493Summary of what happened a few chapters before: (only the main highlights) Recommended for those who forgot most of the story.
-Ch10 - MsBurr's dramatic class- She makes Alex(a.k.a Alissa) and William pretend to be gay lovers.
"Stop the chitchat!" Ms. Burr demanded. "I want action! Remember, this is a scene where both of you boys are in love! Show it! I want romance! The sizzle! The seduction! Or else…" She gave out something that sounded like an evil cackle "- You both fail this subject!"
-Ch 11- Ms. Burr changes the scene. She hands Alex ( . Alissa) a wig and makes her pretend to be the girl lover of William. But the play went a little too far.
"The sun is already up. I must go before the ship leaves without me. But before I do, will you grant me one request?"
"What is it?" I asked uninterestedly, my thoughts a long way from this play. I snapped out of my reverie when William inched his face closer. I could feel his warm breathe on my ear.
"Will you allow me to kiss you one last time?"
I stiffened. What did he just say?
Oh, no. No! No!
And Alissa, typically, got mad.
"I can't believe you almost pressed your disgusting lips to mine! Are you out of your stupid mind?" I roared angrily.
William, likewise, also got mad.
He growled. "Even if I were gay, I'd choose someone better looking than you to take advantage of!"
I raised an eyebrow, my lips curling into a snarl. "You'd better. I'd die before I even let you touch me after this."
"Like I'd want to. I'd be the one who'd die before I touch you!"
And on the way home, Alissa sees Christopher (the Real Son of McIntyres) on the sidewalk.
"Look, that's Christopher!" Terry told me and pointed. "And he... he has a girl!"
I'm not blind. Their bodies were practically touching. Of course he has a girl!
And thus Alissa compared herself…
Where did Christopher find that girl anyway? She was tall and slender…quite elegant.
In fact, she was everything I wasn't. Both of us were different, but I'm sure I have my own good qualities too.
I'm soft and cuddly. I'm- Well, I guess I'm sweet. If she was elegant then I'm…uhh…exquisite.
And finally…
Why was I comparing?
Humph, I thought smiling. Greg will choose me. He knows better than to pick some ice queen. Yeah! Not like stupid Christopher
-Ch12- Alissa decides to arrange a little family picnic…
Sounding so eager, I smiled once more. "I just thought it would be fun to have all of us together. Surely, you wouldn't think of…" I trailed off, perfecting the look of utter misery. "Are you saying no?"
She even invited Christopher
"Then it's all set?" I asked excitedly. "Don't worry. You're going to enjoy everything! I already told the cook to prepare what we need. But I requested him not to make those weird jellies. They taste absolutely awful, you know! We'll have chocolate cake for dessert instead. They're quite delicious and very-…uh-…"
She made a fool of herself, but at least Chris agreed. And she'd never admit it…but she had fun! They played pretend…that they were soldiers escaping from Indians.
Matt yelled, "There are the Indians! C'mon, shoot 'em!"
I stifled a laugh when Matt started pretending to fire off, with complete sound effects. "BAM! BAM! BAM!"
"Christopher!" I murmured in a not so soft voice. "Shoot those Indians! You don't want us to die, do you?"
"Please?" I requested politely, knowing Matt was listening to every word.
"Fine." He gritted out, coloring ever so slightly. He faced a little bush and lifted his make-believe gun. "Bam." He said emotionlessly, loud enough for me to hear clearly.
"Oh, but there's another one. Right there!" I pointed cheerfully to an old towering tree, enjoying more every second. "He looks so mean! C'mon Christopher! Shoot that Indian down for me!"
And she also had fun humiliating Christopher
"Oh, but I think I see something moving there. Just behind that shrub!" I declared with mock horror. "Some of them must have escaped your bullets, Christopher. Won't you…"
"Don't push me too far." He snapped, looking read to punch me.
And she even got to be carried by Christopher
Christopher instinctively took a step back, the expectant glimmer Matt had warning him more than words could. "You've got to be kidding."
"Please? He's hurt."
"Yeah. I'm hurt!" I piped in, a delighted grin spreading across my features.
He crouched in front of me and ordered, "Move it!"
Repressing a laugh, I crossed my arms on his neck securely as he rose with me sitting piggy-back on him.
And sshhh, she liked Christopher a little more that day …
He insulted me, snubbed me…even broke the truce he offered! But, honestly, when Matt was concerned…? He was such a sucker. Matt was lucky to have a brother like him.
-Ch13- She had her first date with Greg! Definitely nervous, definitely thrilled.
"What will I wear? I haven't got any decent clothing with me! Oh, what will I wear?" I asked fretfully, burying my head into my hands.
She groaned. "You're really taking this seriously, aren't you? It isn't even a date."
"Of course it is!" I argued fiercely. "It's my first too! So stop rolling your eyes. Can't you see I'm nervous?"
So Terry was nice enough to let her borrow clothes. The date was…well, fine. But when they got home. Uh-oh…Christopher's friends were there. And one of them was…
I studied every face, and my throat went unexpectedly dry when it landed to a distinctly familiar one. There, beside another boy I didn't know, sat William.
William, for Alissa, spelled TROUBLE. She did accuse him of being a gay, after all. And because of Terry, he knew that…
"Stop it! Why don't you just get to the point?" I hissed, my heart beating so hard I could actually feel it.
He sighed. "I guess I better should." Looking at me directly in the eye, he whispered, "I know you're a girl."
And Mr.Chapman, Alissa's legal guardian (a.k.a. Uncle Henry) receives a foreboding letter. His secretary, Loenne, said a little boy gave it to her and ran away.
He reached for the letter and read the cut out words once more.
yOuCANHidE heR, bUT i wiLL fInD hER
If only there was a way. He thought, the usual feelings of frustration and anxiety clouding over him again. He felt so helpless against this callous threat to Alissa's life.
-CH14-Alissa tricks William into promising not to tell anyone she was a girl by 'pretending' she's angry.
"Look," He said contritely. (and sounding sincere about it too!) "I'm really sorry. I didn't plan to let it go that far. I just wanted to get back at you for saying I was gay." He took me by both shoulders and gradually turned me around so we were face to face. "I won't tell Christopher, okay?"
Slowly, so he would think it was real, I gazed back up at him with apprehensive eyes. "You promise?"
He nodded. "I promise."
I smiled secretly. Why am I just so good at these acting things?
But for the hard work it took to make him promise, she wanted to get 'revenge'.
With deceptive innocence, I graced him with a grateful smile. "Thank you again for promising not to tell Christopher."
"No problem."
I smiled at him sweetly, then added just as he began to grin. "But I still think you're gay."
Somewhere in the middle, she met Lance, William's older brother and Christopher's best friend. And she also met Merria, Christopher's girlfriend. They were nice, but that didn't stop her from fighting with Chris
I glared at him. "Yeah, right! You just want to make me look spiteful in front of your friends! You knew I was going to think the worst of what you told them about me!" I didn't care that they were just sitting beside me. So let them hear!
His friends were completely subdued, apparently shocked by the alarming audacity I had.
At least I thought they were.
"Cool. Did you see-" I heard Lance whisper before Merria smacked him in the arm.
Luckily, it was Matt to the rescue!
The cackling pressure was disrupted when Matt stepped forward with a frown. I became startled when he suddenly took my hand and placed it gently on top of Christopher's, which was sprawled on the table near the glass of lemonade.
Matt's eyes quivered earnestly, his tiny lips drawn into a small pout. "Please don't fight. I don't like anyone to fight."
After that little scene, William corners Alissa and, not to be outdone by her, blackmails herinto a date…sort of. But Alissa asks Christopher and Matt to come along…so William couldn't 'harass' her.
(William's POV) When I got close enough, she forced a fake smile and said, "You didn't tell me not to bring anyone along, so I decided to invite them. You know, the more the merrier? And it's safer too" She stressed the last part solidly…and then added as an afterthought, "You don't mind, do you?"
I hardly had time to open my mouth before she answered it herself, her voice sickly sweet. "Of course you don't. After all, you're so nice! Isn't that right, Matt?" She asked the boy, who nodded almost immediately.
The date turned out to be a trip to William's house, which suspiciously looked exactly like the McIntyre's mansion. Even then, Alissa, who terribly wanted to get back at William, criticizes the mansion.
(William's POV) "Hey…" She said slowly, staring at the house looming ahead oddly. "How come it's almost identical to our house?"
"Our parents hired the same architect." Chris explained with a smile. "We even have the same plants." Her face crumpled slightly, but then she brightened as she pointed out. "You're house is painted yellow."
"It's beige."
"White and beige are the almost same." I informed her.
"No, it's not. White makes ours look grand." She reasoned with a smirk. "Beige just makes yours look…plain."
-Ch15-After lunch and a tour of the house, Christopher interrogates Alissa into admitting she's a SHE, but still she denies…But first, a peek at Christopher's thoughts.
Alex, with his slender frame, his billowy clothes, and his pony-tailed hair. Alex, with his clumsy manners, his awkward yet almost sweet behavior…and his captivating personality.
He wanted to get things over and done with. He had already figured out why Alex was here, why his parents constantly protected him, and why Matt liked him so much. He knew the reasons and the motives. All he wanted now was to hear it from the boy's own mouth. How to kick him out of the house and back to his family…well, that he'll have to think about later. But right now, he just needed to make him confess.
Or rather, he just needed to make her confess.
And now to the interrogating techniques!
"Not really." I admitted candidly. "But Matt helped a great lot. He found ways to- "
"Alex?" Christopher smoothly intervened, oddly detached from our conversation.
"Yeah?" I asked distractedly, eager to continue telling Lance about my victory.
"Do you have any sister? Or a twin, maybe?"
"He fell for it?" Lance snickered, although he kept shooting furtive glances at Chris for no evident reason.
"Yup. You should've seen his face when- "
"Where did you live before?" A quiet voice abruptly cut in.
I gazed at Christopher blankly, getting a bit irritated. Why did he keep on interrupting? I bet he didn't like having Lance bask me with attention. I've always suspected he was the jealous type.
Somewhere in my gut, I already knew even before I heard that voice speak up again.
"Alex?" Christopher cut in with a tiniest tug in his lips, looking like he was enjoying INTERRUPTING me.
"What now?" I growled almost exasperatedly.
"One last question." He drawled slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, making me even more infuriated.
Christopher stared at me impassively. "Are you a girl?"
Alissa gets frantic. She has to deny. But how? And so…
With my ammunitions ready, I opened my mouth and fired.
"Fuck you! What do you mean I'm a girl?"
He looked remarkably taken aback, and I was secretly pleased to see the smug expression temporarily wiped from his face.
"Is this some kind of shitty joke?" I demanded.
So Alissa gets away again. When they got home, it was Terry's turn to fire. Alissa wants to go meet Greg for a date again, but Terry distinctly forbade her. Alissa gets hurt…and terribly angry…and they share a few biting remarks. Alissa didn't know what made Terry change her mind about going but Terry did…
Her hands shook silently as they held the opened letter, trembling so furiously that it crumpled the paper, forming deep creases to what had formerly been undamaged.
yOuCANHidE heR,
Her cerulean orbs scanned it slowly, word per word, her fingers pressing hard onto the already rumpled material. Her normally tanned complexion paled as she got to the next phrase.
bUT i wiLL fInD hER
And there, at the very bottom edge, what she read last made her froze in terror.
ShE wiLL DiE…
Not What It Seems
Ch 16
Christopher's POV
"Wake up. Wake up…"
I stirred in my sleep when I felt someone nudging me.
6:15? In the morning?
I rubbed my eyes and saw that Matt was curled up on the bed beside me, staring at me like he wanted to say something very important.
"What is it? Spill." I asked bluntly as I sat up groggily in bed. Us McIntyres aren't really known for being up early. Especially this early.
He smiled, albeit a little nervously. "I overheard Mama and Papa yesterday. They were talking about me." He answered truthfully, fidgeting with his small fingers, and then added slowly, "They didn't know I was hiding below the table."
"You did it again? Good thing they didn't find you." I stifled a yawn. "So what had you 'overheard'?"
Matt was almost always eavesdropping on anyone and everyone. It was a wonder that he had been caught only once… by me.
He had tried to spy while I was on the phone with Merria, hoping he'd hear me spurt fluffy words of love and adoration.
He didn't think I'd see him, but an eye peeping through the door of my bedroom wasn't really as effective as he often seemed to think.
"They were arguing. They were deciding if I should go to public school or not." He was gazing at me with so much trust. "I'm scared. I don't wanna go."
Public school? My parents wanted to shift him off to some public school?
Despite still being a bit sleepy, the impact was staggering. "Didn't they listen to me?" I muttered under my breath. I had implicitly told them I wouldn't allow it.
Just because nobody had dared bullied ME, doesn't mean no one would dare bully him.
"Pigheaded, just like his parents. I should've known. Can't even give Matt freedom…If he's cooped up in that mansion of yours, he won't have any friends."
Darn that Alex. Why did he…or she…have to suddenly pop in and remind me of that?
But it's okay. She has a point. Soon I'll get the satisfaction of throwing her and her bags out in the street…so there won't be any more points to consider.
"Alex says its lots of fun in his private school. I want to go there." Matt pouted mournfully. "I don't know if public school is fun or not."
"Don't worry. I'll see what I can do." I smiled wryly in response. Of course Alex was having the time of her life. Knowing those superficial asses there, they'd practically kowtow to her for the sole reason that she was a millionaire.
At least they thought she was.
And maybe she was thinking she'd get my inheritance too. Why else would she, like some obedient, tail-wagging dog, have come here?
The smell of money was too strong for someone like her to resist. If my parents think I would simply agree, then they were dead wrong.
Besides, she wasn't my type. I go for girls who act like girls.
"Alex and Terry fought last night. Did you know?" Matt suddenly asked out of the blue.
I glanced down at him and saw his eyebrows were yet again furrowed, a telltale sign that he was either annoyed or worried.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. Did you happen to 'hear' why they were fighting?"
From the guilty expression on his face, I surmised that he had gone on one of his snooping sprees again. As expected.
"So can you tell me all about what you've heard?"
Matt shook his head. "Uh-uh. It's a top secret."
What can I say? I was hoping for too much. It was clear that he still held loyalty to the enemy.
"I just wanted to tell you about that. I'm going back to sleep now." He finally announced, his teddy dangling recklessly at his fingers. Then, after giving me an 'I'm-sorry-but-this-is-above-brotherly-allegiance' sort of look, he jumped off the couch and walked somewhat remorsefully away.
At least I was still capable of making him feel bad.
No matter, I didn't need his account on why Alex and her supposed girlfriend were screaming hell last night.
I had witnessed some of it myself, although I, Christopher McIntyre, did not stoop so low as to have imitated my brother's methods.
Alex had been too furious to perceive I was watching her while she stormed away from Terry's bedroom, muttering loudly to herself like some madwoman. (And it's true. She is mad. Any girl who'd agree to dress like a guy definitely falls under that category.)
It was simply by chance that I was standing at the darkest corner of the hall unseen.
Naturally, I heard every word. Especially about the bit that had something to do with 'Greg'. I bet the stupid guy didn't know her girl was two-timing him.
It was most interesting, what one can accomplish when hiding in the shadows.
It wasn't spying…not by exact description. I was just in the right place at the right time.
Silently waiting for her to come out.
Hah. Not my fault she hadn't noticed.
A reluctant smile tugged at my lips, already imagining what her reaction would be when I catch her red-handed. I hope she gets a heart attack and slips into a coma.
I yawned, getting up from my bed and sauntering off toward the bathroom. I need a shower. A nice hot shower to help me think straight.
I turned the water on and quickly took off my clothes, stepping inside just as the water was beginning to warm.
She got away yesterday only because I was too shocked to do anything after she let out those strings of curses. I didn't think she would even know how to cuss.
I frowned in contemplation. She was, after all, chosen for me by my perfectionist parents. They wouldn't choose someone so…coarse.
And it didn't help any when William appeared out of nowhere to act like prince charming and save his damsel in distress.
"Hey, Chris You don't have to come with us. Stay here with Lance. You can go back anytime you want. No, I'm serious. In fact, why don't you just sleep here with us tonight? It's already very late. I'll make sure Alex and Matt get home. It might not be safe for them to go alone. You don't know what lurks at this time of the day."
Right. It was really late then. About three in the afternoon.
It was obvious Will already knew she was a girl. I didn't know what kind of spell that Alex had put on him to make him stand on her side, but I still had Lance…
I scrubbed both my arms with soap, then continued down to my flat stomach as warm water sluiced over my body.
This time I'll make sure she can't curse her way out. Nor will my parents or William be there to rescue poor old her.
There will be just me and a very much appealing confrontation. And the first thing I'm going to squeeze out of her is her real name.
I was beginning to detest the name 'Alex'.
Alex is nice. Alex is such fun to be with.
Alex knows everything. Try and get along with Alex
Alex isn't so bad. Alex loves ice cream.
Alex is this and Alex is that. Alex is perfect.
I snorted. Right. I just bet she is.
The faster she disappears, the better.
I awoke that morning earlier than I ever had.
Yep, I woke up at exactly seven sharp.
I quietly jumped off my bed and treaded silently towards the balcony, the warm cover I still held around me trailing on the floor.
I unlocked the bolted glass panels of the balcony and stepped out, squinting through the early morning light and tiptoeing nearer to the railing.
The air was still somewhat chilly, but I didn't mind. I had much more important things to cope with than being cold. I kneeled down slightly and carefully observed the landing below through the gaps of the intricate metal railings.
It's too high! I thought as my shoulders slumped dejectedly. I knew something would go wrong. Now I'll have to find some other way.
Miserably, I walked back and collapsed on my bed. My first intention was to tie blankets together and escape through the balcony like how heroines usually do in romantic novels to reunite with their one true love, but it seemed like fate was not working pleasantly with my case.
Sighing, I gazed at the plain white ceiling above me and tried to think of back-up plans.
When I got to my room last night, I had managed to calm down and began to see that I couldn't blame Terry for her unwarranted over-protectiveness. She was responsible for me, after all. But as much as I didn't want to strain our friendship, my love life was at stake!
Okay, fine. To be frank, I'll admit there isn't anything between Greg and me. Nil, nothing. Zippo.
At least, not yet.
And that is basically why I had to not miss this date with him! He's my only chance at experiencing the blissfully ecstatic happiness I could only glimpse on television!
Today is the day I'm going to profess my undying devotion to him, my One and Only, my Prince Charming, my Knight in Shining Armor… – and once we've officially become an item and he starts doting on me and everything, Terry will realize that I was right and she was wrong.
And everyone will be happy and we'll all live happily ever after!
Yep, a story book ending for everyone.
But not Christopher…I'm going to make sure he stays miserable.
I sighed gleefully, settling deeper into my warm bed. Now for my escape plans.
Hmm, I'll have to find an accomplice.
Terry glanced at me ruefully. "I need to go now. Are you sure you'll be okay?"
I rolled my eyes. "Of course. I'm not going anywhere (YET…), remember?"
"I'm really sorry, Alissa. I know you were looking forward to seeing Greg so much."
I huffed. "I still am. But since you forbade me to go, do I have a choice?" Go! Go now! I still have to get ready and prettify.
Terry smiled. "Thanks for understanding. I'm glad you've realized that I'm doing this for you."
I'm doing this for myself too. I stifled a giggle. It felt exciting to be up to something I wasn't supposed to. It felt positively naughty!
"Yes, yes. You've apologized a hundred times and I've accepted all of them." I shooed her away. "Now go along and meet with your supervisor what's-his-name. I'm sure he's already writhing from waiting for so long."
I was lying down on my bed, pretending to have just wakened up. "Besides, do you know that you disrupted me from such a wonderful dream? Greg and I were making out and he was just about to undress. His abs were just sinful …"
"Stop it." Terry immediately shot me a disgusted look. "I think I really should be going."
I laughed. "Who's keeping you here?"
Terry glanced at me skeptically before heaving a sigh. "All right. But you'd better behave!" She warned me jokingly before closing the door.
Yes! Free at last!
I immediately jumped off the bed and quickly rushed toward the closet.
Now…what will I wear?
Good thing she's not angry anymore. Although…Terry's steps slackened as a frown replaced her happy smile. She's acting a bit strange. I wonder what's going on.
She shrugged. Maybe she's just planning to kill Christopher and…NOT escaping to meet Greg. Yeah…maybe that's it. But there was a nagging doubt somewhere inside.
Terry turned and headed for Matt's room. Just in case, I should tell Matt to keep an eye on her. I'm sure he won't let Alissa get away. He's such an obedient kid.
I scrutinized myself on the mirror and heaved a defeated sigh. This will have to do. I thought as I glanced at the plain yellow tee, the rather crumply denim pants, and my favorite Nike. I suck when Terry's not around.
Grabbing my backpack, I opened the door and peeked outside.
Okay. No Christopher
I silently closed the door and quickly ran toward Matt's bedroom. Once inside, I immediately let out the breath I was holding.
Phase one complete. I smiled to myself in relief and looked around for Matt.
He was crouched low on the ground, searching for something in an ornately designed trunk positioned near the wall.
"Hey. Are you ready?" I asked him.
His head protruded out and he grinned. "I'm trying to find my walkie-talkies."
"Oh…I see." I nodded. Actually, I didn't. "Why? Do we need that?"
"Yes." He finally found it and dumped them on the floor beside him, then jumped up and closed the trunk none too softly. "We need it to com-municate. Mother threw my beepers away, and I lost all my phones. We'll use these instead."
He's just a kid and he already got gadgets…? How unfair is that?
"All right." I finally replied and bended down so we were head to head. "Show me how it works…"
"You push this to call my attention."
"Right."
"And this is the talk button…you can talk to me when you press that."
"Uh-huh."
"And this here is a flashlight for emergencies."
"That's…nice."
"There's also a compass at the back."
"That's pretty nice too."
"And here, you see that? That's a radio you can listen to when you get bored."
I groaned. "Can we just go already?"
We managed to sneak down to the first floor unnoticed and without any unwanted encounters.
Once we had infiltrated the kitchen, the danger percent of being uncovered lessened considerably.
What Matt said was true. The servants all acted like we were invisible or something.
Maybe it's because they had those domestic instinct that told them they shouldn't mess with people crawling on marbled floors with walkie-talkies.
Yeah. I know.
These servants are good.
Anyway, we escaped from the house through the rear door in the kitchen and continued 'crawling' on the hard pebbled ground(yes…Matt wouldn't have had it any other way) until we reached the small exit gate at the back of the mansion that were for employees only.
"Will you tell me what you did with Greg when you come back?" Matt asked excitedly.
"Yeah…I will." I mumbled, a bit distracted as I tugged at the metal bars.
"What will you do if he kisses you?"
"Kiss him back." I answered almost without thinking and then laughed. "Stop being so nosy." I finally succeeded unbolting the gate at last and with big heave of satisfaction I turned to the little boy. "This is a secret between us. If Terry or anyone asks, I never went out. You remember that, okay? You can't tell Christopher or else all your teeth will fall off…just like what happened to the boy I knew who tattled." I crossed my fingers behind me.
Matt nodded, looking horrified but somehow thrilled. "I promise! I won't tell anyone at all."
"Alright." I opened my backpack and took out my special remote control (special because it makes my chest flat) and pushed the green button. I felt the binding device beneath my clothes loosen instantly. "Turn around, Matt." I ordered sharply and he immediately complied. I stuck a hand under my shirt discreetly and pulled the binding device out, then stuffed it into my bag as fast as I could.
Next, I took off my beloved voice-emulator earring on my left ear and snuck it into my pocket. As a final touch, I ran my hand through the messy tangles that compromised my hair in an effort to make myself presentable.
"Okay. You can look now." I twirled around once as Matt eyed me queerly. "So what do you think? Do I pass as a pretty girl?" I even did a pose.
He was silent.
"You have a pretty voice. It's girly." He answered in the end with a giggle. "And you have breasts now."
For a 7 year old, I guess he said all the right words. So why did I have a feeling it sounded wrong?
Maybe it's because he said I had a pretty voice instead of saying I looked pretty.
See the difference?
I took one menacing step forward. "The only reason I look this…this drab is because Terry's not here, you get me? When she fixes me up, you'll see that I'm sexy and beautiful!" I frowned, my amber eyes conveying the wordless message. Disagree and you're dead.
Matt was quick on the uptake. "You don't need Terry!" He shook his head wildly as if to support his claim. "You're already the most beautiful in the whole wide world to me!"
I smiled smugly.
He learns fast, doesn't he?
Clever kid.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
I nodded immediately, my eyes robotically following those delectable lips as he slowly took a sip from his mocha frap.
Just imagine you're the cup…imagine you're the cup… I chanted to myself as I stared at his mouth touching the lucky coffee cup. Imagine that's your lips connecting with his…Yes, there it is. It's touching! It's touching!
I sighed, slumping over my seat. How utterly pathetic. I should stop day thinking about kisses. Thy're bad for my well-being.
When will he ever make a move to kiss me? When, oh, cursed miserable life, WHEN?
"Is that okay with you, Chrissy?"
"Huh…what?" I smiled sheepishly, my face instantly flushing. "I'm sorry. I was thinking." Of you, you adorable hunk! I'm thinking of YOU!
He chuckled. "I was asking if you'd like to take a walk."
"Where?" I unconsciously leaned forward from my seat. A walk to your car? A walk to your house? A walk to your ROOM?
"I'm not sure. But…" He looked around. "It's getting pretty crowded here. I just thought that maybe we could…walk around."
Around?
"Around?" I repeated weakly. "Oh, okay. That's fine with me."
I'd do anything you tell me! So don't be shy. Wrap your arms around me. Hug me! Embrace me! Love me!
He stood up and gallantly presented his arm for me. "Well then, shall we?"
I giggled as a rush of jittery emotions filled me to the toes.
He offered to hold my hand! What a gentleman…
I felt color rising to my cheeks. Isn't he just dreamy?
William snuck his head inside the next room. All that met him was an empty guestroom. She's not here either.
He strode down the hall and knocked on Matt's door. Seconds later, his small head popped out.
"Hey, little guy, have you seen Alex?"
Matt contemplated for a moment before shaking his head.
"How about…" William lowered his voice to a whisper. "Alissa? Have you seen Alissa?"
The boy shook his head again. "She didn't go anywhere. She is here in this house."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Will scratched his chin absentmindedly and didn't catch the fleeting guilt on the boy's face.
Matt must be telling the truth. Someone as young as him wouldn't know how to lie.
But he had already searched all four floors. And searched them again to make sure.
The only place he hadn't checked was the…
Hell, could she be hiding in the servant's quarters?
"…and then he just walked away. It was so awful. We never spoke ever again." I finished my pitiful tirade with a flourish of my hand, ending the sorrowful tale of how my 'imaginary' ex-boyfriend left me to eat dust.
"That must've been painful." Greg finally said, his features relaxing from its rapt expression. "But you showed him, didn't you? You took my advice, right?"
"I did!" I declared with gusto. "I dumped him in front of everyone! I'm not going to allow anyone to play with my feelings." Not that anyone had so far. You see, I'ma woman withthe most deplorable reputation for having the sorriest number of men ever caught.
From my last count it was…oh yes, it was zero.
No, wait.
I even failed to seduce our aging gardener into letting me play with the sprinklers.
So that makes it…oh, I don't know…NEGATIVE one?
You're actually going to be my first catch. I fluttered my eyes at him, hoping he'd get my telepathic message. My first…and if I'm lucky, my last.
I must have zapped it to him a bit too strong, because he looked away uncomfortably.
Oh well… I repressed a mournful sigh. I guess that's another slash down my seducing capabilities.
"Hey."
Christopher opened one eye and glanced at the doorway. Ah…William. Coming to check up on Alex.
"I should have known I'd find you in the library." William joked. "I forget this is where you usually spend most of your afternoons sleeping."
"If you're looking for her, she's not here." Chris answered calmly, cutting straight to the chase. "That's what you wanted to ask, isn't it?" He shot Will a cool stare that made him go unintentionally red. "You're hopeless. I can't believe you'd fall for someone so sadly undesirable."
It took William but a moment to take in that the guy in front of him was complimenting him.
For his lack of taste.
"I do not 'fall' for anyone. Least of all a girl." He gritted out. "Besides, I came to see her because I wanted to- to…" He was groping for an appropriate term when Chris finished it for him.
"You came to see her because you wanted to see her. I think we both understand that." Christopher closed his eyes once more. "She went out...on a date, if I'm not mistaken. Maybe you should ask the servants for extra information."
William didn't feel like they were finished yet, but he knew their conversation had officially ended. Secretly, he was relieved to be getting away from him. They were close and all, but Christopher had the uncanny ability to unnerve him.
The guy was too sharp. And way too moody.
Beats me, but Lance sure enjoys his company. William closed the door and leaned on it. My brother had sacrificed better education just so they'd be together in public school. Is that why Christopher's nice to him?
"Look." Greg pointed at an ice cream stall nearby. "Do you want some? My treat."
He's so nice! No boy has ever treated me to an ice cream before.
I nodded eagerly. "Chocolate please."
He flashed me a thumbs up before jogging away.
I crossed my arms around me and hugged myself, sighing to myself for the umpteenth time. Wasn't he just the sweetest?
This is where the readers gag.
I was intent on admiring Greg's wonderful body and sexy blonde hair from afar when I was suddenly tapped on the elbow.
I turned around to find a little girl of about five squirming nervously about.
"Hello. Do you need something?" I inquired cheerfully. I hate small boys, Matt excluded, but I simply worship girls. They were so cute.
Just like me when I was young, of course.
"I…ah- I…" The child was having a hard time speaking, and she kept fiddling with her fingers while her eyes were zooming about, as if searching for someone.
"Are you lost?" I smiled gently at her.
"No…I…"
I saw a slender brunette step towards us. Her hair was neatly pulled back and she seemed to be in her late thirties. "Where have you been?" Mild concern and relief clearly rang from her voice.
"Do you know her, ma'am?" I asked politely.
She turned to me, as if noticing for the first time, surprise widening her dark eyes.
"Yes. She's my niece." She took out her hand and we shook hands. "You are Alissa, am I right?"
I stepped back involuntarily. "How did you know? Do I know you?"
"Oh, I'm Loenne, Mr. Chapman's secretary." She laughed. "I apologize if I scared you. I'm on vacation right now." She glanced at me quizzically. "You live in New York with him, if I remember correctly. Are you on vacation as well?"
I shrugged, careful to keep my answer evasive. "Sort of."
The little girl looked ready to cry as she gazed between the two of us. "I want to go home." She demanded, her chin quivering.
Loenne sighed and I wasn't sure, but I caught her shooting the child an irritated glare. It was gone as soon as it came.
"It was nice meeting you. I'm sure we'll meet again someday." She told me somewhat reluctantly.
"Yes. Bye." I responded uncertainly.
She smiled before walking away, the girl quickly following behind.
"Sorry if I'm disturbing."
"It's okay. Why are you calling?" Terry's rather muffled voice answered.
William sighed into his mobile phone. "I just wanted to ask if you knew where Alissa is."
There was a lengthy pause.
Her reply was slow. "Isn't she…" Another pause. "…at home?"
"That's the point. I already checked." Will hesitated before plunging in. "Christopher said she went out on a date. Do you know with whom?"
Yet again, there was another lengthy pause.
"I have no idea how Chris knew. He only told me…" William started to say, but was stopped when there was a faint 'click' on the other line. "Terry? Are you still there? Hello? Hello…?"
Frustrated, he slammed his cell shut. First Matt says she's here, and then Chris tells him the opposite. Now Terry hangs up on him.
Why can't anyone just say who the damn guy is?
William stormed back to the study. If Christopher knew she was on a date, then he should know with whom.
He didn't bother with knocking but just rushed in. "Who's the guy?" He immediately demanded.
Christopher opened his eyes and looked at him, a smirk playing on his lips. "Why do you ask? Jealous?"
"Just tell me who the hell he is!"
Chris was eyeing him amusedly, as if he was entertained. "I heard his name was Greg."
"Well, of all the…" William cursed and flung his hands in the air as if to emphasize. "What could she have possibly seen in that jerk?"
"I don't know. Why are you asking me?" Christopher glanced away in contempt. "I don't know what you see in her either. She's scheming and conniving…"
"No, she's not!" He instantly defended, then faltered slightly. "At least half the time she isn't."
"So you finally admit."
"She's not what you think she is. That's the end of it." William bit out. He began to turn back when he suddenly spun around and retraced his steps.
He had something like shock plastered over his face. "Shit. How'd you know she's a girl?"
A muscle in Terry's forehead twitched. She felt like strangling someone.
"Who called?" Her superintendent glanced at her while shuffling through the important papers on his desk.
"It was William." She answered in clipped tones. "Suspect three."
"William, suspect three." He opened one confidential folder and grunted. "Youngest son of the Roukes. I see… What did he want?"
"He asked if I knew where Alissa was."
"And…?"
"She did what I told her not to."
"Which is?"
"Alissa went ahead with the date." Terry clenched her fists. "With suspect one."
There was a short silence before the person in front of her barked, "What are you sitting there for? Go track her!"
"It's getting late. We should get going." Greg informed me, standing up from the bench we were sitting on.
I followed him and we walked side by side, our bodies almost touching. I glanced up at him, admiring his beautiful face, and took a deep breathe. Shyly, I wrapped my right arm around his left.
He stopped momentarily, but I gently tugged him forward, my head carefully turned away to hide my embarrassment.
We continued on silently. I was too afraid to say anything. Taking him by his arm must've conveyed what I felt more than words could, right?
Finally, he slowly halted and turned to me. He put his hands firmly on my shoulders and I couldn't help it. I looked up.
His sky-blue eyes gazed at me seriously and I could almost feel myself drowning in them.
"I like you." The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop. "I like you more than a friend."
His face registered little surprise, as if he had been expecting some kind of admission all along. "Chrissy, you're a wonderful girl."
He leaned towards me and gave me a small smile. My heart began to beat faster and louder. It felt like my stomach was doing triple summersaults inside.
"It's only that…"
His voice lowered into a whisper.
"Yes?" I asked breathlessly. What is it? Are you ready to confess?
"I already like someone else."
I stared at him, at his lovely countenance, and I blinked.
"Her name is Cathrine." He told me softly, apologetically.
No.
"I hear he's a playboy. The girl he was with? That's his new one."
"Her name's Cathrine. They say she's one of those outcasts, you know? But she didn't look so bad. I heard that Greg-boy just made her his girlfriend because of a bet."
A faint recollection of Terry's gossip, unbidden, began to hauntingly drift inside my head.
"I hear he's a playboy. The girl he was with? That's his new one."
"They say she's one of those outcasts, you know? But she didn't look so bad."
A tender expression flitted through the familiar, yet altered stranger in front of me. The face didn't belong to Greg anymore. He was a stranger.
"I guess feelings change. I only realized how much I care for her recently." Greg continued quietly.
No.
"Catherine is really nice. She's all I ever wanted and more. You'll like her if you two ever meet."
No.
"I'm sorry. I knew it would come to this. You're a special girl, but I see you only as a friend."
No.
"You'll find the one for you someday." He sounded patronizing.
No…
My knees felt like they were giving way. My hands were trembling.
When he tried to step closer to hug me, I pushed him away. "No." I unconsciously began shaking my head. "No! No!"
You should be saying you like me too. You should be holding me in your arms.
You shouldn't be doing this.
The back of my eyes stung.
"No." I whirled away and ran before the tears threatened to fall. "No."
"Chrissy, wait!"
I heard him calling to me, but my legs refused to stop. My mind was numb. Even my body felt numb.
"No…No…" It was like a chant that I had to repeat over and over again. I didn't know where I was going. I didn't care. I was only aware of the pain.
My heart. It was crying.
"Matt. Are you there?" I held the walkie-talkie to my ear as I stood woodenly behind the big wall of the McIntyre residence.
There was a moment of noisy static before his voice became clear. "I'm here. Over. Are you dressed as a boy now? Over."
"Yes."
"Should I go down now? Over."
"Yes." I answered bluntly. "And stop with the over thing. It's irritating."
There was no response.
I leaned on the brick wall and waited for him. Within minutes, he came rushing out with a big grin. "What happened?"
"Can you just open the gate?" I snapped.
He nodded and quickly unlocked the back entrance.
I walked off toward the direction of the house silently, not giving him a second glance.
I had passed the massive kitchen and was half-way up the stairs to the third floor before he caught up with me.
"William came here earlier. He's gone now." Matt told me in whispered tones. "I didn't tell him where you were. I didn't tell big brother too. Did I do a good job?" He asked eagerly, not noticing my rather foul mood.
"You did fine." I snarled and headed for the nearest available room and marched inside. I flung my backpack on the ground uncaringly.
"Did Greg kiss you?" He asked enthusiastically from behind me.
I gritted my teeth and slowly turned to face him.
He cautiously stepped back when he saw the glare focused on him.
"Never mention his name in front of me again! Never, you hear me?" I hissed quietly. I pointed a finger in the direction of the open doorway. "Now go."
When he didn't move, I growled. "I said go! Get out! Get OUT!"
He stared at me, petrified.
"OUT!" My voice rose to a near scream. "GET OUT!"
He didn't need any more encouragement. He scampered away and disappeared a second later. I slammed the door after him.
I stared at the room dazedly and took in the green wall coverings and the somewhat masculine furnishings.
But I wasn't seeing anything. Not really.
I slumped to the floor. I didn't know what I was doing, but I began pounding hard on the solid wall next to me.
"Idiot." I whispered softly with each painful connection of my fist.
Idiot.
Idiot.
Idiot.
"I hate you…"
I didn't stop until my hands were red and hurting, until tears were rolling down my wet face. Until most of the anger had been drained.
I stood up and took a few wobbly steps towards the neatly made bed. You're so weak, Alissa. You shouldn't cry over some stupid boy.
My vision was all hazy. I wiped the tears roughly from my eyes.
I don't care. It hurts. What am I supposed to do? Laugh?
With a pitiful sniff, I threw myself face up into the big, comfortable bed.
The unlit lights in the ceiling seemed to be staring down at me, patronizing me. Like Greg had.
So I stared back. Just stared until my eyes began to hurt too. Like my heart was.
I stared until I couldn't anymore. Until I finally closed my eyes in exhaustion.
The last thing I thought of before giving in was: The pain in my eyes has stopped. What about my broken heart? When will the pain there end?
Silent minutes ticked by before a sound eventually broke through the still room.
That of a soft snore.
Christopher walked into his own room an hour later and nearly stopped dead in his tracks. He wasn't planning on knowing how it happened, but there was a most pleasant surprise. Apparently waiting for him.
Well, well, well…
He leaned on the doorway, smirking as he gazed at the body lying on his bed.
What have we here?
He had planned on somehow trapping 'Alex' into his room for their long-awaited confrontation, but it looked like there was no need after all.
The girl obviously came on her own free will.
He took three steps nearer, just enough to study her. She was garbed in what were usually her 'boy' clothes, consisting of large sweaters and loose pants. Her mouth was slightly open, her breathing even, and eyes closed serenely.
And her hair…Chris shook his head in a helpless gesture. Half of her auburn hair had escaped the crude ponytail he noticed she was always wearing and had spilled all around her, a lock resting evenly on her right cheek.
Despite the fact that she failed to look even remotely alluring at the moment, he had to admit one thing. She definitely wouldn't pass as a guy. Her features were too clear-cut, too feminine. She must be stupid if she thought she could carry the boyish get-up.
He sighed. He should've observed her better. If he had, then he would've known from the very start. Then he might have thrown her out earlier.
His emerald eyes rested on the unfamiliar bag lying in a heap near his feet. Probably hers...
He snatched it up and carelessly flicked through the contents. An extra shirt, paper bills…a pair of smelly socks.
He wrinkled his nose distastefully and was about to throw it back to the ground when something caught his attention.
What's this? A remote control? He raised an eyebrow, taking it out from the bag. Is this one of Matt's? He smirked. "Stealing from a boy? I knew she was cheap. But this…"
"Greg! Have you come to take me back?"
"Yes…"
"So you love me too?" I squealed. "I knew it! I knew you'd see we were meant to be together!"
His face was blurry, smudged. But he opened his arms wide for me. "Come."
I smiled and ran to his embrace. He wrapped them securely around my chest and hugged me tight. I rested my head on his strong shoulder.
He held me tighter, drawing me against him.
And tighter. And tighter.
"Greg…"
And tighter.
"I know you're showing your love for me…but can't you loosen your hold a bit?"
Yet he drew me even tighter.
"Hey…" I gasped. "Stop…it's hard to…breathe…"
Tighter.
"Stop…" I began hitting his chest. I sucked hard for air. "…stop…"
I directed my pleading gaze at him. "Please…"
He was smiling cruelly.
"No…st-…sto-…."
I stirred uncomfortably, slowly opening my eyes. I blinked once, then twice.
Green ceiling. That's what first came into view.
This isn't my room. Where am I? Where's Greg?
I closed my eyes in relief. So Greg wasn't trying to cut off my air supply. A dream. It was just a-…
I cried out softly when the binding device covering my chest suddenly tightened even more. Hell, it was aching so badly. The pain was excruciating.
I sat up tenderly, wiping off the sweat that had collected on my forehead.
"Glad to see you're finally up."
I turned my head toward the voice.
Christopher was there, sitting smugly on a sleek black couch, looking like he owned the damn place.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded.
"This is my room. I'm supposed to be asking you that."
Fine, so technically, he did own the damn place.
"You-…you…" I forgot what I was going to say. I felt the color drain from my face when I saw what he was twiddling with. "That's mine. Give it back." My voice was hoarse, but nonetheless insistent.
It's no wonder I was being squeezed like an orange pulp in my dream. How dare the guy touch my belongings.
"This?" He held the remote up. "Isn't this Matt's?"
"It's not." I gritted, the pain in my chest becoming more unbearable by the second. "You were playing with it, weren't you? Don't touch the buttons any more." He raised an inquiring brow and I added snappily. "Just give it back."
"Why? How important is this to you?"
"Very important. Now give it back!"
He smirked. "I've been pushing the red button here. Nothing seems to be happening. Care to tell me what the green button does?"
"Don't you even think of pushing that!" I suppressed a screech. If he pushes it, my life is going to be over. Over, you get me?
OVER.
"You're making me curious." His emerald eyes glinted. "Why shouldn't I even 'think' of pushing it?"
"I…uh…" I bit my lip.
Okay. Change of tactics.
If I continue with this, he'll want to push it more. I should make him disinterested. Yes. That's what I'll do.
"Fine. Go ahead then. Push it." I responded indifferently. "It's not like something embarrassing will happen."
Yes, nothing embarrassing will happen. Because my breasts popping out like some freaking jack-in-the-box isn't what you'd call embarrassing. It's what you'd call Complete and Utter Degradation.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Now push it."
"Are you sure?"
"It's up to you." My chocolate eyes flashed, more from agony than challenge. "Push it if you want."
Once you release that, I'm going to body slam you. Mark my words.
"Fine. I will." He answered calmly.
"Fine. Do it."
His emerald eyes flickered uncertainly.
See? He's losing interest already. I sat up straighter and forced a smug reply back down my throat. "What are you waiting for? Push it."
He gazed at me for a long moment. "Fine. Maybe I will." But he didn't. His thumb remained where it was, resting precariously above the button.
Hah. Coward.
I lowered my head and flinched. Ouch. My chest is giving me hell. Hellishly hell.
"What? Scared of pushing it?" I asked him innocently, mentally shoving down the pained expression that tried to break through. "You can always give it back if you want. Remember, curiosity killed the cat."
"Fine then." His lips curved into a slow smile.
Nice. He was going to give it back!
I waited. He didn't do anything. He just continued smiling in that roguish kind of way that made my heart unexplainably jump.
"Aren't you gonna toss it to me or something?" I demanded suspiciously.
"No."
"Why? You're thinking of pushing it?" I prodded. "Then push it now."
He didn't say anything, so I waited.
Aah. Finally, the bond in my chest is cooperating. I feel it getting looser now.
Yep, definitely looser. I feel great.
"What does the button do?" He asked abruptly.
"Push it. Then maybe you'd know." I taunted him.
"I did. Nothing happened."
My eyes popped out. "You WHAT?"
Wait…I think the binding device just fell to my stomach.
"That was a TRICK!" I glared at him. "You tricked me into believing you wouldn't push it! You-... you tricked me! I should've expected it!"
His eyes widened, but apparently not because of my heated accusation.
He was staring at my chest.
I glanced down and stared at it too.
My god.
I instantly covered my front using both arms, flushing. "What are you looking at? Stop looking! You-…!"
I took a deep breathe. Calm down. Don't freak. He didn't see anything. You…you're wearing a thick shirt. A very bulky and very thick shirt. He saw NOTHING!
"That was a nice view." He leered mockingly. "Don't you think?"
I went redder, snatched a pillow from his bed and hugged it like a shield.
He leaned back, pleasure written all over, and his gaze slid up to my outraged features then reverted back down to my concealed chest.
He smirked. "I guess the button worked after all."
Don't you just want to punch him?
"I see. A binding device. I figured as much." He replied slowly. "It only shows I was right all along."
We were face to face, glare to glare.
I snapped. "So you know I'm a girl. Big deal."
"Correction. I already knew you were a girl." He motioned to the direction of my pillow-covered chest. "I've only proven it today."
"I don't care. Nothing's going to change. You can't tell anyone. Especially Terry."
"Why not?" He raised a brow. He was casually reclining on the couch, his head resting on the back of one hand. I must say he looks exceptionally handsome today.
I so wish I could strangle him!
"I won't answer your questions until you answer mine." I informed him crossly. "It's not fair that only you get to ask."
Surprise glittered in his cat-like eyes, and a reluctant smile tugged at his well-formed lips. "I see. Then let's compromise. Your questions first, mine later. Agreed?"
No. Not agreed. Me stay. You disappear. Agreed?
"Fine." I answered none too willingly.
"But before you start, I want you to tell me something first."
"What?"
"What's your real name?"
"Here's my second question. You said you already knew I was a girl. How?" I crossed my arms meaningfully. "My acting was perfect."
"Yes on the perfect. No on the acting. You were 'perfectly' obvious. Frankly speaking, you gave yourself away."
"You sound like a teacher." I told him in irritation. "Give me an instance I didn't act manly."
"Last week, during the picnic. You made me carry you." He frowned. "The ego of a normal guy could never take that."
"The ego could never take what? Being carried?" I snickered. "Or the carrying?"
"Another instance you gave yourself away? The way you acted with the belt."
"The what…?" I asked innocently, knowing exactly what he was referring to.
"You thought it was a snake." He snapped.
"Anyone can jump to conclusions like that. Besides, the room was dark. Even guys get scared, you know." I smirked proudly. "I do recall you jumped fairly high when I screamed."
Let's see him get through that.
"No, you didn't scream. You shrieked. I figured only a girl would do that." It was his turn to smirk. "Either that, or you were gay."
Despite myself, I felt my cheeks go red. "Fine. Point taken. But aside from that, I've acted very sensibly." I added under my breath, "Very manly too."
When I saw him opening his mouth to argue, I shot him an annoyed look. "Just…shut up for once. Can't you let me win on this?"
"I saw you a few days ago on the way home. You were with Merria on the sidewalk. You seemed to be fighting with her." I told him slyly. "She's your girlfriend, right? Did you break up? You did, didn't you? That's really sad news. So are you just friends now?"
He blinked in astonishment and colored a bit. Then he frowned. "What's that got to do with you? You're getting off the topic."
I shrugged, feeling wickedly delicious. "Nothing. I just wanted to ask."
"I've got no more questions." I proclaimed with a huff. "Your turn."
He nodded. "All right. You went on a date earlier. With a guy named Greg, I believe. How did it go?"
I stiffened. "I don't even know how you learned of it, but it's none of your business." I informed him tartly. "Now you're the one getting off topic here."
"I presume it didn't go well. That's so sad. But you're right." He shrugged deliberately. "It's none of my business. I just wanted to ask."
Oh, I hate you.
"Next question. How did you make my parents agree with all of this?"
"I didn't! They offered to take me in."
He raised an eyebrow dubiously. "Why? Did you plead with them?"
"Me? Plead? Of course not!" I sniffed. "They were so willing that they even 'begged' me."
"They never beg. You must have imagined it."
"I didn't! Excuse me, but I was the unwilling here! You're parents disregarded what I wanted and forced this on me!"
Okay, now I've taken it too far. I sound battered.
Uh-oh. I'm not sure, but I think he's angry. I mean, he's glaring at me. That's evidence, right?
Does that mean I can be angry too?
"What do you mean by that?" I demanded defensively.
"I mean exactly what I said." He shot back. "You've put everyone on a spell. That's why they're all on your side."
"I did not!" I cried angrily. "I never have! You make me sound so manipulative."
"Well, aren't you?" His lips curled into a sneer. "You even managed to charm Will."
"How dare you-…you…" I sputtered, my eyes widening. "What? Charm? I charmed William?"
That egoistic brute? RIGHT.
"You don't know what you're saying!" I pointed a finger at him. "So stop mixing truth with lies!"
"Lies?" He snorted. "The guts you have. You should be pointing at yourself."
I clenched my fists. "For your information, it was your parents who made me go along with everything!"
"My parents have nothing to do with this!" He sat up immediately, tossing me a glare. "I bet it was your parents who masterminded this thing!"
My parents? I had to look away. "What parents? My parents are dead."
He stilled for a moment, and then slumped back to the couch. His emerald eyes were tinged with shock. "Then who takes care of you?"
"Mr. Chapman." I answered quietly.
"Chapman? Of the A & V Industries?" He questioned almost incredulously.
"Yes."
"So that's why." His lips drew into a taut, grim line. So she's not only after the money. She's even worse than I thought.
I glanced up at him. It was the first time I really studied him since we started talking. He looked angry, surprised, and frustrated. Could I really blame him? If Greg was in this situation, if I took away his identity, would he react the same way…?
Greg. My heart squeezed painfully. I felt all the energy drain away. Greg.
Suddenly, I didn't want to fight with Christopher anymore. I didn't need to fight.
What I needed was my room. I needed Terry.
"Why are you here? Once and for all, tell me." Christopher's voice was steady, but with an underlying current bordering near hostile I never detected. "I'm sick of all the fabrications. And don't even think of lying again. I'll find out sooner or later anyway."
I blinked. Well, that was straight. My shoulders sagged. But I'm sick of lying too. Maybe I should just tell him.
Or maybe not. Terry's going to be mad.
But if I don't tell him, who will? Poor little Christopher. He'll never know.
"Okay." I drew the pillow even closer to my chest. If he went down on his knees and begged, I would've given the game away long ago. Just like that.
"Say 'please' first." I intoned mischievously.
He rolled his eyes. "Please."
Should I? If I don't, I'll have to make up something again. My brain's all tired out.
Besides, it felt nice to finally have him on my side. Not that I'm making everyone take sides. Just…sort of.
"You must've figured out at least half of it. I'll tell you everything you don't know. But only because I want things cleared up." I took a deep breathe. "Someone wants to 'kill' me so they could take my money. At least that's what Mr. Chapman says. He found out about a month ago and shipped me off here to pretend I'm you so that it'll be harder to track me down. I was to act like a normal boy and go to school and stuff."
I took a peek at him. "You were supposed to be on vacation and wasn't to return until I finish my seventeenth birthday. But then you appeared, so we had to cover it up with fake stories because you weren't allowed to know." I offered him a hesitant smile. "It's really confusing, but that's about it."
I knew he would react, maybe drop his jaw or sympathize. But I didn't expect him to just stare at me impassively.
"So…?" I prodded.
"Are you finished?" He raised a questioning brow. "Can you tell me the real reason now?"
My eyebrows shot up in indignation. "Excuse me? Didn't you hear me? I said…"
"If you don't believe me, ask Terry." I told him, annoyed. "She's my bodyguard. She's part of the CIA, but she's pretending to be my girlfriend. It's her job to protect me."
"Right. A CIA. That makes your story sound even more ridiculous."
"Go ahead and ask her! You'll see she'll tell you I'm not making this up!" I was ready to stomp my feet in frustration.
He smiled a cold smile, devoid of anything. "And if I do ask her, she'll go along with your foolish tale. She's in on this too, isn't she?"
"But it's true!" I snapped as I stood in front of him, holding the pillow against me. He was still sitting on the couch like some lumpy stone, but his accusations had made me jump from the bed and march right towards him. The nerve!
"You're lying. You always are." He glowered. "And even if you aren't, my parents would never allow you to live here. They're not senseless enough to endanger everyone's lives. You have to be lying!"
"What is it with you?" I yelled angrily. "You say I'm lying when I am and you still say I'm lying when I'm not! Why can't you just accept it? Even Matt knows!"
"Matt believes it because you've brainwashed him." He snapped coolly. "I'm sure even my parents believe that silly story of yours because you've brainwashed them too. You made them pity you. Someone wants to kill you? Don't make me laugh."
This guy infuriates me!
"What other reason am I here for then?" I retorted sharply. "Why else would I have agreed to dress like a boy? Or do you think I just happen like cross-dressing?"
He rose from his seat and towered over me. I had to raise my head so I could look him in the eye, but I wasn't scared of him! So what if he was taller than me? I'm not the type who cowers!
I took a step back just in case.
"Everyone wants money. And you're here because you're hoping you could get some from us!"
I nearly choked in outrage. "Excuse me, but you just don't know how much dough I have. I definitely don't need yours! You can store them in your exclusive Swiss banks until you die. See if I care!"
"Yes, I know your rich. And you're so greedy you want even more." He retorted scornfully. "Your company is smaller than ours, so you're aiming for a legal arrangement that can merge them into one!"
"Wh- what…?" I stammered, bewildered. "What's this got to do with your company?"
"Don't start acting innocent." He snapped. "You're here for an arranged marriage, aren't you?"
"Marriage?" I stepped away. "But I'm just sixteen! And…who would marry me?"
He was gazing at me pointedly.
I began to laugh. "You? You think I'd marry you? Are you insane?"
"You planned to win me over first. And when I've fallen for your trap, you'd reveal you're a girl. Then I'll be so happy I'm not 'in love' with a guy that I'll get engaged with you and after a few years, we'll get married." He crossed his arms, still glowering, and bit out. "Did I leave anything else behind?"
"That's like some sick, perverted plot you find in movies. Not to mention the 'cross-dresser meets boy' thing. It's very cliché." I was going to roll my eyes, but then thought better of it and threw my arms up instead. "This is so preposterous! I don't know how you came up with it. Besides, your parents aren't despicable enough to do that to you."
"But you are, aren't you? I bet you've already persuaded them to agree!"
"I am not planning to marry you! How many times do I have to tell you that?" I exclaimed heatedly. "I'm here because someone really wants to kill me!"
"That's even harder to believe than you wanting an arranged marriage." He snapped.
"It's easier!" I asserted, only to hesitate the next moment. "I take that back. Maybe you're right... It's harder to believe someone wants to kill me. Business marriages happen all the time. People killing a sweet under-aged girl don't."
His answer to that was a not so courtious snort.
"Someone is after me!" I insisted angrily. "Someone wants to KILL me!"
"The first time I laid eyes on you…I knew already." He replied in cutting tones, as if he hadn't heard. "You were so sugary, so damn saccharine, always pouting and smiling, trying to captivate anyone you thought you could use. I knew you had something up your sleeves!"
"Me?" I gave an outraged gasp. "I may be all those things, but I certainly do not pout!"
"So you do admit!"
"I'm not admitting anything!" I told him haughtily. "And I only did those things because you were picking on me! I needed as many allies as I could. Besides, the only one I succeeded in taking was Matt!"
"That's because the only one available was Matt." Chris grimaced. "Now that I know just what you are, I'm sure you're setting your sights on William instead. You couldn't bewitch me, and since his family is just as wealthy, he's the next target."
I couldn't help myself. I gasped again. Outrageous! Horrible!
How could he think I'd want William? He might 'look' cute, but eww…
"I definitely did not come here to seduce you or William!" I stated loudly. "I'll prove to you that someone does want to kill me!"
"How? You'll kill yourself?" He smiled that unfriendly smile of his. "Go ahead then. I won't have to throw you out of the house if you're already dead."
I seem to be doing lots of gasping these past few minutes. I just can't help it. He's so conceited!
"You can't throw me out! Your parents won't let you!" I declared with an accompanied glare. "Matt won't let you! And I won't let you!"
"Of course I can. And to prove that," He raised a challenging brow. "I'm going throw you out of my room right now."
Another affronted gasp was released from my system.
"You!" I spluttered when he took me by the shoulders and started pushing me to the door like some weightless piece of debris. "Get your hands off me!"
I tried to shake him away, but was rather too late. With another big heave, he chucked me out into the opened doorway and slammed it inches from my face.
I blinked, my arms still wrapped around the pillow on my chest as I stood outside his closed room stupidly, my mouth drooping from shocked awe. I can't believe I just got tossed out. No one's done that to me before.
The door abruptly opened and his smug features met mine. "I forgot something." He drawled, grabbing the pillow away from my grasp. "This is mine." Before he closed the door, however, he smiled and flipped the remote control to me.
I immediately caught it with both hands and just stared at him, too dumbstruck to speak.
"Enjoy your last few days here," He flashed me a warm smile…then it turned disturbingly cold. "Because that's only how long you'll last."
I gaped at the remote control, and then at him as he slammed the door again. What did he mean by…that's only how long I'll last?
"Where have you been?!" Terry almost yelled when I walked into my own room. I jumped back a bit in surprise. Wow…she looked ready to tear me down.
"Do you know I've been waiting here for almost two hours?" She fumed, her hands splayed on her hips. "And didn't I tell you not to go meet Greg?! Why don't you ever listen to me? You could've died out there!"
"Uh…"
"And why didn't you wear the necklace Mr. Chapman gave?" She demanded, fire almost burning in her sapphire eyes. "Do you know how worried I was? I couldn't even track you! Everyone here is a suspect, Alissa! Even Matt could be the killer!"
"He's just seven…" I murmured.
"Even though, he still could be! Don't you know Greg is the number one suspect?! He could have taken you into a dark alley and chopped you up and no one would even know!" Terry continued on lividly. "I should punish you for this! From now on, I'll chain you to your room! How would you like that? Do you want to force me to do that to you?"
I sighed and hurried towards her. "Calm down! I'll never do it again, okay? I'm sorry. I have no plans of meeting with him anymore."
"How would I be sure of that?" She countered crossly.
"Because-…"
"Where have you been, anyway?" She snapped. "Matt said you've been home hours ago!"
"Err…" I glanced away. "In Christopher's bedroom."
She finally stopped glaring at me. "What happened?" She asked suspiciously. "How did you end up there?
When I saw her temper had been exhausted, I readily flung myself to her. "Oh, Terry! He was so mean! He pushed the button! And he was a pervert! He tried to peep at my breasts!" I began blabbering as fast as I could.
"Wha-…!" Terry gasped.
"Yes, see? You're gasping too! And he accused of being a money-sucker!" I repeated almost scandalously. "A sucker! And I told him you were CIA, but he wouldn't believe me! Can you believe that? He didn't believe me!"
She gasped again. "How could you reveal that I'm a-…"
I didn't let her finish. I had too much to say. "And he thought I wanted to MARRY him! Him! Who'd want to marry that cruel monster?! And he also said that I pout! That I pout! And do you know the worst of it?"
"No. Maybe you should start from the beg-…"
My voice rose to a fever pitch. "He pushed me out of his room! He really pushed me! And he said that I brainwashed everyone! And do you know what else? He threatened me! Yes, oh yes, he did! He told me that he'll throw me out! He threatened to THROW me out!"
I took a deep breathe. "Isn't he mean?"
"Yes, he is." Terry smiled tolerantly. "You were talking too fast. Can you start from the beginning?"
"Well…it's like this." I began to say. "But before I tell you, you must remember it's all his fault. I'm the innocent here!"
She laughed. "All right. Now go on."
"You see, I just woke up and…"
"But what about your date?" Terry interrupted me. "Tell me what you and Greg did first."
"Huh?" I stopped. It was bolt from the blue. "Oh…nothing really happened. We walked and he bought me ice cream. Now let's get back to the topic. Chris looked so angry he…" I suddenly trailed off. "Oh, I almost forgot. Greg dumped me."
"He dumped you?" She asked incredulously, sitting upright in disbelief.
"Yes. He said he already liked this girl Katrina. Or was it Cathy? I don't know." I answered impatiently. "Now where was I? Right. Chris looked so angry that he resembled a …"
Terry just stared as if I had cracked my skull. She's recovered already? So fast? I thought she was crazy over the guy.
"You're not going down?" Terry repeated. "It's dinnertime. Aren't you hungry?"
I shook my head vigorously. "No. Just tell them I have a headache."
"Why? I thought you loved eating."
"I don't want to see Christopher." I announced from my snug bed with a pout. "My appetite's all gone away because of him. Besides," I added as an afterthought. "I'm heartbroken, remember? My heart's hurting so much. How can you expect me to eat?"
Terry was taken aback. Really. No, I mean, really.
Is this girl for real?
End of Ch.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: (PLEASE READ!)
This is the longest I've done so far! I think it took me 34 pages. (The VERY LONG summary not counted.) Yup!
But you people deserve it. I mean, you did have to wait two months just for a new update. I have no other reason except that I take an hour or so for every page. (Yes, I really do. This is the first time I've told you that, right? I'm a perfectionist. I proof-read my chapters about fifty times! And I change a page or so when I don't think it fits right.)
I thank everyone who reviewed my last chapter! I'm too excited to post this up to reply to all of you, but you must know that I love every review! Even the bad ones.
Wait, do I have bad ones? Of course I don't! Because every bit of criticism helps!
So please review! And don't sugar-coat your comments, please. Tell me if you liked it and what part you liked best! ( so I could make more of them.)
Anyway, I ended most connection with Greg on this chapter. Didn't really like him that much…didya notice? But I had to put him in. You'll know why soon. SO…do you people hate Christopher now? Or do you like him more? How about William?
Another question, should I…like…put a summary on the start of every new chapter? You know, because with readers forgetting and me updating too long and all.
That's all! Please read and review! The next update will take me a month or so. (I'm very very sorry! It's the fastest I can! I'll try to cut it to about hmm…30 days. Haha. Joke.)
Here's what will happen on the next ch: You'll get a taste of how sneaky Christopher works in order to 'throw' Alissa out of his house…and his life…for good! He thought he was about to succeed, but then something unexpected happens. And that might just change everything.
P.S. There's definitely going to be a pinch of romance in the next chap! This is a promise!
So please review!
AUTHOR'S COMMENTS ON PARTICULAR REVIEWS :
I'm really sorry if a certain reader/ readers (you know who you are)…thought that my progress was kind of slow. I have noticed that. I guess I write too much with too few important developments. How about this chap? Is this still…slow? Let me know!
And I've just received a review days ago…concerning my other story Working For Him. Yes, I know it's terribly short. And if truth be known, I also think this is my better piece. (But only because I put more focus here.) Dunno when I'm going to update that story, but if I do, I'll make sure it's longer. Maybe not as long as this…but long.