Book 2: Seven Demon's Hearts

Episode 41: Surveillance

Episode 41: S u r v e i l l a n c e

"Oh," Aiko's eyes widened and he froze up. "It's Sera!" 

Natella quickly sensed the dangerous hatred she had for him and stayed close to Aiko, glancing at her to notice any changes.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sera repeated, glaring at Aiko. "And you? You'd be the last person that'd get invited to a house party." Sera turned her attention to Natella who was starting to irk her for some reason. It was probably because she always found those two losers together way too often, and she already disliked one of them a lot.

"That doesn't concern you." Natella kept her reply short, getting under Sera's skin. "Instead of questioning me, shouldn't you be taking care of him? Is he not your cousin?"

"Well, that doesn't concern you." Sera scoffed, feeding Natella's words right back at her. Yet the girl grew worried and angered. With the way Aiko spoke of his family, she was starting to understand that he didn't get so much love.

"How could you even stand being so mean to him? He's not a stranger. You all clearly seem to be mistreating Aiko and it's seriously disgusting."

"I already told you," Sera stepped up to her, facing her directly, "that it doesn't concern you. If you care so much about him, you can keep him. I heard you're quite rich yourself. He'll probably cling on to you of course, just like all your fake friends have."

"You're such a bloody bitch!" Natella boiled. "You insult him like you have no idea how pure Aiko's intentions are. Not everyone is a twisted human being like you and your friends, just to let you know. But you'd care more about that stupid boyfriend of yours than your own family, so I'm not really expecting much from you."

Sera's face twisted up with shock and anger. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me."

"Please don't fight..." Aiko groaned, stepping in between them.

"Stay out of this!" They both snapped at him.

"Hey babe, what's up?" Wonho stopped at the top of the staircases, his eyes quickly changing as he scanned over Aiko and Natella. "Why are you hanging out with these losers? I'm surprised they're even in here."

"They were just in my way." Sera's eyes locked onto Natella's in a private challenge.

"Want me to get rid of them for you?" He snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"No, forget about it." Sera sighed and turned her face away. She at least didn't forget how little Aiko could control his powers. Wonho, a normal human, shouldn't be involved in their mess. After all, she promised herself that she'd build up a normal life with him.

"But he keeps staring at you like he has something to say." Wonho frowned, looking at Aiko's flustered face. His eyes were dancing around and his hair was disheveled from his own constant nervous head pats.

"I don't care anymore. Let's just go. I want to have fun with you, not worry about some losers." Sera forcibly turned Wonho away back down the stairs.

Aiko slid down to the floor and buried his face into his hands. Natella, still taking time to cool down, finally sighed and crouched down beside him.

"She hates me."

"Why does it matter so much if she likes your or not, Aiko?" Natella was getting frustrated over how hard he was trying to appeal to someone who couldn't even stand the thought of him. Why was he not able to see how much she pushes him away?