143. I Have a Proposal

Continued...

I chuckled darkly. "Now, let's get down to business. You were never going to answer any of my questions, were you?"

To my absolute lack of surprise, he gave the smallest nod. Slow, deliberate.

Of course not.

"Then why did you come closer if you weren't going to?" My irritation flared again, but before I could spiral into another rant, he raised his hand—and pointed.

Directly at me.

I froze.

For a few seconds, I could do nothing but stare at his outstretched finger, my pulse hammering against my ribs.

Then, slowly, he lowered it and shoved his hands back into his pockets like nothing happened.

Oh, hell no.

I exhaled sharply through my nose, forcing my emotions into check. He wanted me flustered. Wanted me off balance.

He was finding amusement in my meltdown and I was stupid enough to keep giving him a show.

But I was done playing into his hand.

With an exaggerated breath, I wiped the scowl off my face and replaced it with something far more unsettling—a smile. Sickly sweet.

"Okay," I said smoothly, tilting my head. "So how about this? You listen, and I talk, since you're clearly not interested in taking part in a conversation like a normal, functioning member of society. I get it."

Still keeping the cross pressed firmly against the glass, I studied him, searching for any reaction. Anything to indicate that he cared about what I was saying.

Nothing.

Fine.

"I wanted to make a truce," I continued. "I know now that you're not going anywhere—at least, not anytime soon. So, how about we make this a give-and-take situation?"

He's probably used to only taking, but I'll be damned if I didn't make him agree to my offer tonight.

'You come here, and I draw the curtains. You stand outside all night with not so much as a single peep from me, and all your efforts fall in vain while I stay uncomfortably hidden behind layers of fabric, moving around my own house like a squatter. We're both gaining nothing from this. So let's do it my way. I have a proposal."

I paused, watching him closely.

To my mild surprise, he lifted a hand and gave the faintest flick of his fingers. A silent gesture for me to continue.

My throat went dry.

"I'm going to put the drapes back up on the rest of the windows," I declared. "And you will not retaliate—"

I wasn't even finished before he began shaking his head.

A deliberate, glacial denial at such a ominous pace I faltered in my speech.

The movement was so slow, so eerie, that my bravado faltered, my breath catching in my throat.

The depthless darkness beneath his hood seemed to expand, pulling me in, swallowing every ounce of confidence I had mustered.

For the first time tonight, I felt fear.

Not anger. Not irritation. Not reckless defiance.

Fear.

Noted. Do not mention putting the drapes back up.

Swallowing hard, I quickly rerouted. "—And in return," I continued, my voice a tad less steady than before, "I will leave the curtains in the living room wide open at all times. You can have your fill of peeping whenever I'm in here. I won't hide behind anything, and you can—" I clenched my jaw, forcing the words out like they physically pained me. "—watch me all you want. Freely."

I gave him a moment to process, watching for any indication that he was considering it.

He tilted his head. Not a nod. Not a shake. Just a slight, inquisitive tilt.

I exhaled, relieved that he was at least considering about it.

"It's a win-win," I reasoned. "You get what you want. I won't have to live in a house with all the windows uncovered, feeling like I'm sleeping in the middle of a goddamn highway as soon as the sun comes up."

To solidify my offer, I finally lowered my arm, letting the cross drop from its defensive stance. My arm was cramping anyway from holding it up for so long.

He didn't move at first.

Then, to my mild astonishment, he gave a single nod.

Just once.

Had I blinked, I would have missed it.

I had to fight the urge to sag in relief.

Well. That was… easier than expected.

Now, let's just hope he actually holds up his end of the deal.

"Thank you." There was nothing but sarcasm dripping heavily from my words and the overly sweet tone I just adapted. 

And guess what I earned in return. A goddamn shrug.

I am honestly beginning to hate that movement.