Saving the Villain

Since Luke asked and Maxen was obviously interested, Cosette had no choice but to tell them where she met Ezekiel Stone. Cosette didn't want to recall that torturous weekend getaway, and that was why she didn't dwell on it. Matter of fact, she wanted to forget just like how Conrad deleted that memory in his head. She was just happy that she was able to go home and shamelessly melt into Maxen's arms.

"So you're saying you, my brother, and that guy spent the entire weekend together?" Luke gasped, sitting on the floor as they ate the chicken wings they ordered so they had a full stomach before reviewing. Cosette didn't lie about that; they planned to study together.

"What else can I do?" her shoulders went down as she sighed. "My grandparents had been abroad for years, so when they returned, they invited their friends over. We didn't know about it, but we had no other choice, even when my dad was not pleased with the idea."

"Why didn't you tell us — I mean, why didn't you tell Max about it?" Luke narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You didn't cheat on him, did you?"

"Are you out of your mind?" Cosette snatched the chicken wing he was about to take a bite.

"Hey, that's mine!"

Her eyes blazed angrily and to spite him, Cosette took a bite of the chicken while staring at him. Luke gasped, looking back at her incredulously.

"That's what you get for giving Max the wrong idea." She huffed, facing Maxen, only to see him tilt his head. "Max, don't listen to him. This guy just watches too much drama."

Maxen opened his mouth but shut them again. He simply gazed at her momentarily before rocking his head in understanding. It was not like he could do anything, even if Cosette detailed the weekend trip. It only made sense how distressed she was when she got home; even Conrad didn't look well after that trip.

It was her grandparent's plan, so Maxen had to respect the elders' friends. Also, he trusted Cosette. So even if he knew she was stuck with two guys for two days, it left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he chose to trust her instead of entertaining the odd ideas just like Luke.

"Should I go home with you?" asked Maxen after a moment, changing the subject since this subject wasn't benefiting anyone.

"Huh?" Cosette cocked her head to the side. "Why are you asking that?"

"Girl, are you daft?" Luke clicked his tongue. "Didn't you hear that guy saying your grandparents are visiting the city and they would stay in your home?"

"I heard, but what's that got to do with Maxen?"

Luke rolled his eyes, finding her question stupid. What did she mean by her question?

"I don't think your grandparents know about me," Maxen explained in a knowing tone. "And I don't want to give you and your dad some trouble."

Luke nodded in agreement. "Max should just stay here with me." His lips stretched as his eyes glinted, somehow, making Maxen want to ask Remo to let him stay in his place instead.

Cosette blinked, keeping her eyes on Maxen's face.

"Max, what are you saying?" she murmured, tilting her head to the side. "They know about you."

"Huh?" Both Maxen and Luke furrowed their brows, looking at her clear eyes.

"Oy, what are you saying? Didn't you leave Max because you're meeting with your grandparents?" Luke blurted out as if that was what he had assumed.

Although Conrad didn't tell Maxen directly the reason why they left Maxen when Conrad and Cosette went to the ancestral home. Maxen also concluded the same. It wasn't like Maxen didn't understand if that was the reason. After all, being a parent was hard and for Conrad to let a young man in their home whilst having a daughter around the same age was a strange move.

Maxen was grateful for Conrad and Cosette, so he didn't want to cause them problems.

"Dad decided to leave Maxen because he didn't want my grandparents bothering Maxen," explained Cosette in a knowing tone. "They didn't know about Max at first, of course, but my grandparents had always wanted a male grandchild. Why do you think they always rile up my dad? They blamed my dad for only having a daughter, and now I have to do well instead of just enjoying a life of luxury doing nothing. Like a princess… is what they said."

"What?" Luke's face went blank, not expecting such a response from her. Maxen's brows also rose.

"Also, my dad will not let Maxen's existence in secret." She shrugged, glancing at Luke before setting her eyes back on Maxen. "He's too proud of you. You have no idea, Max."

There was a moment of silence that descended in the room after Cosette's 'revelation.' For her, she thought Maxen already knew how Conrad trusted Maxen as if he was his own. But it seemed Maxen was still bound by society's idea that Conrad obviously never adhered to.

Sure. From the eyes of others, taking in a young man who was around the same age as his daughter looked strange. There were many questions that would arise, but Conrad's thinking had always been practical.

For example, Conrad would rather know if his daughter was already drinking alcoholic drinks than Cosette sneaking around and getting drunk with people he didn't know. It was the same for Maxen. Conrad would rather raise him to be a good man, so if ever Cosette and Maxen ended up together, Conrad knew his princess was with a good man.

"Well… that… is good, I guess?" Luke cleared his throat while Cosette and Maxen stared at each other. "Just when I thought tonight will be a boy's night."

Luke then arched a brow and looked back at Remo. "What?"

Remo opened his mouth but bit his tongue to stop himself from asking a question. There was no point, he thought. But deep down, he was wondering if Luke actually had romantic feelings for Maxen.

Good thing Remo didn't ask. His life would end right then and there.