Feeling lost at the situation I'm in right now, I let my body be swallowed by the soft down covers of the bed. Does my family know where I am? Does my friends know? What will be of my work? Why am I even in this strangers house? A stream of questions flooded me all at once that my head starts to pound. Tears started to well up my eyes but I know that I can't right now. It's not the time to be weak yet I can't fight how I'm feeling.  

 

I curled into a ball careful again not to put weight on my hand with the IV needle. I sobbed and sobbed. Maybe I just need to let it all out. It might clear my head and I'll be able to think straight after. I tried to stifle the sound of my sobs. I don't want to bawl like a baby. 

 

Eventually, after sometime crying I have exhausted what little energy I had and drifted off again to sleep. 

 

I woke up to the warmth of soft fingers on my face. I stirred and then the warmth was gone. My eyes fluttered open to see a beaming face before me.  

 

"Aaaahh!" I cried startled at the nearness of his face. I grabbed my blanket to hide my face like a child. Is he trying to kiss me? What a pervert!  

 

"Hey!" Damian said with a chuckle. "What are you hiding for? I'm not a ghost." He was tugging at the blanket. Amusement obvious in his voice. 

 

I lowered it enough to take a peak. "What the hell are you doing?!! You scared the crap out of me!" 

 

"What did I do to you? You're the one that's scaring me." He managed to say in between laughter.   

 

I lowered the blanket to expose my whole face then after a brief moment I covered myself with it again. I heard him stand and sat on the bed. His weight was welcomed by the mattress but not by me. I started to nudge him off with my knee. 

 

"Do you think a blanket can protect you from me?" His voice was suddenly so close. I realized his mouth is near my ear. I could feel 

 the hotness of his breath against the thick cloth. His voice was serious and lacks any sign of laughter. It sent tingles through my spine. My heart began to race. I'm doomed. What is he going to do next? 

 

Suddenly he grabbed the blanket and freed it from my grip. He looked at me closely as if examining me. His face was so stoic. It wouldn't show any sign of what he might be thinking. I was about to ready myself to scream when a frown crossed his face. 

 

"Are you crying?" He asked and this time his voice is laced with worry. "I didn't mean to scare you." I felt his thumb brush a tear that's about to roll down my cheeks. 

 

"I did scare you didn't I? I'm sorry." He apologized as he scratch his head. "Here" he said as he helped me into a sitting position. He carefully propped a pillow on my back. He checked if I'm comfortable and when satisfied he sat down facing me on the bed. His strong hands lingered on my shoulders for a while. I kept silent taking in all his actions. He doesn't seem like a psycho. He was gentle when assisting me. Is it bad that I thought of him as a mad or deranged man? 

 

I realized he was staring at me. I looked into his eyes trying to gauge how should I react to this person.  

 

"Sorry." I muttered. 

 

He shook his head slowly. "Don't be. It's all me.  I should have been more careful with your state and all that. I'm the one who needs to apologize." 

 

I gave him a faint smile. Maybe Ill try being nice to him to be able to know where am I and what he's planning. I started to create my plan of action but he interrupted my thoughts. 

 

"Krystal, I hope you could find it in your heart to forgive me. I made a terrible mistake and you being here was all my fault."  

 

" I-I don't understand. What are you talking about?" This man sure knows how to be enigmatic. I cant seem to read him. One moment he's all laughter like a school boy then drop dead serious and now is that remorse in his face? 

 

"I'll tell you everything but I hope you would not hate me for it." He looked at me. His eyes pleading and asking for permission. I nodded. 

 

"At the party, if you remember I bumped into you on my way to find Mr. Kamiyoshi." Upon hearing those words the memory came back to me. I was just about to head to the ladies room when I bumped into him causing my cocktail to spill on my dress. He was so apologetic that he escorted me to the hallway going to the ladies room. He did say he was about get to Mr. Kamiyoshi, our company's CEO, to greet him. The party was the CEO's birthday party and it has been a tradition for him to throw a party with all his employees and business acquaintances. It was one way for him to reach out to his employees and foster camaraderie within the different departments. He was at the foot of the stairs talking to some bigwig advertisement people. I thought that Damian was one of the business acquaintances of Mr. Kamiyoshi back then because he has that air of authority and judging by the suit that he was wearing he really does play the part. I told him to go as I don't want him to hover over a mere employee like me instead of spending time with the CEO who is obviously the most important person in the room.  

 

He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a dark blue handkerchief and started dabbing it on the stain on my left shoulder. He was so near that I could smell his cologne and a few strands of his hair is brushing my chin. It made me uncomfortable that he is doing that. I snatched the handkerchief from him and said that I'll do it instead and again I tried to politely dismiss him. He then gave me a quizzical look and a faint smile spread on his lips. He lifted his fingers to my chin and nudged me to look up.  

 

"You have the same expression that you had back then." It was Damian. He was staring right into me, amused. I realized I'm still on the bed in this strangers' house. I steadied and willed myself to talk calmly. 

 

"What expression are you talking about?" I asked while furrowing my brows. 

 

"That does not matter right now, does it?"  He snickered. Today, he is wearing a light blue knitted sweater and it looks like it's one size larger than that of his frame but  he appeared more relaxed in it. He paired it with a khaki colored casual pants and I noticed he was barefoot. His hair is a bit of a mess but I'm guessing he just hand combed through it.   

 

"Look Krystal, what I'm trying to say is..." His words trailed off and I saw him lightly scratch his head. The gesture could have been endearing if I hadn't known any better. It clearly tells me that he is nervous but why? I did not speak. I just sat there waiting. Let him do the talking for now. 

He is now fidgeting with his fingers. Seriously, should I even be scared of this man? He looks like he won't do me harm. I've been here for how many days and judging by the state of my health, he clearly took care of me. At that moment, I noticed that the machines that use to be beside me are gone now and so is the IV on my hand. I unconsciously touched my hand. It feels a bit sore and a little bruised red spot is the only evidence that the needle left. 

 

"I would perfectly understand that you would despise me after hearing me out. That night, I just went to the party to fulfill my obligation in business and I met the person I least like to meet. I only escaped from her because of the excuse that I needed to talk to Ryo and then I bumped into you. While we were on the hallway she saw us." He stood and walked towards the glass door. 

 

"After you headed to the ladies room, she confronted me and asked me who you are. I just answered with a smile and told her you have nothing to do with her and that she needs to only stay away from you. I know what kind woman she is so I don't want her to even set her sights on you. I was trying to protect you but it was the other way around." Even if his back is turned from me, I could feel frustration written on his face. 

 

"And how did I caught up in this? Why am I here? That was the first time that I've seen you." I asked as I started to get up. He must have heard the ruffling of the sheets and he suddenly turned and came to me.  He helped me to sit on the bed and he sat just a few inches beside me. 

 

"You see, there has been rumors in the business world that I'm seeing someone. I never denied it nor confirmed it. That's how I always do it." He started. 

 

"That doesn't answer what does that have to do with me?" I adjusted so I'm facing him. I'm about to continue on when he looked at me sternly and it made me stopped. 

 

"Listen woman." His voice has grown firmer and at that moment he seemed to be dangerous and something in my head told me that I should thread carefully with this man.  

 

"I'm trying to explain things here so that little head of yours could understand, but you know, you do keep interrupting me with your questions. I will answer them all just be patient." 

 

"Sorry." I muttered under my breath. Fine! You get to speak for now but after that you sure will hear a handful from me. I promised myself. 

 

"As I was saying, that woman is someone I'm supposed to marry but things turned sour between us and I called it quits. Before the party, I know she was in the US and I was surprised to see her there. When she saw us..." He turned his gaze to me. I know he is calculating the pros and cons of what he is about to say and I just sat there waiting for the inevitable. 

 

"She apparently heard about the rumors and she thought that I am seeing you." I gasped and is about to say something when his features turned cold again as he shook his head motioning me to not interrupt him. 

 

"I was talking to Ryo downstairs when you fell and I saw her. I immediately knew that she has something to do with your fall. I was the one who took you and rushed you to the hospital. I knew then that I have pulled you in a difficult situation. I got the footage from the CCTV and my guess was cemented. I don't know if you would remember or noticed then but she stepped on the hem of your dress making you lose your balance and fall down the stairs." He let out a deep sigh and took my hand in his. He looked me straight and squeezed my hand. I tried to rack my brain and go back to the time before I fell. Is it really true. That girl did that thing to me? That bitch... 

 

"Krystal..." Damian squeezed my hand again to break my chain of thoughts. "..I brought you here because I don't want the media to feast on you. I know how hostile they can be. They'll devour you each chance that they get. I don't want that for you. I respect you and I don't want to subject you to a world that I know would overwhelm you." 

 

He raised his hand and they found my chin. He raised my chin and we locked eyes. "As much as I want you to not get plunged in my world but you already are and the only thing I know how to shield you from any of it is to keep you by my side." I was not ready for any of the things that he said and I stiffened. I saw the corner of his lips curl. Gazing at those warm hazel eyes, I felt his sincerity but his smile could mean another thing.  

 

"That accident Krystal made you my fiancé or you would say an accidental fiancé."