My Words Are Law

Testing (2)

So she says but, how come she's still here? 

"It's hot. Drink carefully." Chryses uttered as he placed a steaming hot choco in front of her. She had prayed he would move away quickly but he ruthlessly crushed her hopes when he leaned by the breakfast table, standing closely beside Amaryllis who was trying to blend in the background to the best of her ability. 

The content of the cup smelled sweet, awakening the hunger from the depths of her stomach. It was a total opposite of the bitter atmosphere he was radiating. She licked her lips nervously as she glanced up at him. Chryses didn't really say anything to reveal his thoughts after she answered his last question. He only muttered a generic "I see," before opening the door and asking her politely to follow him in the kitchen.  

The rays of the sun crept in the interior, tinting the originally white walls orange. It doesn't look so cold anymore, but the absence of people, save for the two quiet persons, made the unit feel desolate. 

Chryses took a sip of his drink and paused as he looked into the distance. Seeing this, Amaryllis also turned to her own cup and was just about to drink when a large hand covered the rim of the mug. His fingers had slightly grazed her lips, sending her limbs jolting in surprise. She'd almost even spilled the contents of the cup straight to her lap. Fortunately, Chryses had a firm grip and had smoothly placed it back on the counter. 

"Not good." He muttered with a serious expression on his face. 

"N-not good..?" She looked at the hot choco in confusion. What's not good? The temperature? The cup..? The taste?  She was positive all of the above wouldn't matter to her, and surely something that smells so sweet won't taste bad. She gulped hungrily, before fixing a bewildered gaze on Chryses. 

"There's something in it." He finally explained as he lowered his cup, placing it beside hers. "It seems someone has tampered with my drinking water. Or maybe even... the sugar." He glanced at the tiny container sitting at the open shelf beside the cupboards.  

Amaryllis' eyes widened in shock then panic as she quickly defended herself. "It wasn't me!" 

He returned his attention to the the skittish woman sitting in front of him. When she proceeded to sputter vowels in panic, he crossed his arms and stared at her thoughtfully.   

"It really... isn't me...!" Even when she'd finally succeeded in getting her words across, Chryses' demeanor didn't change. His piercing amber eyes never left her. Not until his phone rang.

He quickly answered it.

Amaryllis released a breath, thankful for the distraction as she crossed her fingers on her lap, pulling at them once in a while as she glanced at their cups. What was in it..? And how would he know so quickly..?

It doesn't really matter if it's true or not. If he says it is, then it is. She chewed on her lower lip, taking the chance to rack her brain in finding alibis to prove her innocence while his attention is still elsewhere.

"...The deal is over." His tone was cold as ice. The other person must have dealt him a great offense to be able to open pandora's box. There was a chill down her spine and she felt herself cower unconsciously. Shaking her head, she concentrated on gathering substantial proof to get herself out of the precarious situation. This is no time to eavesdrop on a useless conversation. 

Maybe... if there are cctvs installed, she could ask him to check that out... What else..? 

Chryses glanced at her before turning around. "I don't like repeating myself, Mr. Yoon... It was nice having business with you, but this is the end of our relationship. Have a good day." 

His words may seem polite but the way he delivered them had a different edge. It was his tone, and his upright posture. And the way he was laxly skimming his fingers on the rim of Amaryllis' cup. 

It sounded like a death sentence.

He sighed and when he finally turned to her, he was donning a smile. She was taken a back by it, but found herself anxiously trying to return it. 

"...If there are CCTVs, the recording will prove that I'm not the culpri-" 

"I know." He cut her off. 

She frowned. "You... know?" 

He nodded. 

"What do you..." She paused, rearranging her thoughts, before speaking again. "You know that I'm not the one who put something weird... in your water...? Or sugar..?" She asked. 

He nodded again. 

"...Why didn't you tell me, then?" She felt wronged. Was he just toying with her then?

He chuckled, amused at her reaction. "You were the one who was quick to defend yourself as if I've already implicated you."

The words that were bubbling in her throat quickly subsided.

She certainly couldn't refute that. It's true. He didn't say it was her. She only assumed he would put the blame on her. Amaryllis was so sure... She forgot, she'd told him not to do anything to her a while ago. 

"My bad..." She mumbled. 

"Anyway, I'm sorry I won't be able to offer you anything to eat as I'm completely clueless if there are any more of... such things."

"Yes, of course. I completely understand..." Awkward...

"Well then..." He eyed her for a bit before resuming, "Go home for now. Let's continue the project another day."

Finally! "Yes! I was just thinking of doing that." She stood up enthusiastically, ready to go and pack her things.

He was about to say something when his phone rang again. "Hm... I need to take this call. Go get your things. I'll wait here to see you out."

She nodded, almost flying back to the study.

When she came back, ready and excited, she spotted Chryses sorting through the pile of documents in the living room. There was a sheen of sweat beading his forehead and he was frowning more than usual. It wasn't hot in the unit so it was impossible to perspire in such a short while. She paused in her tracks and observed him for a while. 

He didn't seem to notice her watching him as the paper fell out of his hands. With eyes screwed shut, he took a deep breath. 

"Are you ready?" He suddenly spoke, surprising her. So he did notice her, after all. 

"Yes, but... Are you okay..?" Despite the things he did to her, Amaryllis was genuinely worried for him. She isn't stone-cold as to ignore a fellow human being suffering in front of her. She took slow and careful steps towards him. He may be really telling the truth a while ago. 

Realizing the gravity of the situation, she followed up with another question. It was obvious he wasn't feeling well. The physiological changes were too drastic. What if he drank something fatal? "Do you need to go to the hospital?" 

"No." He was quick to reject her question. Finally opening his eyes, he looked up at her. "It isn't as serious as it looks. I'll be fine, but thank you." He smiled up at her as he stood up. 

"...I see." She wanted to say otherwise, but their relationship wasn't that deep. She was, at least smart, to keep her arguments to herself with people she wasn't close to. And that was especially for complicated people like Chryses. 

"Let's go. I'll see you to the door." He kept smiling at her, seemingly wanting to reassure her, but it was clear she wasn't convinced. Especially when a drop of sweat rolled down to his chin. She nodded, however, but when they reached the door, she shoved him an unopened bottle of water. 

"I bought two today... The seal is still there so there's no way I was able to put something inside." 

He held it firmly as he stared down at her, looking surprised. Amaryllis ducked her head in embarrassment.  "Well... That's all. Thank you for today. I'm leaving now." She added without pause before quickly walking to the end of the hall. 

***

A/N: My laptop died. Bless its soul. 😭 I'll try to make do with my dying smartphone. Lol.

Have a nice day, everyone!