Aileen
Marshall got into the car and I closed the door after him. Mom came and talked to him a bit more. Before driving away he looked at me a bit puzzled.
I wanted to ask if anything was wrong but he drove away right after that.
After he left, I headed towards my room after saying goodnight to Mom. On my way, I passed by Dave’s room.
I stopped by the door and remembered how he had questioned me when he saw me standing on the porch.
What he did today, wasn’t right at all. How could he suspect me so easily? And when it comes to things regarding Marshall, he always gets upset.
What is he so upset about? There’s nothing going on between me and him. We are just friends. I feel comfortable to be around him, that’s all.
He’s always…. just jealous for no reason! I’m not going to talk with him unless he realizes his mistake.
That’ll be the best punishment for him.
I retired to my room and just went to bed after changing my clothes.
I should apologize to Marshall, shouldn’t I? He became Dave’s target because of me. But, apologizing over the call sounds a bit casual.
I should tell him to meet up with me and clear off the misunderstanding. That sounds good.
Even after all that he did for me, he receives nothing but bullying. Seriously, Dave! How could you act like that with your Beta?
When I was about to turn off the lights, my phone beeped.
A message? At this time?
I checked the screen to see Marshall’s name pop up. I checked the message right away.
“Hi, I hope I’m not disturbing you. I just messaged you to say, that I really had a lot of fun with you today. Things had become a bit weird in the middle but it’s okay now. All that matters is we had a lot of fun today. Thanks for coming over.”
He’s still thanking me even after, the harassment he faced because of me?
He’s really something.
“It’s me who should thank you. And sorry about the harassment you faced earlier at home. I’m really sorry about it. I didn’t expect Dave to lash out at you like that.”
He replied right away, “No, it’s okay. You were the one who was questioned the most. I really felt bad for you. You looked quite surprised, I still feel bad about it. Sorry, you had to face that because of me. I hope I can make it up to you in some way.”
“No, no. Don’t apologize. All of the misunderstanding happened because of Dave Dad only. You don’t have to blame yourself for it. It’s okay. And sorry again.”
“Please don’t apologize anymore. Are we on good terms now as always?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Of course!”
“Great! Alright it’s quite, late now. Go to bed or else you’ll have dark circles under your eyes. Goodnight.”
“No, I won’t! Goodnight.”
He’s so funny! And kind-hearted as well. How can Dave suspect someone like that?
I feel like I can believe him with my eyes closed.
Morning came by quite fast. I slept like a log because of how full I was. I didn’t have any classes today so I just decided to sleep till late and stayed in my bed.
Around 8 a. m. someone knocked on my door.
“Miss, don’t you have college today? Aren’t you going to have breakfast?”
“No, I don’t have college. And I’ll eat breakfast later.” I yelled.
“Uh, okay.”
She left, and I tucked my head inside the blankets going back to sleep.
But, half an hour later, another knocking on the door, woke me up from my sleep.
Who’s here now?
The knockings followed twice but no one spoke.
“Who?” I yelled, pulling the covers off my head.
“It’s me, Dave. Can you open the door? I need to talk with you.”
Dave’s here? Don’t tell me he’s here to apologize.
I quickly got up from my bed and went over to the door. But, felt hesitant to open it.
What if he’s here to lecture me and not apologize? I might get angry and say some hurtful things.
“Aileen? Can you hear me?” he called again, drawing me back to reality.
Oh god, everything is so confusing! Let’s just get this over with.
I opened the door the very instant, without expecting anything,
Dave stood there with a stoic expression. But, as soon as he saw me he seemed very much relieved.
“Can I come inside?” he asked.
I gave a nod, and stepped aside, letting him enter. When he was inside, I closed the door behind him.
“Take a seat,” I suggested, sitting down on the chair.
He took a seat in front of me. “Thanks.”
“Were you sleeping just now?”
“Uh, yeah. Cause I have a day off. But, you have to go to work it seems,” I said, examining his office clothes.
“Yes, I have to.” He replied, then went silent.
I heaved a sigh and straightened my posture. “You wanted to say something?”
“Uh, yeah…. it’s….”
You want to apologize, but can’t be straightforward with it? You are really unbelievable!
“I think you should hurry up. You’ll be late for work, at this rate,” I suggested. “And I want to sleep some more. If you are done, I can go to bed.”
He clenched his fists and looked up at me.
“Aileen, I think there was some kind of misunderstanding between us last night. And I’d like to, tell”
Yes, you want to apologize, I know. Should’ve said it in the first place.
“That you should stop hanging out with Marshall frequently, from now on.”
Huh? What? Stop hanging out with him?
Is he not apologizing?
“And why’s that?” I asked. “Why should I stop hanging out with him? What has he done?”
“Because he’s a man. Men are dangerous creatures.” He replied in a serious tone, folding his arms.
“Do you include yourself as dangerous as well?”
“Uh…. no?”
“What? Are you asking me that, or answering me?”
“Whatever it may be!” he insisted. “Listen to what I’m saying. From now on, you should limit your visits with him. It’s for your own good.”No! There’s no logic behind your words. So, unfortunately, I can’t listen to you,” I replied.
“What? Are my words not reasonable enough?”
“Of course, it’s not!” I grunted. “If you have to spout nonsense, then I’m not listening to you anymore.”
“Aileen, why don’t you understand? I’m saying this for your own good!” he said, standing up. “I’m still your parent and guardian, aren’t I? I only want to protect you.”
“From what? Marshall? Does he look like a threat to you? He looks like he can’t even kill a bug. Let alone harm me.”
“And how can you be so confident?” he retorted. “You have not been with him for too long. You don’t know what’s going on in his head. Then, how can you say he’s harmless? You are naive, Aileen. You believe in everyone so easily.”
I stood up, fisting my hands. “I may be naive, but I have a good eye for people. And from what I’ve noticed, he’s not a bad guy. So, stop defaming him without any proof! I beg you!”
His eyes narrowed at me. “I’ve noticed this since yesterday. Why are you defending him in front of me? What does he mean to you?”
“He’s…. my friend! Yes, a very good friend. That’s why, I don’t like when you talk trash about him without any proof!”
“Oh? He’s your friend? How long have you two been friends for? A decade? Cause, I only him as my Beta and nothing else. When did you start to get close enough to become friends?”
I looked away, folding my arms. “That’s none of your business. I don’t want to deal with your petty jealousy anymore. Be a bit mature. This isn’t how an adult behaves at all!”
He paused for a second before asking, “You, are you calling me immature now?”
“Intentionally, yes. Cause you are behaving like one.”
Suddenly, he walked over to my side and wrapped his arm around my back, pulling me close to him.
I was a bit startled. I looked at him puzzled.
“What are you doing now?”
“I’ve been listening to your nonsense for too long. First, you call me petty and now immature as well? What do you take me for? A clown?”
“A clown?” I chuckled, without thinking. “That sounds funny.”
He clicked his tongue and lifted my face by the chin.
“I’m quite serious here you know? But you aren’t taking me seriously. What do I need to do to get your attention here?” he spoke in a seductive tone, but irritation was visible on his face.
“Perhaps if you start talking reasonably then, I might be interested to listen to you. But, now you are talking like an immature brat.”
“If I’m a brat, what makes you then? An infant, I guess?”
“At least, they are more sensible than you,” I chuckled, putting aside his hand from my face. Only for him to grab it the next second.
“Oh honey, I’m more than sensible. Just you aren’t trying to understand me.”
“I’ve tried enough,” I sighed. “Now, will you let go of me? It’ll be hard to explain If someone catches us like this, right?”
“So, what? I don’t care,” he chuckled. “Are you afraid of being seen?”
“Oh? You aren’t afraid?”
“No, not at all.”
“So, you don’t care if the maids stumble upon us, or Mom sees us?”
“Nope,” he said with confidence.
Isn’t he too confident today?
“What is it now? Being jealous of Marshall has made you fearless or something?” I comment.
He frowned, withdrawing his hand away.
“Why do you have to bring him up between us all the time? Do you really like him or something?”