Falling for the CEO's Playful Trap

04. Burden of Adults

With brows furrowed and anger spiking inside my chest, I walked out of Zach’s house without bothering to steal a glance back at him. I didn’t care anymore if he was planning something or even mad about what I said. I will stand by my words and he can never change that unless it is my brother who changed it himself.

But unlucky for him, my brother is gone… and it is all because of him.

I stood in front of the elevator while waiting for it to arrive at the floor where I am. The hallway is silent with only two units located here. If I will assess it right, it will mean I am in one of the highest floors of the building considering how clear the view from Zach’s room was while I was laying on his bed. Besides, the fact that there are only two units is already enough proof of that.

I crossed my arms, waiting impatiently for the elevator to come. I never felt so impatient my entire life. Maybe because I could still feel like I am close to Zach even though we are already walls away from one another. It is already enough that whatever happened in that restroom last night happened, but for me to end up in his room after it just makes everything much worse.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips as the aftermath of my wasted life last night kicks in once again with a headache. I close my eyes for a moment, tight enough as it will take away the pain. But the sounds of my phone ringing just made my headache worse.

“Hello?” I answered, groaning.

“Where the heck are you?!” I immediately distance my phone from my ear upon hearing Martha’s voice, raising her voice in panic. “I have been trying to reach you since six in the morning!”

“Can you please chill out for a moment? You are making my head hurt even more.” I complained with a small voice.

“I am serious, Adrianna. You aren’t in your unit nor your family’s place! You know how the media is trying to follow you wherever you go just to get you in the headline of their articles!” She scolded further.

I keep my silence as she says more about my actions last night and up to today. It’s not like I am not used to it because Martha has been my manager since I debuted in the industry and she already scolded me so much that it already feels normal for me. However, she just really chose the wrong timing today.

The elevator opened as I immediately walked inside, pushing the ground button so it would lead me to the lobby. I can only hope that no one actually followed me last night to have an idea that I am still in this unidentified building, otherwise, I might really end up in the tabloids later on. As Martha kept on talking on the other side of the phone, my eyes caught a familiar logo. I walked towards it as a sigh escaped my lips.

“Red Oaks Residence.” I whispered… with only one thought.

My brother.

“What did you just say?” Martha questioned.

“Can you pick me up at Red Oaks Residence? Just call me when you are already in the lobby.” I only said before ending the call.

Without wasting more time, I immediately push the 35th floor button. Red Oaks Residence is not only where Zach’s unit is in… it is also the building where my brother used to live, and all this time, they are actually living in the same residence… and I wasn’t even aware of it up until now.

As soon as the elevator stopped on the 35th floor and its door opened, I found myself staring at the door steps away from the elevator for quite a few seconds. I took a step out slowly as my gaze remained in that familiar door in silence. For a moment, it felt like I was walking on an egg shell until I stopped just a meter away from it.

It was my brother’s place.

Staring at its familiar door at this very moment, it made me hope for so many things. I hoped that he would suddenly open the door himself while dressed in a suit that he often wears to work. I hoped that he would open the door himself to welcome me like he always does with a bright smile plastered on his lips, like he is really happy to see me. I hoped that he would show up just by simply opening the door by himself… but it is all just what I hope.

…because all those things… it can never happen anymore.

“I am back!” I exclaimed with both of my arms raised in the air and a high pitched tone as soon as the door opened.

A wide grin formed his lips as if the sides of his lips could actually reach his tongue. “I thought you wouldn’t even think of coming back anymore.” He says in a joking tone.

“Why wouldn’t I?” I approached him for a warm and big hug that I know I will have that comfort I have been longing for the whole month. “I have a brother who cannot live without me, I can’t just decide to leave and never return anymore.”

I feel his body shake as he laughs before wrapping his arms around my waist to return my longing hug. “You do know how to look back, huh?” He says while caressing the back of my head like a little kid I am. “I miss you, my princess. Thank you for coming back.”

“Of course I will come back!” I push myself a bit to create a space between our faces as I look at him with my hands on his shoulder and his hands still on my back. “I can’t just live anywhere outside this country until I make sure that my brother already has someone to live with for the rest of his life.”

“It sounds like you are only waiting for me to really have someone before you leave.” He commented with a hint of sadness in his tone that he tries to hide.

“I gotta make sure that someone will take care of my brother once I am gone, you know? Besides, you can barely take care of yourself properly, so someone has to do it in my place once I leave for good. But for now,” I pull him for a tight hug once more, letting that strong perfume he always puts on hits my nose. “Let me be the one to take care of you like you take care of me, big brother. I miss you too, you rabbit.”

Suddenly, he laughed once more, breaking the hug to get a good look at me. He softly flick my forehead with his fingers, making me glare at him. “How about we start by telling you to miss me without calling me a rabbit?” He suggested.

I tilt my head a bit and hum. “How about we just drop the I miss you part?” I tease, making him scoff in disbelief.

I only gave him an innocent smile before he opened the door wide for me to enter. One thing that will probably always stick with my brother’s name is his nickname rabbit. I remember how he used to read raw carrot without even slicing it like a rabbit when we were kids, which is why he earned that nickname. But that didn’t really change up until now. The only difference probably is he sliced it into pieces then ate it, so he is still a rabbit in my eyes!

“Do you even come home?” I questioned upon roaming my eyes around the room.

“Of course! Do you expect me to live in the office?” He remarks playfully in return.

“Not really. But you have often slept in your office since you became the CEO of the company.” I pointed out, making him silent while walking to the kitchen.

As I look around his place further as he continues doing whatever it is he is doing in the kitchen, I couldn’t help but notice how everything just seems to be untouch. There are some piles of boxes in the corner of the room that look like they have been here for weeks already but left unopened still. The couch, television, and his other furniture seems to be not used for weeks already as well. Furthermore, the dining table that is supposed to be where people eat is full of papers which I assume are the documents.

“Where are you going?” I asked when I noticed how he silently walked past behind me.

“I just need to get my phone in my room. Can you finish the food I am cooking?” He gestures to the kitchen.

I smiled awkwardly. “You do know that your dishes are too complicated for me, right?” I pointed out, making him chuckle softly.

“Here I thought your stay in Europe for a month would at least teach you to cook more complicated dishes, but I guess I was wrong?” He remarks, letting out a playful sigh.

“Look, I can cook, okay? But not as complicated as the ones you cook. How about I get your phone inside your room instead?” I suggested as he immediately agreed without any hesitation, walking back to the kitchen after.

I watch as my brother keeps his attention to the food he is making before walking to his room in silence with only one intention. If the things inside my brother's place look a bit messy or even untouched, it means that something is going on. Considering how cautious he is in the place he stays in and would rather maintain everything around him in order, those boxes wouldn’t be left unopened and those papers wouldn’t be left on the top of a dining table.

As soon as I entered his room, my eyes caught the duffel bag placed on the couch with a big plain eco bag just in front of the couch. I walked towards it as I carefully opened the bag only to see a pile of suits and some usual clothes, underwear, and boxers inside it. I took the eco bag from the floor and saw the two boxes of shoes he often wears to work, a box of sneakers, and a pair of comfort slippers that I bought him before I left for Europe.

It just confirms my allegations further. He does sleep in his office these days… maybe even for weeks now.

“My dear brother, Tobias, when will you even stop hiding the truth from me?” I whispered to myself before returning everything back to normal.

I walk towards his night stand to pick up his phone with a sigh. But the sooner I had it on hand, Dad’s name immediately popped on the screen as the caller. My brows furrowed as I noticed how his phone is silent compared to the usual time he is at home because he gets urgent calls from his secretary from time to time. When the call drop, left unanswered, a heavy sigh escapes my lips as several missed calls from both our parents greets me with a few messages that I can’t view because he probably changed the setting of his phone.

Something is wrong.

Before walking back outside, I took a deep breath to hide everything I found inside his room, and so I can act like I was clueless about it. His genuine smile is the first thing I saw when I walked out of the room with my gaze fixed on him. He is so focused on setting the food he cooks on the plate that he probably didn’t notice me coming out.

“That looks delicious,” I commented while walking towards the island counter.

“Of course! I shouldn’t cook bad food for my sister. You don’t deserve any bad food after working so hard during the past few weeks.” He placed the saucepan in the sink and let a little water fill it before facing me again. “You look so tired too, so good food is just what you need instead of me constantly asking for you to take a rest.”

I smile a bit while looking at him. “I can say the same to you. You look awfully tired too… no matter how much you hide it.” His face drops a little as I slide his phone towards him. “Does Mom and Dad still pressure you a lot?”

He remained silent for the whole minute, and it was enough for an answer for me. However, knowing my brother so well, he will deny it once he is back to his senses… just like every single time.

“They don’t. There are just more things to get done in the office compared to the past few months. Dad is probably just calling to know what was happening in the office now.” He defends with a forceful smile, but his eyes is just filled of sadness.

“I didn’t know Dad is that worried about the company calling you so many times at this time of the day when the sun is still scorching outside?” I pointed out.

With that, he just gave another forceful smile before sliding one of the plates towards my side. “How about we eat now? I’m pretty sure you are hungry too.” He changed the topic… so smoothly.

I only nodded and just let the conversation pass once again. He wouldn’t let me bring it up again anyway.

We sat in the high chairs while devouring the food he made. As if a month actually lasted for a year, our conversation just seems so long as he keeps asking about what I did in Europe and how my work was while staying there. He continued asking me to the point that I couldn't even find the time to ask him back… until he finally shut his mouth to stuff some of his cooked food.

“How about you, Tob?” He raises his eyebrows with a hum while chewing his food. “Have you found yourself a girlfriend yet? Or someone you are at least interested in?”

He gulps after chewing before speaking up. “I don’t have any time for that, Ad. I already have my hands full with the company…” He glances at me for a second. “And also you.”

“Excuse me?!”

He laughs softly. “I am just kidding! But I am serious with the former though. I can’t and probably will never find myself a girlfriend.” He insisted.

“And why is that?” I ask, confused.

“Because if I do, then that will force my attention to be divided into three already. It is already hard to divide it into two, why do I need to divide it into three?” He placed a hand on the top of my head, patting it gently. “Besides, why will I find a girlfriend when I still need to look after you.”

I removed his hand from the top of my head and gave him a look. “In case you have forgotten, I am almost in my mid-20s. I don’t need you to keep looking after me like you did in the past anymore. That is why you also need a girlfriend already! So she can replace me!” I insisted.

He shakes his head, not even willing to lose. “I need to make sure that you get to continue your dream first until you retire before I find myself someone to replace your spot. Besides, it’s too complicated for me. If I made a mistake by choosing the wrong woman, it could jeopardize the company’s image and your career as well as your chance to keep living freely.”

I kept staring at him as he took a deep breath before forming a sincere smile this time. I don’t even know what to say in front of me after what he told me.

“Your happiness and making sure that you get to achieve your dream is much more important to me than myself, Ad. Always remember that.”

It was that day when I realized that my brother is indeed sacrificing a lot for my own freedom even if it already forbids him to get his. Even up to this day, it guilts me because I didn’t bother or insist on asking him about what bothers him concerning our parents. I know that he is always anxious, pressured, and even barely moving on his own when he was still around because of our parents. It has been going on since he started studying, yet… I wasn’t even able to at least take a pinch of his burden… because he wouldn’t allow me to even take any of it.

As I stare at his door still, it reminds me of how much his place serves not just my comfort place but also my secret hideout. My life in the industry and as a public figure was never easy because I had to be constantly watched and judged by people who I didn't know personally. Every single time it happens, Tobias’ place serves as my only hideout to get away from all those bad things in order to move on and get myself together so I could live the day after.

However, I just didn’t expect that, when I saw his place as my hideout, it left him with no other place to let out his pain.

“Even until the end, you still hide the truth from me, Tob.” I whispered to myself with only the thought of him.

I took a deep breath before my phone rang with Martha saying that she was already downstairs. The moment I reached the ground, people started to come at me, asking for pictures and photographs like usual. Those pictures will surely be up in the social media later on and there will surely be speculations about my whereabouts. But I guess I can consider myself lucky this time… because this building is where my brother also used to live.

As usual, the next few days went on as if nothing happened in one single night of that ball no matter how the ball itself remained memorable for the tabloids. I went to work as usual and did some photoshoot, meetings to discuss my next work. Aside from that, I also tried to help my junior models about their postures and gave them advice so they can use it for the next runways. After all, the next fashion week will be in a month.

“Welcome home, Miss Adrianna.” One of the maids greeted me as the main door opened.

I gave her a warm smile before passing by and standing just a few steps after from the door. The last time I have been in this mansion was months ago, five if I remember it correctly. Tonight isn’t supposed to be the time I am visiting again, but it was only possible because my father had to use his connections to forcefully reschedule my work tonight just to have the dinner they wanted so badly. That left me no choice, but to come here… even if it is against my will.

“So, I had to use my connection just to see my brat of a daughter who doesn’t even bother to check on her parents?” My mother says as she walks down the stairs, dressed in a beautiful navy dress with a pair of an inch heel.

“It’s nice to see you doing well, mother.” I only said while standing still on the same spot.

She let out a scoff while shaking her head. “How ungrateful… just like you brother.”

Keep it all in, Adrianna. Take it all in.

She went her way to the dining room as I took a deep breath, preparing myself for a bad evening. If I had to choose between working until dawn and sitting at the same table as my parents with only the three of us, I would definitely choose the former. I am sure my brother will do the same.

“Good evening, father.” I greeted when I arrived at the dining room to find Dad already seated there.

I was about to lean to give him a peck on the cheek, but he didn’t even bother staying still, so I just went to my seat. It is nice to see that everything remained the same indeed… even after a few months already.

The dinner started without even any of us talking. The maids served the food like we somehow don’t know how to pick our own food because it is the rule my parents have set in the house. Only the movement of the maids and the utensils clanking to one another as we use it fill the room. Indeed, no food has ever been appetizing in this house.

“When will you quit that horrible work you do?” Dad suddenly spoke up, making me stop before I could even bring the pasta I just swirled. I put the pieces of pasta back on the plate and politely place my spoon and fork on one side of the plate. “Your work is not even that great and you walk like you are some amateur model. It is better if you just do your responsibility now and fill in the spot your brother left instead of doing some shitty work.”

I gulp down hard, trying to control my anger. “My decision will remain the same, father. I will continue working… like what I promised Tob.” I insisted.

“Promised? Why are you even keeping a promise to someone who is not around anymore?” Mom sarcastically says as if she isn’t speaking about her son. I look at her in disbelief while she just looks at me unbothered. “You need to grow up, Adrianna. You are not a kid anymore!”

I always know that being in the same room or even breathing the same air as theirs is hard since then. However, I didn’t know that I will always come to the point that I just want to curse the hell out of their souls and even question their will to live still. To think that I have to hear my very own parents speak like they are talking to someone else to criticize the work I have worked so hard for months and talking about someone as if my brother didn’t carry such a burden they put on his shoulder just makes me realize how horrible our life really has been since then.

I was already aware of that before. I just didn’t expect that I would come to the point that I do regret being born in this family.

I wipe the sides of my lips graciously with a napkin before putting it to the side and standing up. They didn’t even bother looking up to at least check the reason for my sudden behavior. But then, I forgot they didn’t really care… just like how they didn’t care when Tobias died.

“So this is what my brother had to put up with during the past few years.” I remarked yet they remain unbothered still, as if no words can even pierce their hardened heart.

A sigh escapes my lips as I take my bag on my chair before turning to my back without saying goodbye. Before I could step out of the room completely, I stopped at the sight of our one and only family picture hanging on the wall, and probably the only photo frame and photo existing in this very home, and came to a further realization.

“Thinking that you might have treated him the same way you treat me now,” I gulped as my eyes lowered, unbothered of what could follow anymore. “The two of you might be the reason why he died… because he didn’t know how to handle his parents' devilish acts anymore.”

Without looking back and not bothering to listen to their calls and complaints, I walk out of that mansion, swearing that it will be the last time I will ever step foot on it. If my brother wouldn’t have a chance or even want to step in that mansion again, then that is the only thing I will do as well… because the two of us cannot handle the burden of the adults being given to us.