The Gilded Cage

chapter 13

He stopped talking suddenly, so I asked disapprovingly: "What's the matter?"

He stared at the TV, then said sarcastically as usual: "I wonder what their reaction would be when they learn that you're staying with a handsome, single young man in his apartment under one roof!"

I was flustered by his cunning tone while he added, laughing: "They'll undoubtedly kill me, and maybe accuse me of exploiting their beautiful daughter... Why don't you—"

I interrupted him calmly: "This won't last long... Please stop this!"

We fell silent for a moment, then I said more calmly and thoughtfully: "There's no need for all this; I'll be out of your apartment very soon. You're right; my staying with you under one roof will undoubtedly anger my parents. I'll find a suitable place far away from you completely..."

His features froze a little: "Really? And where is this place!"

He continued in a slightly faint tone: "Why don't you resort to your friend called... what was his name? Ah, right... Ethan!"

He added impatiently: "He must be happy about that with his girl, who seems to treat everyone kindly."

Then he whispered, twisting his lip: "Except for Chris..."

My friend?! I smiled sarcastically and laughed softly despite myself, so he looked at me disapprovingly and puzzled, but he turned his face away again, looking at the TV calmly. Does he think he's my friend? And did I say that?!

I don't care if he thinks my brother is my friend; I won't be staying long, and he has no right to know anything!

I said coldly: "Clearly, you're trying to change the subject and escape from it! I told you that you need to correct your mistake! You're deceiving her... this is insolence!"

He raised his eyebrows as if I said something strange and funny to him!

He emitted a hum, and I didn't understand what he was saying except that I understood he was mocking and ridiculing me as usual...

I advanced towards him a little and eyed him sharply: "Listen, I advise you to stop pretending to be innocent! You wear this mask of your features and hide beneath it corrupt morals and a person who doesn't respect others or takes any account of them at least! Just tell me if you're suffering from some illness because you don't seem normal to me!"

He laughed softly, so I became furious: "Oh, that's right, go ahead and laugh. Yes, laugh and continue, please, because you're not good at anything else, and that's all you do. Yes, go ahead and laugh as much as you want!"

He said amid his laughter with difficulty: "Oh my God! And you still deny your sharp temper? I can't feel bored in front of you!"

I eyed him with intense disgust, so he said: "What?"

He added boredly: "Are you going to use your claws to finish me off?"

— "M...my claws?!"

— "Looking at you makes me feel... well, how do I describe that? As if I'm looking at a little cat ready to pounce on its prey!"

I whispered in frustration: "Ah, you're right this time. Ready to pounce on a rat like you..."

He burst out laughing, so I whispered: "You're sick!"

I don't know if I imagined it or not, but his features changed a little. He seemed somewhat annoyed and soon stood up, turning his face away, so I furrowed my eyebrows in surprise: "What's the matter? What?!"

He turned away, so I only saw his back!

What happened to him? Did I say something to cause annoyance??

I whispered, puzzled and tense: "Is there something wrong..."

He whispered in a dry tone: "And do you care? I'm nothing but an annoying person to you!"

I swallowed hard and leaned on the edge of the sofa, answering: "I... it's up to you! I wanted to know what made you flip like this! Is it about something I mentioned? Could it be related to some illness as I just said?!"

He turned towards me with curt features and seemed a little hesitant, but he said calmly: "What if I told you its type?"

He continued in his previous tone: "Then what would you do for me?"

— "I don't know! But maybe talking helps. It seems its matter bothers you!"

He stared at me silently for a long time, so I felt worried about him! His eyes gleamed with a strange glint, then he muttered: "It's a hereditary disease. I inherited the disease from my mother... It's the disease of excessive handsomeness, Miss Charlotte, and—"

But he didn't complete his talk because of the pillow I threw at his face forcefully and with great anger! But he caught it, unfortunately, and smiled a mischievous smile, so I said indignantly: "Don't you dare talk to me again. All the blame falls on me; I shouldn't have wasted my time listening to your nonsense!"

I ignored him, headed to the room, and slammed the door in annoyance. And how angry I felt when he said in a loud voice: "Don't forget to prepare dinner, Charlotte, and preferably early!"

Should I put poison in it? Or burn him with oil?!

I've never met anyone like him before. Is he in his full mental capacity? I threw myself on the bed, staring at the ceiling absently... He's twenty-seven. Someone like him should be working and bearing family responsibilities... I wonder if he's alone! And does he have a place other than this apartment!

Time was passing quickly while I was in the same position. All I was doing was staring at the ceiling completely absently, thinking in bewilderment about what I should do in the coming days... that is, if I remain alive, because I feel my blood pressure rising and all my internal organs boiling because of his endless mockery.