Chapter 6

I quietly took care of it. I put on a robe then brushed my teeth afterward. I took the white extra toothbrush. I know the toothbrush he uses is blue. As much as I love everything about him, I don't want to creep him out even more by using his toothbrush... Like I've said earlier, I have to take everything slow for the meantime... though I know I wasn't doing it right.

I wore Caius' T-shirt after that. It was huge for me; the hem reached my legs. I smiled widely as I smelled his scent through the shirt. I hugged myself and giggled. I can't believe this is happening.

I went out of the bathroom. I just swallowed and approached a table. I took Caius' comb that was placed there and started combing my hair. I kept staring at him while he was busy with what he was doing.

After I finished combing my hair, I approached the bed and sat on the edge, far from Caius' spot. I swallowed when he paused and looked at me. His forehead creased; his gaze fell to what I was wearing.

"Why are you wearing my shirt?" he asked, seemingly annoyed.

"I don't have my clothes with me," I murmured.

"That's not my problem anymore. I don't want anyone wearing my clothes." His jaw clenched.

I just nodded. I held the hem of the shirt and just simply took off the clothes I was wearing. "Okay. I don't mind sleeping naked," I said and handed him his shirt.

Caius immediately turned his gaze away from me. "Damn," I heard him hiss.

He stood up and threw the shirt back at me. "Fine! Fucking wear it!" he snapped.

I just smiled and put his clothes back on. I immediately smelled it once I wore it. I can smell his scent from it. I'm so happy.

"Thank you," I whispered and hugged myself.

Caius sighed and sat on the bed again. "This will be the last time, Luisa. I couldn't keep up with your pranks anymore... You're still my student, you should respect--"

I immediately cut him off. "I'm your wife now. I'm not just your student."

Caius looked at me. I tucked my hair behind my ears and stared at him too. I felt him freeze when he stared at me. My forehead slightly creased because he was staring so intently at me.

"W-why?" I asked, trying my best to calm my heart.

Caius avoided my gaze and cleared his throat. He stood up and took his laptop. "Sleep here. I'll sleep in the living room," he said, then he immediately stormed out of the room.

I just fell silent, not understanding what happened. I looked at Caius' wardrobe, where there was a large mirror attached. I froze when I noticed that my hair wasn't covering my face... my face was clearly visible.

I touched my cheek gently... Did seeing my face make him uncomfortable?

I stared at myself in the mirror. I look like I haven't slept for a fucking decade. My eyebags seemed to have gotten even deeper.

I sighed and massaged my temple. I probably hadn't slept for two hours yet. I can't count how many times I peeked at Caius in the living room. I want him to sleep beside me, but I couldn't force him. I always stopped whenever I looked at his peaceful sleeping face.

I shook my head and took another set of clothes from Caius' wardrobe. I went to the bathroom to take a bath. I almost stayed for an hour there; I enjoyed Caius' scent lingering in the air. I came out of the bathroom smelling almost like him again. I just smiled and combed my hair, then immediately left Caius' room.

I immediately smelled the fried rice he was cooking. I went straight to the kitchen. I found him cooking. I just bit my lower lip and stared at his back. He was just wearing a simple T-shirt and sweatpants, his hair was a bit messy, but he still had a strong presence.

"Caius... Good morning."

He turned his gaze at me. I bit the insides of my cheeks when our eyes met. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

He didn't say anything. He returned his attention to what he was cooking. I didn't say anything either and just sat down. I bowed my head and adjusted my hair. I used it to cover my face again. I think I'm no longer comfortable with my hair not covering my face.

When Caius finished cooking, he also sat across from me. He started eating after that. I blinked twice while staring at him. My cheeks heated when I realized that he only cooked for himself. There are rare moments that I was embarrassed, and this moment was included.

Caius stopped eating and looked at me. I bit my lower lip and tried to calm myself. Stay cool, stay cool, stay cool.

"If you want to eat, cook your own food," he said coldly then continued eating.

I gulped and nodded. "O-oh, yes."

I stood up and went to the kitchen counter. I just got instant coffee to make. I'm not really fond of eating breakfast. Coffee is enough for me. I don't eat much anyway. Sometimes I only eat once or twice a day.

I'm aware that my mental instability affects my eating habits. I'm aware that I'm mentally unstable. I'm aware my actions are not normal. I'm aware that I need mental help... but I really just don't care about it all.

Before I met Caius, I just wanted to die. When I met him, I realized I want to live for him. I gave my life to him... I know it's bad to depend on him this way, to use him to keep me sane... I'm sure I wasn't sane right now though. This is something that a sane person won't do.

My life was meaningless before he came. I don't believe in God, though if He's real, He just wasted a life on me... I was never loved my whole life. No one cared for me, not even my family. It's not that I cared for them anyway. I was just an apathetic bitch.

But when I met Caius, I was glad I'm alive. He's the only person I care about, the only person that I love... He's my life.

Caius glanced at me when I sat in front of him again. His forehead creased. He looked at the cup of coffee in front of me. "Coffee is your breakfast?" he asked.

I nodded. "I'm not fond of eating breakfast," I just whispered.

Caius didn't say anything, but he stood up and placed his plate in front of me. "Eat that," he just said, then left and went to his room.

I looked at the fried rice that was not even half-eaten. I smiled and touched both my cheeks. I stared at the fried rice for a long time before I decided to eat. I don't like eating breakfast, but if Caius cooks, I'll always eat.

It honestly tastes good. I know Caius can cook, but this is the first time I've tasted his cooking, aside from the burnt fried chicken last night. He's a good cook!

It took me a long time to finish eating because I really savored Caius' cooking... I stood up and washed the plate after I ate. I was about to enter his room, but I stopped when he came out. He's now wearing a white long-sleeve button-up shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was also neatly styled, and I could strongly smell his perfume, which was fragrant and not irritating to the nose.

He was about to leave but I held his wrist. I just pulled back when I felt an unfamiliar spark when our skin touched. I stared at him. "Are you going to campus now? You should have told me so we could go together," I just said.

Caius stared at me intently. "Are you fucking kidding me? Why the hell would I do that?" he asked in a cold tone. "Don't talk to me at the campus. Don't try to approach me. Don't even dare to look at me."

After saying that, he immediately turned his back on me and left. Instead of getting angry, I just smiled as I watched him leave... He can be rude and insult me, I won't get annoyed or complain.

I just went into the room and took my bag. I went home to my apartment first to change clothes. I called Papa's secretary afterward to arrange the marriage contract with Caius.

I quietly waited at the coffee shop near the campus. I looked at my watch. He's taking longer today... Maybe he's busy.

"Luisa!"

I turned my gaze at Neron Maravilla. He's my father's trusted secretary. He's kind and somehow, I consider him as my friend. He's the only person that acknowledged my existence... I think. He's really not bad. I hate all people in the world, but I don't hate Neron that much.

Neron sat on the chair and sighed. He wiped the sweat on his forehead using his handkerchief and smiled at me. "Hello, Luisa. I missed you."

Chapter 7

I remained emotionless. "I didn't miss you."

Neron chuckled. "I expected that... By the way, why did you call me? What do you need this time?"

I took the marriage contract from my bag and showed it to him. "Take care of that. It's easy for you, right?"

I saw how Neron's expression changed at the sight. He looked at me and gave a slight smile. "You're really serious about that Caius Lettiere guy, huh."

I nodded. "I did everything just to have him sign that... so please, take care of it for me."

Neron sighed and licked his lower lip. "Okay. You really know I can't say no to you... You're taking advantage of that." He gave me a small smile.

I stared at him. If I hadn't fallen for Caius, I'd probably be obsessing over him now. I had a crush on him during my teenage years. Neron is kind and handsome; he never treated me like a weirdo. But I know he's just kind to everyone. That's probably why my feelings for him didn't deepen.

For now, I see him as a friend, as someone I can trust. He knows about my weird obsession with Caius Lettiere, but he never judged me. He even helps me with everything I need.

"Thank you, Neron. Go on, you can leave now. Papa might find out you met with me," I just said.

I was about to stand up, but I stopped when Neron held my hand. My forehead creased at him. He just made a sad face and slightly pouted his lips. He acts like a child sometimes.

"We haven't seen each other for a long time, and you're leaving immediately? Let's talk first," he added.

I just nodded. "I don't have anything exciting to tell you though." I shrugged.

"I think this is exciting enough," he said and pointed at the marriage contract. "Tell me about it," he said and stared at me.

He slightly moved closer to me and fixed my bangs. I just let him as he gently tucked my hair behind my ear. He often does that when I talk to him.

"I want to see your eyes as you talk..." he smiled, "go ahead."

I just nodded and told him everything that I did to make Caius sign the paper. Neron just laughed the whole time as if he didn't find it weird. I'm honestly starting to think that he's not sane too. No sane person would find what I did funny. He's probably crazy too. Maybe he's just hiding it... Well, I honestly don't mind.

"You're crazy," Neron said, still laughing.

I just nodded. "I was quite desperate."

Neron just fell silent, but he kept staring at me. "Why did you even fall for him that hard?" he asked.

I was silent for a moment before answering. "Hmm... I don't know. Ever since he bought a cake for me three years ago, it felt like we have a connection. He looked at me that night in a way that no one did. That night, it felt like someone cared for me... it felt like I was loved," I murmured. I stared at my phone. Caius's picture was the screen lock there.

"Why are you thinking that way? There are people who care for you," Neron murmured. "I'm here. I care for you. Isn't that obvious?"

I looked at him. I rarely smile, but I gave him a small smile and nodded. "Hmm... I can feel it. I care for you too... a little," I mumbled.

Neron chuckled and touched his nape. "Well, thanks for that."

I nodded. "If you need help, I'll try to help you too. Do you have someone that you like?" I asked him.

Neron flinched. He chuckled awkwardly and touched his nape. "I don't have time for that, to be honest."

"Your life is boring. You should stop serving my father and just be my slave instead," I said and shrugged.

Neron laughed. "What would you pay me?"

"My husband is rich," I mumbled.

"Too bad, your relationship with him is quite forced."

I rolled my eyes. "Why are you still working for Papa anyway? You're hella rich."

"I'm not rich. That's my parents' money," he defended.

"Your parents are dead. Their riches are yours now," I said as if it was nothing.

Neron just laughed at me. He's already used to my way of speaking anyway.

"The wealth you have can sustain you... It will surely last until your great-grandchildren," I added.

Neron smiled at me. "Well, I don't know. I also don't know why I don't want to leave my current job... But don't worry, I'll consider your offer... But I will only accept that once you're no longer obsessed with Caius Lettiere," he smiled at me.

My forehead creased. "Why?"

Neron smirked and touched his nape. "I can't be your slave if you have a husband..."

I sighed. "That's too bad... I will never let him go."

Neron chuckled. "That's too bad indeed."

I just drank my coffee. I stopped when I looked at the campus gate. My forehead creased when I saw Caius there... talking to Lynne. I gripped the cup I was holding tightly; it felt like it would break.

"Hey, is there something wrong?" Neron asked, worried.

Lynne entered the campus, leaving Caius behind. I froze when he looked in my direction. His forehead even creased when he saw me.

Neron also looked at what I was looking at. "Woah, is that your Caius Lettiere?" he asked.

"Yeah... He's my Caius," I just whispered while exchanging stares with Caius.

"That man is something, Luisa. I can feel it," Neron whispered.

My gaze shifted to him. My forehead creased. This is the first time that Neron saw Caius in person. Neron is quite good at judging characters and observing people. Often, he also knows what kind of person someone is... I don't know if it has something to do with him being a psych graduate.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Neron's eyes narrowed while staring at Caius. "You've been stalking him for three years, right? Are you sure you didn't notice something off about him?" he asked.

"I don't get you at all, Neron," I just said.

Neron looked at me; his eyes were serious. "I'm sure he's not an ordinary person. The look in his eyes gave me the creeps... He's a dangerous man, Luisa."

"As I discussed, To Kill a Mockingbird depicts social issues that are still relevant today. It tackles discrimination, human rights issues, injustice, inequality, corruption, poverty, racism, and oppression. I want you to write an essay. Distinguish and elaborate on how the story relates to the present issues that we have now. Don't forget to cite evidence to support your essay."

I heard some of my classmates groan. I didn't give a fuck. I remained staring at Caius like he's a billion-dollar art. Honestly, I don't understand a shit in his lesson. I was just staring at him like an idiot the whole time. I don't even know what subject he's teaching; as far as I know, it's literature something.

Caius stroked his hair with his fingers. I heard some of my girl blockmates' gasp, and I literally wanted to pull their hair out of their heads. There are times that I hope Caius wasn't that handsome. I will still love him whatever he looks like anyway.

I bit the insides of my cheeks when Caius turned his gaze at me. I fought the urge to smile when our eyes met.

"Ms. Dominguez, are you listening?" he asked and put his hand in his pocket and stood there like a fucking model.

My classmates looked at me. I just blinked.

"Y-yes, Sir," I just answered.

Caius crossed his arms and looked intently at me. "Then, what did I just say? Care to explain?" he asked. The dominance in his voice made me quiver.

I gulped and awkwardly stood up. "Uhm. You want us to make an essay about uhm... that mockingbird thingy," I mumbled.

Caius' eyes narrowed. "You're obviously not listening, Ms. Dominguez."

"I was listening, Sir," I just said. I tried to restrain myself from smiling. I never usually listen to his lessons, but this is the first time he's asked me something like this in class.

"Then, who's the author of To Kill a Mockingbird?" he asked and stared straight into my eyes.

I cleared my throat and scratched my arm. "Uhm... J.K. Rowling?"

Almost everyone in class laughed. I just rolled my eyes and didn't give a shit. Only Caius was in my sight at this moment.

Caius sighed. "We're not talking about Harry Potter, Ms. Dominguez." He gritted his teeth.

Everyone laughed. I remained staring dreamily at Caius. I can't believe we're finally interacting in his class.

"Freak," my blockmate murmured.

I looked at her. I made sure my one eye was visible. I made sure I looked scary... and creepy. I widened my eyes at her while looking at her emotionlessly. "What did you just say?" I asked in my coldest voice.