I woke up so late that I didn't even have time to take a quick shower, and I just changed my clothes to take my first subject. I'll just take a bath after my two classes this morning, and besides, I don't have any meetings to attend in the afternoon, so that'll do.
I'm three minutes late for my first class, and unfortunately, our professor has this rule that every minute counts when we get late, and the number of those points will be deducted from any upcoming quiz or test.
How cruel, right?
I was sitting in the last row when I noticed Rylie waving at me. She seemed extra bubbly right now, and I just don't know why.
"You look like trash," she said as she scanned me from head to toe.
I kept thinking about what happened last night. I know I was ready to say that to him last night, but I guess he's the one who's not prepared to hear it at all. Well, what can I expect, right? I just blurted it out without any caution to him, and maybe he's also in shock. That's right, he's in shock.
"Hello?" Rylie waved her hand in front of my face.
I glared at her for a second and rolled my eyes before I took out my notes from my bag.
"You look like trash, and now you're not even talking about what's happening to you," she whispered as the professor started to discuss the lesson for today.
"I'm simply not in the mood," I also whispered.
"Did you get into a fight with him again, or are you simply still not making up since the last time we visited?" She asked this time.
"I don't want to talk right now," I replied, shutting her off for now. She easily understood what I meant and eventually focused on the lesson.
I rested my head on the table and closed my eyes for a moment. I tried to recall what happened last night, and I just accidentally bit my lips upon feeling the huge embarrassment all over again.
I shouldn't have said it last night.
I shouldn't have done that.
Minutes passed, and my eyes felt so heavy. I yawned once before I totally closed my eyes and fell asleep.
Maybe sleeping could take this sh*t away.
…
Someone's gently tapping my shoulders, and I'm getting so annoyed by the thought of it. I don't want to open my eyes, but there's someone who's trying to wake me up. I opened my eyes only to see Cooper sitting beside me. He's everywhere, and I can't help but roll my eyes at him. He's looking at me as he continues to tap my shoulders.
"You're peacefully sleeping while discussing taxation, huh?" He said it like he was teasing me.
I moved my head the other way as I stretched my upper body. His hand is still on my back, and now he's gently caressing it. Now I don't know how to start a conversation with him. I just felt awkward and was still embarrassed.
When our professor dismissed the class, I immediately stood up, but then Cooper quickly grabbed my wrist. His expression is quite serious, but not the usual; it's not the same expression he has whenever he's just looking at me; it's more like he has something on his mind.
I wonder what's going on in it.
"Do you want to tell me something?" I asked impatiently.
He then dropped my wrist and shook his head. He stood up like nothing had happened and spoke.
"Let's go home now," he said like an order.
Well, I don't have anything to do, and I can't see Rylie anymore. Maybe she already went out when she noticed that I was with this man.
Our driver's not around, so he's driving me home today, and now it's a bit bothersome to watch how he will take a glance at me and will be about to open his mouth to talk, but in the end, he didn't even say a thing even after he parked the car.
I followed him to the elevator, and I'm the one who started to talk this time.
"If you want to say something, say it already," I said in a stern voice.
He looked in my direction and just sighed.
"Let's just rest, and you also need to—"
"Can you just be honest with me?" I almost yelled at him. "What is happening to you? Ever since we got back, you have become this person that I don't even recognize. You're just in your room, doing some stuff that you don't want to talk about. You keep telling me that it's for your family, but am I not one of them?"
I bit my lips after realizing what I said. Even I got hurt because of something I said. I'm right; I'm now part of his family, but he can't even treat me like one.
He's just looking at me like I hit something so hard. He's a bit shocked.
"I'm your family?" He suddenly asked.
"Of course I am," My voice almost broke upon saying it. It feels like I'm about to cry.
The elevator opened, and I immediately walked out to enter our penthouse, but right after I went out of the elevator, he held my wrist and hugged me from behind. I tried to move away from him, but he's much stronger now.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered in my ear.
He hugged me even tighter and kissed the top of my head. It felt so warm that I almost forgot that I'm not used to this kind of warmth.
"If only you could tell what's happening, I'll try to understand you little by little," I said straightforwardly.
He sighed, and I could absolutely hear frustration in it. He remained silent for a moment, then let go of me to make me look at him.
He looked so miserable as I laid eyes on him.
What's really happening to him?
"If you find out about it, you'll loathe me for the rest of your life," he said with so much frustration in his voice.
I cupped his face and gently kissed him on the side of his lips. I pulled him by his nape and let his forehead rest on mine.
I want to know everything about it now. I don't care if I get hurt or what, but just to end this shitty arrangement, I'll try to understand, and there's only one thing to figure out.
"Try me."