Dandelion

Chapter 10

                                                                                        Alone

I stepped inside the apartment of Tian as he opened the door for me. I had not planned to follow Ren's proposition and actually go stay at his apartment for the day but Tian had heard the conversation that we had and was more than pleased.

The excitement was visible on his face, once I went over and told him that he could get out, as Ren and Elia had finally left my apartment, taking with them all the noise and a part of the pressure that was weighing over my head. He was so happy that engulfed me in an embrace and held me tight, enough to make me wonder what wrongdoings was I paying, to justify this punishment that I was getting.

I am sure heaven knows that I am awkward and not exactly fond of skinship yet they put me in situations that I have to withstand more skinship than I probably had in all my life. Well, the previous one anyway.

"Do you want me to get you anything? Wait! I know. I will bring you your favorite slippers." He closed the door behind him and rushed somewhere unknown to me, probably going to get my so-called favorite slippers while I walked to the blue colored couch which I found in his living room and took a look around the room, before deciding to occupy it.

"Here you are~" His voice reached the room before his body did, making me almost c***k a smile at how cute he was being. It was unusual for me to be treated like this as much as it was to have someone looking at me with happiness and excitement, despite the fact that I was well aware that his good behavior might require something from me, later on.

He kneeled before me and placed the black fluffy slippers in my fit, making my slight smile vanish as the uncomfortable feeling rose inside me again. I am seriously not fit for such things.

"What do you want us to do to pass our time? Should I bring you your favorite book to read? Maybe put on your favorite series? I have not watched any episodes ahead as I promised." He rose his hand in the air, trying to appear more truthful, and somehow I couldn't help but c***k a smile in what felt like the first time in forever.

It didn't really matter to me if he was lying about it or not. I didn't even know about which series he was talking about after all. The thought only however that someone would even try to keep his word upon such a trivial thing, sounded funny to me. I suppose they really had a close friendship, or whatever his relationship with Zein is to be called, anyway.

"How about we play some games instead?" I suggested and he titled his head to the side, instantly giving me a confused look.

"You? Games? I thought you hated them." He uttered and I couldn't help but grow nervous as I had forgotten that I was talking to people that know her well while I know Zein little, to not say at all. " I just wanted to change things up a bit."

"Okay, what kinda games you want to play then?"

"You have any board games?"

"No"

"Any video games?"

"Neither."

"Then what kind of games can we play if you have nothing?" I couldn't help but throw an annoyed look at him as I found his willingness to play as a joke at this point.

"There are plenty of games in which we can use our bodies," Tian replied, a smirk ghosting over his lips that made me aware of where he was taking this conversation.

"Right. Let's play hide and seek then. You close your eyes." I stood up and grabbed his hands, placing them over his eyes. He probably wasn't expecting this response but this game was actually a good idea. All I had to do was find a good place to hide and I would get myself some alone time and peace for a bit. He can keep searching as much as he wants, I don't plan on appearing for some hours honestly.

"Don't cheat," I warned before letting go of his hands and taking my first steps away from him only for him to suddenly start counting, making me rush in a random direction. I opened every door that fell to my path, trying to select which was the best one to hide in, and after a bit, I concluded to what seemed like an office room, which had some odd yet modern furniture.

The desk looked like cubes placed the one inside the other, intertwining in the corners in order to make the furniture more spacious while an S lines library stood on the wall behind it. A giant painting was resting at a corner of the room, leaving space behind it for someone to hide but as I rethought about it, maybe that was not the best place to hide.

I turned around and exited the room, instantly realizing that I was no longer hearing his voice counting. I have to hurry. I rushed at the last door which was at the end of that corridor and tried my best to close the door behind me as quietly as I could, later realizing that I had brought myself to his bedroom.

"What happens if I find you, babe?" I heard Tian's voice questioning, his words making me think about that too as I had not before. Does the winner get some kind of price? I definitely don't want anything but my privacy for the moment though.

"You better hide well. I don't think you would like what I would want to do to you if I find you." He added and I am not gonna lie, that sounded scary.

He didn't mean it in any dangerous way, right? No way, he must be just joking, or was he? Damn, I am regretting proposing to play a game right now. Why didn't I just settled with a cup of tea or that book that he offered? I feel as if I dug my own grave.

I scanned the room with my eyes in search of a place that could help me hide but the only options were the closer, the curtains, and under the bed.  All, way too obvious hiding places if you were to ask me. I might have overestimated myself in hiding. What do I do now though?

He is probably already roaming around the house so getting out of this room could prove risky. How high is this window? I questioned right before I walked to it and pulled the curtains to see, only to be met with a sight that made me leave a loud scream and step back from it.

"What!? What's wrong." Tian burst into the room and I unconsciously grabbed his body and placed it in front of me in defense.

A man dressed in all black was standing right in front of his window, staring inside the room unbothered and unmoved.

"Hey, hey it's okay. It's my doll, remember? I have made some room for them on my balcony since the attic is full." He spoke to me, his hands resting on my shoulders in a reassuring manner while I looked at him, obviously still freaked out.

I may not like to admit it but that seriously took my breath away for an instant. "Who the heck keeps such dolls around anyways? Just throw them away instead of creeping out people." I spoke a bit harshly to him, as I felt suddenly mad at him, even though it was not entirely his fault that I got such a scare. 

"What do you mean who? I am a stuntman remember, I need the outfits for my job and the dolls for practice." He replied and I looked at him speechlessly, as I had done one more mistake. I spoke carelessly making him give me a confused expression as surely my words must have sounded absurd to him. Zein would have known what kinda job he does, after all. I on the other hand definitely had no way of knowing that so far.

"Y-Yeah, I am sorry. I just...overreacted. Don't mind me." I tried to save it a naturally as I could, forcing myself to give him a soft smile before walking out of the room however I am sure that would have left him with a bit of confusion, to say the least. I definitely need some time to myself. I need to do some research more and collect myself otherwise I feel like I will blow all this thing up. 

"You know what. I guess It's better for me I go home and rest. I am sure I will be just fine. Thanks for the help." I informed him once I returned to the living room, with him following behind me, and then I proceeded to walk away as quickly as possible, ignoring his voice that told me to wait, as I had already guessed that he would try to stop me.

Once out in the corridor, I felt in a hurry till I reached my door and pulled out the key which I held in my pocket to use to unlock it because I was not aware of which the password of the door was yet. I guess I will have to find a way to find out about that sooner or later. I locked it again once on the other side of it and left the key on the door just to make it more difficult for anyone to enter, then I went around the place and made sure every window was well closed before I found myself in the bedroom again where I laid in bed and hid under the white blanket that was there.

My breathing was heavy as I remained there in silence waiting for my anxious thoughts to go away and for my rapid heartbeat to calm down and thankfully it so happened after some hours which I was painfully aware of, till my consciousness finally took its journey to dreamland.