The Edge of Us

Twelve

"His game becomes ours."

***

Days passed tortouosly, after we ate dinner Alex made his way back to his office right before I had put my utensils down. My mind agatating against Alex's silence. He's been acting weird since he came. I mean yes, it's his usual distant aura yet it's really not so him.

When afternoon came, I found myself limply trading the hallway unto his room. Not knowing what to say. As I was about to twist the knob, hesitation whispered.

Should I ask him now?
Maybe he needs reminder like normal people do, right? So, I guess. I should do it.

Okay! Fine. I shouldn't.

God. This is not helping!

I chastise myself for a second before barging in. Slowing down my pacing like I have the time of my life, slam the door with a soft click. I had noticed Alex's eyes peeked out at me.

"What brings you here?" I bit my lower lip trying to brew things up.

"Honestly, I don't know." Woah. That makes me less reserved, isn't it? "So, how's everything?" I played cool. Pretending to be curious about the abstract painting in front of me.

Alex sends me a weird look. Like he's seeing me for the first time.
Yeah, more like I feel right now - to myself.

"Just when do I get your interest?"

Since you welcomed me to this another monotonic life.

Of course I didn't say that out loud. Wise man's rule number 1, remember not to piss your prey when they have what you badly needed. Instead, a smile crack on my lips and my eyes refocus on the    gigantesque painting which is located at the left side where Alex's desk sitted.

Pinasadahan ko ng haplos ang frame nito. At first, it doesn't catch my interest but now that I look closely at it - Is this some kind of an art lang ba o hindi talaga natapos ang painting na 'to? Nakapinta rito ang may maamong mukha ng babae na yakap sa likod ng lalaki na hindi pa nabubuo ang pangkalahatang hitsura nito. This painting definitely holds the whole room despite its eccentric visual impression.

I was so vexed on it not until Alex spoke.

"Intention." His deep voice made me jerked. "Let the cat out, Kitten." He narrowed his eyes on me.

I practically rolled my eyes back at how he managed to read me right now. Bringing my arms across my chest, I lamely drag myself forward and sit myself in the seat in front of him. We stared at each other for a moment before a smirk drawn on his deliciously sinful plum thin lips. An I-knew-it kind of smirk though.

As if Alex sense my unattered question, he spoke first.
"I have considered the point of letting you work for me... but it doesn't mean that I am returning the favor like how you put it." I internally jerked upon hearing his sudden statement, my mind altered of what should I react. Then decided to which earned the most percentage of how I feel right now. Confused. Yet overwhelmed by joy.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay, indicating question.
"Kung hindi ito ang way of returning favor mo. What do you call this then?"

His upper lip twitch upwards.
"Just to remind you, Kitten, the reason why you are still breathing freely right now is because of me. In retrospect, you're the one who owes me a favor and not the other way around."