6

                           Cherry

As a popular influencer, influencing has almost become my lifestyle. I work so hard day and night, and every morning I tend to wake up with a bad headache, all thanks to the Internet that showed me the best way to control the headache. I know other people probably learnt a lot of things from their parents, but most of my life was spent alone in my room, and I learnt to take care of myself and soothe my pain as well.

I feel like going to my parents every time, whether I just want to talk or complain to them, they will always find a way to remind me that I don’t need them, especially my dad, and since then I never complain to them. I just handle my pain and happiness.

I woke up this morning with the usual headache, so I entered the bathroom and did my morning routine. It was still super early; the time was 6 in the morning, and since it’s holidays, I guess no one is awake yet. So as I went downstairs, the whole house was still quiet, but as I entered the kitchen, I saw Xavier’s back view, and he had a pack of ice placed on his head. I guess I was not the only one awake after all.

I walked fully into the kitchen; guess he heard my footsteps and turned.

“Princess, you’re awake.”

“Hmm,” I hummed and walked to the fridge to get myself a bottle of honey.

“What’s wrong with you? Why the pack of ice on your head?”

“Are you worried about me?” he asked with a cocky grin.

“Sorry for asking then.” I took a cup to go get hot water, but he suddenly grabbed my hand.

“I’m sorry if it made you angry. I was just teasing you.”

I sighed and slowly looked up at him, but as soon as my eyes met his piercing gray eyes, I gently took two steps back, reminding myself why I should stay away from him, cause whenever I look at those eyes, I can’t help but imagine a lot of crazy things.

I don’t trust myself when I’m with him, besides he doesn’t like me, and my brother warned me against him, so I should probably stay away. I don’t think he’s good news; of course, he’s not.

Seeing how I took two steps away from him, his face turned into a frown.

“Princess, why are you keeping your distance?”

I ignored him and took the ice pack.

“What are these for?” I asked him. He shrugged a little but still answered anyways.

“I have a headache.”

“Why?” I asked, dumping the ice in the sink as I got a cup of hot water from the dispenser.

“Probably cause I drank a lot yesterday.”

“You’re drunk, but you still bought flowers for Gueneve.” That was what I wanted to say to him, but of course I didn’t, cause I don’t want to sound petty and vulnerable, so instead I made the first cup of hangover tea.

“Here, have this,” I said, stretching forth the cup at him.

“Thanks,” he muttered and gulped down the whole tea.

“What is it for?”

“Really? You don’t even know what the tea is, and yet you took it.”

“Hmm, cause you gave it to me.”

I swear, hearing those words from him, I could feel butterflies in my tummy, and I was beginning to blush so hard, so I turned away from him and walked to the sink to wash the cups.

“What do you mean it’s cause I gave it to you?”

“Cause I don’t care what it is, Princess. As long as it came from you, then I don’t mind. I’ll take it regardless.”

I fought back my smile, placing the cup in the cabinet.

“What if Gueneve heard you right now? Don’t you think she’s probably going to be sad?”

“Why, what about her, Princess?”

I was about to say another word, but then….

“Morning…” Gueneve walked into the kitchen.

“You’re awake,” I heard Xavier’s voice saying to her.

“Hmmm, my head is banging so hard. Sis, can you make me your special hangover tea, please?”

I dabbed my hands with the towel.

“You’re not new here, find your way around,” I replied to her, and without looking back, I left the kitchen. I saw my brother playing a game in the living room, so I decided to stop by.

“Sweetheart,” he called, glancing at me and focussing back on the game.

“Those two are drunk; why are you not drunk?”

“Drunk? It’s only Xavier that was drunk. I can’t remember Gueneve being drunk.”

“Really?”

“Hmmm.”

“Then when did he get her flowers? Could it be on your way to the club?”

“Flowers?”

“Hmm.”

“I can’t remember us stopping by any shop. Matter of fact, Xavier was down throughout yesterday. It was Gueneve that kept on insisting she wants to go on a date with Xavier, so he agreed. We didn’t stop by any store.”

“Ohh, okay.” It’s crystal clear the bitch is throwing herself at him. I wanted to stand up when my brother suddenly dragged me back.

“Wait, why are you asking?” He stared deep into my soul, like the answers are there.

“Nothing,” I shrugged.

“You’re probably lying; your eyes are twitching.”

“Lying? Of course not. Come on, you think too much. Okay, this is what happened. I’m only asking cause the both of them asked me to make them a hangover tea.”

“Ohhh,” he nodded.

“Wait.” I sat back down and dragged him by the shirt.

“You said you’re going to take me shopping, remember?”

“Of course, sis, but guess what? I couldn’t take you because someone else insisted they want to tag along, so I postponed it today.”

“Tag along? Who wants to tag along?”

“Me……” I heard that familiar voice and looked up to see Xavier standing shirtless before us. For a moment, I zoned out, unable to speak, and then I blinked rapidly, almost cannot control myself.

What in the hell is that body of his…

Not the regular bodies that was filled with tattoos; this is clean and perfectly built but with few tattoos anyways. I suddenly felt like touching them right now.

But my smile wiped out immediately, as Gueneve stood behind Xavier, wrapping her arms around him.

“Hey, sis, I’ll be tagging along as well,” she smiled annoyingly.

“Gueneve dear,” we all heard my father’s voice.

“Uncle,” she quickly unwrapped her arms from Xavier.

“Come with me to the museum. I’m meeting up with some important clients there. You told me you love art; I bet you’ll draw some inspirations from there.”

“Of course, Uncle. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” my father smiled at her and left.

I could tell the bitch is about to explode, but she’s holding it in with a fake smile.

“Hey, big sis, have fun in the museum…” I waved with a dirty grin and triumphant smile.