The Varkas Brothers And Their Princess novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

AXEL

Turns out it was Rosette’s friend at the door. I would have taken anybody but her.

“You weren’t at your place, so I figured you would be here,” she said when Rosette opened the door. She stepped inside without waiting to be invited.

“How did you know I lived here?” I asked, not bothering to hide the bitterness in voice.

“I told her,” Rosette answered before the friend could open her mouth.

“I see.” I nodded, not taking my eyes off her and she didn’t take hers off me either. She didn’t like me; that feeling was mutual.

Rosette offered her a seat and we sat on the double seater while she sat facing us, her gaze–more like a glare -fixed on me.

Rosette cleared her throat, shifting beside me. “So let me introduce you guys formally. Sofia, meet Axel.”

She smiled, all teeth. “I can’t say it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I didn’t bother to fake a smile. “Good. I don’t like people who pretend.”

“At least we have one thing in common.”

“Ha. So thrilling,” I deadpan.

She tilted her head at me. “That’s pretending, Axel.”

“It’s called sarcasm, Sofia.”

“Sarcasm is for fools.”

“Then you should be foolish every now and then. It’ll help you loosen up.”

Rosette sighed, massaging her temple. “Why’re you here, Sofia?”

Sofia finally moved her gaze away from me and looked at Rosette. “You weren’t in any of the classes yesterday, so I came to drop off notes.

“Thank you.”

She nodded, looking at me before she looked back at Rosette. “So both of you dating or what?”

I kept silent, letting Rosette answer.

She was silent for a while before she finally answered. “Uhm, no.”

A week ago, that answer would have hurt me, but not today. She had said there was hope, so I couldn’t assume that just because we do everything together and she spends some nights in my place, we were dating. I was going to get my answer soon, and I just hoped it was before I left.

“What do you mean no?” Sofia asked, her eyes narrowed, looking between us.

Rosette gave her a flat look. “It means no.”

“But you two already do everything together! You’re already living with him, right?”

“That’s enough, Sofia,” Rosette snapped, her gaze hard.

I just stayed silent, my chin resting on my folded fist, looking at the ladies and letting them handle themselves. Sofia kept her mouth shut, moving her eyes back to me and leaning back.

“So, Axel,” she said slowly, and I knew she was about to stir up trouble. “You think you know Rosette?”

I didn’t raise my head from my fist, just regarded her with a bored look. “I don’t think I know her, Sofia. I know I know her.”

“Okay then. So these questions shouldn’t be so hard for you to answer, right?”

“Ask away.”

“Alright, then, Mr. I–know–her–so–well. Tell me, what does she do when she’s nervous?”

“I still don’t like you though,” she whispered.

“Good.”

***

After Sofia left, Rosette was quiet. She seems lost in her head, so I just gave her space to think.

Our day eight was spent doing nothing, but we were fine with that. There were just two days left and I had to tell her I would be leaving on day ten. But anything I come close to telling you, my tongue gets all twisted and tied up.

Why? Was it because I couldn’t tell her the main reason I was lying? I could tell her it was for work, but I didn’t want to lie to her.

Night came so close and Rosette was still stuck in her head. I stepped outside to get some fresh air, stretching my neck as I glanced up at the sky.

The moon hung fat and swollen, its edges barely holding back from perfection.

I went still.

“Shit…”

I thought I had two nights left, but looking at the moon now–so round, so close–I knew better.

This is what happens when you follow a stupid calendar.

The full moon is tomorrow.

…

I cursed, marching back into the house just as Rosette was coming out.

“I have something to tell you,” we said at the same time.