Company Theft

Chapter 4 Winter Wing

After Winter left Caden in the garden, she went to go read in the game room. It seems like an odd place to read, but it was quiet and no one would disturb her here. The book she was reading was one of pain, grief, and romance. The main character reminded her of... herself.

"Pride and Prejudice, huh? One of my favorites. A tale of romance and heartbreak, but ends with the couple being closer than ever," Romeo said. He was leaning on the side of the door frame with his arms crossed. The sudden sound made Winter jump. This reaction made Romeo chuckle.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," Romeo said with a certain gentleness to his voice that made Winter blush. Winter was looking at Romeo with a look of confusion. Of course, Romeo's sister was one of the smartest people she knew, but she thought that Romeo wouldn't want to follow in his sister's footsteps. Romeo must have noticed, because he gave a low chuckle.

"I see how it is. You want to give me the test. See if the guy who lives in the house with thousands of books knows his stuff. Trust me. With a sister like Abigall, I had to read a book every week. I didn't mind, though. Reading is... soothing." Winter's eye's widened as soon as he said this. Winter couldn't believe that Romeo had picked up on her doubts that he had actually read. Winter decided that changing the subject was probably for the best.

"So... about Abigall. She seems to be pretty sweet. I mean I loved my grandfather, and I had thought that the person he stole from would be terrible. Though Abigall is... really sweet. She seems to really love you," Winter hadn't meant this to be mean, but to her dismay, Romeo frowned. Winter was about to apologize, but Romeo beat her to it.

"Don't apologize. I know you were going to. Abigall is more than a sister to me. My Mom died when I was really young, and when she died Abigall did everything for me. My dad was alive at the time, but he was always away on work. Abigall took on more responsibility than any eight year old should ever have to bear. I know it seems terrible, but I don't even remember my mom. The only one that truly took care of me is Abigall," Romeo said with a softness to his voice that made Winter's heart melt.

This is the first time that Winter noticed how truly beautiful Romeo is. He had dirty blonde hair, and flawless skin. Winter did a double take when she saw his arm. His arm had something written in Greek on it. Winter wasn't her brother though. She had studied different languages.

"The greater your capacity to feel love, the greater your capacity is to feel pain," I mutter under my breath. That's what his tattoo says. As soon as I said that Romeo's eyes widened. Then he smiled a sweet smile that made Winter's heart melt in her chest.

"You know how to speak Japanese, huh? Captiosus puella," Romeo said. Winter blushed at him calling her a smart girl in Greek. Romeo removed himself from the shelf, and he walked over to where where she sat. He sat down next to her, and removed hair out of her face.

"You're beautiful. Even more so when you blush like that," Romeo said in a soothing voice. He looked her in the eyes, and did something that made Winter scared to death. He hugged her. She didn't understand why until he said he was sorry for her grandfather's death. They stayed like that for a while. Romeo's arms were wrapped around Winter's small frame. Much to Winter's dismay he let go of her.

"Do you know how to play billiards?" He asked. To which Winter nodded her head to say no. Without hesitation he grabbed her hand, and he pulled her to the pool table. He took out a pool stick and handed it to her. She took it, but looked at it like it was an alien.

"I don't know..." She started to say, but before she could Romeo smiled at her. He walked over to her. guided her hands to put them in the right place to shoot the pool ball.

"Here, put your hand right there and pull back. Then shoot," Romeo said as he guided her hands to put them in the right place to shoot the pool ball. Winter watched as the ball went into the basket. Winter screamed out in delight. Romeo looked at the giddy teenager with a light smile on his face. Winter turned around to see Romeo, and she leaned her lower back against the pool table. She watched as Romeo took a step forward, and he lifted her chin up with his hands.

Then he pressed his lips to hers. Winter felt the butterflies in her stomach. She had only known Romeo for a day, but she felt connected to him. Almost like a vine was tying them together. The first few seconds were bliss, but then Romeo pulled away.

"I'll see you later, Winter," Romeo said with smirk. Winter looked at him with confusion. She watched him stop at the door and turn around. He gave her a quick wink, and walked out the door.

"What?!" Winter yelled in exasperation,"That's it. Ugh! I hate you, Romeo." Unknown to Winter, Romeo was walking down the hall with a very faint smirk visible on his features.