Chapter 12: Back in the Lion’s Den
I placed both hands on my forehead and looked at him in confusion. ’D-Did he just kisses my forehead?’. "O-Oh, I’m sorry. I got swept by the mont." He said while scratching the back of his head. "Let’s eat the cake tomorrow." He added and made
drink the water he also brought.
What does he an by swept by the mont? Who kisses soone’s forehead because they got caught by the mont?
The next day ca, and I woke up to El’s smiling face. "Happy birthday, Ellie." He greeted
again as if the kiss from this morning didn’t happen. Hearing him call my nickna reminds
of ho. "Let’s celebrate it, shall we?" El supported
until we reached the living room, and I was surprised to see how he decorated it.
"I’m sorry if it’s not up to your taste, but this is how my sisters do it, so I thought—"
"It’s pretty." Balloons are everywhere, a banner with a ’Happy Birthday Ellie,’ party poppers, and confetti on the floor. It’s simple but charming. "I didn’t know you have sisters," I said as I stared at the decoration. How did he know I like the color pink?
"Well, they’re my half-sisters, and they live abroad, so I don’t see them often either." He said while scratching the back of his head. "You remind
of them." El smiled.
Even though it might be rude, I couldn’t stop asking. "Are you a young master?" I asked. He cannot spend money on
if he’s not rich. And this apartnt of his looks classy even though it’s literally empty. Oh right, why is it empty? "Also, why is your apartnt empty?"
"Oh, I’m moving out of this apartnt soon. I’m just packing my things." He said. So that explains why there’s almost nothing in this place. "Do you want to co with
to my new house?"
I quickly shook my head. Why would I co with him? Also, he didn’t answer my question. "Are your parents rich?" I repeated it, even though it might be a sensitive topic for him.
"I think so? My dad’s a businessman, and he has lots of money." He answered, but he didn’t sound prideful or anything like that. It’s as if he’s talking about soone else’s dad, and it felt weird. "Why? Does it scare you that I might ask you to pay for all the good deeds I did for you?"
I nodded. Who would do things for free nowadays? "I might look like this, but I’m not that bad of a person." He said. He might look like what? A playboy? "Oh, I know. There’s a way you can pay ."
"Huh? I thought you don’t need to get paid?"
El laughed. It was a heartfelt laugh. "I’m not asking for money."
"Then what?"
"I want to beco your friend. Can’t I?" He’s using his good looks on
to make
say yes. It’s too obvious. But what will becoming my friend do to him? Does he like ? Because it really does look like it.
"Sure, if you’re not planning anything creepy, that is."
El giggled. "I don’t have many friends, and you’re the first girl I befriended." I don’t know if I should be happy about that. "It’s like I’ve received a gift instead of the birthday girl." He ruffled my hair after that.
"Do you like pasta?" El helped
sit on the sofa. I nodded as an answer. Wait, did he prepare so? "Great. I like that too."
"Hello there." A woman in her mid-40s greeted
with a warm smile. "I’m the housekeeper; my na is Juliet." She said as she bowed at , which made
bow at her as a sign of respect.
"It’s the first ti our El made a friend with a girl this pretty." She said. I didn’t know what to say. I thought El’s lying about having a housekeeper, but he’s not. He’s not lying about Lorenzo being his butler, so a housekeeper should be the norm with this guy. "The two of you should eat before the foods get cold."
It was warm and gentle. The two are so kind that they almost made
forget about my situation. They took care of
as if I were part of their family. "Thank you for celebrating my birthday like this with ," I said. I’ve never thought I’ll celebrate my 18th birthday with strangers. It’s my most awaited 18th birthday. But instead of being with my family and friends, I am with a stranger now beco a friend.
"Sure. That’s what friends do."
He can say that because he has lots of money to spend. The rain turned into a drizzle, and the weather’s getting better. Even though I wanted to spend ti with my friends, I couldn’t drag them into my problem.
What if I’m right about Night controlling the police? If I go to where Ace is, I might endanger her and her family. It’ll be unfair to her if I do that, she’s already struggling because she helps her family and often works part-ti jobs. I can’t trouble them.
"I really think I need to go back to that place," I said while staring at the pasta in front of . "Although you spent a lot of ti decorating your ho for , I can’t keep running away." Now that I don’t have a place to return to, I can’t cause trouble for anyone else.
"What’s with that? Are you sure you want to return to that place you ran away from?" I nodded. It’s not like I have much of choice. I’ve already lost enough; I can’t keep losing people dear to . And I need to even the score.
"You should do whatever you want, as long as it makes you happy." This won’t make
happy, but it’ll prevent more loss. It’ll keep my friends safe, and I can still think of a way to avenge my parents.
"It’s the only way for
to have inner peace." Being in that place suffering is better than making my friends suffer. It’s okay if I’m in danger since no one will worry about
anymore, but I can’t let people important to
get hurt again. This ti, I won’t let that happen. For my parents too.
"Should I accompany you? Your foot is still recuperating."
"No." I imdiately rejected his offer. El’s been kind to ; even if he’s a little weird, he comforted . That was enough for
to appreciate him. I can’t let him get in danger. "It’s fine. I can do it. I’ve been resting for a day now. I can totally walk back to the convenience store."
El sighed with a gentle smile on his face. "Fine. Let’s eat a lot first before you go back." I agree. Those people might not let
celebrate anymore and might torture .
"When things beco okay, I’ll return to you and repay you for all the good things you did for ."
El patted my head. "You don’t have to do that, but if you will, you can just treat
to so good food you like."
It made
chuckle hearing that. Why is El so simple with the things he likes, yet it still feels like he’s keeping a safe distance from ?
After eating, El’s housekeeper helped
take a bath without wetting my wound. Maybe she’s also El’s nanny; that’s why she’s used to caring for people. "Are you sure you want to go?" El asked after I was done bathing, and he’s drying my hair now.
"I don’t have a choice."
"You can just stay here."
I looked up at his face since he was sitting on the sofa while I was on the floor. "I’m not your pet."
"That’s not what I—"
"It’s fine. I’ll be fine. Thank you for worrying about ." El helped
get up. "I can go on my own," I said, even though I’ll regret it, but it’s better than letting those people see El. He’ll be in danger.
"But your wound will continue bleeding if you walk alone." I didn’t say anything else as I walked toward the door. El followed . "You should at least wear so shoes." He suggested that, but I don’t think I’ll be needing one. They’ll still search for
if I am critical of Night’s plans. The mont I get out of this place, they’ll catch .
The rain had already stopped as we rode the elevator to the first floor. "Is the convenience store where you found
near here?" I asked while El was still supporting .
"Yeah, just turn to the left, and there it is."
I faced this man that helped
a lot. "Thank you." With that, I walked towards the convenience store barefooted and endured the pain I felt with every step I took. I’m also wearing the clothes I used when El found . I don’t want to risk wearing sothing new. Night might investigate it.
If I can’t endure this pain, I won’t be able to endure living in that mansion for a while until I find the reason why they kept
there. Rika said it, the boss will explain everything. I’m still hoping for it to be the truth and not to beco a lie just to keep
from leaving.
My wound’s bleeding again like El warned ; I can feel it. When I reached the convenience store, I saw n wearing black suits. It must be them. I looked back in El’s direction, and he was already gone. "Young miss?" Hearing that made
feel like I was caught back in the lion’s den again.
"It’s the young miss!" I turned to my back and saw an unfamiliar face of a young man. "Young miss, your foot!" His face was more of a puppy than a serial killer, which caused
to stare at him, being distracted. What about my foot?
"Young miss!" Kenji arrived sweating buckets. I lost my energy and almost tripped, but Kenji helped . "Would it be okay for
to carry you?" My body’s too tired to retort and let Kenji do what he needs. It’s not the ti for
to resist.
"Tell everyone we’re returning, and we’ve found the young miss."
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