Weird.
Laurice felt a little wierded out by Sid's reaction. He left her just like that and he seemed to be planning on leaving her house in a hurry. Was there an emergency he needs to attend to? He was acting all normal just awhile ago and he did not receive any calls for such matter, not that she was aware of. But he sped off in such a haste right after making her tea.
'Could it be?'
But she thought they were already cool about last night's incident. He did not mention anything either. He wasn't awkward towards her at all. He's completely at ease and even greeted her warmly. She was getting confused all of a sudden. She was only asking him what he wanted to eat for breakfast so she could start cooking already however ...
'Does he not like my cooking?'
She thought Sid might not want to eat her food so she did not have to bother cooking for him.
Laurice was pretty confident that she's a good cook in fact, she may not have mastered the craft yet but her food is indeed excellent that she could make a career out of it. But, was it only average that it does not suit his palate? The thought somehow saddened her that she wasn't in the mood to cook anymore.
Another round of rumbling broke her line of thoughts.
Hmp!
'So what if he doesn't like my food? So what if he wanted to leave? Go leave then!'
Laurice thought it was all for the better if the man leaves on his own accord indeed. She has plenty of other matters to settle and she could not be bothered. The last thing she needed right now is a distraction. And the only thing she needed to care about right this instant is to make food for her tummy. She was getting really hungry. Laurice could not afford to skip an important meal like breakfast or else the consequences would be dire.
...
The moment she begun cooking she was all riled up again. The kitchen has always been her safe haven. Her mind is at ease and always full of bright ideas whenever she sees food. And she was so used to cooking for herself that she could almost make a dish out of anything. Laurice was a practical person. She hated depending on others for her basic needs. In fact, she could do her own chores by hand. She loves the labor too much but surprisingly, her hand wasn't coarse at all even without the need for cosmetics.
...
Laurice was sauteing the marinara sauce in the pan when she heard some eerie heavy foosteps approaching.
The moment she tilted her head up, she was petrified that her breath caught up her throat.
...
Laurice patted her chest incessantly as if it could even out her erratic beating heart that was shocked by the sight of the man while she was cursing him inwardly. He looked like he had just risen from his deathbed.
Damn!
She hated everything that looks creepy.
She hated being scared the most.
In fact, she never watch horror films, suspense or thriller at all or it will be instant kill for her. She might lose some sleep for days. Months even.
She glaced at the man who looked like a dead soul. He had visible dark circles around his eyeballs and his eyes were bloodshot, dry and puffy. His hair was a total mess and his clothes are all crumpled. He was looking pale and feeble, too.
Laurice gritted her teeth and yelled, "Dylan! Are you trying to kill me?!"
"What? Why?" He asked rather lethargically.
Laurice snickered while he stare at him annoyingly. It seemed the man haven't slept well last night that he was completely in a muddled state today. What a poor fellow! He looked wretched that it was somehow making her pity him.
She heaved a sigh and went forward to pull him a chair on the dining table.
"You looked terrible. Did you not slept well last night?" She asked even though she knew the answer, but now that she had seen both men this morning, she suddenly grew curious about what had happened between the two of them after she left them in the guestroom.
"You dare asked?" Dylan spoke in a condescending tone while glaring her.
He looked even scarier now.
A sudden panic flashed across her eyes, she bit her lip and was about to asked him what happened last night but she swallowed back her words when she saw his dark expression.
"You must be hungry big brother. Wait a few more and it will be done hmm?" She strode fast back at the kitchen and ignored the guy whom she knew was in a foul mood. She does not want to ruin it further by asking anything that will trigger him and just decided to placate him with food like always.
Laurice noticed her sauce was gradually reducing and it was almost ready to serve. She retrieved the omelet she cooked with bits of bacon, chicken and potatoes from the convection oven and proceeded to bake her farmer's cheese flatbread next.
Soon there was a complete set of breakfast meal on the table. Laurice sat beside Dylan and looked like an obedient puppy coaxing her pet owner after she had made a mess on his belongings. She put food on his plate and cheerily chatted with him how delicious it is and that he has to eat a lot because he was skinny and he needed to put on some weight to become even more handsome but there was still no change in his expression.
Dylan suddenly shifted his gaze towards her and said, "Did you know what you did wrong?"
!!!
Here it comes.
She suddenly realized she was not ready for it yet.
But it seemed like it was confession time.
Laurice was wearing a guilty expression on her face when she spoke, "I was wrong."
There was a long pause before Dylan finally responded but without saying a word, he suddenly bursted out laughing rather contemptuously.
What an evil laughter.
Laurice felt the chill from his laughter that she straightened her back in an instant.
Why does he looked so mad?
Dylan was acting strangely.
He never gets mad at her and only scolded her a couple of times in the past but today was rather different.
He wasn't treating her gently like usual.
Laurice thought it was in her best interest to confess now or Dylan might misunderstand her, in a gentle voice she said. "I'm sorry. I got carried away. It won't happen again." Referring about last night, she was indeed feeling guilty that she acted rather impulsively and foolishly. It was one thing that she lusted over a man but losing her virginity is another. It was no laughing matter. She felt it was a good thing that Dylan was here to guard her as she now have a clearer understanding about the incident.
Laurice realized she wasn't ready for that yet. She could not afford to lose another gamble by indulging herself on an indecent affair. She was not meant for relationships even. Or atleast not yet.
...
Dylan could discern the changes in her expressions and was somehow able to achieve his purpose without the need for lengthy conversations that he could now sigh in relief.
He did not intend to get angry at Laurice or scold her for her reckless behavior. He was just worried about her. And he could not entirely put the blame on her since it was but natural to fall for someone and lose a bit of control but he did not want Laurice to be on the losing end.
Also, the conversation he just had with that man yesterday night was somehow bothering him that he was not able to sleep a wink at all. He guarded him like a hawk last night and did not bat an eye. He worry that the man would crawl his way up to Laurice's room and force himself on her. Dylan was only able to take a nap for about an hour yet but he was awakened by the smell of someone's cooking. Thinking it might be Laurice in the kitchen, he forced himself out of bed.
...
Looking back at the woman beside him, Dylan was somehow contented with her reaction and final resolve. He felt it was indeed a relief that he was able to protect his 'sister' from the man.
...
Speak of the devil himself, Sid had just came out of the room wearing his usual cold and poker face as he stride towards their direction.
Dylan ignored the man and started eating by himself without even acknowledging his presence.
Laurice on the other hand, avoided his gaze for a moment, her face displaying a series of complicated emotions before finally meeting with his eyes and said, "Eat first before you leave."
Sid was looking rather prepared to leave indeed having bathe and groomed already but Laurice thought there was no harm in offering him food since he was the one who brought everything in her home anyway and she did not want to look ungrateful and heartless to make him actually leave with an empty stomach.
...
'Eat first before you leave.'
Sid's face turned dark and gloomy when he heard what Laurice has said.
Clearly the woman wanted him out of her house.
He glanced at the man beside her for a second and a glint flashed past his deep brown eyes which he was able to conceal from Laurice. Then he stared back at Laurice who has an indescribable and constricted look on her face. He could somehow guess what happened between the two and the fact was somewhat making him mad and jealous.
How can she not trust him?
How can she dismissed him like this?
He was feeling wretched inside. He wanted to talk to her about last night and apologize perhaps but he felt it will still not be good enough.
...
"Thank you, but i have a meeting today. I can't be late." He said in a serious and indifferent tone.
After rejecting her offer, Sid went past the hall and went straight out of her house.
Laurice felt a pinch in her chest with the sight of his back slowly drifting away.