Devil Doesn't Bargain (Completed)

Chapter 12: Do You Know How Beautiful You Are?

"You'll never love yourself
half as much as I love you
And you'll never treat yourself
right darling, but I want you to
If I let you know, I'm here for you
Maybe you'll love yourself
like I love you, oh
And I've just let these little things
slip out of my mouth
'Cause it's you, oh, it's you
It's you, they add up to
And I'm in love with you
And all these little things"

~*~

I sat at the table, staring in disbelief at Macau and Vegas, whom Grandma had seated next to. I did not understand why they both appeared so suddenly, and the last words only confused my mind. No, I didn't believe Vegas loved me. I had no reason to accept his words, I just didn't understand why he decided to lie like that. What happened after they released him from hospital? Why does he look so pale? He should eat something decent, maybe I'll prepare a bath for him, I have a feeling he should lie down... No! Don't give up, Pete. Don't make a fool out of yourself again. Remember what he wrote, what he thinks about you.

"Yaa, remember, Vegas likes spicy food but for Macau make something delicate, maybe an egg?" I said in southern accent knowing that neither brother would understand it.

Do you want me back? We'll see how much, I'm sure you'll get away from here after your first bite, bastard. I wanted to curse him loudly, but I settled of doing it in my head as he didn't seem to have fully recovered yet. Eyes automatically looked at his scar, and I wondered how much he had suffered during this time.

"Does it hurt?" I asked involuntarily, and he looked at me with beaming eyes, not expecting from me to speak to him.

"No, not anymore," he admitted, rubbing the reddened area gently. "Since I see you, nothing hurts me anymore."

I rolled my eyes at that outright lie, and Macau next to me did the same.

"Huh, that was pathetic," he muttered, shaking his head, and I wanted to laugh at his words.

I didn't do it though, not wanting Vegas to think he was winning. Until I know what he really needs, I won't show anything that I truly feel. He had no right to rummage in my head or heart, never again.

Soon after, my grandmother brought the food, and after the first bite, I knew that if Vegas didn't run away, he will not come back alive. Out of the corner of my eye I watched his reaction. He scooped up a large spoonful of food and put it in his mouth, then his eyes suddenly became as large as saucers. I had the impression that all pale color of his skin was turning red and beads of sweat appeared on forehead.

"What's wrong, honey?" Grandma asked, but I assured her it's nothing on behalf of Vegas and all three of us watched as yaa went to her bedroom.

"God," Vegas whispered, grabbing his glass of water, and immediately choking, feeling now an even stronger burning in his throat.

I pretended not to care about his condition, but as I saw him clutch at his stomach and take deep breaths as if to calm down, I took the plate from his face, shoving a glass of milk.

"Drink this," I said, and he immediately tilted the cup, gulping down every drop.

Macau was laughing under his breath as he watched his brother in a crisis, and I began to worry about what could happen when someone fresh from the hospital started eating such spicy food. I was stupid to want to take it out on him like that, and even if he deserved suffering, it was definitely not the best idea for it.

I grabbed a handkerchief, soaking it in cold water, and I put it to his burning forehead, when Vegas slowly reached for my hand, then put it to his mouth. I felt a brush on my wrist and I couldn't take my eyes away from his gaze. I knew lost tear was running down my cheek, I knew my heart was beating like crazy, and he could sense it. I knew he would definitely use it against me, but time stopped for a brief moment and it was just us, no one else.