Saving the Villain

Luke didn't stay longer as planned because he received a call and he had to rush home. So, after sending him away, Cosette could not help but wait for Maxen in the mansion's lobby. Maxen was still inside Conrad's study room, and the longer he was inside, the more her anxiety increased.

'I wonder what...' Her thoughts trailed off as soon as she caught a familiar figure from the corner of her eyes. "Max!"

Cosette sprung up from the futon and glided in front of him. "What happened?" she asked while he leaned his head back when she perked up.

"What do you mean, what happened?" he returned.

"The contract signing." Her eyes widened. "What happened? No, I mean, how? I mean, why? No, no, you didn't tell me about it."

Maxen studied the confusion and intrigued in her eyes before his lips parted. "Why do I need to tell you?"

"Max..." she frowned. "Of course, we're friends and I'm concerned. Also, my dad is involved."

"You should've asked him." Maxen cleared his throat and took a step back. "I will go now."

"Wait. You'll go without having dinner?" Cosette clasped the hem of his blouse and tugged him back. "Stay for dinner, will you?"

"Maxen will stay for dinner." Her brows rose when she heard Conrad's voice from the corner. Cosette turned her head and saw her father approaching from the east.

"It's in the contract."

"Huh?" she tilted her head to the side and darted her eyes between Maxen and Conrad. "What do you mean by that?"

"Maxen will now live with us." Conrad stopped several steps away from the two, eyes falling on her daughter's hand holding Maxen's blouse. "The house is big, and it is better if he stays here instead of finding him a villa or an apartment."

It took minutes for Cosette to process her father's words, blinking at him. Did Conrad say Maxen would live with them? Her mouth fell open as her eyes dilated, twisting her neck slowly in Maxen's direction.

"Let go." Maxen carefully held her wrist and pulled it away from his blouse. He snuck a look at her and her entire expression was blank, making him think of many other reasons she bore such a blank expression. Was it just a pure surprise? Dismay? Which was it?

"Cozie, come." Cosette snapped back to reality when Conrad called her. "I need to talk to you about something."

"Uh..."

Conrad studied her for seconds before he nodded. "I'll wait for you in the garden," he said before pivoting on his heel to walk away.

Cosette could only stare at Conrad's back for minutes. She only returned to her senses when she felt Maxen was also about to walk away.

"Wait--" she grabbed his wrist to stop him, waiting for him to look back at her. "Is it true?"

His brow arched as he glanced at her hand. "Why?" he inquired in a distant tone. "Do you feel betrayed I found a better job?"

"What...?"

"Do you think I used you and went on your back?" he smirked. "So what if I did? You're rich and it won't hurt to--"

"Max, what are you saying?" Cosette knitted her brows in confusion, squeezing his arm mildly. "I just want to make sure if that is true so we can celebrate."

"I'm happy, Max," she added with a subtle smile. "It must be very difficult for you to accept my father's proposal, but I guarantee you this is a good decision. I'm proud of you."

His eyes slightly dilated as her eyes softened in relief. They looked at each other, and he could tell she was relieved and happy with this new setup.

"Anyway, I need to talk to my dad." Cosette let his arm go after a moment and flashed him a broader smile. "He still needs to explain to me why he kept this a secret."

With that being said, Cosette waved lightly at him before skipping her steps where Conrad left. Meanwhile, Maxen stood frozen in the same spot for minutes. His eyes remained in the direction where she left, even though she had already left the lobby.

'It must be difficult for me?' he thought, recalling her words just now.

Maxen's jaw tightened as his hands balled into a fist. What did he expect? She would look at him with disgust or berate him? Of course, she wouldn't do that. That girl was Cosette; she wasn't the person who would act all nice only to change when things weren't in her favor.

'I should feel relieved that she seemed happy about it,' he thought, lowering his eyes. 'But... why do I feel... sad?'

A deep exhale escaped his nostrils before he pivoted on his heel to walk away. He didn't know why he was feeling a little sad, even though things went smoothly. Maybe it was because he kept judging and expecting worse from her, or that he felt guilty for something he didn't know.

'I don't think it is sadness...' Maxen stopped in front of the guest room where he was told he would stay. It was the same room where he stayed in his first stay over in this place. He slowly opened the door and looked around this room, where he would stay from today onwards.

"It's fear," he corrected himself and addressed the feeling welling in his chest. "From now on, I have to live with her twenty-four-seven, but at the same time... I feel like even if I am close with her, I took several steps back."

It was a strange thing to feel, but that was what he felt like. He owed Conrad because Maxen never even thought he would be able to live in such a good place in his life. But look at this room — it was far different from his small apartment, where the ceiling was on the brink of falling apart.

He didn't want to disappoint Conrad or Cosette. Even though Conrad was optimistic and had considered things, the seed of shame in Maxen's heart was already there.

How conflicting.

Maxen dragged his feet towards the bed, only to stop midway and in front of the whole body mirror. He looked at himself from head to toe, scratching his head, before brushing his hair back.

"I'm so dumb," he whispered and shook his head, dragging his feet towards the bathroom to take a shower.

'Was there anything wrong with having an ambition?' He wondered, standing under the shower. Maybe it was the sudden change in his life that was why he was having all these ridiculous thoughts and conflicting emotions.

'I feel ashamed...' — in wanting to make him look better, or at least presentable. The people he was walking home with — Cosette and Luke — often stood out with their looks. Although Cosette didn't seem to care about her looks that much and Luke was overly confident with his charms, Maxen had this little insecurity.

Wasn't the reason he accepted Conrad's offer because of something petty?

Maxen closed his eyes and cocked his head back, welcoming the sprinkle of water on his face. 'Why am I scared again?' he asked himself and the answer immediately crossed his head.

'It's because I don't want to be happy.' He ran his palms over his face and brush his hair back once again. 'Because I don't know until when it will last.'

That had been the story of his life. When something good happened to him, the news that would come after was just as terrible or worse. The reason he was terrified, ashamed, and sad.

********

Meanwhile...

"Papa?" Cosette peeked her head out of the door and looked for Conrad, which she easily caught standing outside. She smiled when Conrad looked back, still on the phone, signaling her to wait for a second.

Cosette shrugged and tiptoed towards him, sitting in the intricate chair. It didn't take long when Conrad finished his call and sat down on the chair across from her.

"Papa, why didn't you tell me you plan on adopting Max?" she asked as soon as he sat down.

"I'm not adopting him."

"I'm kidding, of course." She giggled and studied his fatal beauty. "But... it was amazing."

Conrad chuckled at her relieved smile. Even when Cosette hadn't said more, her expression already told him she was pleased by this news. Surely, she was fond of Maxen.

"I hired Maxen to look after you," he explained. "I believed he is a man of his words and someone I can trust. He can go anywhere in the house, but your room is off-limits."

"Papa..."

"It's not that I don't trust you or Maxen, but you are still young, and I am still a parent."

Cosette smacked her lips as she nodded. "It's not like that is a problem." She shrugged. "Also, I already planned on striking a deal with you so Maxen can live nearby or live a better life."

"Cozie," called Conrad, not surprised by her confession, because he always felt like Cosette would ask him to help Maxen one of these days. It just so happened Conrad took initiative even before she could.

"I understand you sympathize with Maxen. But I am curious. Why are you so persistent in helping him?"

"Why? Hmm..." Cosette hummed a long tune as she pondered a logical answer. In the end, Cosette only grinned until her eyes were squinting.

"Because... why not?"