Chapter 10.2 Sean POV : He Acted Weird
1525 Words
His question caught me off guard. I tried to answer, but my thoughts tangled before I could find a single word.
Was he? Why wasn't I sure?
I mean... it felt like there was something else behind his words, wasn't there?
I didn't answer him immediately. Instead, I thought about the possibilities.
Maybe he was serious about the act. Of course, he didn't want our fake relationship to be exposed so soon. His war with his family had only just begun.
He was planning to keep this game going for a long time...
"I... think I know what you mean," I said. "You want to make our fake relationship look as real as possible to convince everyone. Especially your mother." I nodded to myself, convinced I had figured out his reasoning.
He kept silent, watching me with a cold and stern expression. Why was he so scary all of a sudden? I felt like I was being eaten alive under his gaze.
Caleb clearly looked irritated.
Then, he let out a harsh sigh and leaned back, turning his head away.
"Yeah..." he answered quickly—too quickly, actually.
I didn't dare say anything else. His frown alone was enough to make me swallow every word I wanted to say. I looked away, keeping my eyes on my lap as I tried to stay still.
The entire ride back to the apartment passed in silence.
Once we arrived, Caleb paid the fare and immediately walked away, leaving me behind.
He was acting so weird. I couldn't figure him out. Was he in a bad mood or something? But I couldn't think of anything I'd done wrong.
I was still lost in thought when he suddenly stopped and turned around to look at me.
"Can you walk faster?" He asked impatiently, glaring at me.
"Yeah, I'm coming..." I jogged a little, quickening my pace until I was walking beside him.
For some reason, I felt like he was avoiding me. He walked a few steps ahead of me, didn't say a word, and barely even looked at me. Instead, he wore the expression of a grumpy old man holding a grudge against the world.
I followed him in silence all the way back to his apartment.
"Finally... we're back...!" I stretched both arms above my head, feeling relieved.
"I want to take a bath," Caleb said as he stepped inside and headed straight for his room.
Well, it was already six in the evening.
"Guess I'll take a bath too..." I murmured and slowly headed back to my room.
But then I remembered that I hadn't packed any spare clothes.
"Shit...!" I cursed under my breath and slapped my forehead.
How could I forget that? Now what?
Should I borrow some clothes from Caleb?
But...
I looked outside and glanced toward his room.
I wasn't sure whether I should go in or not, since Caleb didn't seem to be in the mood right now.
But I needed spare clothes...!
"I'd better try it than do nothing..." I mumbled to myself, gathering my courage before stepping out toward his room.
I knocked on his door, but there was no response. I could hear the faint sound of water splashing from inside.
Maybe he was already taking a shower.
Well, I should leave, right?
But my body seemed to have a different idea. I didn't know why, but my hand moved on its own and slowly turned the doorknob.
Creak...
The door opened slowly, revealing an empty room. Caleb was clearly still inside the bathroom, judging by the sound of running water.
"W-well, I just want to borrow his clothes. I swear I won't do anything..."
I carefully watched my steps as I walked toward his wardrobe, making sure not to make any noise so he wouldn't know I had entered his room.
Once my hand reached the wardrobe, the bathroom door suddenly opened.
"Sean? What are you doing there?"
His voice startled me. I flinched and quickly turned my head toward him, only to gulp when I saw him standing there like that.
Water droplets were still running down his body. I quickly shook my thoughts away and forced myself to look straight.
"I-I... can I borrow your clothes...? I forgot to pack mine... Sorry..." I sounded like a child who had just been caught stealing.
"Take whatever you like..." he said, crossing his arms while standing still in front of the bathroom door.
A faint scent of his soap lingered in the air, reaching me as I stood there.
Somehow, it made me nervous...
"Th-thank you...!" I immediately smiled in relief.
My focus shifted to his wardrobe. I started searching for anything I could use.
"Ah, can I use this?" I pulled out a grey shirt with a tiger printed on the chest.
"Sure..." He answered shortly.
Guess he was still in a bad mood after all...
"I'll return your shirt tomorrow and wash it. Thank you again..." I gave him a small nod, holding the shirt against my chest before turning around.
I rushed out of his room, my heart pounding so loudly that I was afraid he could hear it.
Bang!
The door slammed shut, the sound echoing through my room.
What is wrong with me??
My breathing had already become uneven.
I leaned my back against the door, trying to calm myself while gripping his shirt tightly.
This was wrong. I wasn't supposed to feel like this.
Did I... really like him...?
That question suddenly began to haunt me.
No, no...
I tried to push the thought away, But the more I denied it, the stronger it became.
"Calm down... I must be wrong..."
A long breath escaped my lips, "better go take a shower now..." I murmured and walked toward the bathroom, holding the shirt in my hand.
A cold shower was the best way to calm my mind.
I took a step out of the room, my eyes drifting toward the clock on the wall.
It was 7:00 PM
"Is already dinner time... Caleb should not eat late. He still needs to take his medicine..." The words slipped out automatically, like it was already part of my routine.
Then I slapped my forehead again, realizing what I had just been thinking.
Why I thinking about him?
I even complained to myself.
I shook my head repeatedly, trying to get those stupid thoughts out of my mind..
But then, a knock on the door made me jump and step backward.
Knock... Knock...
"Hey, Sean, what do you want for dinner?" Caleb's voice came from the other side of the door.
"Wait...!"
I hurried to the door and opened it. He was standing there, holding a menu sheet in his hand.
"Here..." He handed me the menu sheet. "You can choose anything you like..."
I grabbed the menu sheet, looking through the list of dishes written on it.
Too many options. It was confusing me.
My concentration broke when the phone suddenly rang, and I quickly gave the menu sheet back to Caleb.
"You choose, Caleb. I'll follow..." I said as I walked over to the desk beside the bed.
I looked at the screen.
It was Daniel...
Without hesitation, I pressed the button and accepted the call.
"Daniel, what is it?" I asked instantly, lowering my voice.
"Sean, I called to confirm something... Is it true that you are in a relationship with Caleb Bermount?" Daniel's voice sounded curious and hesitant at the same time.
"How do you know that?" My voice almost slipped out higher.
"I know from the news tonight! It's going viral, you know!"
My body stiffened. Viral, he said? No way...
What if my dad knew about this? Uh, he didn't like gossip anyway, but there was still a chance he would hear about it...
I swallowed slowly, feeling sweat begin to form.
"So? Can you explain it?"
Daniel's voice snapped me back to reality.
"Uh, I don't think I can tell the story right now..." My eyes shifted to Caleb.
He was still standing by the door, looking at me with a sharp gaze, as if he was an investigator.
I turned my body away instantly.
"How about we talk somewhere else, huh...?" I whispered, making my voice as low as possible so Caleb wouldn't hear anything.
"Okay, how about we meet at the campus tomorrow? I will wa—"
I didn't notice Caleb standing behind me because I was too focused on talking to Daniel.
He snatched my phone from my hand quickly.
I froze for a moment, as if I had stopped breathing.
"You...! Why did you...!" I shouted, turning around and glaring at him.
"Who's talking with you? Why are you whispering?" He stared at me with a cold gaze.
"None of your business!" My teeth clenched. "Give me back...!"
My hand stretched out, trying to reach the phone in his possession.
He caught my wrist and tightened his grip. Not too strong, but hard enough to stop my movement.
Then, he raised the phone to his ear.
"Who is it?" He asked in a flat tone, but his expression had become extremely serious.
- Writer
