[Phoenix' POV]


My head was pounding because I haven't had enough sleep last night. I kept on thinking how can I convince Alan to undergo an eye surgery knowing what had happened on our first meeting. It was a disaster!

I looked at my alarm clock at the bedside table. It says 7:25 AM. I should be in the office. Doing stuff. My friends/colleagues thought I was on tour with one of our new bands that just signed up with us. They don't know the conspiracy that I have with the president of the company.

I suddenly remembered Jessica, she's my closest friend in the department. We used to be on tour with our favorite band, Sleeping with Sirens and made good friends with them. When I phoned her and said that I have to be on the road with Alive Like Me band as they just recently released their single, she can tell I was lying. I know that she's been a good friend and faithful to me. But knowing her, she might tell the whole building. Most especially that she have this HUGE girly-crush with Alan.

I just finished taking a shower and came down the stairs.

My mind still can't hang of what is really happening. When I came back to reality, I suddenly realized, "Where the hell is the kitchen?!" I lloked around hoping that someone can point me to the right place. I am never a big fan HUGE houses.

I choose the left hallway instead.

Walk...


Walk...


I was in awe when I saw the garden. 'Wow!'. She never imagined that there's really a place like this. I continued to search for the kitchen.

Walk...


Walk...


Damn! Where am I? It seems like I would be needing a map. This place is like Hogwarts!

Walk...


Walk...


Shit! I'm starving!

I almost jumped in surprise when suddenly someone poked my back

It was Nana.

"Where are you going?" She was smiling at me.

"Kitchen. But I think I would be needing a map here. This place is HUGE. How many of us is staying here by the way?"

She chuckled. "Let's go. Breakfast is ready." then she grabbed my hand.

I left out a big sigh when I realized that the kitchen was just right beside the stairs.

Wow! I haven't seen so many foods on the table like what I'm seeing right now.

"Nana, Are we expecting visitors? The food is enough to feed the entire population!"

She laughed. "I like you, dear. And no, that's just for you."

"Whoa! Just for ME?" she put her hands on her hips and look straight to Nana, who's preparing what she think is for Alan. "Are you trying to bribe me?"

The old lady just laughed and continued working on Alan's breakfast.

I was already busy eating when I remembered something.

"Where's Mrs. Ashby?"

"She left last night. She said she have a meeting in London. Why?"

What the f--!! She left me?! All alone to deal with her son! Geez!

"Don't worry. I'll help you. If we need to put duct tape on Alan's mouth, and locked him in the closet, I'll support you. "

"A-are you serious?"

Again, Nana laughed. "I'm just teasing you. It looks like you're about to cry."

Without hesitation, I laughed. It's like one thing that I haven't done for a long time.

"Is that for Alan?" My lips pointed the food that she just finished preparing.

"Yes. He needs to eat first before taking his meds."

She just finished eating. "I'll do it."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded and stood up while still chewing the last piece of bread in my mouth.

"Alright then."

Silence flooded the kitchen for a minute.

"Child, I know that your first meeting with him was not good. But please Phoenix, be patient on him. Alan is a good guy. He needs us."

"Don't worry Nana, leave it to me. In case that he do something bad, I will lock him in the closet all completely bounded." and I winked at her.

The old lady just burst out laughing. "Alright, off you go then."

---

I'm on my way up to the stairs when I heard two faint voices. As I approached Alan's room, they were there, the family's two house helpersdebating on who's going to woke the guy up. I smiled.

"You go first."

"No, it's your turn today."

The girl with the long hair just scratched her head like not knowing what to do. "He will kill me!"

"And I don't want to die too."

Amused, I butt in to their conversation. Still smiling, I said, "I'll do it."

They both turned their heads at me. Surprised and confused.

"Ms. Samantha, d-did you hear us?"

She chuckled. "Yeah, just a bit. No need to worry. I'll cover for the both of you. And you're names are?"

"Len." the girl with the long hair.

"Nikki." the other girl with blue eyes. She tried to get the food tray from me.

"No! I can handle this. Just open the door for me please?"

Len hurriedly opened the door for her.

"Are you sure Ms. Sam? You know, he can turn into a monster if he woke up at the wrong side of the bed."

She laughed. "It's ok. I also turn into a monster if I'm shout at."

They both giggled. They thought that was a joke.

"Goodluck!" Nikki said before closing the door behind me.

I found Alan still sleeping under his sheets. I put the tray on his bedside table then opened the curtains. 'It's like cave in here.'

"Hey, sleepy head, wake up!"

He just changed position, still with his eyes closed.

I had a chance to stare at him. 'You're fucking gorgeous Ashby. I just hope you still know the meaning of shaving.'

I poked his cheeks hoping that he would wake up.

"Baby... honey... sweetie... darling... hey!" Useless.

'What if I put ice in his boxers?' she giggled at her idea.

When suddenly he smiled at me. As if he was dreaming.

'Shit!' His smile was to die for!

But to my surprise, he suddenly grabbed my arms and pulled me. I fell on top of him. And before I could even move, he wrapped his arms around me. He reversed our position instantly with our faces just few inches apart from each other.

We stayed like that for a couple of minutes.

I'm still in shock when he finally opened his eyes. It's like it was the time he realized my presence when he felt somebody beside him.

"Who the hell are you?"

Right there when I finally had the courage to push him away from me.

"I said, who are you?!" He's back to his old self.

I couldn't seem to find my voice. My heart was beating so fast that I could hardly breathe.

"I said who the fuck are you?!"

"I-its me..."

"Samantha? I thought..."

"You thought I left?" I didn't give him the chance to finish. "I told you, you couldn't get rid of me that easily Alan."

He scoffed and sat at the edge of his bed.

"Wait! before you get mad at me. Please eat your breakfast. Nana prepared it for you. She said you need this before taking your meds."

He didn't resist when I stood him up and placed him at the veranda. I tried to put a slice of bread in his mouth but he was fast. He held my hand away from him.

"Don't bother, I can do it." He said in a cold voice.

"Okay." I don't want to argue. As long as he will eat.

She thought he will eat by himself. But after a couple of decades, he's still not touching his food.

"Hello! Earth to Alan Ashby?! Are you still there?"

"I'm not hungry. Just leave me alone."

Geez! Here we go again!

"Alan, please eat. You need to take your medicines."

"Are you deaf?! Or just stupid? You want me to repeat what I've just said? I'M NOT HUNGRY! Just GET OUT!"

"Fine!" I stood up and brought the tray of food with me.

Alan stood up but he lost his balance that he almost fell down. Good thing I was quick enough to catch him.

It was then I realized that our faces were just inches from each other. I can literally smell him.

"If you think you can seduce me, then think again."

I felt uneasy.

"You're dreaming Ashby! Just eat. You must be starving."

"I said I don't want to eat! God! you're fucking irritating."

"Look who's talking?" she can't help but answer back.

'What am I gotten myself into.' She sighed. "Aren't you going to eat or do you want me to seduce you?"

"It won't work on me."

"Oh come on! I know you miss me Babe." I playfully touched his arms with up and down motion.

"Stop it Sam!"

Yes! It's working!' she thought. She saw how Alan reacted when she also poked her chest.

"Sam, it's not funny! Stop it! What are you, 7 years old?!"

I didn't stop. I even played with his long ginger hair.

"Samantha!"

And then I stopped. "Okay, fine!" I stood up and laughed at how he looked like.

"I'll come back if you wanted to finally eat. Ciao!"



[Alan's POV]

I could stil hear Samantha's laughter outside. Maybe laughing at her hearts content. I don't have any idea what's her plans are. She's acting really weird since yesterday. As if she's not Samantha.

Actually I'm expecting her to cry like a river and act like a drama queen while begging for my forgiveness. But the woman who showed up yesterday was exactly the opposite of her. She handles the situation very lightly without the drama. She doesn't even care if I get mad or shout at her.

Did she still loves me? Or just care about me?

Fuck! My head is killing me.

I already made a decision last night. I need to stand by it. If she wanted to stay, it's her decision. The hell I care!

Shit! He can hear his stomach grumbles. He's straving. He wasn't able to have his dinner because of Samantha.

I lied to her when I told her I was not hungry. I did that to pissed her, to get even on her.

But karma is a bitch. To make it worst, she left WITH my food. I thought she's going to leave it here.

I stood up and went to my sidetable. Since I lost my sight, I made sure to be familiar with my surroundings. I want to be on my own. Maybe the reason why I'm mad at the world because I don't want anybody's pity. I hate it!

It was just Mom who over reacts. She thought I wanted to die and all. She couldn't understand that I just wanted to find myself. Maybe this is my way of coping from the break up and tragedy.
I have my own reason why I don't want to undergo the surgery. The doctor says that I have only 85% chance to bring back my sight. But what if it didn't succeed? I don't want to rely on nothing.

Boogsh!

'Ouch!'

I slapped my face at the wall. I made a wrong move.

'Where it is?'

Fuck! "Who the hell took my water?!"

"LEN! NIKKI!"



[Phoenix' POV]


I looked at the door where we heard Alan shouting. I was with Len, Nikki, and Nana.

All of them were staring at me like it was my cue to go upstairs.

Then Alan shouted again.

"Ms. Samantha?" It was Nikki who spoke first.

"Do I have any choice?" I smiled then stood up.

I walked upstairs with the tray of food that I had earlier and opened his door.

"What's your problem baby boy?" I giggled with the name I called him.

"Did I call for you?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Where are they? Len! Nikki!"

"They wouldn't come."

"Because you told them?"

I crossed my arm at my chest. "They're afraid of you."

"And you aren't?"

"No. You don't even bite."

He smirked.

"Get me a glass of water."

"Here." I went to his mini-dining table and pour a glass of water. I placed it on his hands.

"You still need something my prince?"

"Stop it!"

"What?"

"T-that..."

"Stop being childish Ashby! You need to eat."

I didn't give him a chance to protest when I put the food in his mouth.

"Nana said you didn't have any dinner last night. And not to mention, you need to take your meds."

"Don't treat me like child." he said while chewing.

"Then don't act like one."

Alan didn't mutter a single word and just kept on eating.

Notes