The Forbidden Desires 06

I stepped back when he stopped in front of me. I stopped retreating when I felt the wall behind me. I glanced sideways to avoid making eye contact with him. I just wanted to disappear into the bushes next to me or perhaps be swallowed by the ground.

“Do you know that it’s not right to hide and secretly listen between two people’s conversation?”

“I’m not hiding!” I looked up at him and it was too late to regret what I had just said.

A corner of his lip lifted into a smirk as he leaned one hand against the wall above my head. I lowered my gaze as he moved closer; his face inches from mine.

“Oh . . .” He sounded sarcastic. “You are not hiding? So, you mean you admit you overheard our conversation?”

I closed my eyes tightly and couldn't speak. I should have just gone straight to the kitchen! What possessed me to stop and eavesdrop on their conversation?

“Don’t scare her!”

My eyes flew open. The woman behind him laughed as she looked at me. I swallowed hard as my gaze met with Silas. His thick brows furrowed as he gave me a stern look.

“She needs to be scared. I won't give in to everything she wants. I don’t like her here. She wouldn't be here if it weren't for uncle.”

I watched him as his jaw moved as if it was hard for him to look at me. My eyes widened as I confirmed that he truly didn't want me here. We are relatives but I suddenly feel guilty. I also felt as if I was unwanted. I was no longer a child to be watched over. I could have stayed at the hacienda if Grandpa hadn't insisted.

“You don’t mean it, right? She’s your niece. She's your relative, Silas. You need to take care of her since she's entrusted to you,” the woman said, patting Silas on the shoulder.

“Shut up, Elle. She’s not my fucking niece—”

“I am! I’m your niece!” I couldn't help but interrupt and my voice raised.

I just want to prove a point to him that we’re blood-related but it turns out that he became more irritated. I abruptly looked away when I saw him turn angrier after I cut him off from speaking.

“You are not . . . my niece. Because I don’t want you to be one. Don’t forget that.” His voice was low but firm.

The woman continued to laugh softly behind him. She glanced at Silas who was in front of me and, seeing his seriousness, excused herself and left us. She gave me a curious look before departing.

I couldn't bring myself to look at Silas, even though he was right before me. I couldn't bear to meet his eyes because I could feel the bitterness in his voice.

‘What’s wrong with me being his niece? It's fine with his siblings... but why not with him? Why doesn't he like me?’

“If not because of uncle, your grandfather, I won’t let even the tip of your hair stick on me. I always hate your presence near me. I don’t want to see you. I don’t even want to hear your breath.”

I held my breath at his last words. I released it only after he had left. I watched him walk away. He might not get angry with me instantly, but I had no idea what might trigger his anger.

He may have his reason or maybe he just really doesn’t want to feel my presence? I don’t understand. Could someone dislike another person's presence without even really knowing them? He said we had met before. Could I have done something wrong back then? If I did... would that be enough for him to hate me like this?

I felt downcast throughout the day. This was the first time someone had ever disliked me. People in the province describe me as a sweet girl even at my age of twenty-two. Perhaps, because of my gentle and affectionate nature, they thought of me as more childlike than my actual age. I couldn't blame them because I didn't interact with anyone other than Grandpa and the people in the mansion and hacienda.

“Is that a new gun?”

“I bought it just last month.”

I glanced at Silas, who was cleaning and inspecting the guns individually. He raised the newly purchased one and showed it to Elle. I tried to lighten my emotions by reminding myself that I wouldn't be with him for long. Once Grandpa recovered, I could return to the hacienda where everyone wanted me. And besides, he was the only one who disliked me. Grandpa, Grandma, and his female siblings liked me, so it was okay. At least, I wasn’t left alone. Everyone wants me to be here . . . except him.

“When Chico sees this, he'll ask where you got it—”

Silas grinned and took the gun from Elle. “He won't be able to buy one. There's only one of these.”

I should just avoid looking at him to spare myself from seeing the disgust in his eyes. I stayed away from him because he didn't really approach me. He never looked at me for too long. Our gazes never lingered for more than a second when they met.

If he didn't want me here, I wouldn't bother him. I didn't want to be a burden to anyone, especially to him. A small wrong move and his words hurt deeply. I was just going to stay with them for a short while, so I didn't want to leave a bad impression of how I behaved and how I was at home.

He glanced on my way after putting his gun on the table near the target area. He had finished fixing and loading them. I was on the side with Gineth, where there was a tree providing shade and a table underneath for resting. We were shielded from the scorching sun by the tree. I turned my gaze away from Silas when I saw him approaching.

“We'll start here. Go back inside.” His eyes were on Neth.

“Kuya, we want to watch!”

“You can't,” he said with finality.

He was standing beside the table. I could still see him from the corner of my eye, but I couldn't bring myself to look at him. Instead, I fixed my gaze on Gineth.

“Kuya—”

“Don’t complain and go inside, Gineth.” His voice was strict and authoritative.

Gineth pouted and stood up to invite me to leave as her brother wished.

“Don’t leave the door open so you won’t hear the gunshots.”

I stopped following Neth due to what he said. I blinked and, when I looked at him on my side, his eyes were blank. I nodded quickly and passed by him.

My heart was pounding loudly as I followed Neth inside. I was trailing behind, so I was the one to close the door. I held the door and, before I shut it, I glanced back outside, thinking I could still see Silas's last look. Our eyes met briefly as I slowly pushed the door closed. He didn't seem to have any expression, but I felt there was more to his gaze, making me nervous.

I took a deep breath and stared at the closed door momentarily. My heart was racing so fast. There was something about the way he looked at me that sent shivers down my spine.

“Athena?”

Neth grabbed my arm. I nearly jumped. I turned to her.

“Is your headache hurting again?”

I shook my head quickly. I took one last look at the closed door, feeling as if I could still see Silas's last glance. Then, I followed Neth.

“Would you like to go back to your room for now? We'll meet up later?”

I nodded to Gineth. I let her go ahead. I moved slowly, my thoughts on Silas. His stares always leave me in question. He’s distant, intimidating, and snobbish. He also has a habit of looking away whenever I catch him staring. And the way he told me to close the door as if he knew that gunshots were definitely the reason for my sudden headache last night. I feel like he’s hiding something from me.

‘If there is something... what could it be?’