Season 5 chapter 4
I sighed before turning my steps towards the movie theatre. My hands placed inside my pockets but betraying the morning confidence and expectations, it was more like a overwhelming sadness along with negative thoughts that kept crossing my mind after the incident. I was so consumed by these unnecessary worries, that I failed to notice that I was being followed for a long time.
As I advanced towards the movie theatre, I noticed brother Leo was standing outside waiting for me, as he kept looking at his watch impatiently. Our eyes met, as a bright smile spreads across his face, he walked up to me and bent towards me to hug me but I raised my hand to stop him. He pouted but instead of protesting, he respected my boundary.
Me: I am sorry. I am just in a bad mood right now. (I sighed)
Leo: I understand. After all you met that bastard before coming here. (He frowned)
Me: (I creased my brow) Don't speak like that regarding your own brother.
Leo: I am sorry…..mom. (He pouts)
Me: Both of you are annoying. (I rubbed my forehead) No wonder you are twins. (I giggled softly)
Leo: Hey! Don't compare me with that useless fellow! (He protested like a child)
Me: Yeah, whatever. So what movie are we watching today? (I asked)
Leo: Well, a new horror movie is there. (He smiled)
Me: (my eyes sparkled with excitement but then I blinked) But you are scared of blood.
Leo: I will keep my eyes closed. (He winked)
Me: It always confused me that how are you even pursuing a medical profession when you have hemophobia (I raised my brow)
Leo: Because, you should always challenge your fears! (He said proudly)
Me: Right....(I rubbed my forehead)
Leo: Tsk, it sounds like you don't trust your sweet older brother. (He folds his arms pouting)
Me: I wonder, what sister Adelina saw in you. (I rolled my eyes)
Leo: (he smirks) Maybe…..my big 'heart'. (He says before holding my hand) now Stop being grumpy. We are already getting late. (I sighed while getting dragged by him)
The movie was enjoyable, although it didn't quite reach the level of scary I was expecting. However, it managed to make my brother feel nauseous. After the movie, we had to wait outside for almost an hour until he felt better. Eventually, we headed to a nearby restaurant. He opted for something non-vegetarian, while I chose a vegetarian dish. As we settled in, Brother Leo seemed hesitant to start a conversation, his gaze fixed on my face for an extended period.
Me: What's wrong? (I raised my brow)
Leo: (he placed his head against his hand and tilt his head slightly, while staring at my face intensely) Are you getting bullied?
Me: No. Stop asking the same question repeatedly. (I frowned)
Leo: Hinata told me everything he heard from Jules. (He says getting disappointed) It hurts me, that you hide everything from us and try to solve your problems on your own. You know that you can sometimes rely on your own brothers, right? After all we are a family.
Me: (I pinched the bridge of my nose then smiled bitterly) The day, both of you will act like brothers instead of cutting each other's throats. I will rely on you.
Leo: (he pressed his upper lip hard against his lower lip) Then tell that bastard to act decently.
Me: See…..how am I supposed to rely on both of you, when you cannot even solve your own differences. (I said as the server places our food on the table. Instead of saying anything else, I choose to concentrate on my meal.)
Leo: Uhm…..(he clears his throat feeling conscious then tried to change the topic) Adelina and I were planning to go to the new water park this Sunday, wanna join?
Me: Why should I be a third wheel among couples? (I raised my brow)
Leo: She will be happy if you accompany us. (He replied)
Me: Did you ask her? (I tilt my head)
Leo: N-No…..not yet. (He gulps his spit)
Me: Then, no. (I said sipping water) Brother, even if you love and respect your sister, it's better to keep boundaries in your relationship. A date is a date, it's not a sibling meet-up session. (I said firmly) have some self-reflection and never try to play such stunt again.
Leo: (his head drops as he feels guilty) I am sorry…..I just thought that it will make you happy.
Me: agh….stop making me feel guilty. Alright, how about we meet tomorrow after my school hours and we can go to park or something? (I smiled)
Leo: (he nods excitedly) Yeah, sure. (He smiles. After meal, we stood in front of the restaurant, as he kissed my forehead) Take care of yourself. (He said)
Me: I will. (I grinned)
Leo: (for a second his expression darkens as he stares at a nearby alley then turns his attention back to me) We are being followed, so be careful.
Me: I think…..I am being followed. Instead of we. (I said while my eyes moved towards the alley)
Leo: Do you want me to get rid of them? (He frowns)
Me: Seems pretty harmless to me though. If they wanted to harm me, they would have done by now. Had plenty of opportunities since yesterday. (I rubbed my chin thinking it through)
Leo: They have been taking your pictures. So be careful. I don't think you should take this matter lightly. (He said sighing)
Me: (I nodded in agreement) Don't worry, I won't take it lightly. Thank you for caring about me. (I smiled)
Leo: What are you even talking about? You are my beloved sister, ofcourse it's my responsibility to take care of you. (He pats my cheek before hugging me tightly) Take care. (he says before leaving)
Me: Take care. (I hugged back before waving my hand)
For a second, my heart felt light, and all the worries washed off but it was for a limited time as I advanced towards the dark alley and grabbed the person with the camera who has been stalking me since morning. To my surprise, it was Ratree. I frowned looking at her fragile built then sighed getting irritated.
Ratree: Agh! Let me go! (She protested)
Me: Why are you stalking me since yesterday? I already warned you that you cannot take my pictures without permission. (I frowned)
Ratree: (she blinks feeling surprised) What are you saying? I just came here.
Me: What? Stop lying. (I rolled my eyes)
Ratree: I swear! I admit that I wanted to take your picture, because you were looking so handsome. (She blushes for a second but her blush fades as she gets serious) but I just came here.
Me: (I let her go, though I still had my doubts) Show me your camera. (I demanded)
Ratree: (she hands me over her camera with confidence) Here you go.
Me: (I went through her camera and indeed there was no recent pictures of me with my brothers. I returned her camera feeling alert regarding the whole situation at the same time I was embarrassed to suspect Ratree) I am sorry. (I sighed)
Ratree: Hey Anne…..(she bit her lower lip getting worried) did you recently offend anyone?
Instantly, Karl and Bianca's faces flashed in front of my eyes. Train of thoughts ran through my mind, as I patted Ratree's shoulder before walking off without further words.
To be continued....