Chapter 8 8

"For the last time, Isabel, relax... I won't bite you, at least not yet."

Seth told her once again.

Izzy couldn't tell if his tone was irritated or if he was just naturally serious.

She couldn't really blame him, especially since the farther they got from the hospital, the more uneasy she felt. She was almost out of breath from holding it in due to anxiety.

Why did this man affect her so much? She knew she lacked confidence when interacting with other people, but it had never been this intense before-so much so that she could almost hear the loud pounding of her heart.

Faith let out a deep sigh as she tried to distract herself by looking out the car window. Izzy, on the other hand, could feel the numbness creeping into her legs and back due to her uncomfortable sitting position. She still couldn't bring herself to rest her back against the luxurious seat of Seth Santiago's car.

"Ayyy, you horse!"

She shouted quite loudly when the car suddenly stopped, almost causing her to lurch forward and hit the seat in front of her.

Still, she forced herself to stay calm, even though she felt like her heart had jumped into her throat. And just when she thought she had steadied herself, the car door beside her suddenly opened.

"See? That's exactly what happens if you refuse to relax. Now, rest your damn back. You won't ruin my car, and I don't even mind if you do-I have plenty of cars I can destroy whenever I want."

Seth spoke in a long-winded manner, his expression unreadable as he stared at her intently.

Izzy swallowed hard before responding.

"O-okay... S-sorry... I-I'm just not used to riding cars like this."

She stammered, almost whispering.

If only she could tell him that wasn't the only reason. Why did he have such an intense effect on her? He hadn't even done anything yet, and she was already shaking with fear and nervousness.

Izzy bit her lower lip as she tried to calm herself. She also forced herself not to glance at the seemingly irritated man beside her while she slowly leaned back against the seat.

She nearly closed her eyes in relief as the tension in her body eased.

"Feel better?"

Seth asked nonchalantly. Embarrassed, Izzy simply nodded.

"Y-yes... Thank you..."

That was all she could say.

She tried to hide her surprise when, instead of returning to the front seat, Seth chose to sit beside her.

"What? I can't sit in my own car?"

He said gruffly, making Izzy instinctively roll her eyes. He didn't seem to like that, so she forced a smile-which ended up looking more like a grimace.

"Drive, Robert."

Seth ordered the driver, who looked like a Tanduay commercial dancer.

"Yes, boss. We're near the intersection. Do you want to stop anywhere?"

Izzy wasn't surprised by how the driver spoke. He sounded like he was in an action movie, especially with his deep voice and serious demeanor.

If she didn't know any better, she would have thought she was in grave danger and started regretting coming with Seth Santiago.

"No, just go straight home."

Seth replied lazily. Izzy sighed again and absentmindedly muttered-

"So, you do speak Tagalog after all..."

"What's that?"

"N-nothing, I-I was just thinking about something..."

She quickly answered, especially when she saw Seth's deeply furrowed brows.

"Of course, I speak Tagalog. I still live in the Philippines, Isabel."

"I-I know that. What I don't understand is why you always seem so angry. Do you have a grudge or something? You've been frowning since earlier-it's a waste of your good looks if you're always scowling."

It was too late for Izzy to take back her words. She looked at Seth in panic, only to see an amused expression on his face.

"Hmm... I didn't know you thought I was handsome. Don't worry, since you're special, I'll smile just for you."

Izzy couldn't tell if he was joking, being serious, or just being sarcastic.

"I-I didn't mean for you to smile at me. Honestly, I don't even know why I said that..."

"You just said what was on your mind. Whether you voice it out or not, that's still what you think of me. There's no difference."

He replied without any emotion. Izzy scratched her head and decided to keep quiet.

But that didn't last long. Not even a few seconds had passed when Seth spoke again.

"You are quite-"

"I-I think it's better if I just stay quiet. Otherwise, I might say something else I'll regret."

"There's nothing wrong with telling the truth, Isabel Vergara. And trust me, this isn't the first time I've received that kind of comment. I don't take offense; in fact, I take it as a compliment."

"Would you really consider it a compliment to be told you look like you were conceived out of bitterness?"

She asked, grimacing, before quickly averting her gaze when he narrowed his eyes at her.

"That's not what you said earlier!"

Seth whined like a child, making Izzy smirk.

"T-that's not exactly what I said, but it's close enough. You can ask Mr. Tanduay over there."

She said, pointing at the driver. But the moment she did, she smacked her forehead, realizing her mistake. She winced when Robert gave her a sharp glare through the rearview mirror.

"Mr. Tanduay?"

Seth repeated, amused. Izzy forced a smile.

"H-he kind of looks like one of the dancers in those old Tanduay commercials, y-you know, the buff guys in suits dancing... S-sorry, sir, I'll be quiet now..."

She apologized awkwardly and tried to shrink into the corner of the car.

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, especially when she heard Seth Santiago chuckle.

"Yeah, good idea. I think you should stay quiet now. Oh, and..."

Still laughing, Seth leaned closer to her ear and whispered-

"Just a piece of advice: Robert is not the kind of man you'd want to piss off..."

He warned.

"W-why? Does he eat people?"

She asked absentmindedly. Due to her natural innocence, confusion took over when Seth smirked and replied-

"No... but I do. I won't allow anyone to eat you, at least not until I've had you myself..."

He whispered, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

"I-I thought you said earlier that you don't bite?"

She asked, now more confused than ever. Seth let out a frustrated sigh and shook his head as if disappointed.

"Never mind..."

He muttered before straightening up in his seat.

Izzy remained silent, trying to process what he meant.

Then, a few moments later, her eyes widened in shock as she clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Oh my God! Are you a monster or something???"

"The fck what???"*