**ROSEANA**
I can feel the looks people give me. I just went straight into the apartment building. I knew that Damon was following me.
"Oh, Roseana, who is he? Your boyfriend?” my landlady asked me. She blocked my way with her big body. She probably knew I was going to get past her and she wouldn't be able to get me an answer if she didn't do that.
Her gaze shifted to the man standing behind me. I breathed a sigh of relief when Damon behaved on my back. He didn't try to touch me.
"Do not worry. I'm fine with you bringing other people to the apartment. Just don't make too much noise," she said. Her red lips were shaped into a mocking smile.
My face crumpled because of the idea she had in mind. Even if she didn't say the exact word, I knew what she wanted to mean. I wanted to roll my eyes when I heard her giggle.
I shook my head, immediately cutting off whatever was running through her mind, which I'm sure was mixed with obscenity. I didn't know that my landlady also had this personality.
"He is not my boyfriend," I mutter. A fake smile is plastered on my face. I tried my best not to sound defensive.
Her next reaction was shock. "He's not your boyfriend? Then, what are you two?” she asked. She is sticking her nose on to my business, but I am too polite to tell her to stop.
Even I was stunned by her question. I didn't expect another question from her. I was so busy thinking of what to say to her that I didn't think about what she would ask me next.
I looked back at Damon, who I found was just watching me seriously. I signaled him to help me get through my landlady's questions, but he just gave me a poker face. I want to touch her soft hair and then pull it hard.
I returned my gaze to my landlady. She is alternately looking at us while waiting for my answer.
"He is my brother," I said. I am mentally flinching at the excuse I made.
Really, Roseana? Of all the excuses you can think of, you chose to tell her he was your brother.
I can't think of anything else to say. All I wanted was to escape her scrutinizing eyes and seemingly endless questioning. I felt like I was being investigated by a police officer as if I had committed a crime.
Surprise registered on her face. She stared at Damon for a long time. She seems to be analyzing something. Then she returned her eyes to me again.
Her thin brows furrowed. "You two don't look alike," she said in surprise.
Yes, of course, we are not. Why would we look alike if he is neither my brother nor anyone related to my bloodline?
I bit the insides of my cheeks. Think well, Roseana. She can't catch you in your lie. I've told too many lies.
I am internally panicking. My head is in turmoil, and I can't think straight. I kept my mouth shut. I am afraid I will blabber words that can harm me later. And by harm, I meant the harm brought by the man behind me.
I feel his scary gaze on my back.
"Who is the older of the two of you?" she asked again. Why is she asking questions? As far as I can remember, she was not this nosy when I first met her. She seemed cool back then, unlike now.
We were both surprised when Damon's things fell to the floor. Some of the canned goods rolled on the floor. The clanking of metals on the floor made a loud sound. Our attention turned to him.
"Oh, sorry," he muttered. His face was emotionless. I even doubt that he felt truly sorry for what he did. From the looks of it, it looks like he meant what happened. He doesn't look like he's sorry at all.
"Sister, can you help me?" he asked me with his jaw clenched. I winced at what he called me, especially when he emphasized the word sister.
I nervously approached him. I bent my knees on the floor and helped him. I firmly held the canned sardines I was holding when I felt his hot breath on my neck. He leaned closer to me. He is beside me, bending his knees, facing my side, while he is getting the other canned goods on my opposite side.
I gasped, especially when I felt his body close to mine. "Brother, huh?" he whispered in my ear.
He quickly walked away from me. He acted as if nothing had happened. He stood up, faced my landlady confidently, and smiled at her. The kind of smile that could bring you positive energy when you are feeling lonely. The kind of smile that can almost melt the freezing ice at the North Pole. I guess any person can't stop himself from melting in the way he smiles. When I looked at my landlady, she was stunned by Damon's face. Her jaw almost dropped on the floor. She looked enchanted.
"Hi, can I excuse myself first? I came from the province.” He muttered. My brows knitted. What is he talking about? "I haven't had enough sleep, you know."
I want to laugh at the tone he used. He deliberately slows down his speech and changes his voice into a soft one, perhaps to make my landlady feel sorry for him and to make his invented stories more believable.
I thought I was good at weaving lies. Well, that was what I thought—until this man weaved such unbelievable lies. I almost believe him. If only I didn’t know him and the real thing about us, I would surely be one of those that he would fool.
"Of course! Enjoy your stay.” My landlady almost opened the door for Damon. She would have taken Damon's things, but my companion refused. He smiled again at the woman who was the reason for her weak squeal as if someone were tickling her.
I want to roll my eyes at them. My landlady seems to have forgotten her questions earlier because her full attention is focused on Damon. I can't believe it. Damon just smiled at her, and she was already head over heels for him.
When they both looked at me, I wanted to raise an eyebrow. Now, they finally notice my presence. I thought I had become invisible.
I looked at them in wonder. It seems that the attention they are giving me is too much. They were staring at me, Damon, and my landlady.
"What?" I consciously asked.
My landlady grunted. "What now, Roseana? Open that door so your brother can now rest," she said, referring to the door of the apartment.
I gave her a questioning look.
"Come on, Roseana."
Instead of speaking, I just opened the door without saying a word. Damon entered without shame. He didn't even bother to ask me if he could come in. He just barged in and even had the guts to sit comfortably on the sofa.
I was about to go inside; I was going to send Damon home, but my landlady stopped me. She held my arm, so I looked at her.
"Your brother is handsome. If only I was younger, I would definitely flirt with him." I pouted at what she said. There is no doubt. She fell into Damon's trap.
I finally went in and closed the door. I went straight in front of the man who was sitting on the sofa while he was looking around. I can see the dissatisfaction and disgust on his face even before he says it.
"How can you live in this tiny room?" he asked.