Chapter 44 - REGRETS
Before, Stefan would always make sure to wake up early specially if she's going to attend something important or if she needed to go somewhere early in the morning. This time, he didn't care about her personal affairs.
The clock struck quarter to eleven and finally, Stefan woke up. The two of them didn't say anything and he didn't let her take a shower first. The moment he woke up, he got out of the bed, took his bathroom and went inside the shower room. He was even taking so much time inside the bathroom.
Cayenne just waited for him to finish showering while she apologized to her younger brother for missing the ceremony. Even if she's going to go there, she won't be able to make it. It was a good thing that Luiz was very understanding. He knew that his sister must have been busy with work so he didn't make a fuss out of it.
After half an hour, Stefan came out. He looked at her lonely back and cursed himself. Every time he decided to act badly in front of her, he was the only one who will regret it in the end. When he was inside the bathroom, he punched the wall several times from his anger. He woke up late and now, he caused her to miss something so important to her.
Cayenne stood up and took her own robe.
"Ayen, I'm sorry."
She just nodded his head and smiled faintly at him. She didn't blame him or get mad at him. And it upsets him even more. It would have been better if she got angry, yelled at him or curse him. He was so guilty for what he did.
Cayenne didn't take so much time. After taking a shower, she changed her clothes and arranged her things. Stefan wasn't in the bedroom when she got out but it didn't matter to her. As soon as she finished everything, she picked up her bag and ran downstairs.
"I'm going now. See you tonight." She was walking quickly while bidding her farewell to him.
Stefan came out from the kitchen, still wearing his apron. "What about breakfast?"
"There's no need." Cayenne responded while she was wearing her shoes at the door. Before Stefan could say anything else, she was already running out and closed the door behind her.
The taxi driver was waiting for him outside the house already. She contacted him earlier when Stefan was still inside the bathroom. Since she wasn't able to attend the ceremony, she went home to cook a little celebratory meal for her younger brother. It was the least thing she could do for him.
Back in the subdivision, Stefan was sitting on the kitchen stool with a daze expression. "What have I done? Why did I let her miss something so important to her? Why am I becoming so selfish? Why am I hurting her again and again?"
He told himself to give up being friend with her and it was fine. But, there's something wrong in him because he couldn't give her up. They didn't even have any relationship and she was his employee. She even refused to become his friend. Stefan was so confused of himself.
"Perhaps, if Alexander is alive, he would know what to do in this kind of situation." He covered his face with his hands and took a deep breath. "I need to do something."
Cayenne was happily cooking at home. She was excited to see her brothers and his award. It was a sort of reward to her – knowing that her brothers were doing their best in school. Her happiness would've lasted a little longer if her brothers didn't bring someone home.
Arthur was standing behind Luiz with a basket of fruits and a strawberry cake. He smiled at her and Cayenne smiled back faintly. She looked towards Kyle who only shrugged his shoulders and when she looked towards Luiz, he averted his eyes guiltily. It was obvious who invited Arthur to their home.
"Come inside." Cayenne still remained polite despite her displeasure. She didn't really want him to know where she lives because his mother would know about it and she would come sooner or later to discriminate her. She never wanted it to happen again.
"Sorry." Luiz mumbled when he followed his sister in the kitchen. "I didn't know how to refuse him and he didn't mean any harm. He just wanted to celebrate this award I got with us."
"You could have gone somewhere and celebrate it." Cayenne responded coldly while arranging the dishes on the round dining table.
"But, I want to come home and show my award to you as soon as possible."
"I can wait."
"Sorry." He apologized once again. They had no idea why their sister didn't like Arthur to know where they live. The two of them claimed to be friends but Arthur wanted something more than that and it was also obvious that their sister didn't want to become his friend. She didn't want to have any kind of relationship with him. In short, she hates him.
"I can see that you are doing well." Arthur commented while looking around the apartment. It may not be an expensive or a large unit but it was still decent compared to how they live before. He really admired Cayenne for her bravery to face the adversities in life.
Cayenne placed the last dish on the table and smiled sheepishly at him. "I'm able to find a good job which also pays generously."
"That's great. If ever you would need some help in the future, you can always tell me. I'll make sure to help you."
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." Cayenne responded but she had no intention of running into him if ever she'll face a problem. She will never allow his mother to find something she can use against her. "Let's all eat."
The four of them sat around the table. No one knew that outside the apartment building, a certain someone was sitting inside his car. There were gifts and some foods on the seat beside him but instead of getting out to come and find Cayenne, he drove out of the vicinity and went back home.