How Deep is Your Love?

2 - Natalie

I put on my headphone and started reading in the mansion's library. This is one of the things I love doing here that I missed the most, the times where I can spend hours in the library reading. There are tons of books here to read and I chuckled when I remembered my goal before was to read every piece of book in this place. However, after I moved in with my real Dad, I never got time to do this anymore. 

Walking into this place again made me remember some memories which I tried my best to forget.

PAGGG! A booming sound from behind me made me jump from my seat.

"Aah!" I screamed my heart out, shock was an understatement.

I closed my eyes as I tried to calm my heart. Then, I heard a loud laughter from behind. 

Brian.

I knew it was him.

What's new?

He always does this to me, from the moment I stepped my feet on this mansion until now. He hates me. And he does everything to make my life miserable.

He's always the happiest when I cry, when I get scared, when I'm annoyed and irritated. It’s like his life’s mission is to torment me as long as he lives.

"You look so pathetic when you jumped out of your seat..." Brian commented while wiping his tears because of so much laughter.

I eventually opened my eyes and sighed deeply before I looked at him. He was smirking at me. "Why do you always do that?"

"Because you get shock easily and it's funny." He answered in ‘as a matter of fact’ kind of way.

Recovering from the shock, I just shrugged my shoulder. However, deep inside me, I felt a little bit happy. Though he loves annoying me, at least he gives me a lot of his attention. For many years, I've carried a torch for him. I liked him the first time I saw him, back when I just got here. And that like turned to love. I've been loving him for years now. I smiled secretly. I'm already 20 years old and I've loved him since I was 16. I'm used to all this. Call me stupid and a complete fool, because even if he hates me so much, small things like this causes me to have conversations with him. At least he takes time to notice me and he's happy doing it. I know it's very stupid but I'm happy seeing him happy even if that means he bullies me. Plus, everyone knows in this town that I'm his wife-to-be, his fiancé. A smile came out of me automatically and I failed to hide it.

"Your smile creeps me out..." He said while shaking his head and began walking away. "Bye Old Lady."

I just looked at him and smiled even wider as my eyes followed him leaving the library.

I turned back the page of the book I was reading because I my mind is flying back to the past. So, I began reading it again when I heard a groan from the desk in the corner. My brows crossed and I got up slowly. I then to get a grip on a hard bound book and slowly approached the desk.

Then I heard another groan once more. As I quietly approach the desk, I saw a man finally sitting up. And when he was about to turn his head to my direction, I got so scared and so I threw the book I was holding in his direction. 

"Aww!" The man hissed and immediately turned to me.

That voice is absolutely familiar. 

"B-Brian?!" I stuttered when I realized it is really him. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!!"

I immediately ran towards him in order to check if he's okay. Unfortunately, he is not, as I saw him already holding unto his forehead and it is bleeding.

"What the hell is wrong with you??!! Why did you throw the book at me?!!" He hissed angrily.

"Sorry...I...I...Shoot!! You're bleeding!" I panicked. "Sorry. So sorry." 

I instantly pressed my handkerchief on his bleeding forehead. "Gosh. Just hold onto this firmly. I'll call for help."

Then I ran out and called out for help and Bernard, our gardener, came running towards me followed by Trinity, one of our house helps.

"What happened, Miss?" Bernard inquired.

"Go to the library! Fast! Brian! Fast! He's bleeding..." I answered loudly as I panted and we ran back together.

Bernard and Trinity immediately went to help him. And then Aunt Lorie came asking what's going on. She also panicked when she saw Brian bleeding and so she called the family doctor right away.

***

"The cut was a little big so I had to stitch it." Dr. Thomas said as he went out of the room. “Maybe it was the book’s corner that made the cut.”

"Stitch?" I blurted out.

"Just two. I mean two stitches to close it. The head-butt was quite heavy. But nothing to worry about." Dr. Thomas answered.

"I'm really sorry. It wasn't intentional. I was shocked and I didn't know what I was doing. I just threw the book at him." I explained guiltily.

"It's okay, iha." Aunt Lorie said and rub my back. I sighed and felt relieved that she's not mad at me for hurting his precious son. “It was an accident. I’m sure Brian understands.”

"Yeah. Don't worry so much as he's perfectly okay now." Dr. Thomas said and smiled. I felt relieved. "I'll be back in a couple of days to remove the stitch. Just make sure he applies the cream that I recommended to reduce or prevent scarring."

"Okay, doctor. Thank you for coming even in a short notice." Aunt Lorie said.

"No worries, Lorie." He responded and we accompanied him to the door.

"I'm so sorry Auntie. I really didn't mean to do it." I blurted out once more as soon as Dr. Thomas left.

Aunt Lorie just chuckled and pinched my cheek. "Silly girl. It's okay. Actually, I am now used to seeing Dr. Thomas here from time to time."

"Huh?" I muttered, confused as to what she means.

"After you left, a lot of things have happened here. And Brian is one of those who changed the most. He changed a whole lot. I also don’t know how did it all happen so fast but then he's been hurt physically a lot of times now. Now, I really don't know what to do with my son anymore." Aunt Lorie explained with a sad tone and sighed. 

"Huh? What happened, Tita?" I asked further, curiosity over powered me.

"I'll tell you everything some other time." Aunt Lorie answered and took my hand. "Come, let’s go see him first."

I gulped and I suddenly felt nervous. "Okay."

Aunt Lorie just knocked on the door twice and we both entered the room. Brian looked at our direction and automatically, he glared at me.

"Oh, dear." Aunt Lorie said and went to check on him right away. She gently checked Brian's forehead. "Are you okay now, iho?"

"Yes, Mom. I'm feeling okay now." He answered shortly.

"You were drunk again!" Auntie complained. "We've talked about this a million times now! Are you really trying to kill me with worry?"

"I wasn't drunk, Mom."

"Not drunk?! You were sleeping in the library when there’s a lot of rooms to sleep in!" She yelled to point it out. "So don't tell me you're not because you can't even go up and sleep in your own room! And you smell a reek of alcohol!"

"Fine. I'm sorry, okay?" He answered. "I'm sorry."

"Gosh, when will you stop all of this Brian? It's been years since she-"

"Mom..." He interrupted. "Stop it!"

"Alright. Alright." Aunt Lorie said and pouted. "Just stop all this nonsense dear. Please."

Brian just turned his head away and kept quiet.

"What's she doing here, Mom?" He eventually asked after sometime and I stiffened. His voice is oviously annoyed.

"Brian…" Aunt Lorie said warningly and he just rolled his eyes at me.

"I just wanna say sorry..." I mastered my courage and said it out loud before slowly approaching him. "I'm really sorry. I was just shocked and I didn't know it was you. I swear I didn't throw the book on purpose-"

"Whatever." He immediately interrupted and he turned his eyes on me, looked at me again from head to toe, and his eyes had something in them. It’s like he can't believe he's talking to me.

Did I see that right?

"Brian!" Aunt Lorie warned once more. "Be nice to her. It’s been years since you both saw each other. Aren't you happy to see her? Natalie just got back yesterday!"

"She threw a hard bound book on me, Mom!" Brian reasoned out.

"I didn't mean it." I contradicted. Now, I got irritated for his childishness. One conclusion was immediately made on my mind; he is still the same. 

He still hates me.

"See she's even talking back even if it's her fault!" Brian countered.

"It wasn't intentional and I told you I'm sorry, okay?!" I blurted out, already pouting.

If he’s still the same, then I am not. I’m no longer that girl he used to bully years ago.

"You-"

"Enough! You both are like cat and dog! Enough, okay?!" Aunt Lorie interrupted and sighed as we stopped. She gently massaged her temples. "Anyway, I just remembered that I was cooking something. And so I need to go down."

"Whatever, Mom." He said and gazed away, lying flatly on his bed.

"Watch your language, boy." Aunt Lorie said and kissed his cheek. "Be nice to Natalie."

"I'll just go with you Tita." I said and stomped my feet towards the door.

"Stay." Aunt Lorie stopped me and my eyes widened.

"But-" 

"Stay and don't come out until you both aren't fighting anymore. Goodness." She said firmly and eyed me and Brian.

Then she hurried her way out and gently closed the door. I let out a sigh before I turned my gaze back to him.

"What are you still doing here?!" He asked, taunting me.

"You heard Tita Lorie. I'm not leaving without us settling this down!" I answered firmly and crossed my arms as I walked towards him.

He chuckled sarcastically and looked at me intently. "I don't wanna talk to you."

"Neither do I! Will you stop being childish and tell me what's your real problem with me?!" I yelled as I countered him boldly. “Because all this is stupid and you’re so petty!”

He looked at me like I've grown two heads. Either he was shocked at my outburst or because I've never ever raised my voice on him. 

"What?!" I asked. 

"You changed." He mumbled.

I just ignored his comment and looked at him sharply. "Are you really that mad because I threw the book at you?! I said I'm sorry, okay? I really didn't mean it...I swear..."

"Whatever you say. I don't care. Just leave me alone." He answered and he closed his eyes.

I sighed and stayed silent for a minute.

"Or is it because you still hate me until now?" I suddenly asked.

He immediately opened his eyes and turned to me. He didn't say anything and neither did I. We just stared at each other for a long time. And this time, I was the first one to look away.

I can't take this anymore.

"Will you just stop and just..." He said and pouted.

"Just what?!" I dared.

He just stared at me and his jaw clenched. "…and…and...leave?!"

"You want me to leave?! Fine! I don't wanna stay here anyway!" I answered out of frustration and walked away. But before I opened the door, I shoot a sharp gaze his way. “You can hate me for all I care but just for the sake of Tita Lorie, will you suppress it a little when she’s around? And don’t worry, my stay here wouldn’t be that long anyway.”

After I said that, I walked as fast as I could, stomping my feet as I heard the bang from the door when I closed it quite strongly. I ran towards my room and reaching my pillow to cover my face, I screamed as loud as I can.

He's so annoying! 

I screamed once again as I pressed my head harder on my pillow.

He's so full of himself!

And I scream again.

The nerve of that guy to get mad at me after what he did yesterday?

Ugh.

Now I'm hoping that days will go fast so I can just leave this place and save myself from him.

***