Mistaken by the Billionaire Marquess

CHAPTER 18: Amor

– LIA –

WHEN I left Kelleon’s bedroom, I slowly walked towards the living room. I thought at first that I might get lost since I don’t know where it is located. Thankfully, the stairs to the lower floor is just near Kelleon’s bedroom.

I was just walking down the stairs but I can already see Kelleon sitting in one long sofa. On one end of it, a lady, maybe a few years older than me, is standing.

Just from one look at her, I can say that she’s from the military, or somewhere related to that. Her posture says it all. She’s wearing a long sleeve polo shirt and a black pants. Her hair is tied up to a clean bun. Her eyes are staring straight while her hands are put on her sides.

She looks so cool. I’ll add her to my girl crushes list.

When Kelleon noticed me, he motioned me to sit beside him. He even tapped the space near him while looking at me.

Oh? He wants me to be near him, huh? Unlucky for him, I’m in the mood to tease me today.

Instead of sitting in the space he pointed, I continued walking towards the other sofa in front of him. I sat down, open my legs, put my elbows on each legs of mine, and steepled my fingers.

I smirked at him when his eyebrows furrowed at me. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. While he was doing that, I was busy staring at his beauty. I have a very good view of his face from where I’m sitting right now.

When he opened his eyes, his stares stayed at me for a moment before motioning his hand to the lady.

“This is Danica. She will be guarding you from now on, until we find the true Dennise,” Kelleon explained.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

“We already gave your background information to her. She will be with you 24/7. She will also report to me everything,” he added, giving an emphasis on the word ‘everything’.

I raised my eyebrow at him. “I have a job, and my job contains gathering confidential informations,” I said. “Will she still be with me while I’m at work?”

He straighthen his back and leaned on the sofa. “No, but she will be near,” he answered. “Don’t worry. Danica won’t interfere with your job and personal life. She’s just there to monitor you.”

“Will she also stay at my house?” I asked. If she will be with me 24/7, then I guess it makes sense that she will also live with me.

“There’s no need. She will guard you from a far. She will be near enough to be get to you whenever something happens, but not too near that it will cross your boundaries,” Kelleon responded.

I nodded at his response. It’s good for me, I think. But it’s just that it will be difficult for me to talk to her if she’s guarding me from a far.

“Okay. I’m fine with it,” I answered and turned my head to Danica. I smiled and waved at her. I also whispered a ‘hi’ that’s enough for her to hear.

She bowed at me as a response. “At your service, my lady,” she greeted me formally.

I was about to respond when Kelleon stood up.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you to your house,” he said and proceeded to walk towards the huge door, which I think is the main one.

I followed him. “Just take me to my best friend’s house,” I said. “You can drop me off my house and I’ll just ride a jeepney to hers.”

He stopped walking and looked at me. “Then just tell me the way to that house.”

With that he started walking again, but after a few steps, he stopped.

“What do other people call you?” Kelleon asked out of nowhere. My head turned to him.

“I already know your full name. However, I’m not sure how to call you,” he added while looking down at me, literally.

“Most people call me Lia,” I answered him.

“But there’s one special person who’s calling me ‘Mahal’,” I said, referring to Yvette. I saw his jaw clenched at what I said.

I want to laugh at his reaction. I actually planned this, as a part of teasing him. Because of his reaction, I’m now sure that he can understand Filipino, or maybe a little bit of it. He knows that ‘mahal’ means ‘love’.

He didn’t speak after that. I slowly walked  and stopped beside him. From my view, I can see his sharp jaw and him gulping.

Gently, I touched his biceps. I felt him twitched a little because of that. I squeezed it a little and carressed it using my thumb. I felt his breath deepen. I want to laugh at his reaction but I stopped myself.

“You can call me in any way you want,” I said, slightly making my voice feminine. “Though I will prefer if you will call me ‘amor’, cariño.”

I smiled sweetly at him before walking towards the door. When I was already outside, my hands covered my mouth and my smile grew wider.

I can’t believe that I’m blushing on my own flirtation!

Few seconds passed and I saw Danica left through the door. I turned my head to her and smiled. She also did the same thing, although her smile is more formal.

“His highness will be out in a few moments. Let me take you to his car,” she said while motioning me to walk.

We reached a huge area with several cars parked in it. Danica walked towards a black sleek car. I don’t know the brand of this car. I don’t care, anyways.

Danica opened the passenger seat for me. I smiled. She’s so thoughtful and a gentlewoman. If Danica is a man, I would have fallen for her.

“Please wait for his highness here,” she said. “I’ll get going now, my lady.”

She bowed and I waved goodbye to her. While waiting for Kelleon to arrived, I opened my phone and took several selfies. Some of the photos are taken while I was sitting on the driver’s seat. There are also rear-view photos of the steering wheel and other parts of the car.

My photo session was interrupted when someone opened the door. Kelleon sat down in the driver’s seat and turned his head to me.

He was looking from my head to toe, as if he is judging my whole identity. After some moments, he leaned towards me.

I stopped breathing when our bodies got so close. It looks like he was hugging me, and I can feel hid breath on my neck. It was warm and it sent tingling sensations to my body.

After a moment, I felt something hugged certain parts of my body as Kelleon fixed himself to his seat. I looked down and realized that I already have my seatbelt on.

A small smile escaped my lips. He could have told me to wear my seatbelt on and let me do it by myself. However, he chose to put it in for me.

Hmm, Kelleon. You don’t have to say anything. I know that you like me.

I want to chuckle at myself, but it was cut whem I suddenly thought of something that changes my mood.

What if… he is just doing this because I look like his ex-girlfriend? What if… he still loves Dennise?

I was immediately saddened because of that thought. It has a possibility. It’s impossible for him to like me in just a short span of time.

I sighed heavily. I saw Kelleon, from my peripheral vision, turned his head to me while he was driving.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked while stepping on the brake. I looked at the windshield and saw that the street light is on red.

I didn’t answer him. My whole mood is down because of that thought earlier!

It caught me off guard when he placed his hand above mine.

“Are you hungry? Do you need anything? Hmm?” he asked.

And just like that, I smiled like an idiot. My mood immediately rise because of his questions and his sweet voice.

I shook my head. “Nothing. I just… remembered something,” I answered, but he looks like he doesn’t buy it.

“Don’t worry. I’m okay now. Thanks to you,” I smiled sweetly at him and placed my other hand on top of him.

WE FINALLY arrived outside Althea’s house. I saw Althea waiting on the outside, wearing her signature black shirt and black above the knee skirt, paired with black boots. She looks like she just went somewhere, maybe to a mall or something.

Kelleon left the car first and walked to my side. I saw Althea furrowed her eyebrows when she saw Kelleon.

I stepped outside the car and thanked him. I thought he will leave immediately, but I was surprised when he touched my back and walked with me.

Althea gave me a questioning and accusing look.

When we stopped in front of my best friend, I turned my head to Kelleon. “Thank you so much, Kelleon.”

He nodded at me and gave me a smile. “No worries,” he replied. “I’ll get going now.”

“Take care, and see you soon,” I told him.

His smiled grew wider. “Take care of yourself, too, mi amor.”

I was dumbfounded when I heard that. My brain stopped functioning. I was just pulled back to reality when Althea slightly pinched my side.

“Hoy! Sino ‘yon?” (Hey! Who’s that?)

She made her eyes wider at me and is impatient in waiting for my answer.

She exclaimed at me. “Tinawag ka pang amor! Boyfriend mo?” (He called you ‘amor’! Is he your boyfriend?)

I smiled at her while trying to hide my blushing face.

“I wish he is.”