Chapter 32: Revealed
After finishing my shower and swallowing some cold medicine, we now sat facing each other in the dining room while waiting for Grandpa and Grandma to prepare warm drinks. Kenn had changed into Grandpa’s casual clothes and looked quite comfortable wearing them.
I took a clear box filled with various kinds of medicine and placed it in front of Kenn, who had been staring toward the kitchen the whole time.
He glanced at me briefly, then looked away again. “I’m not sick,” he said curtly.
Here we go again. I felt like taping his mouth shut. Who even asked?
“Suit yourself. I’m just carrying out Grandma’s orders,” I snapped irritably.
I left the medicine box on the table. Kenn remained silent, focused on watching Grandpa and Grandma, who seemed to be feeding each other boiled cassava. A faint smile occasionally appeared on his face.
What was wrong with this guy? Could it be that Grandma had managed to influence him? Grandma really was something, able to conquer someone like him.
“Why are you staring at my grandpa and grandma?” I snapped.
“None of your business.”
“Of course it’s my business. They’re my family.”
He did not respond. I let out a rough breath. My patience was truly being tested.
Oh God, give me patience. Don’t let me end up killing someone in my own house.
“Stone-faced guy,” I muttered softly while grabbing a piece of fried banana from the table.
“What did you just say?”
“Nothing,” I replied casually as I finished the fried banana in my hand.
“Perverted girl,” he said softly.
I glared at him. “What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
How rude. He was clearly looking for trouble.
I slammed the table, producing a loud sound. “You bastard, you have no feelings at all.”
Kenn stood up and shot back in a raised voice. “And you’re a perverted girl who loves taking advantage of tight situations.”
I fell silent. His words hit right on target, and it embarrassed me terribly.
“That’s my business,” I replied nervously. My thoughts drifted to Dara, and my emotions flared again. “Why did you have to change seats earlier?”
“So what if I did?” His tone was lower now, but the look in his eyes remained defiant.
“You really are insensitive. Do you know how hard Dara worked ordering all that food just for you?”
“I never asked her to,” he replied calmly.
I rolled my eyes. “But because of you, Dara did all that. Didn’t you see how embarrassed she was when she missed the target?”
“Missed what target?” Kenn asked, staring at me. His tone remained as calm as before. “Can you explain?”
“That, missed the target….”
Oh God, how could I possibly say it outright? Was I supposed to admit that Dara kissed the wrong person?
“Go on.”
“No. The point is, Dara’s plan completely failed. And all of that was because of you.”
Suddenly, Kenn leaned forward slightly and whispered into my ear, “You think I don’t know your plan? You’re very wrong.” An infuriating smile formed on his face.
I was stunned. My gaze locked onto him, unable to believe it. Was it possible that he had known about our plan from the very beginning?
“What? Don’t believe it?” He sat back down with a relaxed expression. “What if I told you that Uncle Agus being under the table was also part of my plan?”
I gaped. So that noisy sound under the table really was Uncle Agus?
“That’s impossible,” I denied quickly. “Isn’t Uncle Agus Tomi’s mother’s trusted man?”
“Why is it impossible?” Kenn continued calmly. “There are things I can do that Tomi can’t. You must be wondering why it wasn’t me whom Dara kissed back then, but Uncle Agus instead.”
My eyes widened, my lips reflexively parted. I growled under my breath.
“Don’t tell me you planned all of this too?”
“Calm down first.”
My chest immediately burned. Calm down, he said? How easy it was for him to tell me to calm down after saying all that. How convenient for him to act relaxed after those facts came out of his own mouth.
“As for the wrong target, that wasn’t my fault,” he continued. “Blame your friend instead. Who told her to wear such a flashy accessory in a dark place?”
I fell silent. Stupid. Why hadn’t I thought of that possibility from the start?
My throat felt dry as I swallowed with difficulty.
A crooked smile was clearly etched on Kenn’s face as he went on, “You picked a fight with the wrong person, Miss.”
I hissed in annoyance. I really wanted to throw a punch at his face, but I held myself back with all my strength.
“You shouldn’t have stayed silent if you already knew everything,” I snapped, holding back my emotions.
“And you shouldn’t have interfered when your friend made a mistake,” Kenn shot back with a sharp look.
“I didn’t interfere,” I argued stubbornly. I really didn’t interfere. I was just accompanying Dara.
“But you knew everything and chose to stay silent.”
“I was just—”
“What’s going on here?” Grandpa cut in as he arrived, carrying two glasses of chocolate milk. “I’ve been seeing you two argue nonstop.”
“Oh, God.” Grandma exclaimed happily, pressing both palms to her cheeks and tilting her head, then blinking excessively. “You two are such a perfect couple. So romantic.”
We both turned at the same time and froze, staring at her.
What? People arguing are called romantic?
Oh God, please don’t embarrass me again in front of this guy.
I glanced at Kenn. At first he looked surprised, but within seconds his expression changed and was replaced by an amused smile.
He stepped closer, then casually put an arm around Grandma’s shoulders. “Relax, Grandma. We were just joking.”
I felt instantly nauseous. What a two-faced guy.
Grandma nodded in satisfaction while raising both of her thumbs. Ah, Grandma. So easy to believe.
“Dear, why are you quiet? Are you okay?” Grandpa asked with a worried look.
I looked at him. In this house, only Grandpa truly still paid attention to me. I forced a smile onto my face.
How could I possibly say that we had just had a huge fight? If I were defended, that would be one thing. But what if I ended up being scolded instead? Grandpa was the peace-loving type. Meanwhile, Grandma would probably defend Kenn to the bitter end.
“I’m fine, Grandpa,” I replied, trying to maintain my smile, then reached for the warm chocolate milk Grandpa had given me.
“Then finish your drink before going to bed. You have school tomorrow, don’t you?” Grandpa said.
“Yes, Grandpa,” we answered simultaneously.
Grandpa and Grandma smiled as if teasing. I shot Kenn a sharp look, but he merely returned it with a flat, expressionless face.
I finished my chocolate milk in a single gulp, then immediately headed for my room.
I only hoped that when I woke up later, all of this would turn out to be just a dream, and I would no longer have to see that annoying guy’s face in my house.
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