Chapter 54: Chapter 54

"That was, without a doubt, a failure," Enzo jeered.

"I know. You don't have to rub salt in the wound."

"I was stating a fact. No need to get so worked up."

He picked up the bowling ball and began demonstrating once more.

"See how I'm holding it? If you want to have a decent honk, use fewer fingers, exaggerate a cupped hand, and jerk your arm up as fast as you can when you throw the ball."

He suddenly went behind me and gave me the ball. He held my arm to guide me. But anyone who will look at us at first glance will assume that he's back hugging me.

"Observe those arrows, dots, and, most especially, the foul line. You can use them to your advantage."

I could feel his breath fanning on the skin of my neck.

Despite our proximity, I didn't feel uncomfortable. Truth be told, I didn't feel anything.

Unlike when I'm with Garren. A meter of distance with him is enough to put me on tenterhooks. I don't know if it's because Enzo exudes an amiable aura so I'm at ease with him, or if his cousin is just terrifying.

Lorenzo's citrus and subtle cedar scent pervaded my nose when I slightly turned my head to the side.

"Garren smells better," I thought subliminally.

I shook my head. Why am I even comparing the two of them? And most of all, why am I thinking of that man?

"Are you even listening to me?"

I looked up and saw Enzo's frowny face.

"Of course I am!"

He flicked my forehead that made me wince. "No you're not."

I glared at him. "I am."

"Really? Then show me what you learned."

I broke out in cold sweat again. I got the ball from him. I bent my knees and puffed out a deep sigh before throwing the ball, this time making sure to play with the signs along the line, like he instructed.

I was holding my breath the entire time, and my eyes widened when the ball managed to knock down a pin.

It was only one, but it's still a great triumph for a novice like me.

"Did you see that? I'm a quick learner. You should be worried that I might jeopardize your bowling career," I said, blowing my own trumpet.

Enzo scoffed. "You only hit one pin. Still have a long way to go."

I punched his arm. "Stop being a party-pooper."

We resumed playing. I was enjoying the game, so I got to play five sets. I was only able to knock down two pins at most, but I'm happy nonetheless. My arms are aching quite a bit, but I still had fun.

When we walked out of the building, the sun was already setting. I took a look at my phone and saw that it was already quarter before six.

I told Enzo that I'd just take a cab, but he insisted on driving me home. I didn't argue further because I knew how stubborn he is.

All throughout the ride, I couldn't get rid of the smile on my face. It was my first time to play bowling, and I didn't expect that it would be that fun.

At exactly six in the afternoon, we arrived at the Montreal mansion. It's actually a surprise, the security guard let him in on the subdivision after telling him his surname.

Talk about connections.

"Nothing has changed since I last went here," Enzo murmured while looking at the house.

"Do you want to come inside?"

It was audacious of me to invite him over when it's not even my own house.

He laughed and shook his head. "Do you want to witness World War 3? No thanks."

That caught me off-guard. I knew it!

My hunch is right. Something's really off between him and Garren. As much as I want to feed my curiosity and find out the predicament between them, that's none of my business. I don't want to be too prying.

"Thank you for accompanying me today, Cleo."

"Nah. I should be the one thanking you. I had so much fun today. Thank you."

"You're welcome. So... goodbye for now?"

I smiled. "Hmmm. Take care on your way home."

He returned my smile and nodded. "You too. Goodnight, Cleo."

I unbuckled my seatbelt and hopped out. I watched his car disappear from my view before I turned my back and headed inside.

"Did you have a lot of fun with my cousin?"

I almost got bowled over when Garren spoke out of nowhere. He's sitting on the couch with his legs crossed against each other. He's looking at me emotionlessly.

I bowed my head. "Good evening, sir."

I ignored his remark on purpose, hoping that he would not bother me with it again, but I was wrong. Because before I could even take another step, he spoke.

"You're just going to turn your back without answering my question, Cleo?"

I mentally cursed. What the hell is his problem? Why does he need to care about my affair?

I calmed my seething nerves. "I had a great time with Enzo, sir. He's a great guy..."

I wanted to add "unlike you" but I didn't want to witness the abyss of hell yet, so I just shut my mouth.

"But to clear things out, I only went out with him because he wanted to treat me as a way of requiting the favor I gave him last week," I added.

I know I sound thin-skinned, but you can't blame me.

Somehow, I know how his mind works. He already condemned me of being a parasitic skank for associating myself with his brother, it wouldn't be surprising if he thinks that too now that I'm friends with his cousin.

There was a thorny silence between us for a couple of moments. There was nothing else that can be heard but the sound of crickets outside.

"You're really stubborn."

That made me frown. The audacity of him to call me stubborn when he's being a bull-headed jerk.

Garren stood up and turned his back.

"If you really want to be friends with my cousin, then go on. Just make sure that your relationship with him won't affect your work. If I catch you slacking off in your job, I won't have a second thought to get rid of you," he browbeat before walking away.

I followed him with my eyes. The way he uttered the word "relationship" in a hostile tone makes me think that he was implying something malicious with my affiliation with Enzo.

He needs to get his mind out of the gutter.

However, unlike his previous threats, this one didn't scare me one bit. I know to myself that Enzo won't be an obstruction like he's trying to insinuate.

I shrugged my shoulders and went back to my room. After I changed clothes, I looked for Greyson. I found him in the gazebo with another maid. I thanked her for looking after the kid, and she left.

"Where have you been, Cleo? Aunt Esther told me that you had to run some errands." That was the first thing he asked me as I sat across from him.

I frowned. Greyson doesn't even know where I went; then how come his father knows it? Did he perhaps ask Aunt Esther personally about my whereabouts?

Why does he need to do that? What really is his motive?

I dispelled that thought and turned to Greyson. "I met a friend that I haven't seen for a long time."

"Really? Did you guys have fun?"

This child is much better than his father at not being a busybody.

"We did. How about you? What did you do while I was gone?"

He then began showing me the art that he'd been drawing a while ago and told me their meaning, and I happily listened to him.

That week has passed in a split second. Nothing has changed inside the house, aside from the fact that Garren has completely cut my dead.

You read that right. He never talked to me again after the discourse that transpired between us a couple of days ago, unless, of course, his son is around. We have to pretend that we are civil with each other.

Fortunately, Greyson never bothers me again to befriend his father, because I don't think I can pretend that I like that horrible man.

Since he doesn't talk to me now, that also means that he no longer tortures me by making me do chores that aren't even part of my job.

Believe it or not, those things are very much in my favor. Dealing with his insanity is extremely exhausting.

I'm folding my clothes in my room when my phone rings all of a sudden. I stopped to see the notification.

And I'm no longer surprised when I see Enzo's name on the screen.

After the rendezvous that we had, he never stopped pestering me. He always calls, even in the middle of the night. And guess what? He does that only to tell the corniest shit.

"What did the policeman say to his belly button?"

"What?"

"You’re under a vest!"

That was just one of those many times that he interrupted my sleep for his lame-ass jokes... but I still couldn't help myself from laughing for the same reason.

I know you know what I mean.

He has the most contagious laugh that I've ever heard, and despite his joke being corny, I would still laugh at it the moment he starts laughing his heart out.

I pressed the answer button. "What do you need from me this time?"

"Are you that sick of me and you sound like you want to end this call when we barely started talking?"

I chuckled. "Please spare me with your dramas."

He laughed at my derisive response. I heard a clangor on the other line, which I guess is the sound of his key.

"Did you just get home?"

He hummed. "My duty only ended today."

Oh... so that's the reason he didn't bother me yesterday.

"You should take a rest."

"Should I be worried with that concerned tone of your voice?"

My face crumpled. "Never mind. I hope you get a fatigue."

He chuckled. "You're mean. Anyway, the reason I called is because I want to ask if you're free this Saturday."

I arched my brows. "And why is that?"

"Let's have a date."

"I'll hang up now-"

"Hey! I was just kidding. Are you on your period? You're so irascible."

"Shut up."

"As I was saying, let's have a friendly date," he said, emphasizing the word friendly.

"You want to meet again? I think I'm the one who should be concerned to how you're acting."

He laughed faintly. "Whatever. But I'm serious. Let's go out this Sunday if you have nothing else to do."

"Where are your other friends? Why don't you invite them?"

"They are extremely busy."

"Why did you suddenly want to go out? Aren't you busy too?"

I heard him sigh.

"I just want to... take a break."

The tone of his voice changed all of a sudden. It became soft and sullen, and it honestly fretted me.

This is certainly the first time that I've heard that kind of tone from him.

So without any reluctance, I said. "I think I have no important errands on Sunday. I might as well go out with you to ease my boredom."

There was a brief moment of silence, that was broken with Enzo's ear-piercing shout.

"Really?!"

I'm already imagining him looking like Joker with how wide his smile is.

"Yup!"

"Nice! See you, Cleo."

A smile made its way on my lips. He sounds excited. So childish.