SUSPICION
926 Words
0018
AUGUST
Levi refused to speak to me, even his coldness increased. He didn't even spare me a glass all afternoon. Instead, he assigned me chores without saying a word, just issuing simple commands.
I polished the glass till my arms ached, but my mind always drifted to the house design, and the text I got that night.
“Atticus was alive.”
I shook my head, trying to get rid of the thought.
Maybe it was Levi playing pranks on me. He obviously heard when I had the nightmare, and maybe, just maybe I had mentioned Atticus’s name.
I tried to navigate my thoughts back to the architecture of the house.
What kind of house was crafted in such a weird way? Everything seemed off.
The reflections doubled back on themself like it was deliberate, like something was hiding in plain sight.
After I finished cleaning, I stayed tracing the glass, unsure of what exactly I was looking for. I wanted to stop, but I heard a faint hum behind like a vibration. Electronics.
“Fuck.” I staggered back.
What was happening? I leaned in to listen, but I heard footsteps.
Levi.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“ Yes, I am, but what's with the funky architecture?” I asked.
He stared at me, his eyes moving from my head to my toes, but lingering longer on my shorts.
He just turned away, walking without responding.
“The other day and you bluntly ignored me.”
“It feels like a maze,” I said. “August, learn to mind your business,” he replied.
“Come on, it's creepy. Like the house was built to confuse intruders or people” I added.
“ Face your work. August,” he replied lazily.
“Oh, and listen, the hum. Do you hear that?” I said, ignoring all he said.
“ It's called a ventilation system. It's Security features.” He snapped.
I exhaled.
“They are security features, August. Mr. Hale's preference."
“ Oh, my god. Security? in a glass house? Who are the watchers? Isn't this irony too much?" I said.
"Him." That was the only response he gave me.
He was killing the vibe.
This wasn't the Levi I knew. Maybe something happened.
Ugh, fine.
"And is the east wing locked for the same reason? Hiding the control room where all the monitors are?"
"It is a private space, August."
"Why do you keep stressing private like don't ask or private or like bodies buried private? I sneered.
He exhaled. "August."
"What? Humor me. This place is weird as f**k. Slanted walls. I'm sure there are hidden mics. The glass is everywhere. Like, it's so different. The architecture is, ugh, yuck. I'll do a better job at it, and trust me, I'm horrible at geography." I said.
They should fire the architect.
"It's for transparency," he said, his voice laced with irritation.
That's the effect I have.
"Transparency? For the boss, I have never seen? Oh, and I keep getting texts from Creeps. If that settles it and well, maybe I'm a bit paranoid but I admit everything here is off. Honestly, the only reason I'm staying is that the pay is huge and it comes with a free house. Oh, and a chef, oh sorry, you who cook good meals.” I said.
Levi looked at his watch, then the doors, before his eyes moved back to his tablet.
His brows furrowed immediately, like he saw something he didn't like.
He finally spared me a glance and exhaled.
"It's unique. Get used to it. And I'm not your chef." he said, emphasizing the last sentence.
"Unique like haunted? I asked.” Plus you cook well.”
“Hmm,” he said, focusing deeply on his tablet.
“Are there ghosts here?”
"No ghost," he said.
"I bet there are tons of ghosts. This house has so many secrets," I said as I took my plate walking past him, brushing his arm intentionally.
He tensed up, finally taking his eyes off his tablet.
I could feel his eyes burning holes in my back as I walked away.
He only exhaled for the fourth time today. "Bye, chef," I said, strutting to my room.
I went to my room, sinking into my bed.
As much as I hated how f****d up the architecture is, the decorator did his big one. Especially on the beds and Sofas.
"The walls have eyes. Listen closer." I got another text.
I sat up. Well, there were so many things off. Everything just keeps getting weirder as the day goes by.
The architecture, the messages. Everything was just off.
Levi knocked on my door.
"Hi, I'll be leaving now ." I leaned on the other side of the door, staring at him, glaring at him.
"Hey, um, about earlier. Sorry if I pushed, you know?" he said, pinching the bridge of his nose
“You were being really mean,” I purred.
“And I'm sorry." He said.
"Yeah, that's fine." I nodded, but there was something in his eyes, something I couldn't place my hand on.
But then he offered to make orange juice for me as a peace offering before he left.
It was quiet, I made jokes, but he didn't even smile.
And then I said something about a glass ghost, and then his lips curled up in a smile. Just almost...
There was more to this house on the way, I was yet to discover.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
- Writer
