Chapter 4

Tinnie's POV

"Cristina Rielle Cordova, why did you slap Aki?" Chinny asked, her brows furrowed as she searched my face. She's asked a hundred times, but my answer's staying the same. 

"I told you, it's because of that video—where he kissed me." I slumped back on her couch, groaning in exasperation. "He's acting like he's making some romance film and dragged me into it. It's ridiculous!"

Chinny laughed, a little too amused for my taste. "So what, you slapped him because he's attention-seeking?" she teased.

"Yeah! And thick-faced." I pressed my palms over my face to keep from screaming. "He's so annoying, I just… can't stand his face," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"Well, he's my neighbour," she said casually. My eyes went wide.

Oh. My. Gosh.

"Uh, I have to go. Like, now." I started to get up, ready to leave before anything else embarrassing could happen, but the doorbell rang. My heart sank.

"You have a visitor, Chinny," came Aki's too-familiar, irritating voice from the door. Great. Just my luck.

"Visitor?" Chinny scoffed. "No. More like a nuisance."

"Tse! Fine, I'll go home then," Aki huffed, laughing in a way that made my stomach turn worse. Do I look like a clown for him to laugh at? 

Aki glanced at me. "Leaving already, Tinnie? Come on, it's late. Let me walk you home." He flashed a grin that was… well, less "charming" and more "creepy golden retriever." 

I cringed. "I don't need an escort. There are still people on the street corner anyway," I said, glancing at Chinny for backup.

Chinny bit her lip, considering. "It is kind of late, Tinnie… maybe Aki's right." And just as I opened my mouth to protest, Aki had already pulled me out the door, his grip tight around my wrist.

"Let. Go," I said, yanking my arm back as soon as we were outside. "That hurts, idiot." 

He dropped my wrist instantly. "Sorry, sorry," he said, giving me a sheepish smile. 

I exhaled, hoping the walk would be short and silent. But he spoke up. "Your stepbrother is Drin, right?"

I nodded, wary of where he was going with this.

"Why are you always alone, though?"

Alone? What does he know about it? I shrugged. "I have my own set of friends," I said, giving a dismissive wave. I wonder why that wasn't answered enough.

"Oh, I know them." His voice softened. "You've got Chinny, the living doll; Sunshine, tougher than any guy; Apple, the grumpy Chinita; Virgie, the forever heartbroken; Ayana, the goddess; and Chaira, the slightly perverted one." I stopped mid-step, genuinely taken aback. Did he know all their names? Did he notice all those things about them?

He continued, watching my reaction closely. "You don't spend that much time with them, so yeah, you're… always alone." He paused, looking straight into my eyes. "And, well, I'm all yours."

My heart was beating way too fast now. He had to be joking. "What do you want from me? You're not going to charm me like Ardy," I said, folding my arms defiantly.

Aki took a step closer. His voice was low, softer than before. "I just want you, Tinnie. All of you. The flaws, the smiles, the sarcasm, the silly jokes—everything. It would be best if you didn't feel alone. I want… all of you."

Dear heartbeat, *please* stop beating this fast. It's driving me insane.