Chapter 9

                                    

                                          
The waitress beamed as I gaped and they went into a full conversation. Cerulean apparently ordered for us because the girl rushed to the back with purpose. "What was that?"
                          
She smirked at Cindy. "That... is how you get awesome Philippine food."
                          
I was still in shock. "How did you learn the language?"
                          
She saddened. "My mom."
                          
I had tons of questions, but the way she sobered said not to pry. "Nice..."
                          
She smiled sadly. "You'll like it, as long as your not picky."
                          
I shook my head, I looked forward to this.  The older lady from earlier came over and they talked for a bit. I heard our names in the mix and could only assume we were introduced. "This is Tita Tess... she owns this place."
                          
I nodded to her. "Nice to meet you."
                          
She smiled at me and looked back at her. "Boyfriend."
                          
Cerulean grimaced. "Hinde po." I'll take that as a no. That hit my ego, but I knew it shouldn't have. They finished and she went back to the kitchen.
                          
Cindy narrowed her eyes at her. "What did you tell her?"
                          
She glanced at her. "Nothing concerning you."
                          
Soon, some dishes were set in front of us with different sauces and limes. Cerulean smiled at the people who all apparently need to be there as we tasted everything. "Masarap... salamat po."  It's delicious... thank you.
                          
They all beamed and left us to eat. "This is really good. What are they called?"
                          
She gestured to each dish. "Palabok, pansit bihon, sinagong, lumpiang shanghai, and of course, rice."
                          
I nodded. "No way I'll remember all of that."
                          
She smirked. "Probably not, but there's plenty so we can take your wife some too.... if she wants."
                          
Cindy scowled. "She won't want this... it looks."
                          
"Different... not American.... that's the point."
                          
She narrowed her eyes at her. "Gross."
                          
Cerulean chuckled. "Cleaner that what you put in that mouth of yours, I'm sure."
                          
She gaped. "Excuse me?"
                          
I glared at them both. "Do you really need to argue here?"
                          
Cerulean only shrugged and kept eating as Cindy was fuming, refusing to take another bite. "I'll eat something edible when we get back."
                          
I shook my head.  Childish... "So, your mom makes this?"
                          
Cerulean sighed. "Made, she died when I was 5."
                          
My heart ached for her. "Sorry to hear that." She shrugged again, no longer in the mood to talk. "Favorite dish?"
                          
She sat back as a small smile crossed her lips. "Kare-kare..."
                          
I tilted my head. "What's that?"
                          
She glanced at me. "Come with me here again and you'll find out."
                          
I narrowed my eyes. "On a date?"
                          
Cindy made a small strangled noise as she rolled her eyes. "No. Stop before you give her a heart attack."
                          
I chuckled. "Okay."
                          
***
                          
Other than the death glares I kept getting from the girl in front of me, dinner was pleasant. I made sure I was in the backseat, deaf and blind to the flirting in the front. I was thankful when we made it back and tried to get out, my heart sank when the door didn't budge.
                          
I bit my lip and glared at the front seat, trying to control my breaths. He got tired of you getting out on your own... relax... "Let me out..."
                          
Daniel glanced back as he tried to detach himself. "Wai-" I pulled at the handle more aggressively, but he wasn't moving fast enough so I lounged for the other door. Then, I ran into the house, past the staff, and into a room, locking the door behind me.
                          
I sunk to the ground, trying to stop the memories playing in my head. I jumped when there was a knock behind me. "Sharon... I need you to open the door." I glared at it, my heart starting to slow. "I didn't th-... please... just open the door."
                          
I went to throw the glass door wide open before unlocking it and backing away. Just in case... Daniel opened the door slowly, taking in the scene as he closed it behind him. "I wasn't thinking when I put the child lock on. I'm sorry."
                          
Wrapping my arms around myself, I stepped back as he approached and he glanced at the door behind me. "Okay..." He held his hands up. "Don't run."
                          
I stayed in place. "What do you want, Daniel?"
                          
He paused at the question. "To he-"
                          
"Bullshit."
                          
He bit his lip. "Cerulean... I'm se-"
                          
I shook my head. "Help wouldn't be trying to make me one of your pets. I'm not, I refuse to be. What do you want?"
                          
He averted his gaze. "I'm not tr-"
                          
I scoffed. "You won't even admit it to yourself. Thank you for all your help, but I can't stay here, not like this."
                          
The fact that he looked hurt only made my point clearer. "Don't do this..."
                          
"Don't do what? Leave? I'm not your pet or your wife. It shouldn't matter. You've known me what? 2 days?"
                          
He nodded. "I know, but..." He started to pace, scratching his head as he went. He sighed and met my gaze. "You're not ready... for what I want."
                          
I pressed my lips together. "I want nothing to do with it. You're married and you... I can't be a part of this."
                          
I tried to back away as he approached, but ended up stumbling. He caught me, hugging me to his chest. "My marriage is shit, those girls mean nothing."
                          
I broke free and headed for the door. "I'll be gone by Friday." He stared after me as I left. I didn't want any of this, even tried to run, but he kept bringing me back here. I didn't want to be trapped again, I never wanted to be forced to be somewhere I didn't want to be.
                          
Despite all of this, I enjoyed arguing with him and pushing his buttons. In a perfect world he would just be a normal guy, but that wasn't the case. In that world I would have come here on my own and we happened upon each other. However, that wasn't my world, it never was or would be. I had to leave.