CHAPTER 6: REBELLION IN MR. MARGAUX
"Can you please open the door?" he whispered from the other side.
"Reina," he called again, but I still refused to answer.
Why am I acting like this? I thought I wanted to break his walls down… but mine was the one who broke.
It feels wrong. I let my walls down for him, even when there was no real reason and no clear string tying us together. No certain direction of what we're doing.
"Reina, please." His voice trembled. I could hear him leaning against the door.
"I don’t feel well. Can we skip our lesson today? Please?" I muttered.
Deep inside, I knew I was wrong too. I didn’t even try to know him, to check his background. It wasn’t because I didn’t care. But it was because I was too focused on being happy. I didn’t think about the rest. That was my mistake. So how could I blame him?
"Can you tell me what’s wrong? You just walked away without a word. Please, talk to me," he whispered in a low tone.
He didn't really know?
"Just… go. Please. I want to rest. I don’t feel well."
"Okay. If that’s what you need right now," he said softly, giving up.
Yes. This is what I need to think things through.
After that, silence. I didn’t hear his voice again. Eventually, I fell asleep. When I woke, the night had already swallowed the sky. The house was quiet. Too quiet. I looked out the window, half-expecting him to be in the garden, but of course he wasn’t. It was dark already. He wouldn’t stay out there unless he wanted to feed the mosquitoes.
A sudden worry hit me. Where could he be?
I rushed to open the door, only to freeze.
He was lying on the floor outside my room, fast asleep, and wrapped in a thin blanket.
"H-he slept on the floor?" I whispered in shocked.
My chest tightened. I didn’t want to wake him, so I quietly got another blanket and laid down beside him. A small smile escaped my lips.
"Why do I feel this way for you?" I whispered. "You’re always mean to me, but I’m obsessed with the warmth you give me. I didn’t even care to know more about you… and yet…"
I reached out a little closer, with my soft voice. "I like this. Especially when you act like a child who really needs me. Just… needs me. Even if I know I’m not the one you want."
I couldn’t sleep because of overthinking. So I stood, placed my blanket over him for more warmth, and quietly walked outside.
The air was fresh and cold. The night was so still and the coldness brings comfort.
I sat on the grass, brushing my palm over it then a silly smile formed on my face.
"So… this is how it feels," I whispered to myself.
It felt strange, but also comforting. Maybe this is what kids feel when they were touching the grass, laughing freely, playing in the park without hiding their silly sides. Something I never had.
Because for me, my playground was my study room. My toys were my books.
People think being wealthy means being happy. But it wasn’t. Not for me. Not at all.
I was minding my own business when someone from the garden gate showed up.
"Dad? Is that you?" I called out, thinking it was him.
"I've been waiting for you, guys," I exclaimed.
But he didn't answer.
My heart beats so fast that I couldn't even count. I started being nervous cause I know, my parents would never do anything that stupid..... to scare me. But I force a smile and stood up, keeping it cool. I even keep a short conversation before rushing in and slam the door. I know that he's already behind that door. Whoever he is. But until this moment, my heart keeps pounding as fast as it can.
I'm frozen in where I am standing and I feel like I'm going to collapsed.
Then, a voice from behind called me, "Where did you go?" Jake asked in a cold tone.
"Jake-"
"What are you doing outside at this time? You didn't open the door and even let me sleep in floor, and now, you're just playing like a kid outside?" He shot me word for word without even asking what happened to me.
"T-there's a..."
"What? Don't act like an immature kid, Reina. We skipped the class today because you said you wanted to rest, only to find out that you're outside, playing like a kid?" He demanded without even asking me if I'm okay.
I tried to calm down and refused to talk back and just nod. I forced a smile and speak, "I-I'll go study in my room." I muttered, lowering my head while holding back my tears.
Was it hard to listen to me before he could even react?
Immature? a kid?
"Are you fucking kidding me, Reina? At this hours?" he exclaimed.
I didn't answer. I didn’t look back. I made my way through the library and took ten books that has different topics and study all night in the library while my tears are flowing down to my cheeks.
"I could've been killed." I whined in.
But maybe... maybe, i should've let it happen.
I keep on looking at the door if he will open it and come to check me. But he didn't. No one will know.... no one.
Why am I even expecting anything from him?
The moment I woke up, I was already lying on my bed. A silly smile crept onto my face again.
"I know you still care," I whispered to myself.
I stood and searched for him around the house. I finally found him in the kitchen, cooking, dressed in a black turtleneck sweater.
He really looks good in anything.
"Stop staring, little miss. Sit down and eat," he said, setting a plate of food on the table.
"It's too much."
"Eat. Don’t complain," he replied firmly.
I rolled my eyes at him.
Then he placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of me.
"I don’t drink hot coffee," I muttered.
"Then wait until it cools. Don’t drink it while it’s hot."
"Stop acting like my mom," I murmured under my breath.
"Is that why you’re acting like a kiddo?" he asked, and to my surprise, a small smile tugged at his lips.
"You smiled!" I pointed out immediately.
"No, I didn’t."
"Yes, you did. I saw it!"
Instead of denying again, he chuckled softly and patted my head.
"See?!" I grinned. "That’s proof."
"Alright, alright," he gave in. "Just eat first. Then come to the library. I’ll go ahead to clean up—there’s still a mess there." He winked before heading out.
I stared after him, a little dazed. I really don’t get him sometimes. He changes his mood so easily.
As soon as I finished my food, I headed straight to the library.
And there he was, leaning casually against the table, holding a notebook.
My notebook. My diary. He was laughing at it.
My eyes widened. "Give me that!" I rushed toward him, reaching for it.
But he quickly raised it higher so I couldn't reach it. "So this is your secret treasure, huh?"
"That’s private! Give it back!" I jumped, trying to snatch it, but he only smirked, holding it above his head.
"‘His smile makes my chest hurt…’" he read aloud in a teasing tone.
"Stop! Don’t read it!" My cheeks burned.
He chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "So, who exactly makes your chest hurt, little miss?"
I froze. My lips parted, but no words came out. My heart was pounding in my ears.
"None of your business!" I finally snapped, lunging for the diary again.
But this time, he caught my wrist instead. My breath was caught and my eyes we're locked with his.
His smirk softened and he whispered. "Tell me, Reina… was it me?"
He said, looking it my eyes and cornering my into the wall.