Chapter 53: Chapter 53

JONEA

“Tell me, why are you crying? Is that asshole Hunter bothering you again? Let me teach him a lesson!” Marilyn went over and took her jacket, but I held her back.

“No, not him. I don’t mean because of him. I’m just worried about you.”

Marilyn raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Is this because of Teddy? Oh, Jonea, I’m fine. We broke up, and for some reason, recently, he came back to me and--”

I hugged Marilyn again tightly. “Do you like him? That Teddy? As long as you’re happy, I no longer need to worry.”

I’m confused about what to talk about. I just feel relieved that Marilyn is okay. That’s all I need. After ensuring nothing had changed about Marilyn, I went home.

“Let me take you. You’ve come a long way here.”

“No!” I replied quickly. “I’ll just take a taxi.”

It was enough that the devil erased Marilyn’s memory once. I don’t want it to happen again if Marilyn finds out where I live now.

When I was about to leave Marilyn’s room, I stopped. I felt uncomfortable if I had to go back to Daran’s house now. How would I face Owen? I was so angry with him, even though what happened wasn’t as bad as I thought.

But I also have nowhere else to go. There’s no way I’m staying at Marilyn’s house. It seemed like she would meet Teddy to solve their problems.

Now I’m just stunned and standing on the side of the road with boxes of fruit and vegetables given to me by Marilyn’s parents.

***

OWEN

I stood in my uncle’s study with my head down. I had no choice but to tell the truth. My uncle should hear from me directly before he decides and misunderstands.

Uncle sat in a high-backed chair with his hands linked under his chin. I knew my uncle was watching and assessing me from behind his mask. At times like this, I’d rather have my uncle get angry and nag than for him to be silent and make me even more scared. I felt goosebumps all over my body.

“I’ve told you, you must be as nice as possible to her.”

I still looked down and bit my lip. I know I was rude to Jonea, but that’s also because she started it.

I just kept quiet even though I felt like saying all that word for word to my uncle.

“You must look after her and ensure her safety instead of arguing. She is even much younger than you and very fragile. You shouldn’t be childish when facing her. Now, you don’t even know where she is. What if she doesn’t come back?”

Suddenly, I lifted my face and looked at my uncle in shock. Of course, Jonea can escape. I never thought that far.

“I thought Jonea wouldn’t be that reckless. Like us here, she couldn’t escape before her goal was achieved.”

My uncle fell silent. He played with the pen in his hand. At that time, a crow appeared from the window. Its beak pecked at the window glass. Uncle stood up and opened the window. After receiving the message from the crow, he closed the window again and turned to me.

“I have something to do tonight. Make sure Jonea returns before midnight. If I come home tomorrow and don’t see her here, you know what will happen to you, right?”

I bowed slightly and folded my right hand across my chest in salute. As soon as I stood up straight, my uncle was no longer in his place. His office became frozen and dark. I came out with a sigh.

“Should I look for her? Ah, asshole!”

I paced around the front room. I checked my cell phone several times.

“Should I call her? But shouldn’t she be the one apologizing to me? She’ll get a big head if I look for her first, right?”

After thinking for a long time, I was determined to contact Jonea. On the second ring, I realized Jonea’s cell phone had been left on the sofa. The cell phone kept ringing until I ended the call.

“She even left without taking her cell phone?”

I was annoyed and rushed to get the car keys. When I was about to leave, the front door suddenly opened, and Jonea stood with a tired face.

“Owen, are you going?” Jonea asked nervously.

I awkwardly nodded. “Oh, no, I mean, I just got home.” I quickly hid the car keys from Jonea’s gaze.

“Owen... I... I...” Jone stuttered.

I’m sure she regretted it and finally decided to go home. She should apologize to me, right?

“Owen, have you seen my phone?” Jonea asked quickly. She wouldn’t even look me in the eye. “I came home just to look for my cell phone. Don’t think that I’m sorry and going home to apologize to you--”

I grabbed Jonea’s body and just hugged her tightly. I never thought I would do something impulsive like this. My body drives my consciousness. I really hugged her and felt so relieved. Jonea came home fine. I’m almost going crazy thinking about having to look for her all over town before midnight.

“O-owen... I can’t breathe. Please let me go--”

I quickly removed my hug from Jonea.

“Ahem! I... I just wanted to check if you came home with any magic energy residue again, like the other day. Because magic residue from outside could be dangerous for the security of this house.”

I’m so embarrassed. I secretly cursed myself for being careless.

“Oh, I didn’t meet anyone dangerous today. I just went shopping. Can you please bring my things that were left at the gate? I can’t carry them myself.”

“Okay!” I answered quickly. “How much do you shop for?”

Without thinking, I immediately went forward. I just wanted to get away from Jonea as quickly as possible. I’m too embarrassed right now.

***

JONEA

Oh, what have I done? And Owen, why is he suddenly hugging me like that? Is he really worried about me?

I just paced around the room. I’m confused and nervous. I don’t want to continue feeling awkward with each other, but we will live in the same house for who knows how long.

I opened the curtains and looked out the window. Owen walked into the yard carrying heavy boxes containing fruit and vegetables given to me by Marilyn’s parents. He seemed to have no trouble at all.

I decided to go down and talk to Owen. I have to finish our argument this afternoon. However, I did exaggerate. Owen was just doing his job.

Bruh!

The sound of boxes and tables stomping echoed. Owen had just put the carton of fruit on the kitchen table.

“Ah, why is she shopping this much? Who will eat it?” Owen grumbled.

“That... was a gift from Marilyn’s parents,” I said softly.

I stood behind Owen. He jumped in surprise and turned to look at me.

“Why are you sneaking around? Aww, my heart hurts!”

I was very nervous before stating my goal. “Owen, I was a little rough this afternoon. So...”

“So?” asked Owen with a slightly grumpy face.