“YOU LOOK LIKE A ZOMBIE.”

“What did you do last night? You seem like you didn’t sleep a wink. Are you going to school looking like this?”

“Liam, I will be the one to drive them to school.”

I am not myself. I can hear them talking but I don’t understand a single word. I can feel my body moving on its own- the cold water splashing and falling on my skin, I can also feel my jaws chewing something, but I cannot taste whatever it is.

I know that I am walking but I can’t find myself processing every single thing that passes through my eyes. All I can see is white, but my body knows where to go and what to do.

Blank- one word that describes my current state.

“Shit!”

“Whoa! She really seeks attention.”

Hello? Are we having an audition for extra in a zombie movie? I wasn’t informed!”

The noise are becoming loud like a buzzing sound that made my head hurt.

“Miss Castro, if you’re not feeling well, you can take some time and go home.”

And of all the noise, the only clear thing that I heard is the professor’s words.

Yes, he’s right.

I’m not feeling well. I didn’t get enough sleep last night after I learned revelations after revelations that unfold before my precious eyes.

Last night…

When Vyra and I got inside my room, I slump on the soft bed. I slightly bounce which made my stomach hurt. I remember I haven’t eaten anything for dinner, yet.

But I will think about it later. I want to know something first from Vyra.

“So what is the meaning of all of these?”

“Guess, Sis.” She shut the door behind her.

I have my speculations since earlier that I want to confirm this very instant. “You are Liam’s fiancé?”

“Uh-huh.” She nodded and sat on the chair in front of my bedside table.

I didn’t take my eyes off her. Her reactions are quite off. She seems not happy or excited about it. Did she have a sudden change of heart? Or she doesn’t want her crush to be her fiancé out of nowhere?

“Is your room soundproof?” she asked after a few moments of silence.

“Uhm, yeah? What about it?” I asked, curious.

“Oh my gosh! This feels like a dream come true!”

Ok, I take back my words.

I really am amazed by her willpower. She appears so composed in front of my brother. However, in front of me, she looks like she is being possessed. She’s dumbfounded for a minute and will go wild after a few seconds.

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“Yeah, good for you! Shout all you want and enjoy your happiness. I’ll just take bath. Knock the door when you’re done,” I said while stripping my clothes.

She has nothing to see but curves, a beautiful and healthy body, so I don’t care much.

“OMG, girl! Did you hear his endearment? He called me Princess. Oh my gosh! I am deeply, madly, in love with him.”

She never fails to make my nose cringe. “That’s the line from my favorite song!”

I grab my robe and towel and head to the bathroom. Before I close the door, I took a glance at her when she remain silent all of the sudden.

She is smiling while twirling her hair with her finger.

“Tsk, enjoy yourself in your lala land.”

After one and a half hours of wallowing myself in a luxurious bath, I dried myself with a towel and wear my robe. I got out of the bathroom, and Vyra was nowhere to be found.

I immediately go to my closet and put on my pajamas. After a few more seconds, my stomach growls out of emptiness. I didn’t blow dry my hair and decided to grab some food.

When my eyes turned to the door, I gritted my teeth. “Crap!”

The door is slightly open.

It’s a good thing that my brothers no longer check on me during these hours. I will give Vyra a good beating later. But for now, I really need to eat.

As I was about to step out of the door, I heard Liam’s voice.

“I will make good use of you, Princess. Don’t dare to run. Oh, you can’t run away from me.”

I carefully open the door, trying not to make a sound, to see what Liam is doing. I am curious about what he was saying.

I was surprised by what I saw. Liam is pinning Vyra’s hands on the wall while his other hand is on her chin. They are near the wall lamp and I can see their faces clearly.

Vyra has distraught look on her face. On the other hand, Liam is still wearing his poker face.

What is going on?

What if Nico sees them?

Oh!

I remembered Liam said that Vyra can sleep in the guestroom. Liam is a man, I know.

I didn’t bother them any longer. However, Vyra’s next words puzzled me. I shouldn’t be listening!

“I will tell my parents how cruel my fiancé is,” she said with a quivering voice.

“Don’t make me laugh, Princess.”

I peeked again. I am worried about Vyra. What if Liam does something to her? If he is going to hurt her physically, proving he’s a cruel man, I have to be ready to step out.

“They already entrusted you to me fifteen years ago. Meaning, they let go of you when you were just ten years old. Do you think by telling them that I’m not a good fiancé to you will make them ensure your safety? No, Princess. They can’t.”

Now that made me question my past. What happened that Mom and Dad have to resort to this old-fashioned way of match-making? The modern world doesn’t need that!

I can tell the reason why Vyra’s parents agreed to that.

Her Dad is a womanizer. Of course, her Mom wanted her to marry a decent man.

Tsk! Just ignore them, Lei.

“Being the firstborn of the late King and Queen of this town is quite troublesome. You know it’s not only a title for fun.”

My forehead was automatically wrinkled.

If Liam is suffering, he should talk it out with us, his siblings, not with Vyra.

And what’s more, his description of our parents is way too much.

“Fuvk you!”

And this Vyra is not even bothered by Liam’s mood. I want to stuff her mouth with a cloth to shut her. can’t she tell Liam is mad?

“Yeah, fuvk you.” Liam’s voice is a bit hoarse.

“I hate you! Mhp!”

Without a word, Liam kissed her.

I stopped monitoring their actions. I can see that Liam won’t hurt Vyra physically. They have no shame doing things like that outside.

I lay on my bed, with my back facing the door. I almost forgot why I was standing at the door if my stomach didn’t growl in pain.

“You said you hate me, but your body seems to be having fun being close to me. Do you feel it?”

I can still hear them talking. Silly of me to not close the door.

“Wipe your tears, Princess. Don’t let anyone see you in that pathetic state.”

After some time, I felt the cushion of my bed move a little.

“Good night, Lei.”

Lei? She used to call me Ash!

My mind is full of thoughts and questions, I didn’t realize it was morning already. My alarm clock is ringing nonstop on the bedside table.