My tears started to fall as I remember what happened yesterday. Was it yesterday? How long have I been asleep? The image of Mang Domeng flashed on my mind. His wide opened eyes and the bullet that was buried on his forehead. I closed my eyes tightly and I didn't bother to wipe my tears. I covered the comforter over my head. I don't want to think of anything. I don't want to remember everything. I wish I will hit my head somewhere and forget everything that happened.

I heard the door of the room screeched open but I remained under the sheets. I don't want to see anyone. I don't want to talk to someone. I held out my snuffles so that someone will think I am sleeping.

"I know you're awake so get up," said the man. His attractive voice sent a chill on my spine. It seemed like he owned a voice that was one of the good characteristics an author would like to have in his or her main character. Base on his speech, he was in between the age of 30's and 35's.

But I remained not moving.

"Have a dinner first," he said.

Dinner? Was it evening already? I heard a clinging of plates being set in a gla.s.s table top. That was when I realized I am hungry as s.h.i.+t. I sighed. As long as I can stop myself to eat, I won't budge here. I felt my comforter was being pulled so I held it to refrain from leaving me uncovered.

"Don't be difficult, Kara Kismet Montes!" His voice roared like thunder.

My eyes widened. How did he know my name? I immediately tossed the comforter out and sat up on the bed. My hair was all over my face. Some were glued to my cheeks because of my tears.

My blurry vision was fixed on the stranger's feet. He wore blue denim pants that hugged his thighs nicely. I traveled my eyes upward. His denim s.h.i.+rt was tucked in his waist with a belt. The sleeves were folded up to his elbow showing his firm forearms. From what I knew, the watch on his left wrist was very expensive.

I blinked my eyes as I looked at his chest. He sure did a good job in working out. My heart throbbed wildly when I got to see his face. I can't help but swallow nothing. Whoa! He had blue tantalizing eyes under those thick eyebrows that made him look stern. His nose stood mighty and his lips were not thick but not so thin. His jaw was like chiseled by a sculpture that made it into perfection.

How can this man exist? I only write it in novels. I touched my cheeks with both of my hands, tapping it lightly. Am I sure this was not a dream? My cheeks sting a bit and I realized this was f.u.c.king happening.

I was pulled back on my tracks when he bended and snapped his fingers in front of my face.

"Are you listening, Kismet?"

Kismet? I did not hear someone called me that for the longest time. I clenched my fist and look at him.

"Don't call me that! And who the h.e.l.l are you?"

The stranger turned his back on me and walked over to the couch just across the bed. I followed my gaze at him and then he seated. He crossed legs and put the intertwined hands at the top of his knee.

"Number one rule when staying in this house: I need to hear no swear words. This is my place and this place is curse-free. Understand?" He said with voice full of authority.

Whoa! And who told him that I will be staying here in this f.u.c.king place? No, I need to go home and see my dad. I need to tell what happened so he can find the killer and bring him to jail. I wiped away my hair from my face and tied it again in a loose ponytail.

I shook my head side to side. "Answer my question. Who are you?"

"Just call me Kean. Your dad asked me a favor if I could let you stay. I found you in the middle of the highway and I brought you here."

My forehead creased. Who asked who?

"No! I won't stay here. I need to go to him. My G.o.d! Does he even f.u.c.king know the kind of s.h.i.+t I experienced?"

I really can't believe it. Did my father just trust this complete stranger in front of me to take care of my life? What the f.u.c.k?

"I said no swear words, Kismet!" His voice once again filled the whole room.

"I also said don't call me that!" I picked up the nearest pillow then I threw it to him. I was beyond exasperated when he wasn't hit because he caught it with his right hand.

His crooked his head a little bit and look at me with amus.e.m.e.nt. His mouth twitched. "What? You wanted to be called Kara?" He chuckled and then continued, "You're not that beautiful to be called like that!"

Then he threw the pillow back at me. I raised my two hands to catch it coolly. But f.u.c.k, it just pa.s.sed through my hands and landed on my face, instead.

My forehead and nose creased. Ah, n.o.body had ever done that to me! How could he? And what did he say? I am not beautiful to be called Kara?

"You don't know anything about Spanish, don't you? Kara starts with letter K and not the f.u.c.king C," I said. Even if my name starts with C, the word doesn't mean "beautiful".

"You do like to put every swear words in your sentences, don't you? Well, the way I call you is not connected in any ways in Spanish. Do you now understand, Kismet?"

I just closed my eyes. This man can cause dandruff, really. I inhaled and exhaled slowly as I tried to relax my nerves.

"Fine, call me whatever you want. I don't care! Now, let me go home," I said. I got off the bed and went to the door. I attempted to open it but it was locked. What the h.e.l.l? It was locked from the outside? I turned my head to Kean and shoot daggers at him. He just smirked and raised his shoulders.

"Eat first," he said and took a look at the covered dishes at the top of the table.

"Am I a prisoner here or what?" I stride at the end of the bed and sat.

He pursed his lips. "If you want to treat yourself like that, then it's up to you!" He bent forward to open the covering of the dishes.

The sweet aroma instantly filled my senses. My mouth watered as I looked at the food. I swallowed and then looked away. I can't let him see that I wanted to eat. I just want to go home and eat there.

"C'mon Kismet, don't be so hardheaded. If you can apply that to your dad, well not to me. So, eat before I do something that is may or may not against your will."

I raised my eyebrow. "And what is that?"

He stood up and walked over to me. I looked up as he towered over me. He bent forward and stared at me in the eyes. His blue eyes were like an oasis in a desert. It kept me staring into him. I wanted to look away but I can't. His eyes kept me pulling to stare back.

My heart throbs loudly when he neared his face into mine. I can smell his aftershave perfume. I closed my eyes tightly not wanting to see next.

I can feel his lips pa.s.sed through my face and landed into my right ear. I can feel the tickling of his breath.

"I'm going to f.u.c.k you senseless if you don't eat now, Kismet!"