Between The Lines and YOU

Twenty One

“Don’t you really have even one helper here?”

For now, I was in the living room with Scarlett. I found it surprisingly easy to warm up to her, she was far easier to talk to than her brother. Speaking of him, Knox was in the kitchen, cooking. Scarlett set aside the Nintendo she had been playing and sat down beside me.

“We used to,” she said. “But he only lets them come here once a week to clean and do the laundry. After that, they’re free to go. My brother doesn’t want me eating anything unless he’s the one who cooked it.”

“Why’s that? Even outside food? Like Jollibee, Food Panda, Chowking, stuff like that?” She turned to me with a puzzled look, as if I’d grown a second head.

“What’s Jollibee? And what? Food Panda? Panda food? Oh my God, you people eat panda’s food?” I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at her expression. She even ran her hand through her wavy hair, clearly frustrated. Cute, honestly.

“Fast food, that’s what we call those kinds of meals, Scarlett. And Food Panda doesn’t literally mean panda food. It’s just the name of a food delivery service.” She nodded, seeming to catch on, then sighed and leaned back on the gray couch.

“I only get to leave the mansion if he takes me. Maybe once every two months. I mean, I can’t really complain, everything I want and need is already here inside. He provides everything, to protect me. Still… it gets lonely. It feels like I’m living in a luxury cave, if that makes sense.” She gave a soft laugh, and I smiled in return. The mansion was enormous, yet only the two of them lived here. Whenever Knox left, she was alone.

I’d rather live in a small house filled with warmth than in a huge, beautiful place where silence pressed down like sadness. I could imagine myself in a home like this, but not under these circumstances. I shifted closer and took her hand. I knew Knox wouldn’t do something like this without a deep reason. I’d seen the days when he looked pale, exhausted, as though he hadn’t slept. I always assumed it was just because he was a workaholic. But I was wrong. I didn’t know if I was capable of discovering all of who he truly was, or if I would just stay with the version of him I’d first come to know.

“I don’t know the real reason,” I told her, “but I’m sure your brother has a very deep one. Humans don’t always act human. Sometimes they’re the real monsters, the real vill—” I didn’t even get to finish. I’d been feeling it too, the words building up, and then—

“Can you stay here?” she asked suddenly. I shook my head. Gosh, no. If I lived here, I’d be attacked with heart palpitations daily from Knox’s unbearable charm. She went quiet for a moment, and I almost felt guilty for my bluntness. I could’ve just said I’d visit, right? Pretend I was here for her, when in truth, I’d be here for her brother. Ehe. That’s when I learned Scarlett was homeschooled too.

“Do you want to see my brother’s room?” I hesitated. What if Knox found out I stepped inside his room? He’d definitely get mad. And when his eyes narrowed, it was terrifying. I’d feel like it was my Last Supper.

“Your brother will get mad.”

“If he catches us. Can you run fast?” See? If I agreed, I was basically asking for trouble.

“No.”

“Hmm, we’ll take the secret door. We’ll be quick. I just want to show you something. Promise, it’ll be worth it.” Despite the fear and nerves twisting in my stomach, my curiosity to know more about the professor won me over. It was just a peek, right? It’s not like he would actually kill me. Probably. Spirits of all kinds, please don’t let him catch us.

Scarlett grinned, stood, and grabbed my hand. Lord, you’re so unfair. I was almost twenty but my height still hadn’t caught up to my age. And to make things worse, I was constantly surrounded by giants. No wonder I was so conscious of my height. We slipped down a side passage, and I nearly gasped when I saw an elevator. Golden, with a fingerprint scanner before it would even work. Cool. The mansion was ridiculously high-tech. I couldn’t help but admire everything as we reached the second floor. There were only two elegant bedrooms in view. We passed what I guessed was Scarlett’s room and went straight to the second door.

Again, she used her fingerprint to unlock it. The moment the door opened, I squeezed my eyes shut, overwhelmed by the fragrance inside. Knox’s scent. I almost wanted to breathe it in and bottle it to take home. Scarlett clapped her hands twice, and the lights flickered on. I looked around, my eyes widening at the size of the room. A king-sized bed, already being jumped on by Scarlett like a child. Two couches. An office table stacked with papers and an open laptop, near a large bookshelf. This must be where he worked sometimes.

His glass walk-in closet looked like it could fit ten people hiding inside. But my gaze caught on something else, the ridiculous number of stuffed toys scattered across the bed. Scarlett hugged a large Minion plush, then bounded over to hand it to me. I accepted it and, without thinking, brought it to my face. Secretly, I smiled. It smelled just like Knox. There were four human-sized teddy bears in purple, peach, brown, and khaki, lined up against the headboard. The middle space was small, while the sides were overflowing with stuffed toys. I never knew he had this side to him. His room was nothing like what I had imagined. Honestly, it didn’t even feel like it belonged to him. My mind refused to believe it. I mean, his personality was always so serious and intimidating.

“He can’t sleep. That’s why every day he collects these stuffed toys… I don’t even know where he gets them all.”

“Why can’t he sleep?” I saw the sadness flicker across Scarlett’s beautiful face.

“His body just got too used to exhaustion from work. He loves stuffed toys, but Dad and Mom were strict with him. They wanted him to act mature, even when he was so young. At a very early age, they trained him to read and study business. He only got the chance to indulge himself when our parents separated.” Maybe the stuffed toys gave him comfort, something that helped him fall asleep.

“What about Celine, I mean, his girlfriend? Doesn’t she ever sleep here?” I wanted to slap myself for asking that. What level of stupidity was that? But I wanted to know. Scarlett shook her head, relief flooding her expression. Then she turned to me with a smile. A smile that carried a hidden meaning.

“You’re the only one he brought here.” Was it possible to swoon from that line? Go ahead, Pria. Be weak. Fall apart.

“W-why?” Goddammit, brain. Since I couldn’t think of a better reply, I ended up asking another question instead. She only shrugged, then wandered over to the bookshelf and started pulling down book after book until she could barely carry them. I stared at her in confusion as she dumped the whole stack onto the thick, fluffy mattress.

“I can’t help but feel something’s changed. Do you think my brother is in love?”

“Just lately? Hasn’t your brother and Celine been together for a while now?” She shook her head quickly.

“I don’t even know what their status is anymore. They’ve been dating for months.” Her words made me pause.

“Dating? You mean, like going out, getting to know each other, but not actually in a relationship?”

“Yup. Why? Oh, don’t tell me you believe those articles saying they’re together? Oh no…” She clamped a hand over her mouth, realizing she’d just spilled the most important secret about her brother.

“Why?” My grin broke free, unstoppable now. I’d completely lost it.

“Please don’t tell him. He’ll kill me. This stays between us.” I nodded quickly.

“So Celine’s and him still isn't in a relationship even now?” She hesitated, then finally gave a small nod.

___________________________________

We didn’t stay much longer and eventually went back downstairs. All throughout dinner, Scarlett kept sneaking glances at me. I wanted to punch her because we had agreed not to give anything away, but there she was, staring like crazy. From time to time, I looked at Knox too. He ate quietly, as usual. When we finished, I offered to wash the dishes. He didn’t want to let me, but I insisted. Scarlett had class, so she left us and went upstairs. I wondered where Knox was now.

He had excused himself earlier, saying he had work to do in his office. I froze when I suddenly felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me from behind. I nearly dropped the glass in my hand, surely it was expensive, but I managed to hold onto it tightly.

“Knox,” I whispered..He rested his chin on my shoulder, his natural scent making me lose my composure all over again. I glanced down at his hands, stroking softly over my waist.

“Mmm?” I bit my lip, struggling not to grin from ear to ear. If he kept being this clingy, I wouldn’t need to manifest growing taller, I’d already be floating.

“You’re such a flirt. I’m washing dishes,” I murmured. He laughed quietly, and I felt chaos in my stomach as he buried his face against my neck, breathing me in. I’d used up two expensive concealers just to cover those damned love marks.

“You smell like a baby.” I tried to slip out of his arms, but Knox only tightened his embrace around my waist.

“No, I don’t,” I answered a little too defensively. Actually, I wasn’t offended. Babies smell good. Which meant I smelled good. Like baby powder.

“Knox, Scarlett might see us. And can you give me some space? I can’t finish this if you keep holding me.” Admit it, you’re just as flirty. You’d rather entertain him teasing than finish what you’re supposed to do.

“She spent two hours in her classes already. She’s busy.”

“If you don’t let go, I won’t finish this.”

“Then don’t. Let’s go to my room.” Before I could reply, still with wet hands, he tugged me away. Goodbye, dishes. Hello, shameless flirting. Control yourself, Pria. You still have class later. Calm your Eastern Pearl. Behave.

But instead of his own room, we went into the guest room. A secret smile tugged at my lips, maybe he was embarrassed for me to see his true side. Too late, Knox. Your sister already exposed you. Just like Scarlett had done earlier, he clapped his hands after opening the door, and the room lit up. Unlike his own, this one was plain. Spacious, even, made to look wider by how little was inside, just a side table and a large bed. He gestured for me to sit on the edge of the bed, which I did. Then he walked toward the vanity, searching for something.

“Stop staring, Pria.” Oh, damn. Did he have eyes in the back of his head?

“Knox,” I called out instead of denying what was, in fact, the truth.

“Hm?”

“Why isn’t Scarlett allowed to go out?” He paused, then turned to look at me.

“You two talked?” I nodded.

“Why?”

“What a brat. I told her to keep that a secret.”

“It’s fine if you don’t want to answer. I just wondered, since you never let her leave.” He turned away again, continuing his search.

“She has anaphylaxis, Pria.” I froze for a moment, then quickly composed myself. Anaphylaxis, a rare and very severe allergic reaction.

“People who’ve had a severe allergic reaction,” I murmured back. He faced me again, holding something in his hand now. A smile flickered at his lips. I’d read about it before, during those long hours I spent in the library when I had free time.

“You sure are smart, and you read a lot.” I shrugged.

“I have to. It’s for my scholarship.”

“Turn your back.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Just do it.” I obeyed, turning my back to him. He fastened a necklace around my neck. I couldn’t speak. The pendant was a moon. Even without asking, I could tell it was expensive.

“Remember the 13th of July?” He asked. I thought for a moment. That was the day he showed up at school like a lunatic and suddenly demanded I be her girlfriend.

“I never agreed to that.”

“Did I say you had a choice?” Wow. It’s like I don’t even have the right to make decisions for myself anymore. But honestly, would I even have the nerve to reject him? Wait, his face is thicker than mine! After rejecting me, making me cry, tossing me aside, and then coming back like nothing happened? Unbelievable. So I really don’t have a choice, huh?

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying you have to court me.” Where did I get this sudden confidence from? I deserve a whole bucket of ice cream for this. I held back a laugh when he immediately shifted seats to face me, brows furrowed. I was only joking, but with him, he might slap me with the price tag of that necklace.

“Are you serious?” I kept my expression serious and nodded firmly.

“If you don’t want to, then—”

“Okay.”

“What do you mean okay?” Okay? He doesn’t want to court me?

“I’ll court you. But you’re already my girlfriend.” So demanding. I couldn’t hold back anymore, I burst into laughter. His brows knit even closer, his eyes narrowing.

“Why are you laughing? What’s funny, Pria?”

“Why would you court me if you already decided I’m your girlfriend?”

“Because you said so?” he replied, almost like a question.

“Fine. But on one condition.”

“I don’t do conditions, Ms. Dawn.”

“Come on, give me at least one right over my own life.”

“Fine. What is it?” I smiled triumphantly.

“You gotta let Scarlett go out twice a week.”

“What? No way. I can’t… I can’t do that. Pick something else. A car. Do you want a car?” Damn. I don’t even know how to drive, and he’s offering me a car? I only asked for something simple..I let my expression fall into disappointment and turned my gaze away dramatically. Hopefully this works.

“Pria.” I didn’t answer. I just heard he breathe heavily several times.

“Alright, stop sulking. I’ll do it.” I couldn’t hide my grin anymore.

“Really?”

“You’re not deaf, are you?”

“You’re so harsh, Knox. Is this how you court someone?”

“I’ll go take a shower. You can use my phone to browse while you wait.” This time, I rolled my eyes at him back, not daring to let him see. If he caught me, he might just hang me upside down.