Season 5 Chapter 8

I don't know…..how many days have passed since that incident. 2?.....3?....or maybe 4...I hardly walk out of the room nowadays. Laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling blankly, occasionally I go downstairs to have my meals after being requested by Naomi over and over again. Except for that, it felt like someone had drained out all the energy from my body. I didn't feel like doing anything or speaking with anyone, instead I kept isolating myself as if putting my thoughts together, even though I didn't  try harming myself like last time because somewhere I knew that my brothers will get revenge for me, still my cigarette consumptions increased since last few days, my room was dark and filled with strong smell of cigarettes.

Jules returned to the restaurant the very next day with a noticeably different demeanor, her expressions betraying a sense of guilt. Despite her attempts to approach me several times, I couldn't bring myself to engage with her, avoiding her like the plague. I'm uncertain if I can simply ignore what transpired between us and pretend as if nothing happened. The dark circles increased under my eyes, the room was a mess, but I didn't have the energy to move. While I stayed holed up in my room, drama unfolded behind my back which I remained oblivious to, they say time heals every scars, but does time actually heals scar or we just choose to move on with our old injuries taking a lesson from them.

I sighed before getting up from my bed and grabbing my lighter along with the cigarette packet, then opening the balcony door, I leaned against the railing while taking out a cigarette from the packet, and pressing it between my lips, pressing it tightly before lighting it up using the lighter. I took a deep breath, inhaling the smoke to clear my mind. I was busy gathering my thoughts when I noticed brother Leo and King walking towards the restaurant with some chocolate boxes. There was another guy who accompanied them, it seemed like Jules' cousin. They waved at me, as I waved back, then putting away the cigarette, I grabbed my jacket from the room and was about to go downstairs when I noticed Jules walking out of her room. Her heart skipped a beat as our eyes met.

Jules: Uhm….Anne….(She hesitated while grabbing my hand) I…..I want to say something to you.

I slapped away her hand and looked at her coldly before going downstairs. She stood there for a while in disbelief, then bit her lower lip feeling hurt, at the same time her body felt heavy with the burden of her sin. Shaking off the meaningless emotions, I headed out without looking back. Brother Leo and King were waiting for me with open arms as I ran towards them and embraced their warmth. The cloud of darkness finally lifted from my head. Their arrival only meant good news for me, it was the symbol of victory and safety.

Me: I missed both of you. (I said while hugging them tightly)

King: Aw, our sister is acting cute. (He laughs softly with admiration)

Leo: Shouldn't we record such rare moments? (He smiles)

Me: Don't you dare. (I said glaring at them and pouted before noticing Leo's bandaged palm as I grabbed his wrist and stared at him with suspiciousness and worry) What did you do? (I frowned)

Leo: (he hesitates and starts stammering) I-I…..uhm…..

King: Hey Anne, you should have seen that bastard's face! He literally peed his pants out of fear! He would never dare to bully you or your friends ever again. (He grins with excitement while flexing his muscles)

Leo: Yeah! His face, when he had to apologize to the whole locality for spreading fake rumors and cleaning the walls. (He laughs) He started crying and looked so ugly.

Me: (I sighed) Hope both of you didn't overdo it.

King: Nah, we have done worse. (He smirks) But he will remember our faces for a long time.

Leo: I wish....I could do more. (He grits his teeth angrily) If he wasn't a kid…..then...(he clenched his fist)

Me: Bro. (I frowned)

Leo: Sorry...(his face drops like a puppy)

Me: (I patted his cheek) Don't make such faces. (I smiled)

King: Oi Anne. (He folded his arms) We took care of the matter, so if there are any future problems, just feel free to meet us, instead of isolating in your room and consuming poisons. (He said frowning and lecturing me)

Me: I knew you would take care of the matter. So I didn't bother myself. (I shoved my hands in my pockets)

King: Aw, our cute little sister trusts her older brothers. (He pulls my cheeks feeling excited)

Me: (I stared at him blankly) I will stab you someday. (I said in a low tone)

King: Even her threats are cute. (He laughs)

Leo: Stop annoying her. (He says pulling me towards him)

King: Tsk, stop acting like I am bullying her. (He grabs Leo's collar)

Leo: You! (He grabs King's collar)

Me: Enough! Stop behaving like children! (I scolded them)

King: Finally she is acting normal. (He leaves Leo's collar)

Leo: Yeah. (He let go as well)

Me: Bitches. (I playfully stuck out my tongue in jest.)

Jules: Uhm Anne…..(we were chatting joyfully when Jules approached us along with her cousin Hinata. She bit her lower lip feeling shy, as her eyes met mine) Can we talk? Please...

Hinata: (he looks at Leo and King) She is feeling guilty...uhm….maybe we can let them speak in private?

King: But....(He glances at me hesitating as I nodded in agreement) You sure?

Leo: Let's go King. (He grabs King's hand and walks to some distance where they can't hear our words)

Hinata: I will also leave. (He smiles before leaving)

Jules stood there rubbing her arm feeling conscious, she bit her lower lip staring at the ground, she hesitated, her eyes moved nervously. She pressed her lips hard against each other then sighed. There was a long silence between us, as if neither of us wanted to speak first.

Me: (I started getting annoyed) Hey, if you want to say something just shot. Or else leave me alone.

Jules: I am sorry. (Tears rolled down from her eyes) I didn't know that they were your brothers...please trust me, I didn't do it on purpose, I just got manipulated by Karl and Bianca. If it wasn't because of them, I surely wouldn't have-

Me: (I started laughing loudly) Funny. You choose to trust enemies over friends. And now you want me to forgive you? (I moved my fingers through my hair while glaring at her) Shut the fuck up, will you? And if they weren't my brothers? I was still wrongly framed. Jules...you are the one who hurt me, so don't bring Karl and Bianca in between our conversations. I am disappointed with you.

Jules: I-I am sorry…..(she cries while trying to wipe her uncontrollable tears)

Me: Stop with the crocodile tears. (I rolled my eyes) I wonder if your head is empty or you act dumb on purpose. Anyways, if we are done with this conversation, I think you should leave.

Jules: (she grabs my hands) Anne, if you leave me…..I won't be able to tolerate this pain. So …..(she placed my hand against her cheek) Please slap me, then we would be even right.

Me: Hm…..that's a good idea. (I said raising my hand as she closes her eyes, preparing to be hit. But instead of hitting her, I tapped her cheek lightly as she opens her eyes feeling confused) What's the point of slapping you? If I slap you, it will make us on equal grounds. I want you to remember what you did to me, everyday. Even if I forgive you, I will never trust you again. (I said while hugging her tightly) Thank you Jules, you gave me a valuable lesson in my life.

Jules: Anne…..I…..(she bit her lower lip while being embraced, her throat felt bitter) You forgave me for so many crimes…..and even moved on to be my friend. Can't you forgive me for my ignorance?

Me: What? (I scoffed) You really think that I forgot everything you did to me? My innocent Jules….(I cupped her cheeks while smiling) Anne Elizabeth never forgets. So don't worry, I will make sure you repay slowly.

Jules: Uhm…..so we are friends now right? (She forces a smile over her lips)

Me: Of course we are. (I patted her head)

Jules: Hey Anne. (She blushes) if we are friends and Leo is your brother…..can you

Me: (I laughed sarcastically) I never knew that you are such a selfish and hypocrite person. (Then rolled my eyes) Did you know that brother Leo already has a girlfriend?

Jules: Does it matter? (She looked away) I have seen that other woman…..she is plain. He will get bored of her soon.

Me: You are hopeless. Listen Jules…..your so-called love is just an obsession. Brother Leo doesn't have feelings for you, he just thinks of you as his sister. So stop embarrassing yourself and move on before your obsession increases.

Jules: (she bites her lower lip as her body starts trembling) That's not true, you are lying right? (She grabs my arms) Come on Anne, can't you do me such a small favor? Aren't we friends? (Her eyes were filled with denial)

Me: (I pushed her away) Enough Jules. Have some self respect.

Jules: Anne please! (She begged) Please…..I won't ever ask for anything else. So please help me out. (Her eyes were moist) I love him more than anything! I can't live without him! I am sure he loves me as well, he is just confused because of that bitch!

Me: (I sighed before slapping her hard across her face) Calm down. (I rubbed my forehead) This is tiring, will you take care of this matter? (I looked at Leo who was standing there and listening to our conversation)

Jules: (she looks at me in disbelief then her eyes move towards Leo as she starts stammering due to embarrassment) L-Leo….T-This…..

Leo: Anne, I want to speak with her. (He said in a serious tone)

Me: (I walked past him) Don't hurt her emotions. (I sighed feeling tired)

Leo: Don't worry, I will take care of this matter. (He smiled)

To be continued....