Chapter 3

I PURRED like a cat as I woke up, blinded by the sunlight. "Who opened the curtains on my room" I groaned as I heard a chortle instead of an explanation.

I scratched my eyes and without opening them, still letting my eyes adjust, I spoke. "Rhyme, isn't it too early to annoy me? It's weekend, just so you know."

I knew it was him. No one will ever do that to me. Besides, he was the only person who knew my passcode except for my mom and he also kept a backup key for my unit.

I felt like he sat on my bed. Then he kept on poking me on my cheek. "Wake up, your highness, if you don't want me to fix your things and cook for you."

The idea of ​​him meddling with my things and cooking for me was such a nightmare so I immediately woke up and stood because of what he said. I couldn't make him do things because he's not a home buddy and as much as possible he wasn't allowed to touch anything here. "If you want to fix something, just do my bed and sit there, stay still for the meantime. Don't touch anything because I already arranged everything last night. Okay?" I gave him a warning look but he just bit his lower lip then nodded at me.

But when I was about to run to my mini kitchen, Rhyme pulled me. Since it was so sudden, I lost my balance and I fell on his lap. I was about to stand up out of panic but he caged me with his arms.

"I thought you were making me hurry? Let go!" I groaned as I asserted force to move away from him.

"I ordered you food. We can eat the pancakes after you take a shower after I fix your bed and prepare the food." His voice sounded serious.

I raised a brow. "Wow. Since when did you learn those things?"

"When I met you." He grinned as if teasing me. After a while, he pushed me to stand up and pulled me to my walk-in wardrobe as if he memorized everything in my unit.

"Fine. Fine. Fine." He finally stopped guiding my shoulder to where to face. "I can handle myself. Don't tell me you would also follow me up to the comfort room."

"Do you want me to?" he insisted.

"Yuck!" I reacted then I threw the nearest thing I could hold to him. "Yucker!" I shrank as I realized that that was my towel.

Rhyme was laughing out loud. Then he suddenly hugged the towel and smelled it. "Lavender, huh?"

I tapped my forehead as I pursed my lips. He was so annoying and sometimes it really went beyond your expectation.

I walked closer to him and grabbed my towel. I almost ran to avoid him and started to do my thing.

Minutes after taking a bath, as I went out of the comfort room, I could already smell the maple syrup so I took a fast walk to the dining table.

"Sorry, it kind of took me longer," I just said without looking at him because my attention was on the pancakes.

"Kind of? Havie, it's been an hour. You really want to eat cold food," he reacted.

I just sat and started eating. I should be happy that there's a pancake in front of me and my day shouldn't be ruined early in the morning because of the person who cooked this.

"You put butter?" I noticed as I first tasted it.

"I know you don't like cooking oil that much, Havie," he replied, still busy with his food but after a couple of seconds, he slightly bobbed his head out of nowhere. It caught my attention. “I scanned the whole place of your unit, and it looked like a house. Seriously, Havie? Did you leave any household items from your parents’ house or these are just duplicates? Even designer bags and shoes in your vanity room? It's like even if you don't come out of here, you'll survive," he said as if we were not in the same level of status and prestige. I just rolled my eyes and did not respond anything to him.

But even if I wanted to concentrate on my breakfast, I was stopped when I saw him on my peripheral view, holding my phone. I looked straight at him.

"There's a text? What did it say?" He always invaded my privacy so I have no doubt that he did not open the phone. A long time ago, he insisted to register his fingerprint so yeah.

"I didn't read it," he playfully said.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “It’s a miracle,” I commented.

"Meter was the one who texted."

When I heard the name of her twin, I stopped. I immediately grabbed my phone, titled it to avoid his sneaky eyes, and read it.

From: Meter — Let's have a date.

I smirked after reading it. My heart started to beat faster than usual. I feel my cheeks burning as well. When I looked at Rhyme, his brows met. I was about to keep my phone when he immediately grabbed it. Just as he took it, my phone rang again. He must have read it because the expression on his face changed. His long face turned into a cheeky one. He was already smiling. I wondered why so I got back my phone and quickly checked the other message.

From: Meter — Double Date.

"What?" I creased my forehead with what I read.

"The four of us are supposed to date. The other one, that's probably the only place we'll meet. Maybe he'll introduce a woman." He pursed his lips after speaking casually and sarcasm.

I was just thinking that he had a woman with him, I don't think I can do it anymore.

"IS IT OK?" I asked Rhyme as I scanned myself, wearing oakwood colored retro dress. It exposed my left shoulder because of its design same as my knees because of its length.

Rhyme smiled at me. "Havie, did you really agree for us to date?"

I shrugged. "It's as if I've already dated Meter, isn't it?" Instead of waiting for him to answer, I took his hand and pulled him into the restaurant where Meter was waiting.

I heard him nagging under his breath but I was too nervous to deal with his tantrums now. My eyes immediately searched for Meter and when I saw him, my heart beat faster again. I feel like it's going to explode and come out of my chest.

His stares never failed to make me feel the shivers. It was cold enough to freeze my heart and just stuck at him, for him, only him...

"Let's go." I just bobbed my head and followed Rhyme to our reserved table where two heads were waiting.

The girl was wearing a black lace nightdress. Her skin was lighter than mine since I was near morena. And she's way prettier than me. I think she's half American.

"Hi, I'm Ania," she introduced herself. That Ania even offered her hand which I couldn't ignore so I shook palms with her.

I forced a smile. "Havoc," I uttered.

"Cool name," she complimented me with her chic voice.

I hummed. "So..."

Maybe Ania noticed that so she stood up in her seat and stood next to Meter. Rhyme and I sat in front of them.

Meter raised his hand and an usher offered a menu book. Then he faced us." Thank you for being here," Meter formally said.

"Thank-" I was about to respond but Ania's voice was louder so she overpowered mine.

"Yeah. Thank you so much really." She smiled like an angel.

I just nodded. Silence filled the air. I saw how hesitant Ania to start a conversation. Meter was too quiet same as Rhyme. As for me, I didn't know what to say so I just looked for food to order.

I was too focused on choosing which pasta to eat when Rhyme caught our attention. "What the fuck is this, Meter?" he said, still controlled even with a curse.

Meter looked disgusted. He first looked at Ania who was shocked with Rhyme before facing his brother once again. "A fucking date," he said in sarcasm even with no emotions in the eye, and the only change in his face was his short smile.

I saw how pissed Rhyme at the moment even if I didn't know why. His fist was pinned on the table. "Rhyme," I tried calling his attention. "Rhyme," I repeated in a louder voice which made him look at me.

"What ?!"

"Stop messing around," I commanded.

He grimaced in front of my face as if tired of my words. "You're the one in mess as of now. I'm just-"

He didn’t finish what he said. They all stopped when I stood up. I walked out of the restaurant without being scandalous. I just felt Rhyme following me, which I confirmed when I glanced at the mirror I passed through when heading out of the place.

When we got outside, I quickly addressed him. I started smashing his chest.

"Ouch! Why are you hurting me? Shouldn't Meter be?"

"I can't hurt him!" I continued what I was doing.

"So should I ?!" Rhyme avoided his body but he also chases my arms he also quickly grabbed.

We both stopped as our eyes met. I was panting while he was just staring at me. I couldn't read his eyes. As always. We were inches apart but close enough to hear his breathing.

"It's your fault," I blamed him. "I can bear it but you are giving me a clue that I am hurt by what is happening. That I should be able to—"

"Why?" he cut me off. "Isn't it? Should you hide that you're hurting? You're already hiding that you love him, as well as that? Hide it? Okay, Havie. I'll keep that in mind."

"What is your problem?" I emphasized each word. "Mine your own life!" I even pointed my finger at his chest.

"You are--shit!" I didn't understand what he said and I was about to speak but he pulled me inside. We, again, faced Meter and Ania with tensed faces.

Rhyme took a deep breath. I didn't know what he's up to but his statement just left my mouth half-opened.

"Meter, we're leaving. Havoc is on her period."