Keira felt her posture slouching as time went by. It had been an hour since they arrived here, yet the contract discussion had yet to be brought up. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to ease the sore bottom that sank into the soft leather of the sofa.
"I recall a rumor about the young idol, Leon. He seems to be unable to control his hands." Hillary spared no time chatting aimlessly about rumors she had heard throughout the years with Rita. Both were equally matched in their gossiping skills, leaving Keira and Austin out entirely.
"Is that right? What a shame, he was one of Eren Adler's direct competitors. We should avoid him now that Keira is making her debut in the industry."
A surprisingly gentle tap woke Keira from boredom. She turned around to see him standing behind her with a smirk. He gestured for her to follow him out of the room with a playful finger pressing against his lips.
"Shh. Wanna grab some coffee?" The two ladies failed to notice the youngsters slipping out. Their conversation occupied all of their attention.
Great. My shoulders have been feeling stiff.
She rolled her shoulders, following Austin quietly as they approached a break room. His hands moved with experience, preparing two cups of coffee. His slender fingers moved with grace, every curve and bend was attractive to the eyes.
Keira had to admit that Austin was a pleasing figure to look at. Her gaze had been so occupied with watching him, failing to notice her posture lazing against the counter. Her hands propped up her face, eyes slightly drooping with exhaustion.
"I've noticed before that you don't seem to be getting a good night's sleep." He placed the warm cup of coffee on the counter, sliding it over with his finger.
"What makes you think that?" Her movements were filled with hesitation, unsure whether to drink the beverage.
"Well…" Warm fingers gripped her chin, lifting it. Before she could process what had happened, his face had already moved away from hers, leaving only a burning sensation on her lips. "You're not reacting much. Isn't it basic human instinct to flinch or something at least? Only a tired mind won't react." A chuckle escaped his dangerous grin.
The finger that was covering her lips moved away, however, he still had a grip on her chin.
"If you stare at me like that, I might just really kiss you this time." With a playful nudge on her chin, he finally released it. "Another thing I can add to the list. Doesn't like coffee, good to know."
Keira instinctively frowned.
"I didn't say that…"
"Sure." He took the cup away, dumping the contents into the sink without much care. Keira watched her untouched drink disappear with unease.
"Why did you pour it? You already made it…" He shrugged and leaned against the sink, staring at her with imperceivable thoughts. A sudden chuckle escaped his lips again.
Does he like to laugh?
"Hey…" His voice was deep, eyes squinting while staring at her. "I'm not one to be wasteful, but why force yourself to do something you don't like? Aren't you a little bit too docile and obedient?"
"Am I?"
"As a Castillo, you should be behaving like your sister. Haughty and self-centered. I want this, I want that."
"Don't compare me to her." She felt her jaw tightened and eyes sharpened as she glanced at him. Her lazy posture was now upright and tense. Is he seriously saying that?
"That's it. Get angry." His folded arms made him look arrogant. He lifted his chin, looking down at her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable. "Hah…you're a lost cause…" Sighing, Austin rolled his eyes at the confused look on her face.
"You're supposed to stay angry until I apologize." He ran his fingers through his hair with frustration. Slow heavy steps echoed in the empty room, approaching her steadily. "Did the Castillo raise a daughter or a walking doll? What an oddball."
"What does a person do when angry?" Trapping her between his arms, he whispered, face a few inches from hers. The slight downward tilt of his lips was the only thing she could focus on.
Why is he angry?
"Walk away…?"
"Uh-huh…" His raised brow and eager gaze urged her to continue.
"Yell?"
"Yelling? Did you want to yell at me earlier?"
"No."
"No? Even though I insulted you?" Keira looked away, trying to think about what he said.
Although I was a bit hurt at the sudden comment of wanting me to be like Selene…
Was I angry?
"Is it that complicated? Your brows are doing a lot of work trying to figure this out." The crease of her furrowed brows was pinched softly. His thumb rubbed in a circular motion, causing Keira to frown even more.
"I didn't like what you said but wasn't angry." She brushed his hand off her face, turning her body slightly in an attempt to escape from the claustrophobic space she was confined to.
"You don't like Selene, noted. Now I have three things you don't like on my list." What he said made her pause. She raised her head back to his, looking at the mischievous glint that pooled in his playful gaze. "You're like a puzzle tempting me to piece it together for the full picture. I have three—actually, four pieces now."
"Four?" Keira wanted to question his assumption about her dislike of Selene, but once he talked about the puzzles, she completely sidetracked.
"You don't like gossiping, coffee, and your sister. As for the fourth piece…" His face leaned in closer, nose nearly touching as he grinned cheekily. "You like me, a lot too."
"Crazy…"
"Crazy? Indeed…you are crazy about me." His fingers playfully scratched his chin looking thoughtful, but his gaze held great humor as they watched her face gradually redden.
"Are you mocking me?"
"Why would I do that when I like this weird personality of yours so much?" The rumbling of his laugh made her blush even more.
"…" Keira had never interacted with the opposite sex in such a way before. It made her speechless.
"Oh…a surprise visit?" The moment his eye caught sight of a stranger by the door, his posture straightened, backing away from her slightly. His hand leisurely reached into his pocket, pulling out a milk-flavored candy and handing it to her.
What is he giving me this for?
"That personality of yours is very troublesome." Matthew's voice caused Keira to look at the newcomer. Her eyes widen, unsure of why this person was at Pierce's headquarters. "Use it on anyone you please, but stay away from my sister, Austin."
"For a moment I thought you came because you missed me, Darling. How disappointing."
"Shut it." Matthew's handsome face distorted in annoyance. He had never gotten along with Austin Pierce, even though they grew up around each other in the showbiz.
"I don't want to."
"You—!"
"Oh—and I meant the part where I stay away from your sister. Don't wanna, can't make me." Even Keira felt her lips twitch at his annoying tone and smirk.
"She's a bit dumb, so go play with someone else." Seeing Austin with no intentions of listening to him, Matthew sighed and spoke again. "She doesn't understand men…or people in general."
Why is he talking like I'm not here? Keira was baffled at the defeated look Matthew had whenever he glanced her way. What? Is he provoking me right now?
"Is that right?" Austin thoughtfully glances at her, stifling his laughter between coughs as he thinks about something amusing. "She seems to know a lot to me."
"If you suddenly have an epiphany and want romance, how about talking to Selene? She's sensible and good-natured. I'm sure you would like her if you—."
The moment she heard Selene's name on his lips, a surge of heat burst through her body, burning it painfully to the point where she felt faint.
I was a fool to think that he had come to care for me...even if it was just a little...
"Out." Keira felt her eyes go black with rage. Her chest heaved uncontrollably, tightening to the point of difficulty breathing. The sickness similar to that day returned, making her stomach churn and bubble. Between clenched teeth, she spat out the words she had always wanted to say.
So this is anger.
"What…?" Matthew watched the girl who stood with her fist clenched tightly, Her glare was unlike any other, oozing with intense hatred as she stared him down.
"I made it clear already that I'm leaving with June. Did you come here to drag me back? Or insult me by trying to pair Selene up with someone that I—!?" Her long nails dug deep into her flesh, teeth grinding against each other as her head became even more numb. "Do you have to do this?"
"Sister!? How could you say such a thing?" The trembles within the sweet voice sounded like mockery to Keira. "We came because we were truly worried for you…Although I like…" Her eyes glanced at Austin, pitifully looking away as if in shame. "It's true that I like him…but I…I care about you so much more. I would never try to take from you. Why do you always misunderstand me."
Great. Not one but two are here today. I can't even have a day without her presence haunting me.
"Keira…I know you enough to know that you are just in love with a character he plays. You don't truly like Austin like Selene does, so why don't you—." Matthew sighed and gently wrapped his arm around the crying Selene. His gaze was complicated, looking at Keira with confusion within them.
"Truly, a love no greater…" Seeing them coddle each other so brazenly caused Keira to chuckle with disdain. Her voice was laced with sarcasm. She was fed up. "If you think you can woo him, go ahead and try your luck, Selene."
She could feel Austin's gaze on her, but she couldn't be bothered by it. She sighed once last time, calming the bomb that threatened to escape her. Her steps forward were slow and steady, like that of a predator ready to kill its prey.
"Whether it's the man you are interested in or the bright future ahead of you…I'll no longer sit by and let you have your way. You owe me and you will pay for it." She could see the ugly expression on Selene's face. "As for family ties, feel free to tell the Master, Madame, and the other Young Masters about my separation from the Castillos. Let's hope we never meet, for world peace."
She no longer wanted to call them by such intimate titles as Father, Mother, or Brother. There was never a single pleasant memory in all of her childhood. These people were devils wearing the face of angels, parading themselves as the family that loved and cared about her, when in reality, they drove her to death.
"Aren't you afraid of ruining your public image? It's the only thing you have, Sister." Selene's contorted face burned with annoyance. She no longer hid her hostility towards the sister she never wanted.
"Run along and tell the world. Let's see who ends up in ruins when this ends."