MATTHEW'S POV
We had arrived at the mansion.
After the crazy and nerve-racking experience from earlier, the elites agreed to keep it from the principal, as Samuel assured them it wasn't a big deal.
We got out of the car and spotted mister Angelo waiting at the mansion's entrance.
"Good job, Captain Samuel. You're back in one piece." The principal joked and I could see the elites glanced at each other nervously.
"Of course, mister Angelo. It was just to drive." Samuel flashed a smile that seemed so plausible. The principal took the keys from Samuel as he still had to look after the other elites.
"Dad!" Ashley called after the principal. Mister Angelo halted and turned around to hear what his daughter had to say.
"Do you have any more work left?" Ashley asked. The principal tapped his index finger on his chin for an answer. "I think I still have to track down on whoever started that rumor," Mister Angelo diverted his attention to me.
"Which reminds me, have you asked the one from who you heard the rumor?"
Stacey was the one who told me the rumor. I didn't get the chance to ask her since she was in the hospital. I have to visit her after all of this to see how she's doing. Hopefully, all the coma stuff was temporary.
"Uhhh, I'm still trying to find them, sir. The university is so big."
The principal looked dismayed and proud at the same time. "I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing."
"Can I help?" Ashley interjected. I knew what Ashley was referring to. When Samuel asked what mister Angelo was doing to make him so late, realization dawned on Ashley when she began listing the principal's work.
Mister Angelo whipped his head towards his daughter in surprise. Then, he smiled. "Don't worry, Ashley. Focus on your studies and don't die. That's enough help for me."
Ashley looked so disheartened by mister Angelo's rejection to help. But she copied his smile. "Okay, dad."
Mister Angelo turned the car's engine to life. He speeded away after he waved goodbye through the window.
While waving, Samuel came up to me and spoke, which was shocking itself. "I... Need to speak to you about something."
I knew what our topic would be, but I was too happy to think about that. After a week of ignoring me, he was the one to initiate a conversation with me this time. The talk may be a serious one, but I'd take it. Everything starts from here and I would just go with the flow until Samuel and I would continue to talk normally again.
As the elites went to their rooms, Samuel and I went to mine. Samuel looked left and right from outside of my room. When he confirmed no one was near, he closed the door.
Silence fell on us. I waited for Samuel to speak. When I saw he looked uncertain to start, I took it upon myself to converse first. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
Samuel loosened his tie as he breathed deeply. The action caused me to be slightly concerned.
"You know what happened in the car. That van seemed so suspicious. Whoever they are, I get the feeling they were in awe of a limousine, or that they have ulterior motives." Samuel voiced out, looking so serious.
I also thought the same while we tried to get away from those stalkers. The one in the van may either be the same person who followed us into the alley or they're a different person. Still, the chances were somewhere in the middle.
"I thought about that. I tried to get a closer look at who may be inside the van, but the windows were tinted. I think they at least had an evil plan in mind."
"I just don't get one thing, though." Samuel furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "They went all the way to keep up with us swerving to the right or left, yet they didn't even take the risk to keep up with us speeding down the stoplight."
"Maybe they decided we weren't worth it." I shrugged. Samuel seemed to think about it and agreed.
"Although..." I trailed off, thinking how to word this sentence correctly. "Don't you think it's a bit weird? You and I were followed about a week ago, and the same thing happened again with both of us in the same car. Could it really be just a coincidence?"
Samuel blinked at me before squinting his eyes. "Now, I'm starting to suspect you did something wrong."
My eye twitched at the accusation. "Me? What about you? I've been doing nothing all my life! Since you were an elite at the right age, are you sure you didn't do anything to set off an alarm?"
Samuel looked horrified. "Oh, shit. You're right. Maybe I did something bad."
The two of us stared at each other. We burst into laughter afterward.
Getting along with Samuel again felt good, like a weight on my shoulders was taken off and I could breathe freely again without my chest compressing every time I see him. The one week of being ignored was gone. I didn't know if I should be thankful that we were followed that it leads us to talk again.
After we calmed down, I took this opportunity. "Hey, Samuel..."
The blonde hummed, indicating he was listening. This made me smile wider.
"I'm really sorry about... You know, the day where I got injured. It's just that I wanna show you that I'm worthy, and that being late summoning my soul protector wouldn't bring me down. I guess I was blinded by my own selfish reasons to see your side on why you wanted to look after me."
Samuel didn't say anything. The moonlight illuminated my room, setting down a warm glow. It also decorated Samuel's face, who seemed so saddened at my apology and reason. He lowered his head so some stray hair covered his eyes.
"It's okay." He murmured. "It's not the first time someone disobeyed me. Besides..." He huffed as he let out a pained smile. "You could say I'm like you."
'Like me?'
"What do you mean?"
Samuel's eyes widened. He looked like he didn't mean to say that. He tried changing the subject and hitting my shoulder playfully."I just realized that we haven't had dinner yet. I can cook, what do you have in mind?"
My stomach churned both in hunger and disappointment. Samuel was quick to suggest food, which made it hard for me to ask any more questions as I couldn't put food aside once someone offered me.
'Now, you've done it, Samuel. You made me curious.'
I nodded vigorously at Samuel's offer to cook. "I'm craving seafood right now."
Samuel clapped before he pointed at me. "Good timing! I happened to buy some a few days ago. Come with me."
We descended the stairs to see Ashley and Samantha chatting about their day. The two noticed us and wore identical smiles. "You finally made up?" Ashley flicked her gaze to Samuel, who was rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah, I talked to Matthew about something. Anyways, you guys want seafood?"
Ashley nodded and said yes while Samantha declined, saying she was full and had no appetite. I often wished I was Samantha. Only she had the strength to refuse food.
Samuel and I went to the kitchen. There was a rectangular sink with space at both sides pushed against the wall in the center. A fridge was present on the right side of the sink and a stove with an oven on the other side. A pantry was located across the fridge and cabinets hung above the sink.
I decided to help Samuel as he cooked, but I had another thing in mind.
I was going to ask Samuel about the hat. If he didn't want to answer my question on what he meant by 'I'm like you', asking about a hat was harmless, right?
"Hey, Samuel. I wanna know something." I said when I reached up the cupboards to get the bowls. Samuel got shrimps, fish, and crabs from the fridge. "Yeah? What is it?"
"I saw Zed wearing this red hat from a while ago. I asked what it was for and he said that it's for captains which leave the question..." I grabbed the seasonings from the pantry. "Why don't you wear yours? I mean you're also a captain, right?"
I waited for his reply. Half of a minute passed by and both of us were quiet. I turned around to see why Samuel hadn't answered my question. The captain stood there, frozen. His eyes dull and his lips were pursed in a thin line. He was about to chop the shrimps, but the knife lingered in mid-air.
"I just don't like it." The knife collided with the chopping board, slicing through the shrimps. "It doesn't suit me."
That was not the real reason. The strain in his voice said so. At this point, I was slightly irritated and worried for Samuel.
It's just a hat. Even if it was worn by the former captain, so what? Did they have a dispute or something to make him hate the former captain so bad? He wouldn't even wear it!
An aching sensation rose from my lower back, which made my mood turn sour. "Really? What kind of reason is that?" I said in disbelief.
Samuel brought the knife down to the chopping board rather loudly. It made me winced at what I just did. I couldn't control my words again. At this point, it's almost frightening.
"You asked for one, and I gave it. What did you expect?" Samuel sneered as he prepared a pot of water to boil. He was still cooking despite the tense atmosphere?
I needed to apologize. We just compromised and I would mess it all up again. Sadly, my mouth just wanted me to suffer.
"I expected it to be good," I clicked my tongue as I started to mix some of the seasonings, I coughed a bit from the powder. "Not something about fashion."
"Well, sorry for the disappointment." Samuel said with sarcasm. "I guess not everything is what you expected to be."
"Or maybe..." I contradicted and leaned closer to him. The action made his eyes snap away. "You're hiding something."
Samuel dropped the knife next to the chopping board. Through an agonized expression and once again shaky voice, he managed to croak out. "What makes you say that?"
I was growing madder and more frustrated by the second. Did he not see himself and how's he's acting? Of course, I would be suspicious about something.
I disregarded everything Zed said to me. He may be dropping hints about Samuel, but I wanted to hear it directly from the blonde boy himself. "It's because of..." I motioned to him and how he was looking at me like he saw a ghost. "... This! How could I not suspect you from hiding something? You're acting weird!"
"It's none of your business if I have secrets. We all have one anyways." With that, he checked to see if the water was boiling.
I could've ended the conversation there. I wouldn't have made things worse. But with the pins and needles erupting in my lower back added to my anger. "So, it's not the real reason why you won't wear the hat?" I muttered underneath my breath. Samuel heard it though. I stared at him with so much intensity. "You... Lied?"
I was hurt. Why didn't he told me the truth? Am I not trustworthy? Am I not his friend? Do I seem like the type of guy who's good at keeping secrets? Why couldn't he just... Trust me?
I knew I was overreacting again. I couldn't help it. Something was dominating over my emotions and the ability to handle my composure, I didn't know what. And so, I let myself get tortured by thinking all of these unnecessary questions. Samuel was right, we all have our secrets. Again, I didn't listen.
Samuel was silent. He didn't answer my question because I was right. He lied.
I balled my hands to fist as I tried not to do anything that would make me regret afterward. I took deep breaths to calm down. Samuel caught sight of my doings and changed the subject again. "Hey, look. I just don't want to talk about it, okay? Can we drop it? I think it's time to add the seasoning." He gestured to the seafood submerged in boiling water.
He reached for the seasonings, but I blocked his path. It was happening again. I lost control of my actions and my words. It left a noxious impression, a throbbing soreness in my back, and a feeling of helplessness. I wanted to stop, but my mind wanted the opposite.
"We are not done yet." I pushed him back. "You didn't say the truth. I won't accept a lie. What's so hard about saying the actual reason? It's not like you got a traumatic experience with a hat."
Samuel's breath hitched. He took a step back and looked at me with troubled eyes. His smokey orbs darted around the room as he spoke. "I-I don't! It's just... That, u-uh..."
I crossed my arms. A sign that I was waiting and I had all night to hear him. Samuel noticed and loosened his tie even more as his breathing got ragged.
Samuel was uncomfortable in talking about the truth. I should've been respectful and understanding to leave the topic. The blonde-haired boy had a hard time breathing. I want to stop being like this - no. I NEED to stop being like this.
I twist my mouth to open it and apologize, but something was keeping me from saying those words. What was happening? Why couldn't I control my own body?
Samuel's eyes finally landed on something. The next thing I knew, he had aimed his eyes for the door and took a run for it. Needless to say, I was shocked. At the same time though, I was grateful Samuel got away from me.
My attitude and actions right now were unacceptable. Even I knew that and yet I couldn't stop it. I was ashamed. I was forcing Samuel to talk about a topic he clearly disliked. It happened again. I disrespected him - I hurt him. Why couldn't I do something right for once?!
I slid down the pantry and onto the tiled floor. The boiling water overflowed, but I was too bothered about what I did to put the fire out. I buried my face in my hands, both in exhaustion, guilt, and regret. Everything I do keep backfiring. I didn't know what I should do anymore.
I pulled my knees close to my chest. The light from above seemed to dim as the pain from my back slowly subsided. The detriment in my chest and Samuel's sanity stayed. I knew from how he bolted away from me.
He wanted to be as far as he could from me. He was... Scared. I didn't blame him. My words, my behavior, the way I looked at him - it was all terrifying and distressing. One would have hit me if I acted like this towards them. Good thing Samuel wasn't that kind of person.
Then, it hit me.
The way I acted was also the reason why Elijah decided that we should stop being friends. He noticed how I acting and didn't want to tolerate it any longer. That must be also the reason why he said that our friendship wasn't relevant anymore. I was doing the same thing to Samuel.
A heavyweight fell on my chest once more as I stared at the floor. I couldn't breathe properly and my surroundings darkened. It was suffocating.
'I lost Elijah because of my toxicity. I don't want to lose Samuel too because of this uncontrolled attitude of mine. I need to get rid of it...
I hugged myself tighter.
... But how?