Chapter 24: Chapter 24

She got dressed in her room first; I waited here outside the room for a few minutes but she still didn’t come out, so I just went in and saw her sleeping in her bed.

Damn! I told her to sleep in my room. H her head is like a rock, so hard! It is hard to understand that she’ll only sleep in my room, huh?!

I walk towards her and sat on the side of the bed.

Why is it always like this? When she sleeps, I can’t help but stare at her face? Even though she lied a lot and even though I didn’t know her very well, I’m worried about her whenever she cried. Other women when they cry I get happy but when she does!? It’s not good at all, I think that they deserve to be hurt but her...

Crazy!

“What is special about you? What is it about you that other woman doesn’t have?”

She’s too common but at the same time not. Yeah, I think I’m crazy. I don’t know what I am saying. If you’re confused, then I am telling you that I’m more confused than you think.

“Goodnight, Alyana.”

I kissed her on the forehead.

I feel like I’m getting used to this. Tsk, I let you sleep in here for now because I’m kind--wait! Kind? What the heck, good word Stephen! I got up and turned my gaze to the bag on the side. Is that her bag? Why does she bring like this is my house?

“Is that garbage?” I shook my head. I picked it up and threw it in the trash, then went to sleep in my bedroom.

_

Alyana Perez’s Pov.

My eyes opened and noticed that I’m not in Stephen’s room. Maybe Stephen is mad at me now because I slept here?

I slowly went out of the room. When I am now in front of her, the door I gently knock on the door. Is he still asleep? I sighed before knocking on his room’s door. I’m afraid he might scold me, shout at me.

I knocked again, but no one opened. I was about to knock again but I tried to check if it is lock when I touch the doorknob, it’s not locked, so I was able to enter freely. I scratched my head when I saw that he wasn’t here, but I could hear drops of water... it looked like he was taking a bath in the bathroom.

I look around and saw a picture under his bed. Because of curiosity, I walk towards there and reach that picture. I was surprised when I look at the picture...

Stephen and there’s a woman in the picture too. Stephen is hugging her at the back and they even hold hands. They look happy. I think this picture is when he’s in high school. They’re wearing a uniform and an id.

“What the f**k are doing here!? Give me that!” I was surprised by that voice behind my back.

I gulped as I faced him.

He immediately took the photo that I was holding. “I just saw that under the bed--“

“Don’t mess with my things, you understand?!! I didn’t let you live here so you can intervene. Let me just remind you that I’m not your boyfriend or a wife! I own you, you don’t own me and that’s all, you understand?!” I don’t know, but I was hurt by what he said.

If I only knew that this was how he would react, I would not have entered his room. He’s right, I shouldn’t have touched his things. It’s my fault, so I shouldn’t be hurt by what he says because I deserve it, anyway. I know that it’s not good to touch things, that it’s not yours.

“I’m sorry... I-I won’t do it a-again.” That’s what I said before leaving in his room. I wiped the tears in my eyes before they fall on my cheek.

Why are you crying Alyana?! It’s your fault, right? You shouldn’t touch other people’s belongings! Dad and mom taught you good manners, didn’t they?

_

Stephen was cooking while I was just staring at him. He seemed to notice me staring at him so he glance at me, but I immediately averted my eyes.

After he cooked, we ate.

“S-Stephen...” I was nervous when I called his name. He turned his gaze to me. He didn’t speak but in his eyes, it’s like he is asking why did I call him or do I need anything from him.

“Ahm... uhm... c-can I borrow some money? Promise, when I get paid I’ll pay you right away but only in small amounts.” I hope he agrees because if not, my family will be really upset with me.

“How much? A million?” I almost dropped my jaw because of what he said.

A million? If I owe you that, how many years will it take before I can pay for it?

“Huh? Million is too much. I can’t pay you back if I borrow a million from you.”

“So, how much do you want?” He asked seriously.

“Ten thousand.”

“That’s all? You’re not borrowing it, I’ll just give it to you or think of it as my payment.”

“Payment?” I looked at him in surprise. I don’t remember him lending money from me or whatsoever. I don’t even have enough money to let someone borrow.

“Payment for--”

“Okay.” I quickly said. I don’t want to hear what he’s about to say. I think I know what he meant by that.

“Here.” He handed me the money.

“What? I said ten thousand not twenty thousand Stephen.”

“Stop talking, just take that money. By the way, are you planning to spend that money? What for?” I bit my lip because I don’t know what to tell.

“There’s... Uhm, I’m going to pay something. Right, I have to pay my friend because I borrowed my friend’s money last month.”

“It’s very obvious when you’re lying,” he said and crossed his arms. I bit my lip more. Am I really bad at lying? I can only lie when you ask about my family or about the wounds. This kind of question.

I washed the plate and then I went into my room.

“Oh my god...” I looked around, I looked for my bag but I couldn’t see it here.

I haven’t arranged my belongings yet and all my clothes and other shoes are in my bag.

“Where is it? It was just here yesterday, it’s impossible for it to suddenly disappear if someone didn’t even touch or took it.” I was scratching my head while still searching my bag.

When I came out of the room, I saw Stephen, who had just come out of his room too.

“Stephen... d-did you see my bag?”

I guess it’s not bad to ask him about that, right? It’s not like I am accusing me or whatsoever.

“Ah, your old bag, clothes, and shoes?”

Old? It’s not that old... Oh, right! He is rich. We have different mindsets about this kind of stuff, for me, that thing is still okay to use then I still use it. But when rich people, I’m not saying that all of them but some people don’t like using things for so long, like ‘I have already used these things last years, this is too old and ugly now. I should just buy new things’ Of course people like is different, we don’t throw things without thinking that they might be can still be used, that they can be recycled.

“Yeah, did you see it.”

“I threw that away, it’s old and I can see that the zipper is broken. I can buy you a new one anyway--“ I clenched my fist while staring at him. I couldn’t help but raise my palm and slap him.

“What the hell!! Why did you slap me!??” I shouted at him too because of anger.