The Gilded Cage

chapter 10

— "Wh...what are you saying? Your way of linking topics is worse than I imagined!"

— "Would you really accept her presence in front of you?"

He kept looking at me stupidly, so I exhaled: "Forget it... a person with corrupt morals like you wouldn't care about something like this..."

— "I may be cheerful and playful, but you, in return, are very harsh on me!"

Then he changed the subject and muttered, wondering: "Do you have enough money to find another apartment?"

I shook my head: "No... I only have a little that will last me for a month or so..."

He smiled as he sipped his juice: "You can stay here as I told you, at least until you find a suitable apartment, although I doubt any apartment is available now at reasonable prices like this. Think about it; we're living together and can exchange benefits, so I see this scam as the most beautiful thing that could have happened..."

I twisted my lip resentfully as I thought about his words, ignoring the last sentence... He's right! It will be very difficult. Also, my money isn't enough, and I don't want to bother Ethan, as he barely spends on himself and his living expenses abroad. And also my parents, who are enjoying their time together, and Sam, who hasn't been appointed to his job yet and because of him, my dad will go crazy over his recklessness regarding work...

But...

I can't take it anymore...

Not with this being who only excels at sarcasm and jokes...!

I whispered in frustration: "I wonder if I can trust you!"

He eyed me sarcastically and said with mocking disapproval: "I'm not a criminal or morally deviant!"

I breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Don't look at me like that!"

He wondered, puzzled: "Like what?"

I answered him resentfully: "Like that! You... always eye me with sarcastic looks as if I were something funny! What's your problem with me?"

His hazel eyes widened in surprise: "I don't look at you that way! I'm just amazed by your hostile attitude towards me! You seem ready to kill me at any moment!"

I exhaled in displeasure: "You're the cause of this. You can't blame me!"

Oh God, he's absolutely right. I am behaving in a hostile manner and a very sharp style! I'm not like this with people, only with him! I always joke and chat with everyone!...

Even my colleagues call me "Kind Charlotte"! When on earth did I become like this!

I reap nothing good after meeting this young man!

I finished my food, turning my face away from him, but he said calmly: "I'm still wondering, how old are you?"

I looked at him silently, so he muttered thoughtfully: "Early twenties?"

I whispered with obvious hesitation: "Twenty-one."

— "So that's it!"

— "What about you?"

— "Why don't you guess?"

I hummed thoughtfully: "Twenty-three?"

He shook his head, so I said: "Twenty-four then!"

He shook his head again, so I said: "Either twenty-five or twenty-six!"

He said, smiling cheerfully: "I'm thirty-five, Miss Charlotte!"

I gaped in astonishment and disbelief: "Impossible, you're joking!"

He laughed softly: "That's true..."

He laughed again, so I looked at him with annoyance and fury, growling: "Stop that!"

He asked, not understanding: "Stop laughing and being sarcastic?"

— "Rather, stop lying!"

I continued with curiosity and resentment: "And how old are you then, Mr. Mysterious?"

He sighed: "Would it surprise you if I said I'll be turning twenty soon?"

I gasped in surprise: "What!"

My eyes sharpened and I pursed my lips in anger when he put his palm over his mouth and started laughing again!

So I screamed angrily: "Damn you, you're silly and don't stop lying!"

He said with sudden seriousness, calming me down: "Okay, I'll tell the truth... I'm twenty-seven!"

I shrugged indifferently, commenting: "Say what you want as if I'll believe you..."

He stood up, heading towards the sofa I was sitting on, and said: "It's the truth! I'm twenty-seven!"

When I didn't show any reaction and was still ignoring him, he added sarcastically: "I'm serious! I turned twenty-seven about two months ago..."

I muttered in annoyance: "Anyway, I hate lying! And I hate you too!"

He raised his eyebrows: "Yes, I can see that without you confessing!"

He added, puzzled: "Do you usually treat people this way?"

I put the cup on the table: "Only with you... believe me, Mr. Chris!"

Then I ignored his presence as I leaned my head back and rested it on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, so he said in a deep tone: "Then let it be known that I am like this only with you..."

I looked at him without raising my head, then looked forward again, puzzled by him, but I soon stood up and said, carrying the food to the kitchen: "I should go to sleep..."

Then I returned to the living room to get my phone; it was still lying on the sofa. I took the phone and smiled: "Good night!"

I hesitated a little until I said in a faint voice: "Good night..."

I headed to the room, hurried to take a shower, then threw myself on the bed and fell into a deep sleep...

The next day...

He looked at the watch on his wrist and said: "So, let's go now..."

I nodded affirmatively. He had suggested we go buy some groceries and food because the kitchen was completely empty, so I didn't oppose his idea! This is better than wasting money on buying food from outside...

We entered the store, and he went to get a shopping cart and push it. I was buying vegetables, fruits, meat, chicken, and other canned goods and many other things. However, I felt indignation and tried to control myself with difficulty because every time I went to put the purchases in the cart, I found Chris standing in another corner far away from me! And it wasn't even important sections, but either a snacks section or pastries and the like!

I eyed him impatiently while he ignored my looks and said: "Tell me, which is better? Hazelnut or almond flavor?"

— "Did you decide to bring me along to drive me insane?"

— "Huh?"

— "Why don't you leave the cart here if you're going to keep moving here and there?"

He tilted his head: "Okay, then I'll buy both flavors. Aren't you done yet?"

I stared at the cart thoughtfully: "I don't know if I've forgotten anything! But I think I'm done!"

We caused a bit of a commotion when each of us insisted on paying the bill, but he won in the end under the pretext that his chivalry as a man didn't allow him to let a woman pay money on his behalf!

We returned home when the clock pointed to three in the afternoon, so I said to him: "Is a late lunch okay?"

He answered, pointing to his stomach: "I want to fill it, or else I'll lose my mind. I just hope you're a skilled cook..."

He smiled sarcastically, so I said, putting my hands on my hips irritably: "If you're going to start your criticisms now, then cook by yourself!"

— "I was just saying that you need to prepare something consumable by humans..."

— "Any other notes, Mr. Chris?"

— "Yes, I was going to say—"

— "Stop chattering and demanding as if you're one of the expert judges! Oh my God... what about helping me, then?"

He sat in front of the TV and said, eyeing me from the corner of his eye: "Me? You don't want to end up in the hospital suffering from food poisoning, right?"

I let out a sarcastic hum and stood looking at him for seconds before surrendering and laughing softly, then went to prepare the food. After we had lunch, I felt satisfied when he expressed his admiration for what I cooked!