Thankful To Him

I looked at him doubtfully while he was facing the laptop. His brow furrowed as he glanced at me then refocused his attention on what he was doing.

"I already sent it to you so take the command for me! I'll be in touch in two hours," he said into the earpiece. After that he stood up and came to me.

"You still need something?" he asked while frowning, staring at me as if he wants to do something bad to me, causing me to shake my head involuntarily... and absentmindedly step back.

"Then hurry and change, woman."

"A-alright!" I answered automatically and immediately turned around and entered the room. His tone of voice was not angry but it's so cold. I know he's somewhat irritated. But why?

I was nervous for no reason.

After I finished changing and getting ready, I immediately went out. I was even more surprised when he was standing on the side of the door while he's so focused on his cellphone.

Suddenly he handed me my bag. This thing disappeared from my mind because I had been thinking about him since earlier. All I know is, he didn't bring it with him when he helped me in the gym yesterday.

"Did you return there to get my bag?"

"...Let's go."

"..?"

I frowned when he turned around and started walking so I couldn't do anything but to follow. He seems to be in a hurry.

"Do you happen to know where is my eyeglasses?" I asked as I took my phone out of my bag. I feel suddenly nervous when I saw my brother's 100 missed calls. His texts are all capslocked too that I can feel the intensity of his message!

'What should I do? What do I explain to him?'

"Your eyeglasses were broken. I'll give them to you next time."

"Huh?" I looked at him in wonder. "Next time?"

"I know we both don't want to meet each other again... But it's inevitable."

"Yes, I know it's inevitable because we're schoolmates... Unless... It's not like that, right?"

He didn't say a word so I stopped walking when I realized that I first saw him on the 7th floor, where I had my first class.

He grinned at me so I sighed. "Don't tell me we're in the same class?"

"Only in minor subjects."

I was about to react when my cellphone rang. I was nervous when I saw my brother's name.

"Where are you now? Why you only answer my call just now? Did something happen to you? Are you okay? Are you safe? I'll pick you up!"

"Brother, I'm fine! My battery was just dead and..." I glanced at him. He was just looking at me with no expression on his face. "...and I'm here with my classmate. He asked me..."

"Asked about what? And He?"

'I can't reason out it's about the class project because the class has just started! What should I say?'

"And who is he? Just the two of you?"

"I mean they! They were my friends in the 1st semester! There were three of us! We're with her cousin's house!" I avoided looking at him. Why does he look at me like he's examining me?

"I'm on my way home, brother. Don't worry, they'll drive me home. We were just hanging out and I'm sorry I forgot to ask permission from you."

"Be careful going home! We'll talk later when you're here! Lemme talk to your friend!"

My eyes widened because of what he said. "Brother, why? I'm on my way home now!"

"Just lemme talk to makw sure!"

"Make sure what?"

"Are you really with someone right now?"

My brother is now doubting me. What if he finds out I don't have lot of friends and I'm being bullied at school? I don't want him to know that! I know he already has a hunch that I don't have any friends. I haven't told him about Kim yet. I don't want to talk about it to him proactively, especially since he doesn't ask.

"Yes! Of course, brother! I-I ---"

I was surprised when he suddenly snatched my cellphone from me. "I'm in a hurry!" he whispered and put the phone to his ear.

"This is your sister's friend. I will drive her home safely... Yes, you don't have to worry... No, we're not alone. We're in my house together with my cousin."

'I want to know my brother's reaction when he heard him answer in fluent English accent. kekeke!'

He turned to face me and frowned at me and now I was curious about their conversation.

"I'm sorry to say this but your sister..." My eyes widened and quickly grabbed his hand to stop him from saying. I know what he's going to say. He glanced at my hand and returned his gaze to me. "...she passed out yesterday and her friend, my cousin helped her."

I sighed in relief. I was so nervous when he's about to say to my brother that I am being bullied and abused. What would my brother's reaction be? I know my brother is still worried because he found out I passed out but that's okay instead him finding out what really happened to me.

"Don't worry. We'll be right there. You're welcome."

He gave me back my cellphone and then went back inside the condo without even saying anything to me. I just waited for him outside the elevator and when he came back, he was carrying a plastic bag and handed it to me.

I looked at it curiously and was surprised when it contained Vcut and C2.

"It's yours."

"A-are you sure?"

"..."

"T-thank you..."

"It's still too early to say thank you," he said listlessly.

"Your brother doesn't know your situation. You can't always hide it. What will you gonna do?" he suddenly asked when we entered the elevator.

I didn't say anything.

"Nevermind! We'll never be able to talk again so I won't be curious about your situation anymore. I'll give your eyeglasses next time. My cousin wanted to fix it and I gave it to her. I hope you don't mind me not asking your permission."

"N-no, it's okay! It's already embarrassing that you've done enough for me!You've helped me, fed me and letting me sleep in your condo! And this too," I pointed out the C2 and Vcut. "Also with fixing my glasses, thank you very much!"

"If that's so, then thank me in advance because I will buy you snacks just for a prop to convince your brother that you're fine. I don't want to hear another thank you from you again."

'I was amazed! Why is this man so kind? I feel guilty that I doubted him so badly earlier.'

"T-thank you."

...

I'm not comfortable when I am hugging his waist while I was hopped onto his motorcycle. I feel shy for some unknown reason. He drive a motorcycle so fast. It was really obvious that he was in a hurry, which made me even more embarrassed. I'm really bothering him!

'He smells good!'

'What the hell am I thinking? Stop sniffing him!'

We did pass by a fancy coffee shop and he took out a lot of food there. I didn't want to accept it when I saw price! That little cheesecake that was so expensive. Seems like it has more value than me! That little piece of cheesecake!

I was nervous again when we got home. I saw my older brother waiting outside and he looked at us suspiciously at first but then he was amazed to see my companion. Especially since this man helped me get off from his motorcycle while carefully held my hand.

"Brother! I'm sorry! It won't happen again!"

He first hugged me tightly and examined my face and body. "I'm fine brother! I was really okay!"

I really understood how he felt and why he is so overreacting like this. It was the first time I didn't come home.

"Tell me, are you my sister's boyfriend?"

"BROTHER!" I quickly covered my brother's mouth and immediately pulled him.

"Hehe! I-I'm sorry for what my brother said! Please forget about it! Thanks for the ride!"

"I told you, no need to say thank you. Here!"

My brother quickly recovered from my grip and hurriedly took the paperbag that this man bought from the coffee shop.

"I don't care if you are going to court my sis----hmp!"

I quickly covered my brother's mouth again and shyly smiled at the man whose name I did not know. He nodded and left.

I didn't even know his name. Why didn't I ask?'

'But it's better that we don't know each other. This way, he won't be involved with me.'

"Brother! Are you selling me to that man? Me? Your very own sister?"

He quickly hit me jokingly. "Who said anyone would buy you if I sell you? Also, don't do it again! Let me know right away if you're hungry or if something hurts you! Besides, we didn't even know something like this happened to you! Good thing you have a good friend!"

He even preached something to me but I understood him. I also apologized to grandpa and fortunately my brother explained it to him.

I didn't go in class today because I feel so tired and I don't want to see the Elites and the students for now. It's a good thing my brother was the one who told me that I need to take a rest and stay here for today. I don't want him to suspect that I don't really want to go to school.

I sighed!

When I dug into my bag, I saw the pajama suit I was wearing earlier. I brought it because it was too embarrassing for him to wash it when I was the one wearing it.

I was about to go to the bathroom when I suddenly realized something.

'Why does that man know where I live? I didn't mention my address to him and he didn't ask either! So how?...'

...