Blood In Rose

Chapter 11

I see Alfred with an explicitly unpleasant look which he has no intention to hide from me.

"Alfred..."
The moment I see him, I remember what I was trying to forget.
(... That I 'saw' us kissing.)
As soon as the scene replays in my mind, I am no longer able to look at him straight.
"I'm coming in."
I nod, keeping my eyes away from him.
In the corner of my eyes, I see Spade leave the room.
"So here he was..."
"You know him?"
"... He's the cat that lives here."
Saying that, Alfred turns to me. Then he suddenly looks shocked.
"What's this distance between us?"
"Distance?"
I say as if I didn't know what he is saying. But I do know what he means.
I had moved to the farthest corner of the room while he was seeing off Spade.
(I mean, I have no clue when that kiss is going to happen.)
(I'd better not get beat him.)
"You're afraid of me?"
"No, I'm not."
"Then why do you try to get away from me?"
Step by step, he closes in on me.
And I move back, step by step.
"Oof..."
(There's nowhere left to go...)

My back hits the wall, and I'm unable to move anymore.
"Oh, that's it?"
Alfred says, bored, inches away from me.
His hands slowly rest on my cheeks.
(They're so cold...)
While I'm surprised at how cold his hands are, Alfred's face come nearer and nearer.
(I-Is he going to kiss me...?)
I reflexively close my eyes tightly. But then I feel something hard touching my forehead.
"Alfred...?"
As I open my eyes, I find his face right in front of mine.
... Which would mean his forehead was touching my forehead.
(His forehead is so cool and soothing...)
(What is this feeling? His skin against mine is cool, and yet...)
"... You spoiled it."
"What? Alfred?"
I was almost about to feel cozy and heart-warned but that instant, Alfred leaves the room.
"What was that all about...?"
"He's not simple, is he..."