87. Home (4)
"Maya, this will be our new home," Lex said as he opened wide both of his hands. It was a simple house similar to Lex's old house where he lived with his parents. Also, it was only a few blocks away from Bentley's residence.
Lex turned his head to look at Maya, expecting excitement from her. But what happened was the opposite of that. Instead, Maya stood with a bleak face.
"Eh?" Lex was surprised "wait! I didn't ask you before! You didn't want to live with me? If that's the case, I can arrange to rent another place for you to live alone. Just said it okay… don't need to be afraid." Lex said that but, on the inside, he was bleeding heavily (Kuuh! is this what they called the rebellion phase? If she suddenly told me 'I disgusted of you Mr. Lex' I might suicide~)
On the other side, Maya was shocked too. "No!" she quickly refuted. Lex misunderstood her. She was just dazed a bit because of the sudden change, From meeting with the Rich family. To suddenly get this kind of beautiful house. She even gets her own room. Just a few days ago, she still needed to share one room with a few of her little sisters at the orphanage. She was still overwhelmed. but before she can explain that
*Ding Dong
The doorbell was rung.
"Maya… take your time… it's okay, don't afraid," Lex slumped as he slowly went to the front door leaving Maya in the living room.
('wait!') Maya wanted to stop him. But her logical side told her not to do it. It isn't polite to make the guest wait.
Lex went to the front door, "who is it?" he opened it. Usually, it's a foolish thing to open the door without confirming the other side's identity. But Lex wasn't an ordinary person, and he didn't feel any hostile intention from the other side.
On the other side stood a cute blonde little girl wearing an oversized sweater. "I've come," The little girl, Ella Bentley, said with a coquettish tone and a redden shy face.
*chop
"Aaa!" Ella immediately let out a fake pained voice. And Lex knew it. How? Because he didn't use any strength at all, "I don't have pudding for now. You can go back first," Lex said
"Wha-! That's rude! Does brother think I've only come for pudding whenever I came to brother!?" Maya said as she acted like Lex's words hurt her
And, of course. Lex can see that "yes" he curtly replied
"Gh! Gununu! It was mother's fault! She only let me eat three cups a week!"
Looking at Ella's weird antic, Lex can only sigh (how the hell she become like this…)
"Anyway, come in" Lex gave up.
"M-" Maya tried to explain once again when he saw Lex's coming back but when she saw Ella behind him. Her words just stuck, unable to come out. Maya wasn't an introvert or a shy person. She even acts as the orphanage's big sister, and She should be an extra extrovert person. But still, her words were unable to come out. It's because her memory of that time flashed in her mind.
"Hee~~ let's see how long you can last…." Ella smirked toward her. Ella didn't say more or did anything strange after that. Yet she still can't understand Ella's words ('No, it's because she didn't do anything strange that's I can't understand.'). Those words made Maya think that Ella would bully her. (but I can't sense anything about that! Even the way she saw me was normal. It's even like she thinks of me as a friend. Which made me even more unable to understand her! What's her purpose?')
"Hello Maya~" Ella waved her hands, "sorry to bother you."
"N, no. It's okay, take your time," Maya quickly replied, "I'm going to prepare the kitchen and make some tea!" she said as she escaped the living room.
"Ehh~~" Ella was baffled "is she a shy person?" she asked Lex
Lex shook his head "she's not. It's more like she was afraid of you rather than shy. Did you do something to her?" in the past, Lex absolutely wouldn't ask something like this to Ella. But after almost five years, he knew there were significant changes in Ella.
"!? Uunnya~!" Ella let out a cute voice. She shook her head quickly to deny Lex.
(cute~~ ah! No! hold it there me! Stay calm!!) with willpower Lex was able to overcome that wave of attack "suspicious…" he stared straight at Ella's eyes
"…." At this point, Ella started to sweat cold. Her eyes swam around "t, that's right! I wanted to ask why brother didn't want to meet big sis?" she quickly said to change the Topic.
"…" Lex keeps staring at Ella for a second longer… before he finally replies to her (I'll let it slide because you're cute), "I have my reasons."
(Yes!) Ella quickly left that Topic before Lex could change his mind. "Ella wants to know that reason!!" she said energetically.
Lex let out a dry smile staring at the little girl, who just shamelessly asks his private matter (I didn't say it because I don't want others to know!!). He screamed inwardly
"Ella can keep her mouth. Ella won't tell anyone!!" Ella added with sparkling eyes
How did that happen? it happened after Lex finished talking with Paul and Layla
***
After the official talk with Paul ended, Lex explained Maya and his circumstances. He didn't say much, but he still conveyed to them how he owed her. Then, he asked them to help her enroll in the same school. Lex knew they could easily do something like that.
And after everything was done. Lex finally asked, "Uncle, where's Kate?"
"We want to surprise her, so we haven't told her about you going back today. She went out" Layla was the one who answered Lex.
"Oh, so that's good, Uncle Aunt and Ella too. Can you not tell her about me for a while?"
The three of them were confused "yes, we can, but why?" Layla vocalized their thought
"it's my personal reason. Also, I wanted to tell Kate myself too."
"Are you sure? She's going to sulk later," Layla warned him, which Lex answered with a nod.
"don't say that I didn't warn you, okay?" Layla said
***
"it's like this," Lex explained. "I'll become her bodyguard, no?"
Ella nodded his question.
"I'll enroll in the same school act as another student."
Ella nodded again
"And when she's in danger, I'll go and save her! A mysterious shadow bodyguard!! Isn't that cool!!"
Ella gave her another nod and indirectly told Lex to continue his reason, but…
"….." Lex was silent
After a while, Ella finally understood. "Eh? That's it?"
"Yes, that's all," Lex proudly said
"Uwah" for the first time, Ella made an exasperated face in front of Lex. Still, she immediately hid it in the next second. ('it helps my plan anyway') "brother!! I'm impressed!!" ('brother helped me even when he didn't know anything) "you're the best!!"
After that, they chatted about a small trivia thing. Maya hid in her room after giving them a cup of tea with a reason 'organizing her room.' And before long, it's time for Ella to go back, but just before she goes
"Brother, I'll repeat Mom's word don't tell Ella, didn't warn you later, okay," Ella said
"Eh? Okay…" Lex tilted his head in confusion (why would they tell me that?) "Wait, remember not to tell others!" Lex warned her
"it's okay, Brother, I won't leak a single thing from me. I don't want my brother to die young!!" Ella said then she went to her family car.
"What do you mean…." Then, Ella went away, leaving Lex with an unanswered question.
***
That night
Lex suited himself in casual clothes and went to the front door. On the way, he saw Maya. "Maya, I'll go out for a bit. don't open the door for strangers, okay."
Maya was unused to these kinds of family conversations. When she became aware of her surroundings, she already lived in the orphanage. Something like this was fresh. Because of that, she didn't know what to do.
Looking at Maya becoming awkward, he added, "scratch that, Maya, do you want to take a walk for a bit?"
"Mr. Lex, I… it's okay" Maya shook her head to refuse. ('I can't make him considerate of me more than this') she thought.
And Lex was more and less able to guess her thinking, so he pushed her to go aggressive "don't say that. Come on, Maya! I'll show you my hometown."
"No, But…"
"Hurry up! I won't go if you don't come with me" Maya finally breaks because of Lex's forcefulness. She went inside to change into more proper clothes.
(I found out the truth about Maya… she's weak to the aggressive type! Mental note! Mental note!. I need to remember that so I knew which kind of boys to protect her from) Lex waited while thinking nonsense.
Then finally, they walk in the night like an average brother and sister. Still, there's some kind of distance between them again. The conversation is still going. However, there's still awkward air lingering around them.
"Well, I said I'll show you around, but it's been a while since I've been here too. Actually, I didn't know much either," Lex suddenly said.
"mm?" Maya tilted her head cutely
"we're lost," Lex said
"eehh?"
"No, hear my explanation. Usually, people only remember road like, when you see this shop turn left, or when you see this landmark turn right, something like that. And once those places or shops used as landmarks are gone, you wouldn't know your way anymore, right? So no one remembered the road name."
"um... but I remembered the road name."
"eh? You remember it? like every road name you usually went through to go to school or market before?"
Maya nodded her head
"So it's just me? No, it must be only you, Maya."
"Nope," Maya flashed a smile as she saw Lex. It's been a while since Lex, who usually likes a big brother acting silly, "everyone in the orphanage knows it. My friends are the same too."
"wha-! So, it's just me who's eccentric? No way~~" Lex acts as he has despaired.
"hehe," Maya giggled.
"haha, you finally laughs," Lex said, as he patted her head
"mm? Mr., Lex did you lie again?" seeing Lex's quick changes of actions, Maya asked him,
"eh?" Lex's eyes swam around "wait! Again? When had I lied to you before?"
"About Max"
"That wasn't lying. I just didn't tell you."
"isn't that the same" Maya pouted.
"No, it's not. I just didn't tell you the truth."
"it's the same!!" Maya pouted even more unconsciously. Lex started to poke her bloated cheeks. It's a scene that's often happened before at the orphanage. Maya only acted like this in front of Lex or the Director. She never showed this side of her to the other children because she was their big sister.
"it's not!!"
"can't you just back down against someone younger?" Maya said exasperatedly
"No can do! It's related to my big brother's dignity!" Lex shook his head and pushed his chest proudly
"Then Mr. Lex should back down as a big brother!!!"
"Still no! there's a rule 'Big Brother can't lie!'"
"I've never heard that kind of rule!!" Maya retorted, "hmm~, so that's how you're going to play. What about just now? Mr. Lex did lie!"
"Nope, I really am someone who remembers the way with landmark, not road."
"Okay, I understand. What about when you said we're lost?"
"Aa-! AAareee~~, did I say something like that before~~."
"Ghhh~~" Maya almost screamed ('shameless!!!'), but luckily, she was able to hold it in. she remembered they were outside now. She's trying hard just to stop herself.
"ah! Right show me your bracelet!" Lex knew he almost lost just now (Secret technique! Topic's change!!)
"Wait! I'm not done-" without waiting, Lex pulled her hand and sent something to her bracelet. "What did you- Hiiiyeee!!! 10000!!!" Maya unconsciously let out a scream seeing the considerable number on her bracelet. 10000 was more than enough for their orphanage to live for one month!
"What is this money for!?" Maya yelled, didn't even care about the place anymore
"Your allowance~," Lex said "it's not enough? I can add more give me your hand."
When Maya heard that, she became like a cat. She jumped backward and hissed while hiding her bracelet behind her body. "I don't need this much money!!"
"Maya must have something you want to buy too, right. Like your own personal things."
"I don't need personal things," she quickly refuted
"No, you need personal things, Maya, like underwe- Ahem! Like cosmetic, skincare, or something similar. You need to take care of them" Lex obstructed himself when he almost said something indecent. Sadly, Maya had already guessed what he wanted to say before. Her head dropped redden like a tomato. And Lex acts like he was oblivious to those things not to make things awkward. He came toward her and played with her hair "you need to take care of your beautiful hair too."
After a while, Maya pulled up her head and glared at Lex. "I felt like I've just played into your hands, Mr. Lex."
"haha," Lex let out a dry laugh, "you must have overthought it! don't overthink about it."
Maya didn't say anything. But she pouted her cheek again. In contrast, Lex started to poke on it again. "Right. You can call me big brother too" Lex tried his luck again, but…
"No! Never!" Maya replied firmly
(Ugahk!) Lex took a critical hit!
"Then how about just call me Lex from now on?" Lex gave another suggestion. He felt that the way she was calling him was a bit too distant and inconvenient.
It was more acceptable for Maya "but, still…" ('Mr. Lex was older than me')
"Okay, then I'll start calling you Miss Maya from now on."
"eh?"
"Nice to meet you, Milady Maya."
"that's different from what you said!!!" Maya retorted again
"No, you see, I suddenly thought something more interesting. So, I change it. Ojou-sama"
"aaAAA~~ alright! Nice to meet you too, Lex."
"Maya, really weak being pushed like this, huh" Lex muttered softly, but Maya could hear that.
"Grr!!!" she glared at Lex. And they resumed their night walk.
***
"You know what. I often take a night walk like before too," Lex said
"mm~" the conversation didn't continuously like before. But they felt they had become even closer than before now. There's no longer an awkward feeling lingering around them. Maya was able to act like how she used to in the orphanage. Lex also felt relieved by that
"And I've even met someone calling for help" Lex talked about his experience.
"mm~"
"That day, when I was taking a walk, I suddenly heard-" Lex closed his eyes to reminisce that experience when he suddenly heard.
"Kyaaaaa!!! help me!!"
"Yes, yes, that kind of desperate voice. To be able to act like that, you're a genius, Maya" when he turned his head toward Maya. He saw Maya look at Lex strangely before she pointed to the next corner "it's not me, Lex."
"Eh?"
"Kyaaaa!!" another scream was heard from that corner. Maya immediately gripped his shirt.
Lex caressed her head to reassure her. Before going to see what happened there.
On that corner, he saw a middle school girl the same age tripped on the ground and another older man slowly approaching her. When the girl saw Lex and Maya, "Help!" she cried for help once again.
=edited=
(I can help her, but i really don't want to get violent in front of Maya) Lex take a glance of Maya beside him
(Even if it's easy there's still a possibility Maya get involved too)
(Still, if I don't help a girl who needs my help in front of me… isn't a bit too uncool…my brother's dignity at stake here!)
=edited=
Lex approached the girl, but before he could help the girl. The old man, without saying anything, threw his fist toward Lex
*Bump
Lex catches his fist. It's almost the same scene as when the thug hit him in the morning. The old man was skinnier and smaller than the thug, but he could hit stronger than the thug.
(Mana!?) Lex was a bit shocked on the inside. When the old man tried to punch him, he sensed Mana on him and quickly used Mana to block "I don't care who you are, but get lost I won't chase you" then he let the old man feel a bit of his Mana. And the result is the old man immediately escapes.
It looks like Lex chased the old man away. But it's not the truth at all. The old man left because he was ordered to stay away from someone who knew Mana.
"Are you okay?" Lex asked and helped the girl stand up. One thing to remember here is that Lex was handsome.
"T-thank you," the girl stuttered with a flustered face. The most cliché and template way to fall in love!
"do you live near here? Can you go back home alone? do I need to send you home?" Lex asked. He wanted to finish the situation as fast as possible.
But…. ('Kyaaaa') the girl screamed on the inside. of course, different kind of screaming ('so considerate! So handsome! So nice!!') "I, it's okay I lived near here I can go back alone."
"good then, be careful on the way" Lex flashed a smile
('Kyaaaaaaaaaa')
"Then we're going now," Lex said as he tried to walk away with Maya
"Um, can I know your name?" the girl asked
"oh, My name is Lex, bye then" Lex then walked away with Maya
While the girl stood in a daze for a few minutes. She thought that today was quite a lucky day…
On the other hand, once Lex and Maya walked quite a distance. Lex resumed, "well, something like that." Maya can only "wow," showing her appreciation.