Saving the Villain

[ The first day of the trip was the most chaotic day, but it was fun, nonetheless.

The second day was... a roller coaster of emotions. But with her friends, Cosette didn't feel as homesick-ed as she thought. She had great friends who genuinely care about her. The type of people she would certainly treasure until the end.

On their third day, which was also their last day, everyone had learned their lesson from the first day. And therefore, they found ways to play and have fun without the involvement of alcohol. They squeezed all activities they could on the last day of their vacation as if they had all the energy in the world.

The thought of going back home slightly gave every single one of them mixed emotions. The last three days were nothing but fun and happiness. Days youths like them enjoyed, worrying about nothing.

When night fell, they stared at the night sky altogether while lying on the vast green expanse in the mansion's garden. They all voiced out their heart: how this was the best trip they had and how they wished this vacation wouldn't end. However, instead of dwelling on an impossible wish for this vacation to last forever, they all decided to treasure it.

Like what youths would do, they all promised to travel and stick together, even in the future.

One day, they promised to lie down and formed a giant circle while staring at the sky. This wasn't the last trip they would go on together. And they looked forward to more fun times together. ]

Cosette smiled as she put a period on the last words of her journal, writing what happened on the trip in the past three days now after they returned home. A single night wasn't enough to write everything because Cosette had a lot of things to write about it.

Her eyes softened. Writing this made her recall everything from the time Luke picked them up at the bus stop, to their detour in Amie's home, their faces after seeing the private plane, and also the first plane ride for some of them. Everything after that was pure chaos, but the good kind of chaos.

'I even got my first kiss stolen.' She giggled at the thought of Sarah's accident, only for her smile to face when her kiss with Maxen crossed her head.

"Him too... I don't know what we are," she whispered. After that incident on the bus, Maxen and Cosette didn't talk about it. He acted like usual, cold and unbothered. Although he wasn't avoiding her, it somehow made her feel a little conflicted. That only meant Maxen had forgotten about it.

A deep sigh escaped her nostrils. "He's a natural player," she mumbled, pouting at the thought.

"I would think about it from time to time, especially when we're talking," she continued, almost complaining to herself. "But I guess that's nothing to him."

Cosette shook her head, convincing herself Maxen was Maxen. Ten years from now, Maxen would make ladies line up to get his attention, and if she based it on the novel, the women who would warm his bed would frequently change. Frequent, as in daily.

"I shouldn't think about that," she told herself, focusing on the journal laid on the desk before her. "As long as he doesn't become a villain, that's what is important. Although it would be nice if he finds a lady and sticks to her only."

She shrugged and closed the journal, placing it back inside the drawer and locked it so no one could read it. No one entered this room aside from Lucia, though. But it had been a habit she rarely noticed. Cosette stretched her limbs, tilting her body from left to right with both her hands up in the air.

"Ahh... that's a good one," she mused, having this relief travel from the tip of her fingers down her shoulders. Her lips stretched from ear to ear as Lucia entered her room after three light knocks. As usual, Lucia was bringing a tray with a glass of milk on top of it.

"Young Miss seemed to be in a great mood," said Lucia as she placed the glass of milk on the desk.

"I finished writing my journal about the trip." Cosette grinned proudly. "How about Dad? Is the home already? It's a bit late."

"He just arrived and was looking for you."

Cosette glanced at the digital clock on the side of the desk. Seeing it was already past nine in the evening, she rocked her head in understanding. Her lips stretched as she reached for the glass of milk and then gazed at Lucia, her nanny.

"Where is he now?" she asked, watching Lucia raise her brows.

"I'm not sure, but I think he is in his study."

"In his study? Right when he came home?"

"Sir Maxen had things to discuss with him."

Cosette frowned, making Lucia sigh. Lucia patted Cosette's shoulder, offering her young miss a gentle smile.

"The Master had been preoccupied, but I'm certain he is not forgetting about you, Young Miss," she reassured, in case Cosette would misunderstand the lack of time Conrad had been spending in the manor.

"I know that..." Cosette leaned against the chair, looking up at Lucia's gentle smile. "I mean, I know why Papa is busy after the incident in Sharie. It's not like I don't understand, since I appreciate that he still makes some time to meet me in the morning and eat breakfast with me."

Lucia smiled, even more, pleased that Cosette appreciated this small gesture from Conrad. Conrad might not have voiced it out, but during Cosette's trip, he would often pause and ask about his daughter to the servants out of habit. Well, Conrad used to do it even back when his relationship with his daughter was strained.

"I should see him," Cosette mumbled. "I still have months to spare before school starts. If he can't make more time, then I have time and should tail him like a shadow, right?"

"Young Miss..."

"Hehe. That's right." Cosette nodded and stood up, holding the glass of milk. She flashed Lucia a friendly grin. "I'll drink my milk while he drinks his wine."

"But Young Miss --"

"Come on..." instead of listening to Lucia, Cosette hooked her arm around Lucia and dragged her with her. "I missed my dad so much. I should spend more time with him."

Helpless, Lucia allowed the playful Cosette outside her room. She was unable to stop the young miss since her intention was good. And soon enough, both of them forgot Maxen was with Conrad in the study.

****

Meanwhile, in Conrad's study...

The air was thick with Maxen standing near the set of couches while Conrad was near the stand where the decanter and empty wineglass awaits him. However, Conrad just stood still, holding his tie that was slightly loose, eyes on Maxen, like a mannequin.

"You..." Conrad's low voice pierced the thick air in the study room. "... kissed my daughter?"

Maxen lowered his eyes along with his head. "Yes," he breathed out, mustering his faltering courage, and looked up at Conrad again. "For a good three minutes... or five."

Conrad blinked twice, letting Maxen's confession register in his head. He had been busy, and although he made time for Cosette to get to know what happened on the trip, he hadn't conversed with Maxen with just the two of them. Conrad would rather spend the spare energy and limited time with his daughter; Maxen would be fine on his own, and he preferred it that way.

However, he didn't know Maxen would drop a bomb on him after making that call earlier, requesting an audience with him. Which was why Maxen was here today.

"Five minutes, huh?" Conrad's short laugh sounded dull. He continued to loosen his tie and then reached for the decanter. He poured himself a glass of wine, which he chugged down in one go. When he hissed, Conrad set his eyes back at Maxen.

This time, though, his eyes were burning. He marched in Maxen's direction, while the latter fought the urge to take a step back. Soon enough, Conrad's hands stretched out, grabbing Maxen's collar aggressively.

Maxen had the worst timing, that was for sure. If he chose any other day, he wouldn't receive such an aggressive reaction. For goodness' sake! Conrad had been working nonstop for the past months, barely having sleep, and sacrificing the limited sleep because he had to give Cosette at least an hour or two every day.

In other words, Conrad was exhausted on top of being stressed out with the company matters. So, this sort of confession rubbed him in the wrong way, which differed greatly from his calm character. He just didn't think clearly for a moment. Perhaps it was because of stress. But then again, Conrad was certain he would react the same. Or maybe less aggressive but crueler.

"Tell me." He seethed, watching how Maxen kept his ground while looking back at him fearlessly but respectfully in the eye. "What else did you do to my daughter?"

Maxen swallowed a mouthful of saliva, hearing his gulp echo in his ear. But he didn't cower; he didn't want to. Matter of fact, he expected the worst before confessing to Conrad, but he couldn't keep this a secret from him. He owed the man and respected him.

However, just when Maxen's lips parted to say what he knew would anger Conrad, the door was pushed open.

"Papa~!"

Maxen and Conrad froze, turning their attention to the door. Their pupils went huge when Cosette stopped by the door and darted her dilated eyes between the two. Shock reigned in Maxen's eyes, while fear clouded Conrad's eyes. But neither of them moved. They couldn't, allowing Cosette to misunderstand what was there to misunderstand.

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