Ruin My Life ↡ Caius Volturi

Chapter Four

She loves deeply, regardless of the love she gets in return, and it is both her greatest strength and her biggest weakness.

CHAPTER FOUR©

Mania | Caius

As Leah entered my bedroom and sat down on the edge of my bed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me.

The way she was looking at me, with that suspicious little smile playing on her lips, immediately set my nerves on edge.

I knew my sister all too well - there was always some ulterior motive lurking beneath the surface whenever she had that particular expression on her face.

"What do you want, Leah?" I asked cautiously, my eyes narrowing as I studied her intently.

I could tell she was up to something, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it before agreeing to whatever scheme she had cooked up.

"So, how are you feeling today?" she replied, that infuriating smile still firmly in place.

I let out a soft sigh, already anticipating the headache I could feel building behind my eyes.

Leah had a way of getting under my skin like no one else, and I braced myself for the inevitable battle of wills that was about to ensue.

"I'm feeling fine, why?" I answered, my tone clipped and guarded.

I wasn't about to let my guard down, not when I knew Leah was clearly up to something. She had that glint in her eye, the one that told me she was planning something, and I had a sinking feeling I wasn't going to like it.

"Oh, you know," she said airily, waving a dismissive hand. "I was just wondering if we could go shopping for baby stuff, you know - clothes, toys, that sort of thing." She paused, her smile widening. "Etcetera."

I felt my shoulders tense as the words registered. Shopping? For baby stuff? My mind raced, trying to make sense of what she was saying. Was she...? No, it couldn't be. Surely she wasn't suggesting what I thought she was.

"Leah, I don't like shopping," I said flatly, cutting her off before she could say anything else.

I knew exactly where this was going, and I had no intention of going along with it. I'd done the whole baby shopping thing before, and it was not an experience I was eager to repeat.

"Come on, Mania," Leah pressed, her tone taking on a slightly wheedling quality. "Are you really going to wait until the last minute to buy everything for the baby?" She fixed me with a pointed look, her eyebrows raised in a silent challenge.

I felt my jaw tighten as I held her gaze, unwilling to back down. "No, I am not," I said firmly, my voice brooking no argument. I had everything under control, thank you very much, and I didn't need Leah's help - or her constant interference - to get it done.

"Good," Leah said, seeming unfazed by my resistance. "Now, let's go shopping. I've never gone shopping for baby clothes before, and I want to spoil my niece."

I could feel the beginnings of a headache starting to throb at my temples as I listened to her, my frustration mounting.

Of course Leah would want to go shopping for the baby - she was always sticking her nose where it didn't belong, and this was just the latest example of her meddling.

I opened my mouth to protest, to tell her in no uncertain terms that I had no intention of going shopping with her, but before I could get the words out, she was reaching for my hand, pulling me to my feet.