Love Me, Please
48. Let's Face It

Why does it seem like people like to convey messages in secret today, huh? What is wrong with saying it directly? They all know I don't like talking in riddles. Ughhhh! "Yes, Bi, yes, I know. Thank you so much, Bi, yes. And, after I think about it, maybe we should just keep that a secret, huh, Bi." I re-emitted the course of switching the line of conversation.

Who knows, soon this style will be my mainstay when viewed from how often I use it lately.

What is wrong with these people?

Increasing wrinkles on the face that, although no longer young, still radiates the spirit of life. "Did? What's the matter, Non?"

"Soalal–" I approached Mrs. Crane, gesturing to be taught also leaned in as I was doing now, and lowered the volume of my voice, not forgetting the expression I made as seriously as possible, as if to share a great secret. Well, it may as well be it because if he gets the wind of this, then ... I don't have any idea what will happen to the both of us. Gombalan everyday and guessing jayus every time of the day. "If Kayden found out about this, he would also have tortured Auntie with his reckless chatter and flirting. Bi, please, it's gonna be something really dangerous for us."

Take off a wink from the middle-aged woman's lips. "Yes, yes, Non?" He asked to make sure.

I straightened my body again. "Yes, Bi," I believe while sifting the body onto the stool that is lined up in front of the breakfast bar. "Ughh! Aunty won't believe how many guesses I've had all day. Moreover, the Kay is now happy to watch funny short videos on TikTok. Ouch, Bii. Seriously, really. It's so .. awful." I rolled my eyeballs. From my time, I was impressed to talk about something that was really bad, really bad, and if I had to admit there was nothing bad about what Kayden did for me today and in the days before, but what power. A little dramatic effect won't hurt, right?

Yeah, right.

Mrs. Crane chuckles amusedly, either because of what I said or because of the way I expressed it. "But, Non Niki would love to, right?" ask her then with eyes filled with seductive flashes, unlike the previous ones that more closely reflect shade.

Heh? Duh! Don't tell me Mrs. Crane wants to say .... "Like what, Bi?"

"Digombalin," shoot Mrs. Crane is fast. And on target.

Ughhhh! Where's the riddle when I need it? At times like this, Mrs. Crane suddenly returns to being the one to the point. Shoot it directly between my eyes again. "Ng, that's ...." I certainly can't say anything after being caught off guard like this.

And of course that makes Mrs. Crane's getting excited to tease me. This time not only leaned, the woman standing opposite me did not count to poke my chin. One corner of his lips was mischievously raised. "Ah, be honest with Auntie. Don't lie to me, Nope."

Shoots. I covered up my shame by thawing. "Ih, Auntie why would you want me, anyway? Ah, not cool!" It was fortunate that I still had at least thirty percent sanity in me before I started stomping my feet like a spoiled and sickening little boy.

"Auntie nggetawain Non, kok," he argued half-heartedly. After swallowing kakah, Mrs. Crane said again. "Non calm down. It will also be our secret. But, after Aunt thought about it, Non, if the dreadlocked Aunt flocked as Kayden, anyway, Aunt's response would also be the same as Non."

Huh, Mrs. The crane! I know what you just did there. "Eeeew, Auntie," I grinned. I don't understand why I still maintain the effort to appear as pretentious as I do now when we all know that I am a super duper liar who is not talented in lying.

The middle-aged woman immediately lowered her head to aggravate the sipu that made me even more amused. "Sorry, Non. But, what about it again, right? Mr. Monty was also young when he was. Loves the Auntie's temptain. Now it's rare, maybe because it's been in the wind more often, yes."

When was the last time I laughed in this house? When was the last time I had a conversation like the one I just had with Mrs. Crane's here? When was the last time I had the chance to just be a child that was noticed as was the attitude shown by a middle-aged woman, who was a nobody, who was a child, which is just one of the hired help in this empty house? Where is the person who should have done that to me? Checking my whereabouts? Care about my situation?

Fxck. It's always like this at last. I never seem to get a little happiness again, or just a glimmer of normalcy, without being overshadowed by the clouding reality of my life. The clouds that overshadow the days seem to be getting bigger and heavier. I don't know if I can run away from her cage or not.

The answer to that question seems heavy on the latter choice.

Dang. See how fast this is going south? Fxcking bad emotions are always fxcking slipping on every surface and cracks of me and training down on my parade in no time. Turning me from a puddle of goo because of Kayden's cheesy-ness into an emotional mess on the inside.

Nope. I'm not doing this here. Not with Mrs. Crane and her understanding eyes and her big heart and her tender soul. Nope. Abso-fxcking-lutely says.

You fucking asshole, Guilt! Low Self! Feeling Worried! The Fear! Damn all of you!

Fxcking-kay. I don't want to do this anymore. Pretending happy. Acts just fine. Acting normal. Because ... I am not.

Not happy's.

Not okay.

Normal NOT.

Not .. everything.

"Yes, no, Bi. I'm going upstairs first. Take a shower, I swear." I forced a smile to curl my lips for Mrs. Crane's been too good for me tonight. For the sake of him who has tried to treat me as usual.

For business.

Because, let's face it, Folks, not many do that for me anymore right now.

Mrs. Crane nodded. Suspicious instantly crawled from the corner of his eyes, making what should have been a laugh line even slightly stiffened. Even so, the rays left behind by this fleeting wave created between us were still on that face and eyes. At least before the negative emotions also took over the body of the middle-aged woman in front of me. "Yes, Non Niki. All right then. There's something else I can help you with, Non?"

To be continued ....