Paparazzi
Blinding lights welcomed me the moment I opened my eyes. The feeling of dizziness is gone now. I can say I’m feeling much better than a while ago. Then it’s the only moment it sunk in to me. I fainted, I blacked out in the parking lot.
I scanned my surroundings and saw a man standing beside my bed. My Aciel. I smiled in relief of seeing him. Both of his arms are crossed in his chest while he stands there. He’s still wearing his corporate attire, so I’m guessing he came straight from work. He didn’t say any words when he saw me, he didn’t smile back as well.
”What happened?” I asked.
”You blacked out. Sibal took you here. He called me.” he said with a deep flat tone.
I don’t know why I felt the unexplainable nervousness hearing his tone.
”How long have I been sleeping?”
”Whole afternoon.” he uttered.
I sighed and didn’t reply. He walked to the direction of the red button and pressed it. I just look at him intently because I feel like there’s something wrong. I fell into deep thoughts, going back to the pages and looking for the things that he must’ve known.
That thought was cut when the door opened and two people came in. I saw Sibal from outside, and opened the door for them. I think it's the Doctor and the nurse.
”Good afternoon,” the Doctor greeted the both of us.
The nurse beside him immediately came into me and took my vitals while the doctor proceeded with some talking.
”There’s nothing much to worry, Mr. Evans. She just needs enough rest and to release some stress that’s giving her a hard time. She might not feel it herself but her body shuts down automatically when her body has reached its limit.”
Instead of listening to the doctor, I kept an eye on Aciel. I just feel like there’s something wrong with him.
”She can go home now and I recommend enough rest.”
”Thank you. Please let me know if something came up,” Aciel answered.
”My pleasure, Mr. Evans.”
That’s how their conversation went and the two people went outside again. Silence reigned in the whole room when the two left. I didn’t know how to start a conversation and I wasn’t sure how I should act in front of him. I think this is the first time I saw him this way.
”Do you need anything?”
My lips parted, I looked at him with my amused eyes, thanking the heavens that he talked to me.
”I’m fine.” I smiled lightly. “I’m sorry if you have to go here and leave your work. I didn’t know something like this would happen.”
He stared at me right in the face. I blinked the nervousness away because he didn’t react to my words which made the situation heavier.
”You can go home now. I’ll let Sibal drive you home so you can have enough rest.” He shifted his position when he said that.
I was stunned. Sibal will drive me home? But what about him?
”U-uhm,” I got a bit frantic. “Y-you’re not yet gonna go home?” I asked.
His broad back is the one that’s facing me. I stare at his back waiting for his answer because he’s about to go out. And for me, that’s unusual. That’s odd. That’s not him.
I celebrated inside when he turned his head and faced me again. Still, with his cold eyes. I thought he’ll say something, yet he didn’t say anything. Instead, he just walked back into my direction and leaned to kiss me.
My face reacted with so much anticipation that he’ll kiss me on the lips but I only got disappointed when his lips landed on my temple. He left me without a word.
I couldn’t focus the whole time of my stay here. There’s definitely something wrong and I’m not gonna be sane until I know what’s the matter.
”Sibal, uhm… do you know where Aciel went?” I asked Sibal when we were in the car going home.
”No ma’am.” he answered plainly.
”Did he tell you anything, perhaps? Just about anything.”
He eyed me. “He told me to take you home and order food from the chef.”
My lips parted because that’s not what I’ve been wanting to hear. But since Sibal seems honest, I believed him.
When we arrived home, Sibal assisted me and made sure I was safe. I kept on pursuing him so that I’m fine and I can manage. I’m honestly feeling fine and the only thing that bothers me is Aciel.
I tried to message him only to see my phone out of power. I grunted and charged it in my room and decided to use it later. A few more minutes after, Sibal arrived with the food from the chef which I ate. I got so sleepy after eating so I had a nap in my room. When I wake up, it’s already dark at night. And that’s the only time I remember about Aciel, and my phone that I charged.
I turned on my phone and the moment it opened, notifications and messages popped out endlessly. I was overwhelmed by the endless notification sounds. I waited for it to stop before I fully checked it.
I tried to check the thread of Aciel and mine’s conversation but there’s no single message here. I bit my lip and anxiety came back to life again. I was still not done thinking about it when a notification popped on the above screen.
It’s from Zoey:
Since when are you gonna keep from me that you’ve been hitting with my cousin?
My eyes widened. I checked her message and found no clue in there. No way… I scanned the other notifications I got and saw the same subjects.
Top rising Model, Alia Hampton found kissing another man just days after the news of her boyfriend Aciel Evans visiting her shoots. What’s the tea about this?
My hands trembled seeing the headline of the news. Photos of me and Angelo kissing at the parking lot was attached to the headline. I gulped and shook my head endlessly. Paparazzi. Damn!
ACiel for sure knows this already. And that’s probably the reason why he’s been cold to me. Fvck! What do I do now?
