moment you get back you ask me if I was talking to other men, am I just an unfaithful wife?! Then is my head just for show?!"

He stared at me angrily and raised his hand as if he was about to hit me.

"You want to hit me? Go on! Hit me!" I boldly told him.

He raised his hand again and threatened to slap me. I immediately closed my eyes. I was ready to be slapped by him, but after a few seconds, I suddenly felt warm lips touching my lips.