CHAPTER 37
Yaya wakes up to the pounding of her head, as though an atomic bomb exploded in her head. The dryness in her mouth and throat felt like it was the Sahara Desert. Her eyes aches as the dim sunlight beams directly at her face. The tiniest sound sensitive to her ears.
"Ugh..." She moans loudly, squeezing her head with her petite hands, trying to massage the throbbing pain away. Trying to get a hold of herself, she laid in pain on the soft king size bed. She noticed she was in a man's night gown but she didn't think much of it. As she tries her hardest to remember last night, her head begins to pound harder. Whatever it was, she knew she wouldn't do it ever again. She's paying for it miserably.
The footsteps approaching her rings loudly in her ears.
"Well well…" A man's voice utters.
She manage to open one eye, glancing at the blurry figure that appears before her-- Eric.
"Look who's finally awake..." He chuckles at her miserable expense as he places the tray of food on the night stand.
"Ugh.." She groans in horrific pain as she tries to roll over. Bits and pieces of last night's memories seeps into her mind. Then the thought of Nadech flashes before her, sending her blood rushing. Eyes wide open now, although she was still in pain.
"How are you feeling?" Eric flops beside her, handing her a glass of water, "Here--drink some water," he tells her, "And take these. You need it." He hands her two aspirins.
She pushes the thought of Nadech aside and uses all her strength to get up, feeling worst now that she's sitting up. She grabs the glass of water from Eric and downs it, swallowing the two pills he gave her. Water never tasted so refreshing and replemishing, specially for her dry throat. She exhales deeply, trying to recall everything from last night.
"I--I..." She exhales heavily, "Should I even ask what happen last night…?" She shakes her head exhaustedly, face palming herself, "I feel … like shit..." She pouts, feeling her head pounding more than ever.
"Here-- drink some of this. My home remedy that will cure your nasty hangover…" he hands her a cup of his special remedy.
"What is it…?" she made a disgusting face, feeling as though she could puke at any second because of the awful smell. She pushes the cup away from his face.
"Don't you dare puke--" he demands, "You have to drink this. It'll definitely cure that hangover of yours."
"I-- I can't…" she covers her mouth, unable to smell the nasty fluid inside the cup.
"Just hold your nose and drink it." he tells her, giving her the demanding eyebrow arch.
She whines a bit, but she listens to Eric's instruction carefully as he gave her the death stare. Despite the creamy liquid being repulsive, she manage to finish the whole cup. Goose bumps ran up her spine as she finish the whole drink. "That is… so gross…" she utters, wiping her mouth. She reaches for the water, washing away the nasty after taste.
"Well, you wouldn't have to drink it if you hadn't gotten drunk…" he gives her the I-told-you-so stare.
She ignores him and flops back into his bed. "Why didn't you stop me…?" she moans loudly, angered at herself for drinking beyond her limits.
"And you think I didn't try?" He chuckles, "I pulled every drink away from you but somehow last night you turned into the incredible hulk and manage to steal all the drinks I've taken from you…" he extends his arm, showing him all the bruises. "These are your doing Missy…" He shakes his head.
Yaya's eyes widen, speechless. "No…" she whispers in embarrassment, covering her mouth in disbelief.
"Don't act surprise--" he snickers, "You turned into the
incredible hulk last time remember…?" He shakes his head, "Luckily you didn't rip off clothes off like last time… that would have been something…"
"Oh man…" she exhaled.
"You were so drunk, you passed out near the men's restroom." he chuckles, "I told you to wait outside the bathroom for me and I was gone for
literally 2 minutes. When I came out, you were passed out against the wall…" he shakes his head in disappointment. "So I carried you into the car."
"I'm sorry…" she utters softly, "I didn't mean to get drunk like that…"
"And Then--" he continues, "When I was buckling you in your seat, you decided you wanna take advantage of me and tried to make out with me…" Eric shivers in horror thinking about it. "Now that was the most disturbing part…" he chuckles at the thought, "Then when I carried up to my place, you were rambling nonsense and you began to cry…" his tone of voice changed.
Chills ran down Yaya's spine. The thought of Nadech strikes her like lightening. [/i]Did I utter his name last night?[/i] Her headache intensified.
"What-- what did I say…?" she ask curiously.
"Uhm…" he thought long, "You know, I don't remember…" he utters, "You were talking a lot of gibberish and it just didn't make any sense… " he scratches his head, "It was about a man… you called him a bastard… said something about unforgivable…" he shrugs, "I-- I don't remember… You were crying and talking at the same time so I couldn't make out what you were saying…" He gets up, "But it doesn't matter. You know I don't meddle in your life like that and I definitely won't ask either."
Her heart drops. She's never did tell Eric about Nadech and how she's linked to him. Although he knew Yaya was once engaged but he never questioned her or forced her to talk about it.
"Never again am I drinking…" she groans in miserable with her head hung low.
"You can drink-- Just not in front of people… or a huge crowd. That's when things go all bad--" he laughs, "Plus I think you've embarrassed yourself one too many times." he chuckles.
"Ugh…" she chuckles painfully, rubbing her templates, hoping she could erase last night episode.
"Strange though…" he rubs his chin, eyeing her suspiciously.
"What-- what's strange…?" she swallows nervously.
"I don't know…" he sighs, staring at her as though she was hiding something, "The way you got drunk last night… it felt as if you were suppressing a lot of painful memories of the past…" He pauses and shrugs.
She chuckles uneasily, "Painful memories… ??" she rolls her eyes, trying to play it cool, "Nonsense…" she starches her head, hoping she didn't make it obvious.
Eric shrugs again, "Just an observation…" he sighs, "Whatever it is, let's hope you can fix it or erase it from your memories." he messes her hair.
She swats his hand and gives him a look, "This headache is killing me…" she changes the subject quickly, "Let me get back to sleep, I feel like I've been sleep deprived for days…"
He shakes his head "By all means, go ahead--" He gets up from the bed, "I gotta clean up a bit. So if you need anything just scream for me." He smiles at her.
She nods her head and gestures for him to leave her alone. She covers a pillow over her head. Her heart's still pounding as she thought about what Eric said.
"It was almost as if you were suppressing some sort of painful memories of the past…" Eric's voice rang inside her throbbing ears.
"It's painful alright…" she sighs loudly.
"Fix it or erase it…? I'm still working on erasing it..." Her heart begins to race faster.
She exhaled deeply, closing her eyes tightly, desperately wishing for a delete button. Wishing that Nadech could be erased out of her mind. She clinches her jaw, angered by the thought of him in her head. Exhaling deeply, she closes her eyes and doses off to sleep, telling herself everything will be just fine.
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Nadech stares up at the elevator ceiling, hands clamp behind his back as he eyeballs the floor level. He's feeling impatient. Nauseous and anxious. He's on his way to Eric's apartment. Something he didn't want to do. The elevator doors finally opens as he reaches the floor of his destination. He walks out, checking observing both side of the hall. "18…28…." he utters, walking out to his right in search of the apartment. His stomach turns as he gets closer to the place he's searching for. "18… 28…" he stops in front of the apartment, staring at it as if it was the door to hell.
"Barry, sweetie, you need a photographer for next week so I already arranged it with Eric-- There's nothing to be shy about. You know Eric and he's willing to do it for free. What more can you ask for? " his mother told him. He wished Eric would leave Yaya alone, that's what he would love to ask for.
Without Nadech's approval or knowledge, his mother took the initiative to ask Eric to be apart of Nadech's auction event next weekend. He was furious about it.
How is having Eric at the event best for him? If anything, Eric was the problem-- or part of the problem. Nadech didn't want anything to do with him, despite the fact that he's known Eric since they were young. The idea of Eric being around him bother him. It rubbed him the wrong way and he can't explain why. What made it worst was the idea of Eric and Yaya being close to one another. He
hated that idea. It made him sick to his stomach. Regardless if he wasn't too fond of Eric, he knew his mother would have a fit if Nadech didn't do what his mother had ask.
He takes a deep breath, adjusting his collar as he stands in front of the apartment door. He rings the door bell and takes a step back, waiting for Eric to answer. Footsteps approach the door. He heard murmurs from the other side of the door. Eric wasn't alone. The door opens. Nadech's face is flushed as though a ghost has taken possession of his body. His throat becomes dry and he's unable to move.
"Yaya…?" He utters as she stood before him-- wearing another man's shirt, hair soaked and wet, dripping down to the floor. She stood before him looking disturbed with bugged eyes. As Nadech scope her from head to toe, an excruciating pain penetrates his heart. His knees felt weak as if they could cave in at any moment.
"Hey Yaya! Who's here?!" Eric shouts from a distance. He appears from a distance, half naked, wrapped in a towel. His body's dripping with water. "Nadech--" he shouts, walking over to him.
Nadech's stomach turns troublingly as he approaches him. All the worse case scenarios ran through his head like a never-ending marathon and he couldn't shake it from his mind. His body's frozen in time, paralyzed from head to toe.
"Hey Man!" Eric shouts with a big smile on his face as he approaches Nadech, who's still doesn't take his eyes off Yaya.
Yaya moved aside, avoiding Nadech's eyes at all cost. From her facial expression, she act as if all of this was normal.
"Sorry man-- I just got out of the shower. You're earlier than I expected." Eric tells him.
"It's-- It's fine." Nadech clears his throat, quickly glancing at Eric.
"Well, come in-- come in!" He tells Nadech in a friendly tone, "Have a seat in the living room first. I'm gonna go get change first. Make yourself at home."
Eric disappears into the room, leaving Yaya alone with Nadech. She glances at him from the corners of her eyes but she doesn't utter a word. Instead she begins to walk away from him.
Nadech grabs her hand hastily, "Wait--" he utters, swallowing hard. His mind spins with the unthinkable-- horrified by what they
could have done or even what they
possibly had done.
"Let go--" she snares at him, giving him the angry stare.
Anger flushes in his blood stream but he doesn't let her go. Instead he pulls her closer to him, grabbing her arms tightly with both hands. He's filled with uncontrollable rage, "You've been gone for two years and
this is the kind of person you turned in to…?" He raises his voice a bit as he clinches his jaw.
She snickers mockingly, gazing into his furious eyes, "And what kind of person have I turned in to…?" She smirks devilishly, "I hope you're not
thinking what I think you're thinking…" She raise an eyebrow at him, "Because you know... seeing is believing right…?" She chuckles lightly.
Nadech grips tighter as he stares into her taunting eyes.
She's changed. He thought to himself.
She's not the same person I once knew. He's still staring at the woman in front of him, unable to believe what she's saying. Then in the heat of the moment, he pulls her closer to him, "Are you that
desperate for a man's attention and affection that you resulted in this…?" He clinches his jaw, staring her angrily.
Yaya's jaw drops, heart sinks to the ground as she stares at Nadech furiously. Her blood's blowing a gasket. She uses all her strength to fight him off. She takes a step back from him, disgusted by his words. In an outrage, she pulls her hand back to lay one across his face but his reflex were faster than her hand can swing. He grabs her swinging hand, twists behind her back as he locks both of her hand. He pulls her body closer to him, gripping tightly onto her wrist.
She lets out a silent cry, mouth drop to the floor as Nadech pulls her body closer to his. He's gotten bold. More aggressive and she isn't sure where it was coming from.
"Let… Go…" she muzzled through her teeth, trying to fight him off but he's got a tight lock on her.
"Let me ask you something…" He pulls her closer to him, pressing his lips against her ear and whispers, "Is that what you've been doing for the past 2 years…? Is this your way of getting a man's attention nowadays...? Get drunk so he can take you back to his place and do the dirty deed...?" He snickers in her ear.
Chills ran down her spine, raising the hairs on the back if her neck. Her heart beats faster by the second as she tries to loose his grip. She clinches her jaw, feeling the anger inside burning. Swallowing hard, she plays it cool. Letting out a soft chuckle, she snickers, "Why…? Jealous that
Eric and the other guys I've dated might
actually be better than you…?" She bit her tongue, smirking at him from the corner of her eyes. She won't go down without a fight.
Furious, Nadech's blood boils with rage as he clinches his jaw. Without hesitation, he pushes Yaya off of him, feeling disgusted and hurt by her words. She bumps into the corner of the bookcase, which stabs her stomach. She clamps at her stomach, feeling the sharp pain as she retains her balance.
Oww… she moans silently as the pain intensify. Nadech's harsh demeanor surprised him.
Foot steps grows louder. "Alright…" Eric's voice can be heard getting closer, "Sorry about that…"
Yaya tries to erects her body but the pain still stung, forcing a smile on her face Eric walks out.
Nadech clears his throat, clinching his fist in anger but he tries his hardest to calm down. His eyes stay glue on Yaya, who's smiling from ear to ear as Eric.
"You two still haven't move?" Eric chuckles, staring at Nadech and Yaya oddly.
"We're-- We're just waiting for you, that's all." she tells him quickly with a smile.
"I guess…" he shakes his head, "Let's go to the living room then-- You first Nadech," Eric gestures for him to go.
"Hey Eric--" Yaya calls him, "I'm just gonna go. I don't wanna interrupt your business talk with him so I'll catch up with you later." She forces a smile but pain suddenly pinches her at her abdominal.
"You sure? It won't take long. After I'm done, I can take you home." He ask Yaya, suddenly noticing Yaya clamping onto her stomach, , "What's wrong with your stomach?" He touches her arm gently, leaning in with concern.
Nadech couldn't help but eavesdrop on the conversation, noticing how close Eric is standing next to Yaya. His stomach diminishes to the floor and he's flustered inside. His palms becomes sweaty, nervous because he couldn't make out a word that they said. He cursed to himself, wishing that he never had to come here. Cursed himself for having to see what he saw. Cursed himself for saying what he said to Yaya.
Eric makes his way towards Nadech, "Alright…" he smiles at Nadech, "Let's get started."
Nadech's eyes were focused on Yaya, who disappeared into Eric's room. The worse impossible feeling consumes him entirely and it made him sicker than ever.
"Nadech?" Eric waves his hand over his face, trying to get his attention.
"Huh?" Nadech snaps back to reality, realizing Eric was speaking to him. "Oh-- I'm sorry-- I was thinking about ways we can… make this work…" He clears his throat, thankful for the quick response. "I really don't have any plan for the charity. Whatever my mother told you, that was that. If you have a way you want things done, just go for it--" he pauses, seeing Yaya gathering her things and heading for the door. "I'll-- I'll leave everything up to you." He tells Eric, "I trust your judgement… take whatever picture you think is necessary… wing it or… whatever… bring any other press you'd like… whatever is necessary…." he swallows hard, slowly dozing off as he catches a glimpse of Yaya's eyes, which met his for a split second before she exit Eric's apartment.
"Okay…" he pauses, "Well…" Eric rubs his chin, "I guess there's not much to talk about then." he chuckles, "I'll just show up and see what I'm working with." He shrugs.
Nadech stands up, forcing a smile on his face. "I guess that's it then… " He inhales deeply.
"I guess it's settled--" He sticks his hand out to shake on it, "Oh wait-- What time would you like me to be there?" He ask Nadech.
"The event starts at 8… set up is around 6... so just be there no later than 6 to get your equipment set up or whatever it is you need to do…" he tells Eric.
"Okay then… that was short, simple, and right down to business." Eric chuckles.
Nadech smirks a little, not wanting to be there any longer. "Well-- I gotta get going." He tells Eric, "I have to meet up with another one coordinator for this event… so I'll keep in contact with you…" Nadech shakes Eric's hand and said his goodbye.
He exits the apartment and rushes down the hallway, hoping he can get to Yaya in time. He spots her at the end of the hall, waiting for the elevator. Without thinking, he sprints for his life, rushing down the hall, trying to catch her before she gets onto the elevator. Unsure of what overcame him but he sprinted faster than he the speed of light.
Just as the door open and Yaya walks in, Nadech grabs a hold of the door and forces it open.
Yaya flinches, startled by Nadech, "What the hell are you doing Nadech?!" She screams, pressing her back against the door with her hands clamping over her chest as if she's witness a heinous crime.
She tries to get out of the elevator but he grabs her by the arm, pushing her against the wall. He quickly pressed the close button, closing the door behind them.
"Nadech-- I asked what the hell are you doing!?" She cries, trying to stop him but it was too late.
He grabs her by the arms and pins her up against the wall.
"Nadech-- let go of me!" She cries, trying to break free from him but his grip tighten as she tries to fight him.
"You can scream all you want-- but no one's gonna hear you. We're in an elevator." he tells her with a smirk.
Her heart pounds faster, unsure of what to do or what she should be thinking. "What-- what do you want Nadech…?" she ask through her teeth, clinching her jaw tightly.
"I'm gonna ask you once-- and only once…" he swallows hard as he stares down at her with raging eyes. "Did you… or did you not sleep with Eric…?" He ask, feeling his heart racing overtime.
She lets out a little snicker and stare him straight on, "That is none of your concern." she utters boldly.
His grip tighten around her tiny wrist, pinning her tighter against the wall. He's trying to keep his cool but he's slowly losing it.
"It's a yes or no question-- Just answer the
fucking question!" he snaps, unable to retain his cool anymore.
Yaya flinches, feeling the goose bumps on her arm raises. Her heart beats faster by the second, noticing the rage in tone of voice. As she look into his eyes, she can see the wrath that lingers.
"No time to look weak Yaya..." she tells herself.
She swallows hard and held her stance with her head held high, "That is none of your
business, Nadech." She utters coldly, still unsure when and where this harsh tone and demeanor of Nadech came from.
"I don't owe you an explanation Nadech…" She pauses, "You see… you mean nothing to me now; therefore, I'm not oblige to tell you anything about my life-- AND that means I don't have to tell you who I slept with or have slept with… It's my life and you're not apart of it…" She swallows once again, feeling her chest weighing heavily. "What I do shouldn't be a concern of yours..."
"And why shouldn't it be?!" He barks.
She snickers demeaningly, "Remember Nadech-- You didn't want me anymore… so don't take all your anger out on me now because you see me with another man… Don't be angry at me because I'm not sad or crying over you or begging you to come back into my life... I'm not the same naive woman I was 2 years ago... I'm a different woman and I don't need you in my life..."
He carefully releases her from his grip and takes a step back.
She was right… He utters to himself. He's feeling flustered now. All the anger that he's had for himself was building up inside and he's taking it out on Yaya for no rational reason. He was the fool who let her get away. He had no right to get angry at her for who she was with or who she's slept with. She's moved on and he had to accept it.
The door to the elevator opens and he steps aside letting Yaya walk out, once again. His heart drops to the floor as he watches her leave. He didn't try to stop her nor did he try to chase after her. His body's too immobilized and his mind has run out of words to say. Nothing makes sense and he all he could do was watch Yaya disappear out of sight.
[SONG PLAYING: RHIANNA - LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE PT II]
"Remember Nadech… you didn't want me anymore… so don't take all your anger out on me now because you see me with another man… I'm not the same naive woman I was 2 years ago... I'm a different woman and I don't need you in my life... "
Yaya's words repeats in his mind, beating him down to the ground, making him feel lower than the scums of the earth. It's a constant reminder of how he's fucked up and there's no way to make up.
"I'm sorry Yaya…" he utters to himself,
"Truly sorry… I'd give anything to have you back…."
He swallows hard, feeling the side of his cheek wet. Unaware of the tears slowly streaming down the side of his cheeks.