Saving the Villain

"I never kissed anyone before, so I'm a little curious about what it feels like."

Maxen looked at Cosette in both disbelief and shock. Did he hear her correctly? There was no way he heard her wrong. Moreover, she was looking back at him with clear, decisive eyes.

"What do you think?" she asked and cocked her head to the side.

'How can she ask for such a thing as if it was as simple as asking for candy?' he wondered before snapping his eyes from his trance. "What?"

"I'm asking if we should kiss since the situation --" Cosette nearly bit her tongue as he suddenly pulled her wrist, causing her to collapse on her back. She blinked countless times, watching him sit up.

"Max?"

"Shut up." He raised a finger and sat on the edge of the mattress. He brushed his damped hair with his fingers, exhaling sharply.

Meanwhile, Cosette could only purse her lips into a thin line. Did she surprise him? But Cosette suddenly thought the situation felt right. It might be an impulsive decision, which surprised her as well. However, perhaps, the courage came from the real Cosette. Therefore, she didn't feel shy about it.

If anything, Cosette could only think of wanting to give her first kiss to Maxen. After all, she had a huge crush on him. She wouldn't regret it. It was strange for her to be this calm, but she couldn't force herself to feel another emotion other than that.

Maxen glanced over his shoulder and looked away almost immediately when he caught her still lying motionless on her spot.

"What do you think you're doing? Get up." He sighed, hiding the faint blush on his face. She was lying down where he could see almost everything if only he looked better, but he wasn't that rotten.

"Don't wanna."

"What?"

Cosette arched a brow and glanced at his back. "I just got rejected. I don't have the energy to go on with my life and act as if nothing happened."

"You..." Maxen pinched the bridge of his nose in distress. Without looking at her, he felt the bed and reached for her wrist. "Get up and leave."

"But you're the one who pulled me in here and also the person who pulled me down on the bed." Cosette fought his grip and put all her weight in her hand. The side of her lips curled up teasingly, biting her tongue as she found it quite amusing, regardless of their situation.

"I think I've grown comfortable around you I can lie around like this..." she mumbled lazily, fighting the light tugs on her wrist. "Max... stop it. You're hurting me now."

His expression died as he froze. He was hurting her? She was the laziest person to claim she was hurting.

"Seriously..." he clicked his tongue, unable to look at her, knowing what would welcome his eyes — her legs. "Cozie."

"Please Cozie. I was wrong for pulling you inside here and on the bed," she dawdled while shaking her finger, even though he wasn't looking.

"Please, Cozie. I was wrong for pulling you inside this room and on the bed to shut you up with your nonsense," he repeated reluctantly, making her giggle.

Cosette helped herself up, sitting beside him. A deep exhale escaped her nostrils, seeing he was avoiding looking at her at all costs. Without her knowing, she was smiling subtly.

Unlike what he was portrayed in the novel, the young Maxen was a gentleman.

If this was ten years later, if he was still a villain, he would surely take advantage of the situation. After all, Maxen would do it with the female lead anywhere: in the car, in the dressing room, on the rooftop, and just anywhere he pleased when he was aroused. This was with or without the female lead's consent.

Knowing this difference, her heart warmed up.

'I feel a little at ease,' she thought, mentally nodding. 'I don't think he will turn into that heartless villain who will violate a woman mercilessly. We're doing a good job and having progress here.'

While Maxen was wondering why she was looking at him without moving, his eyes dilated shortly. His breath hitched, looking back at her on instinct, touching his cheek where she planted a mild peck.

"You..." he trailed off when she smiled warmly at him.

"That's your reward and mine too, for doing a good job as a team." Cosette sprung up from the bed and winked at him. "Be good. I'm off to join the girls. Don't stay cooped up in this room or I will bring everyone here."

Cosette looked back at him when she was by the door, hands on the jamb and doorknob. "You know I hate it when you are excluding yourself. See you!" She flashed him a bright smile before closing the door.

Maxen stared at the door blankly for minutes, wondering what had just happened. He raised his hand to his cheek once again. He could still feel the warmth and soft texture of her lips on his skin, painting his face with beet red.

"What just happened...?" he murmured and his eyes shook, recalling her triumphant attitude when she left the room. "A reward...? For good teamwork?"

Just what kind of teamwork had they been doing? Was it because he was putting up with Luke? Or was it that he was lenient toward her? Perhaps it was his babysitting job? Either way, he didn't know he would gain more rewards aside from having a little comfort in life because of her.

"That girl..." He buried his face in his large palm to hide his blush, not knowing the tip of his ear was as red as a tomato. "... really knows how to tame a dog. Was she always like that? Damn it, Max. Don't look forward to more rewards."

It was too late because in his head now, he wanted more rewards. After all this practice to conduct himself decently, she would do something that would break all that, bringing chaos to his heart.

'She brought this upon herself.'

******

When Cosette left the room, she didn't leave immediately. Instead, she stood in front of the door with her back against it, hands on the knob. The side of her lips curled up, recalling Maxen's expression when she winked at him.

"He can be so cute too," she mumbled, giggling at the thought. "Who would have thought teasing him like that is a good way to catch him off guard?"

Cosette shook her head as she let go of the door handle and marched through the hallway. Although she hadn't had her first kiss experience, Cosette found out something interesting. She was certain she was this confident and comfortable with Maxen after living under the same roof for months.

Although he would usually ignore her whenever she would follow him around the house like a tail, she figured she had to step up on her game. After all, they were already past the critical stage. Maxen already lived in the Blac residence and their relationship improved significantly. He wouldn't turn into a monster so easily, so she could be at ease and create more memories with him without having to tread on thin ice.

"Cozie!" she snapped her eyes when she heard Luke's voice the second she stepped foot into the mansion's lobby.

Cosette smiled and skipped her steps, joining him on the couch where he was lazing around. Luke grinned before showing her something on his phone.

"Look at this." Luke handed her the phone and played a video of his classmates having fun in the pool. Cosette chuckled when the camera caught Fay talking, only to trip into the pool for no reason. How she fell into the pool wasn't the funny part, but how Fay looked like when she emerged from underwater.

"Ahh... they're already having fun." Cosette raised her eyes at him and urged. "Why are you here? We should join them."

Luke chuckled and waved. "I'm fine. I'll join you guys later."

"Huh?" she cocked her head to the side and blinked twice. "Is there something wrong?"

"Nah... I'm just lazy and prepares to relax for a bit."

"Ohh..." Cosette rocked her head in understanding and studied his face. He wasn't telling her to stay, and it seemed Luke simply wanted to sit in here after the long trip. So when he refused to go with her to join others in the pool for the second time, Cosette didn't force him and went on her way.

Luke stared at her figure as she headed to the pool area until she was gone. He then focused on his phone, complaining to his father about Asher's presence. Knowing his brother, he didn't want his friends to feel uncomfortable, since Asher was someone who liked to kill the mood. Moreover, Asher could just stay in a hotel so he wouldn't get annoyed by the noise they were making and they would make.

And then ranted to Asher next.

While Luke bombarded Asher's inbox with reasons he should stay away, Luke heard voices from across the lobby. When he raised his head, his mouth fell open.

There was a group of damped teenage boys and girls who were grinning back at him. In front of them was Cosette, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Baptize him," she ordered like a villainess, and like cult members, everyone rushed to him and carried him to the pool where they would throw him. His phone was left on the couch, and his dismay about Asher's presence was soon forgotten as they forced Luke to join in the fun.

Little did he know, Cosette was left in the lobby and picked up his phone, only to see the unpleasant text messages between Luke and Asher.