"Alexander," His breath fanned over my ear, making me shiver. "That's my name."
.
.
.
"Alexander!" A girl shouted, running towards the University's gate. "What's the rush and calling my full name?" He smiled and opened his arms.
She stopped, not giving in.
"Oh, and here I thought you wanted a hug before I go." He pouted and the girl stared blankly, her eyes getting teary.
"Wha--hey, what's wrong, Liahree?" He asked and reached a hand to her head--but she held it and pulled him closer, burrying her face and wrapping him into a tight hug.
He sighed and fingers combed her strands gently. "Shh, it's okay. Tell me."
She was silent, sobbing on his chest.
"If you want, I can cook you carbonara—"
"Fuck marriage, Xaxa! I'll never want to be married!" She shouted, echoing in his chest. It made him chuckle softly.
"It's fine if you don't want to..."
The girl sniffed, "I-it's scary..."
"Why?" Alexander asked in a warm tone. But she didn't answer. He took a deep breath. "Did....something happened in your house again?" She nodded and hugged him tighter.
"It's alright, I'm here." He softly caressed her back, humming a calming tone. "Xaxa's here."
.
.
.
"Or....do you prefer calling me Xaxa instead?"
My eyes got blurry, sniffing. His smirk dropped slowly, looking at my eyes. A finger wiped across my lid.
"D-dude, are you gay or something?" I shouted and shoved him away.
He was taken a back, letting out a deep chuckle, echoing the room. Alexander laid in bed while eyes looked at mine with a smirk.
"I might be..." His words made my brows furrowed. "when it's you." He sat up and leaned closer, staring at me with those eyes again.
'Badum'
I stood up from the bed and walked to the sink. "Where are you going?" Alex asked, still sitting on the mattress.
"Cook. To pay you." His chest rumbled in laughter. I looked at him with sharp eyes.
"Woah, okay okay." His smiled faded and held up his hands. "It's...been a long time..." He uttered and paused.
"Didn't know you can cook now."
I stood silently and faced the stove. To be honest...
I still don't know how to cook.
"Y'know what, let me." I heard slippers clacking behind me.
"Huh?" I faced him and he smiled. "Xaxa will cook for you. You're a guest anyway." He opened the drawer on top of the sink, bringing out the chopping board and the ingredients.
He turned to me, "You." Palms touched my shoulders. "Rest." He held me by the shoulder, making me slowly walk backwards.
"Wait—"
"Shhh."
My bottom plopped on the bed, him towering me.
"I'll do the rest, don't worry." He turned back and walked to the sink. "I'm not like your dad who's gonna nag your mom relentlessly while she does all the work he wanted."
My shoulders dropped, watching him stand by the counter. He chopped the bell peppers.
Bell peppers...
The knife clanged against the chopping board, along with the grayish fume flying up from the pan. I watched her as she stands by the counter.
She quickly turned off the stove and faced me.
"Call your dad, honey." She smiled warmly and I stood up, rushing out the door and finding where he is. "
I found him sitting on the bench beside the door, flicking through the news. His brows furrowed at me, making his forehead wrinkle more.
"Dinner's ready!" I smiled warmly and he turned to me blankly—unfazed by my effort to greet him. He stood up and walked to the kitchen.
"Why aren't there plates yet?" He asked in an irritated tone. His eyes pierced on me and my mother.
"Tsk! This is why you get nowhere in life. Even something simple as this can't be accomplished!" He raised his voice and I looked at her beside me.
She was stiffly smiling, eyes looking down as sweat dripped on her forehead.
"Sorry. I won't make the mistake again—"
His chest rumbled in a chuckle. "Really now? When will you ever change, Eloisa? Get a damn life."
He stormed out the kitchen, leaving me to grit my teeth and clench my fist. I looked over at her.
"don't cry about it. We should be thankful that we have a roof because of him—"
'Clang'
"Oh sorry, did I startle...." His voice made me come to my senses, making me look at him as he stands over the counter.
He held my wrist, pulling me into a tight embrace. My face burried in his chest as I close my eyes, finally melting in the only comfort available to me right now.
To be continued...