Saving the Villain

Cosette was the type of person who would always host gatherings every month or every two months. Every single one of them was too busy pursuing their dreams; they barely had time to rest. Cosette was different.

After getting her degree in education, Cosette applied as a high school teacher. Cosette had already gotten a degree in business in her first life, but in this life, she changed her career. Of course, she also had many things on her plate as a high school teacher, but compared to her friends, she had more spare time.

Therefore, Cosette had time to host gatherings where her high school friends who were also her current friends would come. Because of that, these gatherings slowly transitioned into a tradition.

There were times they would help her set up, or sometimes, just tell her they would bring food. Either way, they enjoyed each gathering full of laughter, banters, and just a time to forget their struggles.

The reason why preparing the garden was quite easy. Helping Cosette trained them, so they already knew how to divide the task and work together. But unlike the fun arrangements, they were all silent.

Sarah, Fay, Amie, Remo, and Luke.

The five of them set up the garden, barely speaking a word. The only person who never stopped talking was Amie, talking to Cosette's portrait and repeating the love story that happened after Cosette's passing.

Seating in their respective seats, silence descended upon them.

"I didn't notice it, but wow... you prepared a lot of food," said Fay, glossing her eyes over the dishes on the table.

"I was in the mood." Luke shrugged indifferently, making the rest chuckle weakly. "Let's eat?"

"Aren't we going to wait for Maxen?" asked Amie, glossing her eyes over their faces. "Where is he, by the way? Don't tell me he will not come again?"

Fay snapped his eyes, catching a figure from the corner of her eyes. "Oh, there he is!"

Everyone turned their heads in Maxen's direction while the latter paused, gazing back at them. Maxen was in a black formal suit, sporting a subtle smile at them.

"You're all here?" he asked, marching towards them until he was near the table. "Sorry I was late."

Maxen looked around the garden and his eyes softened. "It's good. She will definitely like it," he commented quietly before setting his attention back to them.

"It's nice to see you all here," he remarked sincerely, warranting subtle smiles from them.

"It's nice seeing you doing well too, Max," Sarah responded while Maxen took the seat on the host's right.

As soon as Maxen sat down, his eyes fell on Luke, who was sitting across from him. Luke pressed his lips into a thin line, tilting his head down slightly, but said nothing. The two of them used to be so close, almost inseparable.

Maxen used to be Luke's go-to person. Every time things were tough, Luke would run to Maxen just to have a few drinks. Especially with things that he couldn't tell Cosette. Maxen wasn't only a friend to him, but also a big brother who always had his back. Someone Luke respected even though Maxen could be very harsh on things, especially when Luke was going astray.

That never changed.

Luke still perceived Maxen as someone he admired. However, the current distance between them was too obvious. Everyone knew the reason. Both of them lost a precious person; healing from the loss of a big part of their hearts was something that made them distance themselves from others.

"Anyway, I know all of you are very busy," said Maxen, breaking the prolonged silence dominating the table. "I appreciate all of you for making time to be with her today."

Maxen slowly shifted his eyes to the portrait they set up on the end of the rectangular table. His eyes softened, smiling subtly.

"I must admit, I still find it hard to be in here with all of you. And I know it's the same for all of you as well." He peeled his eyes away from Cosette's portrait, forcing himself to keep the subtle smile. "But if she... if Cosette is here, I can hear her saying, "thank you for coming today to be with me," and how she appreciates your efforts for making time for her."

Luke drew a deep breath and cleared his throat, looking away. Meanwhile, Sarah pressed her lips while Fay hang her head low. Remo, on the other hand, offered a handkerchief to his wife, which Amie accepted to wipe her tears.

It was true that it was hard coming in here today. This place was akin to their second home. Whenever they needed a friend or just a place that would make them forget their problems, this home was always open for them. But without the person who would console them or listen to them without judgment, this place didn't feel like home anymore.

It was suffocating and painful.

Still, because it was Cosette's death anniversary, they wanted to show up to let her know they were doing just fine. They could've just gathered in her grave, but knowing Cosette, she would prefer if they continue the tradition she started.

Maxen sniffed hard and forced a smile, clearing his throat to recompose his thoughts.

"I'm sorry for ruining the mood," he said, watching everyone slowly look back at him. "I'm sure you all miss her just as deeply as I do."

His voice cracked again, but his lips stretched wider. "This might be selfish of me, but... thank you for not forgetting about her."

"How I wish I could... even just for a day," Luke murmured, laughing as a way to replace the tears tempting to leak from his eyes.

Sarah forced a smile to her face, squeezing Fay's hand. Fay sniffed hard, wiping her tears as she bravely raised her head.

"Right!" Fay breathed out. "Ahem!"

It took them minutes to recompose themselves and when they slightly recovered, they all turned their heads in Maxen's direction as the latter spoke.

"Let's eat?" he suggested, and they all nodded, smiling. But instead of eating, they shifted their eyes to the beautiful portrait at the end of the table.

Deep in their hearts, they knew that if Cosette was here, she would be wearing the most beautiful smile that would make her eyes twinkle with pride and joy. Therefore, they all tried their best to put up their biggest smile but failed to conceal the longing in their eyes.

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