16 Sorry and thank you

Lucy was still in her room. She had been shutting herself there for some hours now. It was past the time for lunch, almost three in the afternoon.

Aubrey started to get worried, what was that woman up to? He planned to see how she was doing, but his steps were halted when he heard the doorbell rang. Who was it?

He didn't want to show himself to others, but seeing that Lucy didn't come down to to see the person outside, he had no choice. He went to the door, the intercom showed that it was a man delivering a parcel. He sighed in relief. Aubrey opened the door slowly, only a part of his head was visible for the man to see.

"Um.. is this Lucy Kim's house? I'm here to deliver a parcel.", the man said.

Aubrey just nodded. He held out his hand, meaning to take the parcel.

The delivery man was silent, he was hesitant to see that Aubrey didn't show his face at all. Aubrey started to tense up when he saw the suspicious look appeared in the delivery man's face.

Despite that, he still handed over the parcel. It was a special order from the sender after all, there was no way she would give him the wrong address.

Upon receiving a box that was not quite big and heavy, Aubrey shut the door quickly.

The delivery man went away. He received a call not long after he left Kalla Villa.

"Yes miss? I have delivered it safely to the said address.", he explained.

"Did a woman took it? She really took it right? She didn't throw it away right?", Olivia Min asked, nervous. She was practically forcing a dress upon Lucy, after forcing her to attend the ball.

"Um yes.. but no. There was a man, he received it instead.", the delivery man was honest.

Olivia became quiet. A man? In Lucy's home? What was going on??? She never heard of Lucy having a brother, Mia was the only sibling.

"Oh my god! She has a boyfriend!", Olivia's eyes appeared huge when she stated the fact.

'She has a boyfriend and she didn't tell me!', Olivia's face turned sour. But then she graced a smirk on her face. She looked like a mischievous villainness right now.. it was surprising how her face could switch form so easily.

'So the plan you said was to cuddle with your boyfriend all day long..', Olivia smiled wickedly.

•••

Aubrey took the parcel and put it on the table in the living room. In between the small table were a Samsung 98-inch QLED 8K tv, and a soft 4-seater couch. He sat on the couch, wanting to go upstairs to check on Lucy but decided against it when he remembered Lucy running away from him earlier. It was awkward indeed..

Another ring was heard from the doorbell. Aubrey faced the door. This time it was a takeout order. The delivery man left the food in front of the door and left.

He took the package and brought it onto the table in the living room, placing it beside the box. Not long after, Lucy strode downstairs, she wore a black pants and a white blouson top. She looked refresh, as if just finished her shower.

"I ordered lunch. Let's eat together!", she went to the kitchen, took some plates, spoon and fork and chopsticks.

Aubrey nodded. Relief spread over him when he knew Lucy was fine. A weird but warm feeling tugged his heart for a moment. He became motionless.

Lucy saw him placing his hand on his chest, she went to him.

"What's wrong?", she asked.

He shook his head. Seemingly flustered but was able to compose himself quickly after.

"Let's eat.", she sat on the couch, patting the seat on her left side, she practically asked Aubrey to sit beside her.

Aubrey did.

"So.. have your friend mailed you back?", she asked, she sounded somewhat curious.

He nodded.

His answer made Lucy disappointed. She quickly shoved away the feelings. Why was she disappointed? Did she actually want Aubrey to stay here longer? So what was the point of her 'confession' earlier?

"Hey Aubrey, you definitely cannot move away without my permission. I'm your personal doctor now, so you have to follow my rules. When I see that you're fine on your own, then you can go.", Lucy faced him head on. Her eyes were fueled with fire.

She herself was confused, she didn't want Aubrey to go away, but for what reason?

Aubrey didn't get to answer when she spoke again.

"You hear me? That's final. No more argument.", she said, then she picked up a wanton from the soup using her chopsticks. She chewed it angrily, not sure why she was angry.

Aubrey didn't have a say in the conversation, he just nodded slowly. He knew Lucy was just worried about him. And with how much she had help him without asking for anything in return, he had to at least heed to her wishes.

He took out a small paper, and gave it to Lucy.

(Thank you. And I'm sorry.)

Lucy stopped eating. She put down her meal and turned her body ninety degree to the left.

"This is wrong. You should write 'sorry' first and then 'thank you'. After you apologize can you say thanks to the other person.", she said, smiling a little.

Aubrey was at a loss for words.

"I know, you're thankful for what I've done to help you, and you're sorry for troubling me. But instead of that.. why not you say 'I'm sorry for needing your help but I'm thankful for that.'", she said, her face angelic. It glowed and what was in her heart was expressed in her face clearly. She was sincere.

Aubrey could feel his emotions stirred. For his whole life, nobody was there to help him. He was alone, the salvation he needed was nowhere to be seen. He lost hope a long time ago.. he thought he didn't need help to come his way. Since no one was willing to do it for him. He had to do it by himself..

Lucy's hand that she had once gave to him now felt real. Her words meant a lot to him. The tender look she portrayed was enough to make Aubrey lost in it. He started to trust her more. He wanted to trust her more. And the moment he thought so, she was already in his arms, locked in them tightly. His eyes closed. And his head was above hers.

Lucy was rendered speechless when he hugged her suddenly. His arms were around her shoulders, gripping her small frame closer to him. Her eyes big and she couldn't find a word to speak.

Her face lighted up to redness. Her heart started pounding erratically. It was loud, she was embarrassed. Her head was resting under his chin, she realized how tall he was. Although he was younger, his built was great. It was not skinny.

Lucy didn't say anything but she couldn't stop smiling. Aubrey noticed it, and he also, didn't realize that a smile had graced his emotionless self.