Chereads / The Beast Next Door / Chapter 11 - XI. Friend

Chapter 11 - XI. Friend

"I said close the door." He repeated when I didn't respond.

"What are you trying to..."

"I thought you're smart, where's your brain? You're going to leave my room open for outsiders while I'm washing?"

Yeah, I shouldn't...leave the door open.

"Then I'll just wait for you outside," I suggested while holding the doorknob.

Being alone with a man I barely know makes me feel uncomfortable no matter who he is.

He didn't answer right away so I thought he won't allow it, maybe he's offended that I still don't trust him despite telling me his story? I opened my mouth to speak again but he already answers.

"Sure, if that's what makes you comfortable."

My chest which seems to tightened earlier loosened up as I sigh with relief.

He respects my space.

"Thank you."

I shut the door after stepping out. It's already dark. I moved towards the railings in front and sat on the cold floor while looking up at the cloudy night sky.

The clouds are blocking the stars so they're not visible tonight but some seem to be forcing their way out to be seen.

How weird that Lyndon keeps popping out for whatever reason.

How he looks for friends...it's pathetic. Is that how you make friends? Pushing yourself to other people, doing things to please them so that you'd fit into their circle? If so, then I'm glad I never had one.

But I'm very curious about how his relationship goes with those other guys who follow him here? How can he seem to communicate so easily with others but there are no friends he can call?

He's not terribly cruel after all, he's...unknown.

All the rumors about him...are contradicting compared to what he told me about him. Rumors aren't reliable sources when it comes to knowing people but I can't give away my trust in his words either.

Now when I look up, I can't help but think that these clouds are those what other people's opinions about him, and the stars behind are his true self waiting to be known. The clouds are mixed up, coming from here and there blocking his true form and no one will know the truth, the star behind those unless they look for it themselves.

Well, whatever. I don't pay attention to this kind of thing before, all I faced are my books and activities and now what am I doing?

This is nonsense. This sucks, what's so pretty looking at the night sky that seems to be so dark? It's so gloomy that I think it's mocking me.

"Suzi." The familiar voice called me before I start to space out.

I looked down and saw my groupmates ready to leave. I looked behind me to see if Lyndon's going to show up so suddenly again, it's a good thing I told him I'll be waiting outside. I stood up and went down the stairs to bid them goodbye and also apologize again for what happened.

"Oh, Suzi? I thought you're helping Lyndon?" The landlord asked and stared at the second floor where Lyndon's room was.

"He's washing."

"Is that so? Then I'll leave you guys be so that you can talk more privately." The landlord excused himself.

"Thank you, sir." We thanked him before he heads back.

"No worries." He stared at me for a split second wanting to say something but retreated so soon.

I guess it has something to do with Lyndon? He treats my members so I better treat his...Lyndon.

After he disappeared, it gets awkward for me. All I could do is apologize for what I did.

"It's fine, we're glad that you're here safe when we came." Angel smiled at me. "Sean's the one who's very worried about you."

I looked at Sean who seems to be relaxed now.

"You don't have to apologize again." He said before I could even speak. "We'll just pick you up tomorrow morning and go together at Katy's place so that we could finish early."

I nodded, that's what we should do. Tomorrow's a Saturday so we can have the whole day preparing our activity.

But I suddenly remember my plans this Saturday, I have to go to the market and buy things. I will not have the time to do that since we will go tomorrow morning and Katy's place is a bit far from here but if I have to postpone it then I will have to buy my meals again from that store back then.

"Why don't you just do your activity here? You don't have to go that far since your places are quite near here compared to that place." I never expect that I could be this grateful for once in his interruption.

Lyndon is standing proud on the second floor, arms on the railings, and is staring right back at us like a king staring at some peasants. His aura is belittling.

I almost thank him but when I saw his half-naked body I lost it.

Does this man have no shame?!

Although, his upper body is not fully naked because of the towel hanging behind his neck covering his wide chest.

"Y-Yes...that's right." I looked back to see Angel's bright red face, trying hard to avoid her face from that monster.

Mike coughed looking irritated. "Suzi's place tomorrow, we'll fetch Katy so wait for us here. Sean, let's go."

"What is that fucker doing..." Sean muttered under his breath. "You'll help him in what, Suzi?"

"His wound."

"He looks better than we expected so I think there's no need for you to help him."

"Who are you to decide whether I'm better or not?"

"The landlord orders me to help Lyndon so I'll do it. You guys should get going it's getting late." I cut them before Lyndon starts to argue again.

The couple starts to move but Sean stood still, wanting to say more.

"Sean," Mike called out, that's when he finally gave in and move forward.

The silence stretched once they left.

"They're gone?" Sir Richard asked and pops out of the hall when he noticed how it suddenly fell silent.

"Yes. Thank you again, sir."

"No worries, just help me with Lyndon in exchange." He smiled.

I looked up when my peripheral vision saw Lyndon moved. He looks pissed or maybe because it's dark that it made him look like that. He stepped back and went inside his room.

"...Yes, sir."

I excused myself to attend to Lyndon, even though he looks fine and doesn't need any help. I'll do it for the landlord's sake.

I won't be surprised if I ever find out that he's his guardian or what.

I knocked three times at his front door.

"It's unlocked." I heard him inside.

I twisted the doorknob and speaks before entering. "I'm coming."

He sat on his bed fully occupying it with his large body. His head is falling back while his both arms are at his back supporting his body, legs are spreading wide.

I look around to find a vacant chair that I could use when he spoke so low.

"If you don't want to do this, you may leave."

Okay.

I nodded and turn around to leave but not before I could take three steps he speaks again.

"What? You're really leaving?"

"You said if I don't want to do this, I can leave," I repeated his words.

"So you don't want to treat me? You can't stand me? You hate me? You're only doing this because you're ordered to?" He stood up and in each question, he moved forward so I took a step back.

What is he up to now? I frowned. All of his questions lead to one answer.

"Yes."

He stood silent then after a while, he moved back and sit back from his place leaving a space vacant beside him. He places the medicine kit I gave him earlier there.

"It's a test. I'll tell this to your boss, treat me."

My head starts to boil in anger because of him, he acts so highly in front of me when I'll be the one to do him a favor. He asked me nonsensical things and I only answered honestly, now he's going to complain about me to my boss? This is not even a part of my job!

I controlled myself as I sat beside him leaving a decent space for me to breathe properly and starts to treat him resisting the urge to tear open his wound. His upper body is still openly naked but I only want to hurt him more because of it.

"Ah...are you making it worse?" He asked, noticing my pent-up rage. I didn't answer so that my anger won't burst, after a while, he asked again."Are they your friends?"

"Who?"

"Earlier."

My groupmates? What made him think like that? Them? My friends? I don't even know how to make friends or when will you be able to call someone a friend.

"No...they're my groupmates." I denied.

I looked up to him, curious why he suddenly asked that question.

His look is very different from usual. He seems pathetically sad. Where's the ferocious beast I always meet? He looks like a puppy finding friends and an owner who would take care of him.

"Do you have any friends?"

I shook my head and his face lit up. I furrowed my brows, is he happy I'm alone? Is he making fun of me in his head right now?

"None and I don't care if I never–"

"Will you be my friend?"