Chapter 7 [Zyaire]

"Sorry, Zee." Eliott said as he took both of my hand "It seems that I actually regret what happened."

"What?" I cried "B-But I thought-"

"I was only pressured to do all of this, about this fucking tradition." he raised his chin and said "I never thought you were this easy, Zee." he chuckled as he kicked me and walk away "I don't wanna see you ever again,"

"Eliott!" I shouted but he kept walking "Don't leave me! Come back!-"

"Come back!" I shouted as I suddenly sat up and panthed. My whole body is trembling as tears streamed down. I covered my eyes to stop myself from crying but I can't. Suddenly, the door slammed open as Lucas entered the room along with Markus. "What happened?" Markus asked as they both walk towards me. As Lucas sat down beside me, he put both of his hand on my cheeks and wipe my tears. "Are you okay? " he asked.

I hold his hand and nodded as I asked "W-Where's Eli? I need to talk to him," I was about to stand up but Lucas and Markus stopped me. "Now, hold on." Lucas said, slightly pushing me back. "Christian and Mr. Hanasawa is still talking to him at the moment and we also want to talk to you,"

"What happened a while ago?" Markus asked as he gets the chair and placed it beside the bed as he sat down and looked at me. "I don't really get you, Tyler." Lucas said.

"Okay, you're making me scared when you call my other name like that." I said and looked down. He sighed and said "But I really don't get you at all. Are you really confused or just making sure that someone will catch you when Eliott won't?" But I do love you. I'm utterly confused with myself.

"H-Hey," Markus scolded.

"I don't... know," I mumbled

"What?"

"I said, I don't know." I looked down while I begin to be fidgety. He then once again sighed as he scratched the back of his head and averted eyes. He suddenly stood up and said "Don't talk with me for a while except if it's about work," Markus tried stopping him from walking out but Lucas glared at him which made Markus flinch. As Lucas slammed the door, Markus sighed and looked at me "You both... really," as he sat down omce again on the chair, he said "Tell me what's going on, Zee."

I slouched and looked down as I began to hesitate. "Zyaire," Markus called out sternly "I'm waiting,"

"I-I told Lucas to keep liking me until... I... make my... decision," I said.

"You..."

"I know," I looked down and fidget "I'm cruel. But I really do want to be with Lucas, I have this unexplainable feelings towards him but..."

"But you also like Eliott and don't want to leave him?" He asked as I nodded and looked at him. He sighed and said "Are you really hooked up with Eliott because you like him or just for the fact that you'll be forced to be married?" He suddenly stood up and checked his watch. He said "I need to go home now. You better take the week off and be sure to rest,"

"But Lucas-"

"I'll talk to him for you, don't worry." He smiled and pats my head.

"Markus?" I called "Can you be in charge-"

"I know," he smiled. As Markus walked out of the room, I quietly stood up and slightly open the door. "We'll be going home," I heard Markus saying to the others as the main door closes. Then Eliott and the others continued their talk. "What do you really want with my brother?"

"I don't know," he said

"Based on what happened last night, were you really carried away or pretending to be wanting him?"

"To be honest, both. I was pretending to be wanting him but I was carried away by the fact that he's hot," Eli said. "I know I shouldn't but everyone's been pressuring me for this tradition. I made a reckless decision to hurry things up so that it'll be done,"

"And why is that?"

"I knew the stories of our ancestors that some divorced after having a kid and some were really in love." He said "I thought if we were to be married and have a kid or adopt a kid or have a surrogate mother, I thought I could just go like nothing happened," he sighed.

I flinched as I heard a loud slap sound across the quiet hall. "If you think of my brother as your sex toy, you better stay away from now on."

"Master Cesar," Christian said sternly "We better go back home to the main house. And you, Eliott, it's better to distance yourself for now until you make a decision to decline or not."

My heart is beating really fast as I began to feel nervous and hoping for him to say that he'll stay here for me but... "Alright," he sighed "I need to organize my thoughts,"

"I shall make my way and tell sir Zyaire that we'll be going home," Mr. Hanasawa said. I slowly closed the door and go back to bed. I turn to the other side so it won't be so obvious that I have woken up. As I heard the opened, I can hear Mr. Hanasawa making his way towards me quietly. "We'll be going home, sir." He whispered as he pats my head "Sir Eliott will go back to his main house tonight."

"Please tell him to go home safely," I said. He chuckled and whispered "Will do, sir. I will go back here later,"

I quickly turn my body around and said "No, you don't have to Mr. Hanasawa. I can take care of myself,"

"Are you sure, sir?" He asked while I nodded in agreement "Very well, kindly contact us if you need anything." As he walked out the room, I heard my brother shouting "Bye, brother! I'll be back tomorrow!"

I chuckled and sat up. I peeked outside and make sure that everyone is gone. "I guess I'll be alone starting tonight," I sighed and made my way out of the room with my blanket and pillow. I walked towards the living room and sat on the couch. "I should be able to sleep here,"

To be honest, I always have a trouble sleeping alone. I had no problem when I was at the main house since everyone was there. My brother would go to my room to sleep sometimes as well. But this time, it seems that I'm so tired that I don't even mind that I'm alone.

"I should go to sleep," I yawned and slowly drifted to sleep.

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I slowly opened my eyes and felt my body to be extremely heavy. My head is also killing me like crazy. As I try standing up, I feel like the world is spinning around in circles and unluckily stumble down. I panted deeply while I try to crawl towards the front door. As I started coughing, the doorbell rang and rang. I slowly crawled towards the wall and support myself while I stand up. "Coming," I said in a hoarse voice while coughing.

Finally, I reached the front door and opened it. I looked up and see Lucas holding a plastic. "I heard that Eliott went back to his home and that you're alone," he said while he hands me the plastic. "Here,"

"Th-Thank you," I said. As soon as I took the plastic, I suddenly stumbled and end up slamming my head on his chest. I slightly panicked and push him. "I'm sorry. Y-You better go," I smiled.

"Wait!" He said as he pull me and touch my forehead. "I thought you were already fine yesterday," he took off his coat as he wrap it around me and supported my body.

"I-I'm fine so don't worry!" I smiled. He rested his face as if he was so done with me as he let himself in and pull me gently. As soon as he saw my pillow and blanket on the couch, he looked back to me and glared. "What? I can't sleep in that big bed on my own,"

He sighed and pull me towards the room, slightly slamming me down on bed. He quickly took the pillow and blanket from the living room. Lucas arranged everything properly and put the blanket above me as he gently pulls his coat and put it beside me. "Stay while I ask Christian to get me a day off today," he said. I didn't have a choice since he was bit scary, so I only nodded and rest easy. He goes back, sighing, and looked at me. "Why didn't you text or even call?"

"I'm sorry," I coughed "But you looked exhausted last night and I didn't wanna bother you anymore. Plus, I thought it was bit awkward after what we talked about," I said. I slightly moved to the center of the bed as Lucas sat down beside me and gently pulled my head. He directly push my head on his shoulder and pat my head. "Were you scared?" he asked

I buried my face more as I began to feel a bit emotional. "Everything seems so fast. Eliott was so sweet and caring when we were kids and for a couple of days but it's scary to know how much a person changes and pretends." I said. "You were right, Lucas. I am afraid that Eliott might not catch me so I was trying to make sure you'll stay. I'm sorry, I took your feelings lightly and I was slightly cruel, "

"Slightly cruel?" he said as he gently pushed me and raised his eyebrow. "You were really cruel," he chuckled. I pouted as I slapped his shoulder. As we were laughing our asses off, it was interrupted when Lucas' phone suddenly rang. Without hesitating, he answered it in front of me and motioned me to be quiet for a while.

"This is Lucas speaking," he answered. His eyes suddenly widen and said "President Beaumont, hello sir."

Dad? Why is dad calling Lucas instead of his son? Stupid Dad.

"Ahh about that, can I request to extend, sir?" he asked. I wonder what is it about. He suddenly looked at me and smiled as he replied "For at least 3 days? Yes, sir. I apologize. Thank you and have a great day,"

"What was it about?" I asked as soon as he turned off his phone.

"Contract signing," he immediately replied and sighed "I told your dad that I'll be dealing with the E Company but I extended the deadline since I'll be taking care of you,"

"Ha ha very funny," I said "I can take care of myself,"

"Says the guys who was crawling up to the front door," he said. "Sleep and I'll come back a little later." As he stood up, he took his coat and wear it.

"Wait," I said as I grab his hand. "Can you stay for a little while?"

"Fine," he said "I'll wait until you sleep tightly, " he moved closer while I lie down comfortably and close my eyes. He suddenly tightened his grip and said "Can I lie down beside you?"

I was a bit hesitant. Although I know this will hurt him as he takes good care of me more, it seems that I keep taking advantage of his kindness. But I slightly opened my eyes and see his desperate expression. "Sure," I said and close it once again.

I can hear him sigh heavily, as if he was about to cry. It also hurts me seeing him like this. To be honest, I feel more comfortable with Lucas around. He treats me gently and takes good care of me. "I'll miss you," he whispers "I don't think you remembered what we promised but I just wanna tell you I love you so much."

What promise? We never promised anything. Or did we? He suddenly wrap his arms around me as he hugs me tightly. Warm. Why is he acting like he won't see me for the next few days? Don't tell me he's going to get married? Nahh, Lucas haven't dated after his middle school or did he? That's what he said though.

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As I woke up, Lucas was nowhere to be found and felt so much better after sleeping. As I stretch my body, I slowly stand up and walk towards the door. While opening it, the sweet aroma of pasta and black tea filled the room. I immediately walk towards the kitchen and found Lucas cooking with his house clothes and an apron. He looked back while stirring and smiled "I'm glad you're awake. Feelimg better?" He asked.

"Yeah," I blushed.

"Take a seat," he said "Just wait for a while,"

"Husband material, " I mumbled and chuckled.

"Did you say something?"

"Nope," I said. He served the pasta to me and the black tea. I smiled and said "Thank you,"

"You're quite welcome, " he bowed and laughed. As we eat our pastas and talk, he reminded me to take my medicine after eating. "Wanna watch a movie?" He asked while he drinks his tea.

"Oh can we watch Whisper of the Heart by Hayao Miyazaki?" I asked. "That is if you want to,"

"That's your all-time favorite, " he chuckled "How can I say no?"

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After putting the dishes in the dishwasher, I sat down on the living room while he gets some snacks and water. After getting ready for the movie, I was quite shocked when he bought a blanket. "The way you're ready is not so obvious that you've planned this," I said

"You got me there," he smirked "Well, let's just say it's a date."

I rolled my eyes and laughed as he covered us with blanket. I sighed and put my head on his shoulder. "This is not so bad after all," I said.

I was so focused on the fact that Lucas takes good care of me that I didn't even remember Eliott.