The Gilded Cage

chapter 5

He furrowed his brow in lack of understanding, so I explained the matter, sighing helplessly: "My name is Charlotte!"

A cheerful smile spread on his lips, and he approached me, shaking my hand: "Ah, Charlotte! A beautiful name... I'm Cristóbal, call me Chris for short!"

I shook his hand hesitantly and said: "I won't say I'm happy to meet you!"

He smiled in bewilderment: "What terrifying honesty!"

I swallowed hard when he sat next to me, but I composed myself and asked him steadily: "It seems you can pay for a night in some hotel... why don't you?"

He answered me with similar calm: "I told you it's my apartment... And for your information, my circumstances won't allow me to spend a night in a hotel!"

Then he asked me curiously: "Are you studying?"

I didn't answer him, so he said: "If you work..."

— "Don't you notice what I notice?"

— "What do you notice?"

— "That you're talkative and speak a lot! I read one of the articles explaining that a woman speaks multiples more than a man in one night, but I'll tell them I found someone who broke this rule and needs to be under observation..."

He burst out laughing as if enjoying my dislike! So I pretended not to care and stood up, grabbing the bag, headed to one of the rooms, put my bag on the bed, let out a deep breath, whispering irritably: "Annoying! Annoying and talkative!"

I have to change my clothes, then find a solution to get rid of him...

Even if I have to report him for trespassing!

I took off the clip, and my long hair fell on my back, and I put on simple clothes, then stared at myself in the mirror silently and absently...

I can't believe that as soon as I enter the apartment I'll settle in, I meet him directly face to face! And what on earth is he doing in this city? I mustn't lower my guard; he's someone impossible to trust! Not after what he did, even if he was intoxicated then... who knows, maybe what he does while conscious is much worse.

And I wasn't afforded time to immerse myself in my thoughts more because I was startled hearing a whistle of admiration, so I turned around fiercely!!

He was standing in front of the door, leaning on it simply, so I screamed in annoyance: "How dare you enter without permission?"

He stared at me carefully and said indifferently: "It's my apartment, and I please do what I want in it..."

I said sharply: "It's not... and it never will be yours! What insolence, for God's sake!"

He approached me, so I took a cautious stance, eyeing him suspiciously, and said: "Would you mind stepping out, please?"

He raised his head upward, sighing deeply, then looked at me again with displeasure: "You have a very sharp temper!"

I moistened my lips nervously, but I growled in annoyance: "Not until I saw you! You annoy and provoke me greatly with your indifferent actions..."

I added: "Why do you seem so confident, arrogant, domineering, and why do you impose your control and act with—"

He interrupted me, astonished: "Oh... enough! Enough! Okay, thanks, I learned I'm a bad person! Good grief..."

I didn't comment but spread silence as a carpet in the place, and I could only hear the sound of my fingers tapping lightly on the table beside me with anticipation until he broke the silence, saying: "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Should I lie and say yes and that I'm getting married very soon to get rid of him? Or should I say I'm married and have three children!

But I'm not obliged to lie to him; he won't be staying here long!

I answered him calmly as I passed him to leave the room: "None of your business..."

He followed me in despair: "You repeat this sentence a lot! Why do you treat me this way?"