Looks That Kill

Chapter Six

/-Isla-/

Carlos had this look on his face that made me uneasy. Since I woke up this morning, he has been looking at me weirdly. 

“Carl, is there something you want to tell me? You've been staring at me weird since I woke up,” I said. 

“You don't know?” He asked and I stared at him with a puzzled expression. “You seriously don't remember anything that happened last night?”

I tried to think but nothing was coming to my head. 

“Since you don't remember, forget it,” he said, heading to the bathroom. I ran after it. 

“Would you just talk to me? If I did something wrong, tell me!” I groaned. “Stop these childish games.” 

“Childish?” His gaze darkened. “You were whimpering his name all night in your sleep and I'm childish for getting upset?” 

At first, his words didn't make sense to me then realization crashed on me. Last night, when it felt like I was in some kind of haze, lying next to Roman, it was really… Carlos?

Oh Goddess! 

What the fuck is wrong with you, Isla? In the first place, why the fuck should I even be dreaming about him? I hate him.

'The lies we tell ourselves…’ Arla sang and I blocked her immediately. I turned to Carlos, ready to spit every lie in my head. 

Anything I can think of.

“It's not what you think, babe…” I started as he picked his toothbrush.

“Then what is it? Because it sure looked like you were having a wet dream and who the hell is this Roman guy?” He demanded. 

I blinked for several seconds. 

Right! Of course he wouldn't think it was the Alpha, my uncle. Normal people didn't fantasize about their relations. I bit my lip. 

“It…it was this fling I had in college…” I started and his eyes widened. 

“Fling? I thought you're a virgin?” He exasperated. “Have you been lying to me?” 

“God no!” I sighed, cursing myself for not thinking smart. “We had a thing but we didn't sleep together. It was just this hot makeout session.” 

Hurt flashed in his eyes at that moment and it totally wrecked me. I couldn't pretend not to understand. 

Since we started dating, we've only gone as far as pecks and forehead kisses. I have never given him a real kiss and now, I was dreaming about another guy doing all the things he was supposed to do to me. 

“Babe…” I called quietly but he simply walked out of the bathroom. 

“I'll just take a walk.”

“Babe come on, please listen to me…” the door slammed in my face and I smacked my forehead.

What are you doing, Isla?

Are you seriously keeping yourself for a man who shattered your heart give years ago? A man who is now happily married?

I was the one bragging about moving on yet I wasn't acting like it. I walked back to the bathroom and turned on the faucet. I splahed the water repeatedly on my face and stared at my reflection in the mirror. 

“All you need is a damn miss,Isla,” I said to her. “One kiss and you can fix everything.”

It was easier said than done of course, but I was determined to do whatever it takes to get Carlos back. I couldn't afford to lose him now. 

I got ready and headed downstairs. The table was already set for breakfast and unfortunately, Manda was the only one there. 

“Good morning, princess,” she smiled. 

“Good morning, Manda,” I responded. 

“I see, there's no need to address each other by our titles since we are family,” she chuckled and I threw her a brief glance. “It would probably be best if you add it next time. I wouldn't want the guards thinking that you're disrespecting the Luna.” 

I looked at her this time. She was very different from the last time I saw her. Maybe her blond hair got longer and her blue eyes brighter but obviously her personality sank along the way too. 

“Noted,” I said simply, refusing to engage her. I sat down and glanced idly at the time.

“You know I wasn't sure what you would like so I made a lot of variations. We have steak and eggs, bacon and sausage, chicken and waffles…”

Taking a proper look at the table now, she wasn't exaggerating. She made a lot. How did she manage to do all this and serve at seven in the morning. 

“I appreciate the effort but maybe you could just ask me next time. This is a lot…” I said. 

“Oh I had help,” she grinned. “I fought tooth and nail and finally managed to drag Roman to the kitchen with me. You know how absolutely clueless he is about recipes. I made him learn and practice every one of them.” 

My blood ran cold. 

Her tale sounded awfully familiar. Like my life years ago. I would wake up excited every morning and drag Roman out of bed. He would whine and complain but I was so passionate about teaching him how to make simple meals without burning the kitchen. 

The memory flashed in my head. 

My thirteen year old self on the kitchen counter with Roman bent over my lap, whining about how tired he was. I had fed him with every single food combination I could think of, since he insisted on watching me cook.

“Try this pasta, uncle. I use chocolate instead of cooking cream,” I chartered. He looked up with a terrified look. 

“Chocolate pasta? You… invented that? Just now?” 

“Yes. Try it… come on…” I pouted shoving it into his mouth. “How does it taste?” 

“Good,” he forced a smile even though he looked like he was about to pass out. 

“Don't you like it? I can try something else…”

“No, sweetie, no…” he stood upright and dropped me off the counter so I couldn't carry out more deadly experiments. “No more cooking experiments.” 

When my expression turned sour, he bent over to my height and said, “Little fairy, it's not that your cooking is bad. It's just that if I eat too many varieties, I'd have a stomach ache. You could bake veggies with soda for all I care and I would still like it. Let's just take a break, yeah?”

“.... So what do you think, Isla?” Manda's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. 

“Huh?” I blurted. I hadn't heard a word since she said Roman and her were cooking together.

“I was asking if you'd like to try the burrito. Roman and I made it out of love and he said it was your favourite,” she said. 

“I think I'm fine with eggs,” I responded with a plastic smile. A sly smile crossed her face but she said nothing. 

Soon enough, Roman arrived at the table, rolling my mother. 

“Good morning, Luna,” I greeted and she gave a frail smile. 

“Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well?” She asked. 

“Yes, I did. I didn't realise how much I've missed home until now,” I said and it wasn't a lie. 

I missed everything about this place. 

“That's good to hear.” 

There was a two minute silence.

“Good morning to you too, Isla,” Roman said and my eyes flickered to him. “I'm glad you had a wonderful night.” 

His tone was awfully suggestive and it took my mind back to the argument with Carlos this morning. I tried not to throw the knife in my hands at him. 

Before I could respond, Carlos arrived. 

“Good morning, everyone, I'm sorry I'm late,” he bowed in apology.

Roman's expression went stoic. Manda and my mother responded to his greetings but he stayed silent. 

Carlos sat beside me and I tensed up. Was he still angry with me? I subtly placed my hand on his lap and he placed his over mine, squeezing it tightly. 

Relief washed through me but once again, Roman had to ruin it. 

“I trust you're preparing for your flight home this morning,” Roman said suddenly. “It's a shame you couldn't stay longer.” 

Carlos looked between me and Roman in confusion. 

“Flight home?” He repeated. “But I'm not planning to go anywhere...” 

And the look Roman shot at me was enough to bury me ten feets under.