Babysitters

Chapter 20

VERONICA VALDEZ

"—So you understood everything wrong. No wonder you were so upset." Enzo finally finished his speech. At this point I was actually gaping at him, my eyes wide due to the realization.
"So—so the girl is me? Theo likes me?" I choked out. My throat was dry and I had a hard time speaking. I had misunderstood everything. I think I've never been happier to be wrong about something.
"Damn girl, you're whipped," Enzo snorted. "I just told you that you have an arranged marriage coming up and all you care is that Theo likes you?"
I took a deep breath and looked around the room, trying to gather my thoughts. He's right, I should be worrying till my poor little brain collapses right now, but all I could think about was Theo. Nothing else mattered.
I was wrong.
I was wrong.
I was wrong.
"Has he said anything about me?" I managed to ask. I could still be wrong about being wrong.
Enzo shifted his position on the bed as his eyes lingered on my face. "Who? Theo?"
"Yeah. Has he?"
"Are you sure you want to talk about this instead of the mar—"
I cut him off impatiently. "Yes, I don't care about Tom or this stupid marriage right now, just answer my question!"
"Alright, um—" Enzo pondered what to say for a moment. "Yeah, when he came home that day he was mad. Like really mad. He said a lot of stuff, but he has talked about you in general even before that."
My ears perked up. "What has he said?"
Enzo smirked and raised his index finger in front of his lips. "Let's just say—nothing negative."
"Oh come on," I pouted. "Tell me. Please."
"Can't break a promise," Enzo just replied and ran a hand through his hair. "Especially not one I made to one of my best friends."
I rolled my eyes and looked at the time on my phone. It was already seven, soon it'd be dinner time. Now that Enzo had revealed the whole truth to me seeing Theo again didn't sound too bad. But I also promised Enzo I wouldn't tell anyone I knew and I wasn't about to break that promise.
"No, but seriously Ver', what do you think of the whole marriage thing?" Enzo asked, peering at me under the dark hair that had fallen from his forehead in front of his eyes.
"I—I don't know. Maybe I'll just refuse to do it," I shrugged. To be honest, I didn't even want to think about the whole thing. But I knew one thing for sure; I would not be marrying Tom. I absolutely refuse to. Besides the fact that he's the next Dark Lord, he creeps me out. He's so... intense. About everything. He never fails. He puts all of him into everything he does and doesn't ask questions or opinions from anyone. We're so different that even if I was interested in him—which I'm not—we'd probably never work out. I can't see myself having a future with him.
Enzo let out a sharp breath that could be considered a muffled laugh. "Refuse? No, no no no, you've got it wrong. Your father has made a deal with Voldemort. You can't refuse him, I'm sure you know what he's capable of. He could put you and everyone you love in danger with no remorse whatsoever."
"Can we please talk about this later? It's making me anxious and right now I just want to go talk to Theo. Do you think it's a good idea?" I studied the oh-so-interesting-wrinkles-on-the-sheets as I spoke.
"Obviously. Do you have any idea how much Theo has talked about you and grieved over the fact that you're going to marry one of his best friends?"
I glanced at him. "Really?"
Enzo shook his head in amusement. "Girl, are you serious? He looks like he's lost a family member."
"Oh." I didn't realize this must've affected Theo too if he really is into me. No wonder he wanted to tell me about it, but since Voldemort had prohibited it he couldn't do so. Now I also understand better what the fight was about between Mattheo and Theo. Mattheo wanted to be loyal to his father and to keep his best friend safe. The dots are finally just connecting in my head, but I can't help but wonder if there's still something I don't know.

***

I peeked through the door that was slightly open, hoping to catch even a glimpse of the familiar tall frame with the most beautiful eyes known to man.
But no. He's not here either.
How hard can it be to find a person inside a mansion?
Newsflash: hard.
I turned away from the door, once again. The feelings of frustration and disappointment were starting to get to me, and I started considering about going back to my room and talking to him after dinner. I would've obviously checked his room, if only I knew where it was. I'd never visited any of the boys rooms, and I had no idea if they were close together or on the opposite sides of the manor. Of course, I could snoop around—as if I don't do that enough—and try to just go through the whole place, but if I was caught doing it I'd probably get in trouble.