Part 2 EP 11: Sins That Taste Good
1541 Words
Puppet Boy.
It was a story about an enthusiastic boy, who’s very much into reading and writing stories and solving thousand-piece puzzles. However, his loneliness and frustration began when he realized he cannot decide for himself. All because he has a master to follow.
Due to its lack of fantastic elements and youthfulness, it was among the boring stories on the children’s bookshelf.
It was his life’s story, after all.
It was Levi's.
It was mine.
I'm wondering. Am I just thankful that someone patted my back after reading the work I became most embarrassed about? What if I just wanted someone to read my rant? What if I just wanted to be felt, heard, and seen? What if I was just lonely?
What if I fell for anyone that came and told me the same things she said?
“I like you.”
I said I was going to tell her first, but she was bolder than I am.
The pig smirked and crossed her arms above her chest. The smile of arrogance painted her features. My serious gaze didn’t leave her face. I only stared harder.
“-Is what you were going to say, right?” Right.
I stifled the grimace that was about to show on my face. This witch!
Since she's playing along right now, I'm going to go for it.
“Can I kiss you?”
In my head, I knew she was going to make fun of me. But if she acted surprised, I might receive a punch or two.
Yet none of the two came.
My brows met when she leaned forward and replied, “Why are you asking? Do it already.”
Damn. She’s too close. I stepped away from her room’s doorway and sighed. “Cal. Don't test me, 'cause I really will.”
“Hmm?” she reached for my hand and lifted the finger with the ring. “Aren’t you my husband?”
I am still wondering.
Would it hurt much less if I didn’t allow her to call me her husband?
If I hadn’t responded to my desire to touch her?
Would I miss her less?
There are so many questions in my head without answers. For a long time, they have been unanswered.
For years… There were no answers.
But even if she stood before me right now, there would be no meaningful answer.
After all…
“I love you,” I gasped.
“...”
There was no answer.
On the other hand, it would be too late to answer.
I'm still the puppet boy I have always been.
“Mr. Miranda, the chairman called and said that Ms. Wells is about to arrive at the restaurant.”
I took a deep breath and turned my swivel chair away from the sight of the darkening skies of the city. I am met with a black table, a desktop computer, a few unchecked papers, and the back of a silver nameplate.
Levi Miranda. Chief Executive Officer.
Without meeting the eyes of my secretary, I got up from my chair and fixed my suit and tie, replying afterward with, “Alright.”
I took my time going to the parking lot and driving to the said place earlier. When I arrived, I looked in the mirror to fix my comma-styled hair before leaving the car.
While I walked towards the entrance, I thought about Ms. Wells. This woman is a mysterious heiress of our ex-rival company that will merge with ours soon. Her name was never revealed to the public, as well as her pictures. This is why I am a bit curious about her.
Entering, I’m met with a simple yet cozy interior. It is unlike the fancy restaurants I have been visiting when meeting with important people. Since Ms. Wells suggested this place to the chairman, I’m assuming she’s a no-frills type of person.
The restaurant's host at the entrance immediately recognized me upon seeing me. Without delay, she assisted me towards the wing where the reserved table is, and where someone was already waiting for me.
Oh.
She arrived quickly. Father's not going to let this pass.
“Thank you, I can take it from here,” I muttered towards the person that assisted me and walked forward on my own.
Her back was facing me, and I could see her black, medium-length waves that looked so nicely-styled being gathered together in a messy twist by a hair clamp.
I bit the inside of my cheek and walked faster, slowing down upon reaching the table and finally seeing the face of the mysterious daughter of the Wells family.
There was no reaction on her face when she lifted her gaze up to look at me.
“Good evening. You’re Levi Miranda,” she said in a polite tone, but there was an unfazed look on her face.
“Good evening,” I responded in the same tone, but unlike her, I didn’t know what face I was making. “You’re…”
Ms. Wells blankly grins at me.
I gulped, thinking, "Ain’t it funny?"
“...Calysta Perez.”
[...Son.]
[Come home now.]
[You don't want me dragging you back here myself, do you?]
[Come home now. Don't make me ask again.]
“I like you… Is what you are going to say, right?”
“Can I kiss you?”
“Why are you asking? Do it already.”
“Don't play with me ‘cause I really will.”
“Hmm? Aren’t you my husband?”
“...”
“Tomorrow is the day!”
“Good luck, pig witch.”
“Hell, yeah!”
“Don’t you dare embarrass me.”
“Oh, you’ll be proud of me!”
There was only a big smile on her face. A big, proud smile of a dream come true.
While I looked at it, I was wondering what look she would have on her face once she learned that I didn’t want to leave because of her. At the same time, I’m thinking if what I felt for her was real.
So I could leave without regret, if it’s otherwise.
And I left.
Thinking it was not real.
As I sat in my seat on the plane, a phone call came to me.
It’s Caly, and so I answered.
“Hey…"
There was a sniffle. [Bastard.]
Then the call ended.
Eight years went by.
Seeing her again made me feel sinful.
But sins, most of the time, taste good.
“You remember me,” she said in a specific tone and grinned, but it was the tone and grin I hated the most before. “That’s good to know.”
I didn’t bother to smile.
“Of course,” I said, keeping my expression neutral.
I scanned her face as I asked, “How have you been?” She’s… just like before. She never changed, except for her hair that was once long and straight, and her red-colored lips. She’s also wearing a simple, black dress that complements her body well.
“Couldn’t be better,” she answered in the same tone she used earlier with a superficial smile I also used to curse at. “How about you? You seem well, though. You looked kind of broke and dumb years ago, but now you look all grown-up, smart, and rich. Ha-ha! But now that I think about it, it’s probably because of your hair.”
Is she trying to annoy me?
“You’re right,” I only said with a chuckle. Too bad, this doesn’t annoy me anymore,
My passive behavior seemed to tick her, so I said again, “Still, I’m happy to see you again.”
Saying that, I felt a sense of relief inside of me.
“I’ve been wanting to meet you again.”
Ah, telling the truth feels good.
“I wanted to-”
“Why don’t you cut the crap?” she cut me off with a mocking expression plastered on her visage. “It’s weird to hear that from you, so cut it out. Alright?”
I couldn’t say a thing after her words.
“The reason I asked to meet you alone is to have you quit the wedding, too,” she explained, and angrily drank her glass of iced tea. “I don’t want to marry. So help me.”
I rested my back with a sigh. “I’m sorry, I can’t do anything about it, either.”
She snorted.
“So you’re still the puppet boy?”
I smiled a little.
“It looks like we're both on strings now.”
Her face just crumpled even more, biting her nail in anxiety.
“Then I’ll do the dirty work. You better be on the same page as me,” she told me while glaring.
“Ah… I’m sorry,” was my immediate response.
She raised a brow, giving a haughty gaze. “What did you say?”
“Uhm,” I cleared my throat, leaning in, all the while clasping my hands and fingers together.
When I met her eyes, I felt like I was looking at something ablaze.
Forgive me, but I'd like to be selfish once again.
“I want to marry you.”
- Writer
