Chapter Thirty-six

Chapter Thirty-six

Don’t tell me Brandon was being traumatised by something from his past! Did it have to do with that big scar he had? I really can’t think of this right now. Brandon, traumatised? No, no. Not even possible. How could such a cute, bossy, entitled man ever be traumatised? Maybe it’s just a sad dream and it doesn’t have anything to do with his real life.

I hope so.

“You didn’t do it Bran, I trust you.” I whispered raspily with a sleep ached voice.

“Mom…?” He called sleepily and he went quiet again. I stared at his facial features dreamily as my eyelids fought back the heaviness of sleep that had been ladened on them. I felt my head hit something hard, like a muscular pillow, a strange one indeed, but I was too tired to raise my head back up, and I soon drifted to sleep, dreaming of a woman dressed in cotton wool in a very odd way, and little boys with grey eyes telling their dads they didn’t do anything wrong. And then, it was broken Brandon staring at me through cloudy, grey eyes, looking like he would burst into tears the very next moment, and the words that filled my mind were; “rude, traumatised bosses.”

* * * * *

I stretched wearily on the bed and rolled on my side, but I gasped awake as I noticed that the space beside me where Brandon laid was empty. Where could he have gone? I popped my eyes open at the realisation of a thought that crossed my mind. Could I have pushed him off the bed in my sleep?

God, I know I’m a bad sleeper, but I hope I didn’t kill him!?

I hurriedly climbed down the bed to check if he had rolled under, but he was nowhere to be found. Where did he go? Was I still dreaming?

“What are you doing by the door, Lucavo?” I heard his voice from outside the room, and a gush of relief flowed through me. Wait, did Lucavo sleep by the door all through the night? Oh no! How sweeter can anyone be!

“Take the day off.” I heard Brandon say again, and just before he could open the door to the room, I quickly climbed back on the bed, adjusting myself and pretending to be asleep. He walked into the room in slow, carefree footsteps and I could hear the sound of his feet pounding towards the bedside. I shut my eyes tightly, hoping he’d never find out that I was only pretending.

He sank into a sitting position beside me on the bed, and the fragrance of his manly scent filled my nose, awakening every sensitive spot in my body. What was this man doing to me!? I peaked one of my eyes open to steal a glance at him, but I was met with his fiery grey eyes staring ominously at me.

“Jesus!” I gasped, opening my eyes wide and slightly getting up, “What the hell Brandon? Why are you staring at me like that!?”

I asked as I tried to adjust the stray strands of curly hair on my face from getting into my eyes. He didn’t flinch or say a word, but I could see his eyes darken, and I could sense that danger was not too far.

“Miss Galena,” He called in his deep, smooth voice that both scared me and aroused me.

“Yes, Mr Brandon?” I answered softly, adjusting my weight on the bed.

“What did you do to me last night?” He asked with eyes blazing in fury. I stared back at him with my mouth agape, feeling confused and stupefied.

“Answer me!” He growled angrily. Who was going to save me now that Lucavo was not here?

“Wh-what?” I asked shakily with terror visible in my eyes.

“I think you have no regard for my consent. Who told you you could touch me when you want?” His voice was lethal, filled with hatred and anger.

“I didn’t touch…”

“You dare lie to me?” He asked angrily, cutting me off. I could barely breathe around him like that.

“You were hurt…” I was saying, but my voice trailed off, getting squeezed up in my throat.

“Doesn’t guarantee your taking advantage of me.” He said icily, peering down at me defiantly.

“I was only trying to help!” I replied angrily as his accusation hit me. Taking advantage of him? Is that what he sees me as, a molester?

“Galena Fields…” His menacing voice surged out, and for a bit, I thought I was electrocuted by it, “you might never get the chance to be warned again.” he threatened, and with that, he stood up and peeled the bandage from off his chest and tossed it in front of me on the bed before stalking off furiously. It had stains of blood on it that still looked fresh.

“Never get the chance, huh?” my subconscious asked sardonically.

Why was he punishing himself so much? I literally put my life on the line to save his life last night, and this is how I get paid? I scoffed sadly at my thoughts. I should’ve known better when it had to do with someone as mercurial as Brandon.

He walked back to me as if he had forgotten to say something. His bare chest glistened in the light and the wound was marked with stains of blood around it. His pants hung loosely over his waist in such a delicious way, exposing the V-line of his pelvis enticingly. I must have crossed to another world until his menacing voice jolted me back.

“You must have forgotten your place, Galena. Prepare to move your things to the guest room.” His words sent daggers down my soul. Forgotten my place?

“Don’t worry. I’ll just go home.” I said instead.

“Fine!” He snapped angrily and left.

“Fine?” I asked myself rhetorically and scoffed. What was wrong with him!? No arguments, no fighting, just, “fine?” really? Wow… I am really awed.

“Alright. Fine. I will just leave. He may commit suicide if he so badly wants to.” I said to myself like I was speaking to someone else.

But… which home are we talking about here? Is it the very same that’s been haunted with strange-looking hooded men?

Oh no! Brandon! Just beg me, say you’re sorry, gosh! I shouldn’t have been so fast with my words!

He came out of the bathroom with his face looking wet like he had just washed it, and his lips were pulpy and seductive like it had chocolate candies stuffed in it. Maybe he was here to say he was sorry for being harsh with his words earlier. I’ll just stay if he apologises, of course! I gave him a small smile, maybe to reassure him that I wasn’t really mad at him, and to ease the tension between us.

“Why are you still here?” he asked instead in an icy tone, and the mental life support I had on me seemed to be cut off. Wasn’t he supposed to apologise???

“What!?”