Earn It

My steps came to a stop and I looked at him, wide eyes and not believing the words that he said. He only looked at me and there was no single hint of playfulness in his eyes.

”Ill pay your tuition, ” he said, voice deeper as ever. I could only swallow, suddenly feeling powerful energy from him that made me feel so little, almost as if I felt like I couldn escape from him and I just wanted to look at him.

”I-I was just k-kidding, ” I managed to say, although stuttering. I can feel the hammering of my heart; I feel breathless and powerless under his gaze, a foreign yet enchanting feeling that I first felt from someone.

”Im not, ” he said with a voice still lower than usual.

I gasped at the feeling of his hand that crawled from my waist to the curve of my spine. He used that to push me closer to him, and the proximity allowed me to smell his fresh and masculine scent. I feel intoxicated, but no chemicals are in my system. Only the way his eyes were staring at me made me feel like I lost control of myself and my rationality that I could only just look at him.

”Daddy will give anything his baby needs, ” he said and smirked mischievously.

”S-Sir, ” I tried to speak but it was like my own body is hindering me from even doing anything.

”Hmmm? ” He hummed, eyes still staring deeply into my soul.

I can speak. I can think. My head is empty aside from the thought of his eyes that are on me. I could only stare at him.

He lowered his head closer to my face then he went closer to my ear. I can feel his warm breath tickling my flesh I almost elicited a soft moan. To suppress such a scandalous act and noise, I bit my lip.

I felt the skin of his lips on my ear and I felt a shiver run down my spine from the contact.

”Im just messing with you, Miss Smith, ” he whispered playfully. He pulled away, also letting go of me from his hold, then he giggled and gently patted my head. His powerful and breathtaking aura of him completely disappeared as if nothing even happened, and just like that, I felt myself breathing normally once again.

I cleared my throat and looked away from him. I held onto the handle of the pushcart and walked ahead of him, feeling embarrassed and annoyed at the same time. I can hear his laughs behind me, and I badly want to stomp at him and replace that laugh with a cry and whimper of pain.

How can he change his aura from a powerful yet unexplainable energy to a sudden bubbly one?

”Alana, ” he called my name again, still giggling and I decided to dart him a sharp glare. He laughed more. ”Yah! Come on, I was just messing with you. ”

I sighed. ”Whatever, Mr. Andrews. Lets just get this over with. I want to go home, ” I grumpily told him as we finally made it in the line to the cashier.

Back at his home, we fixed the things that he bought.

I looked at the meat and then looked at him hesitantly. ”I don know how to cook a steak, ” I admitted.

He smiled. ”No worries. Ill cook then. ”

I nodded and looked at the time on the wall clock. Its 6:30. I guess it wouldn hurt to leave a little earlier than usual. ”I guess I can go home then? ”

He shook his head. ”Nope. Stay and eat with me, ” he looked at me and gave me a kind smile. ”Special offer, Alana. After all, Auntie is not here. I hope you don mind keeping me company for longer. ”

”This will be overtime for me then. Will I get paid for it? ” I joked again but this time, it didn bring awkwardness.

Mr. Andrews chuckled. ”You
e unbelievable. But fine, since this is still your work premises, you will get overtime pay. ”

My eyes widened and I looked at him, surprised. ”I meant that as a joke but thank you so much, Mr. Andrews! ” I happily said and bowed at him.

I watched him cook, and the two of us are still also conversing with each other. I honestly don feel any kind of awkwardness around him anymore. As I got to know him, I could only just learn how perfect he is as a person. He is really a nice guy, funny even, and its still a surprise to me that hes single despite being so eligible for marriage.

”Mr. Andrews, may I ask why you
e still single? I mean, I hope you don mind me asking but if you don want to answer, its fine, ” I asked.

He placed the tongs down after he had flipped the steak and looked at me. ”I don do romantic relationships. Thats all I can answer you. ”

”Why not? ” I asked innocently.

His gazes on me darkened but he also seemed to hesitate on giving me a response. ”I doubt youd even understand, ” he answered nonetheless. He looked away afterward and focused on the steak.

”Since youve gotten personal, may I also ask about your dating history? ” He asked while spooning the liquid goodness on the pan to the top and exposing part of the meat.

”Im single at the moment but not ready to mingle though. ” I heard him chuckle at that. ”But I have two exes, and my previous one was a cheater thats why we broke up. Im not searching for a new one right now, but I hope my next relationship will last long, hopefully, my last too. ”

He looked at me and yet again, theres something unexplainable in his eyes but this one is different from the previous heavy one. Im not sure what it is exactly but it seems to me that he is somewhat disappointed or disheartened.

”You deserve so much better, ” he said, voice heavy but full of sincerity. Im not sure why, but I felt like theres more to it than what he is intending to say.

He had finished cooking the steak and the spicy ramen and he placed them neatly on two plates. I insisted on putting them in the dining room, having that I already felt bad for letting him cook and even feed me.

”So about your mom, how is she so far? ” He asked, slicing the meat on his plate.

”Shes doing fine at the moment. Hopefully, she can recover soon. Its just the second stage, she still has a high chance of living, ” I answered while also cutting myself a bite-size steak.

I excitedly ate the meat and I moaned as the salty and beefy taste of it enveloped my tongue. The meat is soft and tender, and just like what Ive seen in movies, hes perfectly cooked it in medium rare. My eyes could almost sparkle at the scrumptious taste of it, and I looked at him who was giving me a satisfied gaze and grin.

”This is so good, Mr. Andrews! ”

He chuckled. ”Drop the honorifics, for now, Alana. You may call me Zephan. ”

”Okay, Sirㅡ I mean, Zephan. ” I smiled at him.

Throughout our meal, hes been very kind and light, and I sense the feeling of his friendliness that I almost no longer could feel his superiority in him. Hes mostly asking me questions and I would answer, but he would also talk about himself for some time if I do ask him something.

”Its getting pretty late. I should head home, ” I told him after I noticed the time on my phone.

He looked at his wristwatch and nodded. ”Ill drive you home. ”

I immediately shook my head. ”No, no. Ill be fine. ”

”Its late. Its dangerous for you to travel alone, ” he insisted.

I shook my head again. ”Its no big deal, really. Ive traveled by myself late at night and Ive been just fine. ”

”Miss Smith, ” his voice is now stern and his face is serious. I sighed and nodded, having left with no choice but to give in.

I washed the dishes first before we left the house. Being the gentleman that he truly is, he opened the door for me before he went into the drivers seat. He started the engine and drove me home.

”Thank you so much, Mr. Andrews. Ill see you tomorrow, ” I thanked him before getting out of his car.

”Zephan. ” He corrected, making me chuckle.

”I might get used to it so Ill stop now. ”

He only smirked at that. ”Ill see you tomorrow then, Miss Smith. ”

I waved my hand at him before I closed the door then I went inside the house, concluding my day.

***

”Bring this to table 7, ” my co-worker suddenly passed me the tray that she was holding. ”I really have to use the bathroom. Sorry, ” she apologized and immediately rushed her way to the said place.

I just shrugged it off and went to the table along with the tray filled with different kinds of meat. As I went to the said table, I was surprised to see Mr. Andrews sitting there along with surprisingly good-looking men.

I went beside him since it is the nearest spot and the cleanest area on the table to have their orders placed down. I tried to keep my gaze out of his own, placing their food on the table while I hoped that he wouldn notice me. Its not that weve been on bad terms for me to avoid him, but I just feel awkward to suddenly see him here in this barbeque restaurant.

I saw in my peripheral vision that he lifted his face up at me, and the way that he is staring at me told me that he has already recognized me. How can he even not when my hair is neatly up in a tight bun? But he didn say anything and just continued conversing with the people that he is sharing the table with.

”Miss, can you also give us 3 bottles of soju and 2 bottles of beer? ” The man with dimples and dragon-like eyes sitting at the opposite end of the table asked. I nodded and excused myself to grab their new orders.

I went to their table and placed the alcoholic beverages and a bucket of ice on it.

”Nice seeing you again, Alana, ” Mr. Andrews whispered as I did my job. I gave him a look and I slightly nodded with a smile to address him.

While Im not occupied, being that there aren people ordering at the moment, I went to the counter and chatted with my colleagues for a while. They
e talking about the seven hot men in table 7, and I decided to just shut my mouth after they started taking their picks on whos their type.

However, I gazed at every man at the table and I couldn help but feel amazed by how attractive they are. They have different looks and charms, but they all hold the same level of great charisma and attractiveness to them. In fact, they seem to even complement each other. They also don look like they are even going to the same location as everyone is dressed differently. One is dressed casually, one is dressed decently but comfy, one is dressed like he just went out from a meeting, etc.

They look like a male K-Pop group.

My phone vibrated inside the pocket of my jeans, averting my attention to the seven males. I immediately fished it out and answered my sisters call.

”Hellㅡ ”

[Alana! Mom suddenly fainted!] She sobbed.

As if the world stopped and froze, I felt my heartbeat stop and my body freeze at the same time. I almost lost my grip on my phone but Apple continued talking as she cried and I tried my best to stay strong and composed.

[I already called an ambulance so they
e on the way but, Alana, Im scared!] Her voice was cracking and shaking as she spoke. [Please come, Alana! Im scared! What if Moms canㅡ]

”Don even continue what you
e trying to say, ” I said sternly, and I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I balled my hand and I could feel my nails digging into my skin, trying my best to stop myself from breaking down. ”Im on my way, Apple, ” I said and immediately ended the call.

I looked at my colleagues who are now worriedly looking at me. ”Please tell Miss Baek that I need to rush home. Something happened to my mother, ” I quickly explained to them then rushed my way to the locker room to get my things, and immediately after, I went outside.

My tears had begun flowing down my eyes as I worriedly thought of my mom. I worriedly thought of the negative what-ifs and hoped that what Im thinking is not happening at the same time. My body is once again shaking and my heart is once again breaking.

I began running my way to the bus stop but only after a few steps, I felt my shirt being pulled back, making me stop in my tracks.

”What?! ” I yelled angrily and faced my back to see the person who pulled me and I saw Mr. Andrews worriedly looking at me. My face of anger immediately dropped at the sight of him, and he seems to not even care about my sudden outburst at him.

”Where are you going? Ill drive you there, ” he insisted and I feel too weak and vulnerable to even say anything and argue with him.

”Im going home, ” I said to answer his question.

We ran towards the parking lot and quickly got inside his car. He drove fast, well aware that something isn right as I am currently a crying mess inside his vehicle. My shoulders are shaking as I cry, and I shake my leg and clasp my hands together in anxiousness.

My phone rang again and I immediately answered Apples call.

[We
e in the ambulance on the way to Hope hospital. Lets meet there.]

”Hows mom? ” I asked, and the shaking of my leg became faster as worry ate me more.

[Shes fine at the moment but until the doctor has checked on her, we are still to find out if she really is.] She sobbed again.

”Okay, Apple. Im on my way. Take care of yourself and Mom. ” I ended the call and sighed. At least I know that shes already in the hands of healthcare practitioners.

”Lets go to Hope hospital, ” I told Mr. Andrews. He took a U-turn and stepped on the gas more, increasing the speed of his car.

He held my hand which took me aback. I looked at him, confused, and he gave me a reassuring glance as he comfortingly squeezed my hand. He didn talk, but somehow his kind and comforting gesture made me feel a little less anxious.

Soon, we reached the hospital and we immediately rushed to the emergency room and tried to find my mother and sister. A few minutes of searching later, we found Apple outside of the emergency room, crying on her own. I immediately rushed to her and wrapped her in my arms, causing the both of us to finally let go of all our tears and breakdown. I can feel her body shivering as she embraced me tightly, and I did the same to help me gain some strength and courage to still hope for the better.

”How is Mom? Where is she? ” I asked Apple after the both of us had calmed down. I let go of her, sat down beside her, and held her hand instead.

”Shes already gained back her consciousness on our way here and her doctor is currently running tests on her, ” she informed me and squeezed my hand. ”Alana, I don want to think negatively but what if her cancer has gotten worse? ”

I could only sigh and squeeze her hand back. At this point, I don know what to think anymore.

I have always been a positive person, and my friends and family say that thats one of the things that they admire about me. I am always optimistic about things and I try to find the good in the bad no matter what. I get sad, but it has always been in my trait to also find a reason behind it to feel relieved or happy, believing that everything does always happen for a reason.

However, theres not always an answer to certain questions about the reasons for such events. No matter how hard I try to find the answers to these whats and whys, I never seem to catch even a hint of it.

Whats the reason why my mother has to suffer like this? Why did my father have to die a sudden and unjustified death?

I don know anymore. I feel so lost and hopeless at this moment, and I don know what to think anymore.

I felt Mr. Andrews pat my shoulder, making me look at him. I almost forgot that hes with me. He gave me a gentle smile but I couldn find myself returning the favor.

”Whos Mr. Handsome? ” Apple whispered and her tone sounded too enthusiastic and alive for the current situation we are in. It is as if she wasn crying a while ago.

”He is my employer, Mr. Andrews Zephan. Mr. Andrews, this is my sister, Apple, ” I introduced them.

”Pleased to meet you, Apple. ” He reached out his hand for a shake and Apple flirtatiously shook his hand. ”The pleasure is mine, handsome. ”

I nudged her and gave her a glare but she just pouted at me while taking her hand back.

”Are you sure he is just an employer? ” She whispered to me again, earning another glare from me. I hissed at her too, making her finally stop.

Soon later, the doctor came to us with a clipboard in her hand. Just the sight of her made our nervousness and worry come back. I anxiously grabbed the hem of my shirt and looked at her.

”Mrs. Smiths daughters, am I right? ” The doctor called and both me and Apple nodded. We stood up and bowed at her.

”Bad news or good news, what do you want to hear first? ” She asked us and I was the one to immediately answer. ”Good news first, Doc. ”

She looked at her clipboard and then looked at the both of us again. ”So far, the reason for her fainting was only caused by the certain side effects of her medications on her body. More importantly, your mothers cancer is still operable. ”

”Whats the bad news? ” I asked immediately, already preparing myself for the worst by holding onto my sisters hand once again for comfort and strength.

The doctor sadly looked at us and said, ”The cancer cells in her breast have started spreading further, and I am sorry to say this, but her cancer is already in Stage 3B. ”