The Firefly

28°

The ride back to the villa was pleasant, especially when I felt my muscles warm up in the warmth inside the facility.

We both agreed that a nice hot shower would not hurt.

Someone rang the doorbell just as I went down the last step of the villa's grand staircase.

-I'll go!- I shouted, running to the door, knowing very well who it was.

And indeed, once I opened the door, I immediately saw Leda's smile appear on the threshold.

She hugged me and then handed me an envelope smiling happily.

-Open it at Christmas.- She ordered me as I handed her my gift.

-Make sure you are doing the same.- She nodded as she looked at the curious pink envelope. Nathan still hadn't told her anything so I didn't venture to open my mouth.

-I heard about your brother anyway.- She began suddenly.

-Esther was right to kick him out of the house.- She said raising her voice, I signaled her to lower it by pointing to Jake sitting in the living room on the big white couch as he read and, sure enough, listened to us as well.

She watched him for a few seconds and when she realized who he was she almost choked me.

-Why would you ask me to find you a boyfriend if you have that Greek god in the house?- She croaked, pointing at him as if she had just seen something even more spectacular than an Northern Lights.

-Quiet!- I glowered at her when I saw a small smile appear on the lips of the boy who had obviously heard every word.

-How's it going with Axel, by the way?- She asked me, lowering the tone of her voice, although it was still audible to Jake.

-We texted again and maybe we'll hang out again after the vacations.- I felt the tips of my ears redden as I thought back to our first meeting.

He was a really charming guy; I had been lucky to meet him.

Jake forcefully closed the book as he stood up, and both Leda and I jerked up staring at him.

When he passed by us I approached him automatically, offering him my arm, but he abruptly shook me away.

-Now stay with your friend.- He said in an arrogant tone and then went on and passed us with indifference.

Leda looked at me confused already ready to start a fight.

-Has he always treated you this way?- I shook my head to reassure her, but she glowered at him anyway.

-Do you think Mattew and Esther will talk to each other anymore?- She asked me thoughtfully sitting comfortably on the kitchen stool intent on sipping Coca-Cola.

-I don't know, it will certainly be quite a while before they see each other again.- I rested my elbows on the counter supporting my face with my palms.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed the model making his entrance into the room. -Make me a coffee, Brat.- He ordered without any real expression as with his cane he found an empty stool.

I glowered at him as my peer's fingers stiffened around the can.

-Listen you, how dare you...-

-Leda, drop it.- I shook my head.

I was getting on my nerves that sudden attitude of his, especially after what I had done for him.
-It's not worth wasting time on an arrogant guy like that.-

He seemed to pretend he hadn't heard, but I saw his fingers tighten around the white cane.

-Treat her with respect.- Leda told him between her teeth as I turned to prepare the boy's drink.

He merely raised an eyebrow accompanied by his classic grimace.

-And you show respect to me, as well.- Emphasizing every single word, Leda made to get up and throw the can at him.

-Both of you stop it!- I blurted out, turning around and observing their astonished faces.

-Drink what you have to drink and knock it off, I already have a headache of my own and I don't intend to look after you as one should with children!- I continued noisily placing the coffee cup in front of that arrogant model's nose.

I was getting hives from those mood swings of his. Proud of my rant I let go on the stool next to my friend who kept glaring at the boy.

I had the thoughtless thought of leaving and taking refuge in my room but it was not the case to leave them to alone, unless the next day I wanted to find myself in a small, dark room being questioned about a manslaughter case in an imposing mansion in Pacific Heights.

Almost certainly charged with concealment of a corpse, but that was only on the assumption that it was Leda who choked the boy with her bare hands and not the other way around.

-You seem to have a slight cold, you know?- She pointed out in a low voice, trying to change the subject. I nodded, playing with a lock of my hair.

-We went to the ice rink by bike this afternoon.- I grabbed a packet of tissues and blew my nose.

-Ah so you needed the bike for that.- She reflected in a low voice, ticking her fingernail on the counter.

-Could you kindly stop that?- Blurted out the annoyed model, a sly smile appeared on the girl's face.

She began ticking even faster with all her fingers.

Jake clenched his sharp jaw, getting up abruptly and backing away a little clumsily.

Leda watched him walk away smugly.

-Was that really necessary?-

-Didn't you feel the atmosphere calmer already?- she asked wryly with a jolt when a door in the distance was heard slamming.

-Now he'll be nervous all evening.- I complained burying my face in my crossed arms on the counter.

-How can you still work for him?- She asked casting a sour look in the direction he had taken moments earlier.

-He pays well and...-

-And what?- She interrupted me. -I thought that was the only reason.-

-And I admit I've grown rather fond of him.- I confessed impatiently. Her astonished face made me laugh.

-He is not always so short-tempered, at least with me he has more regard.- I specified catching a stern glare.

We looked fixedly into each other's eyes only to hear my friend's stomach growl.

-Would you like to have dinner here?- I proposed, raising my head slightly.

-With that one there? Absolutely not and then this evening Vince and I need to talk.- She informed me bluntly.

-We need to talk some things out.- She enlightened me better by getting up listlessly and casting a quick glance at the clock on the wall.

-In fact, it's time for me to go. Good luck with the grumpy Greek god.-She joked before being escorted to the exit.

-Have a Merry Christmas.- She shouted to me before disappearing through the gate.