Chapter 6 : Happily Married!

Samuel 

"Denial is normal. Having no clue what to do is normal. You don't understand why you're doing a certain thing. It's fine. Everything makes sense as long as you accept yourself, your emotions, and your decisions. Acceptance is the key. God accepts you, understands your dilemma and you also SHOULD"

I lock my phone and take my AirPods out after turning the podcast off. Summer has finally arrived and I didn't realise that until I landed in Texas. It's still colder in Melbourne. It's always cold over there, at least to me. The warmth is missing which I always feel in Texas. For eight years, I was away from this warmth. I am scared of it, even though I like it. I'm scared of light, sunshine and zeal. Over the years, it only got worse. 

I look at my phone. It's already eight. Sitting on the wooden bench, I watch the unknown faces cheerfully jog around to start a better day. And I'm here to start a day without the expectation of any change.  

I get onto my feet and put on the hood of my hoodie so that when I get into the crowd no eyes can locate me being myself. I hate talking to people and being the centre of attention. I hate anyone looking at me when I pass by. It's only the moment when I don't keep my true self inside. 

I jog back slowly towards the direction of mom's place, which I can't obviously call mine.

* 

As I walk into the manor, my eyes straight land on Chrisanna walking down the stairs. She obviously doesn't notice me as she's focused on her phone. I don't bother looking away since she's looking incredibly beautiful in the random denim jeans and a black sweatshirt. The messy strands of her hair are loosely scattered around her face from her half-bun. 

"Chrisanna, going somewhere?"

I realise I was staring at her the whole time when mom's voice came. I'm still near the front door when Chrisanna comes downstairs with a heavy bag slinging on her shoulder. 

"Yeah. Have a clear shoot today before I leave for the office", she says. 

I shrug and surge inside. Meanwhile, her eyes drift to me and her smile vanishes. I don't halt anywhere and walk straight closer to her. 

Her eyes shake slightly as I wrap my right arm around her waist without any warning and lean closer to her ear. Her body is completely stiff and tense now which I can feel just by being so close to her. 

"Remember we have to act like a happily wed couple", I whisper in her ear, only to get myself into trouble by inhaling the scent coming from her body. 

I look at her tightened face and place a peck on her lips. She wasn't even prepared for it as her body stiffens more than before. Poor girl! 

"Good morning. Slept well?" I ask in an overly loving tone.

"Hmm", she forces a smile.

I can't help smiling at her confused and apprehensive look. 

She hasn't changed a bit in years. This is the first time I'm watching her from this close because the wedding moment doesn't count. Her upturned eyes still look magnificent and I haven't forgotten the rare colour of her eyes. Auburn. I'm sure her middle is inspired by her eye colour which I hardly noticed in anyone. Her cheeks are still chubby as they were when we were seventeen, the last time I had ever seen her. I'm glad she didn't turn herself into a skeleton like most people do after passing their teenage years. 

"Okay, I'm glad you guys could break the communication barrier this fast", mom says, smiling at both of us as Chrisanna looks away. 

I keep holding her and pressing her against my torso. 

"That wasn't hard. We already know each other. Right?" I stare down at her with a smirk.

She gazes straight into my eyes as if she wants to fire back at me. "Right"

"Great!" mom says. "Anyway, Chrisanna, what will you have for breakfast? I can ask Evelyn to prepare it for you"

"No", Chrisanna says hurrying. "I'll eat over there. Now, I have to rush"

"Okay. But eat well, huh?" Mom says.

"Yeah. And I was thinking—" Chrisanna turns her eyes at me in a playful way, an evil smile lingering on her face. "If you could drop me at my shoot spot. Mama hasn't sent my car yet and I'll be late if I take a bus"

Smart move!

I shake my head, sharply eyeing her. 

Over the years, she hasn't changed much but she has really grown up more confident and clever. 

Where am I trapped?

"Yeah, is that something to say? I was going to ask that", I fake a smile, almost mocking as she throws me the same one. 

"Thank you", she tilts her head a bit upwards and kisses my cheek, abruptly icing me for a whole second. 

I could feel the softness of her plump lips much better than the pecks on lips we shared twice. 

I clear my throat, trying to look unaffected. "Okay, then, I need to change"

"Yeah. Do it fast. Chrisanna is getting late", mom says. 

Chrisanna again kisses my cheek abruptly as I flinch, gawking down at her. 

Is she challenging me or what?

I shrug again and turn back, striding towards my room when I hear mom saying, "Christian was right. You guys are truly made for each other"

* 

Changing into my usual black leather jacket, I come out of the room and surge towards the stairs. I almost trip over when Kylee blocks my way abruptly.

"What the—" I snarl and look at her only to find her giving me death stares. "What happened?"

She crosses her arms and stares at me as if she has a long list of complaints.

"Okay", I roll my eyes. "I can figure out you are angry about something but we can't talk now"

I try to move past her but she comes on my way again.  

"Really, Samuel?" she seethes. "I didn't expect it from you. You know what you have done?"

"No"

She hits her forehead. "Chrisanna hasn't talked to me since last night. And it's because of you. She is so mad at me"

I don't reply and silently watch her raging eyes bouncing at me. 

"I didn't know it was going to be so complicated. Why did you have to do that? You asked me to tell her I sent her that message. Now, I'm getting blamed for being an annoying and immature sister. But it was you. It was you who sent her that message"