5| Tear Down His Cold Face

CASEY

“Annoying… Annoying… Annoying…!”

I kept grumbling while scrubbing my whole body using the bath sponge.

I'm taking a bath. At first, I just wanted to pee, but seeing the comfortable bathroom and the large enough tub, I was tempted to shower.

I'm tired of scrubbing. I was silent for a while. I was pensive while watching the water spilled from the tub.

“What did he say? I seduced Raff? Seriously."

Malik's words kept ringing in my mind.

"Don't get me wrong, Casey. He is the eldest son. His name is Raff. He's a little scary. We even call him a monster in this house. But Raff won't do anything dangerous if you don't tease him first.”

I tried to shake off Malik's harsh words but failed. Malik did show me where the bathroom was. But he also added harsh words that hurt me afterward.

“He called me a flirt girl? Then what about himself, who easily kissed girls and toyed with them with his good looks? Malik is a real asshole.”

I punched the water's surface in the tub until it spurted out.

“But in front of me, he acts cool and always shows a cold face. It was like he was a straight man who had never sinned.”

I squeezed the bath sponge so hard that white foam spilled over my palms.

“Malik… He was always cold to me. How to get rid of that cold face from him? It really bothers me! He can smile cutely at other girls. As for me, he's like an ironing board without empathy. You are cruel!”

Suddenly an idea popped into my mind. I exited the bath, cleaned myself, and wrapped the towel around my body.

***

MALIK

“How can I possibly sleep when she's right beside my room? Looks like I have to move to another room. But, if I move, then Eren….”

I got up from the sofa.

“I actually don't really care about Raff. He has his own taste. But, Eren… No! That can't be happening. Eren really likes teasing girls. Eren doesn't care if she's a stepsister; if he likes her, Eren will always tease her. Uh, this is annoying!”

Since Casey arrived in this house, I've been afraid to sleep in my room. The slightest sound from Casey's room made my heart beat fast. Why do our rooms have to be next to each other?

I sat down and put the book I was reading on the table.

“Right now, I have absolutely no interest in reading. What's the time now? Raff had also gone to his room. The people are asleep. I'm the only one still awake."

I drank mineral water from a bottle I had brought from the kitchen.

"I am done!"

The bottle is still attached to my lip. I glanced to my right. Casey stood there half-wet. She is almost naked.

“Ouch…!” I'm choking. "What are you doing?"

I put down the water bottle and wiped the spilled water from my mouth. I was very angry.

“Casey, what are you doing? Can't you get dressed first?"

Casey remained standing while showing off her beautiful body. She only wore a thin towel to cover most of her body.

"Why? This is also my home. I'm used to wearing a towel after showering and roaming around the house. Why can't I do it here too?”

I'm really nervous. Did she notice my face heating up? I quickly turned my gaze away from Casey.

“But I'm still here. You shouldn't look like that in front of me!” I protested nervously.

"So what if you were here? Aren't we already brothers now?"

She challenged me? Good grief!

I took a quick glance. Casey was sitting on the sofa right beside me. I can even smell the sweet scent of her shampoo.

“Could it be… you mischievous youth who sees stepsisters as….”

What the hell is she? I really can't do anything right now. I was too nervous to even speak and look her in the eye. Of course, I couldn't see her in that kind of appearance.

My cheeks feel hot. I took back the remaining water in the bottle I had placed. Why does it feel like my whole body is so hot? Though the weather is quite cold today.

God, Casey even moved her legs. Those slender legs really weren't covered by anything. The towel wrapped around her body was even too thin and too short. Most of Casey's thighs were clearly visible.

What is the real purpose of Casey showing off her body like that in front of me? She's not like the girl I used to know.

***

CASEY

I smiled contentedly. I almost burst out laughing when I saw Malik's behavior. However, I held back as best I could and displayed a calm demeanor in front of him.

I'm sure Malik is getting affected. Even though his body wasn't facing mine, I could feel his eyes fixed on me. Turns out he was a cheap young man. He even easily flirts with and kisses girls he meets. Really sucks. Why should I fall in love with a man like Malik?

But no problem. Now we are stepbrothers. I will bury this feeling deep inside and repay all the bad attitudes towards me so far. I will make Malik suffer with my presence.

I move my legs until my thighs are a little more exposed. I crossed my arms over my chest. I sat up straight and shook my still-wet hair. Even though it's cold, I must endure to tear down his cold face. I have to reply.

I shifted my seat closer to Malik. And I made a fatal mistake. The towel coils on my body untied. I quickly hold it with both hands on my chest.

WHAT DO I DO?

That's when it hit me. What am I actually doing here? Why did I do such a stupid thing? Do I look like I'm teasing Malik right now? This isn't what I want.

I panicked too. How do I end this ridiculous game?

I stared at the towel on my body and pulled the edge of the towel further down to cover my thighs. However, this towel is getting looser and almost sagging from my body.

How about this? Did he see me?

I'm getting panicked.

I didn't intend to do anything ridiculous to this extent. At first, I just wanted to see Malik tear down his cold face. But now I look like a cheap seductress.

Tap.

Malik put his drink bottle on the table a little harder. I gasped in surprise. He stood up from the sofa.

What will he do now? I'm really scared. I had no intention of teasing him. Really!

Now, Malik stood in front of me really with a cold face. While I can't move. If I get up, this towel will come off, and I'm naked before him. I don't want to get that far.

Malik approached.

“W-wait!” I muttered in panic. "Don't…."