“I can’t do it, Azora.”
Furrowing my brow, I pushed him away forcefully. He stepped back, tears welling in his eyes as he stared at me.
I lowered my gaze. “You have to,” I said firmly.
I heard him take a deep breath. I was about to say something when there was a knock on the bathroom door. “Azora.”
It was Dad’s voice.
My eyes widened, and I quickly gestured for Japen to stay quiet. He nodded silently.
I took a deep breath. “Y-Yes, Dad?”
“Who’s in there with you?”
I swallowed hard, glancing at Japen. He was still looking at me. I looked away again. “It’s just me, Dad.”
There was a long silence, then Dad said, “Hurry up in there.”
“Alright,” I replied, then grabbed Japen’s wrist.
I intended to pull him towards the walk-in closet, but he held onto my shoulder to stop me. I froze in place, my brow furrowing as I looked up at Japen. He was gazing at my face, his own brows slightly knitted.
I turned to the mirror on the wall to see why Japen was staring. I saw my pale complexion, trembling lips, and furrowed forehead.
“Now I understand why you want me to leave,” he whispered. “You’re afraid of your father.”
I looked back at him. “You don’t know him.”
He sighed. “I don’t want to see you scared, Azora.”
“Then you must leave me,” I said, meeting his gaze squarely. “I wouldn’t be this frightened if you weren’t around.”
He withdrew his hands from my shoulders and looked away. “Alright, I’ll stay away if that’s what eases your mind.”
His words made my knees feel weak, so I leaned against the wall, staring at him. He kept his gaze averted. My heart raced, aching inside my chest.
“You know this is for your own safety, right?” I whispered.
He didn’t respond, continuing to look away.
I sighed. “After this, I’ll find you.”
Silence.
I bit my lip and reached for his hand, squeezing it. “J-Japen, I’m sorry, but I don’t have a choice. I can’t involve you in this mess. Please… look at me. Say something.”
“What do you want me to say, Azora?” He met my gaze. “That I’m happy to leave you?” He smiled bitterly. “Azora, I’m ready to fight for you, but you won’t let me take any steps to prove my love for you.”
I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. “I can’t let you take that risk. I know what’s going on, and you don’t. You’d be risking your life in this-”
“I’m ready,” he interrupted. “I’m ready to take that risk. Just tell me, Azora, and I’ll risk everything.”
“I already told you not to,” I released his hand. “It’s too dangerous. Come on, let’s hide.”
I turned to walk away, but gasped when Japen caught my wrist, pulled me into his arms, and lifted me by the waist. I put both hands on his shoulders and wrapped my legs around his waist. He took a step forward and pinned me against the wall.
Wide-eyed, I stammered, “P-Put me down.”
“I can’t leave this house yet.” He licked his lips. “I might get caught here with you, so don’t rush me to leave.”
My brow furrowed, but I didn’t get a chance to respond before Japen kissed me. I closed my eyes, but we were interrupted by two knocks.
“Azora! You’ve been in there forever. If you don’t come out, I’ll open the bathroom door. I have the key.” It was Simmy.
I pushed away from Japen, gasping for air. “You need to hide.” I urged him and he nodded.
“Don’t open the door!” I yelled at Simmy outside the bathroom. “I’ll be there in a minute!” I added, irritated.
I grabbed Japen’s wrist and dragged him into the walk-in closet, leaving the shower running. I opened the large wardrobe in the corner where my long dresses were kept. He could hide behind them without being seen if someone barged into the closet. I sighed. At least my things had been moved to the guest room.
I searched for my oversized shirt and pants, then paused, remembering something. I turned to face Japen. “Where are your pants and shirt?”
“In the bathroom.”
I hurried back to the bathroom and found his clothes hanging beside the shower curtain where I’d left the towel earlier. I gathered them up, including his underwear. I blushed as my cheeks burned with embarrassment, but there was no time for that.
I turned off the shower and returned to the walk-in closet. Japen was standing in the middle, looking around. Luckily, my underwear was kept in a drawer. Whoever had moved my clothes had made a good call.
“Japen,” I called to him. “Change your clothes now. You’re still wet.” I handed him his clothes.
“You too. Change,” he said, taking the clothes. He turned away.
I moved closer to the closet doors that connected to the bathroom and bedroom. Even though I knew no one would enter the closet, it was better to be safe than sorry.
I turned back to Japen, but I quickly closed my eyes when I saw him changing. I faced the closet door.
A moment later, I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Change now. I’ll be right over there in the cabinet, and I’ll close the door.”
I heard him walk to the wardrobe and close its door.
I did as he asked. I changed into a casual dress, setting my wet shoes aside. I noticed Japen’s wet clothes on the floor. I picked them up and put them in the empty laundry basket.
Then, I opened the closet door and stepped onto the bedroom floor. The first person I saw was Simmy. She was still facing the bathroom door, arms crossed and looking irritated, expecting me to come out of there.
Too bad she didn’t know I was already in the bedroom when she angrily shouted again.