Chapter Twelve

< Nina’s POV >

I don’t know why it has become a habit of mine now. Maybe because I grew up in a small town, the only fanciest trip I had was in Italy—and the worst one. Or maybe since everyone knows everybody in my hometown so I have no reason to stare.

But it hasn’t been one full day in Dawn City and I have been entering some kind of staring contests all the time.

Well, towards my future stepbrother, that is.

Unlike the first time when I was ogling his face, I just stay frozen stiff, my eyes still widen and it should really hurt by now because I have been doing this for a while. Not to mention my cheeks are clearly flushed. My skin might be the same odd color as Gene’s hair right now.

Finally, Luca’s features change into disgust and his mouth opens a bit. like he has something to say before he shakes his head, indicating his final decision not to remark.

“Your room is on the left side next to mine. If you have questions, just talk to Yu tomorrow morning,” he says as he heads straight to his room with confident strides.

“I should have given Yu the spare keys,” he mumbles before he closes the door.

And that’s the only conversation we have for the first day of our time together.

Suddenly, I feel very tired. It might be the cause of the weariness going on with the trip, my concern for Gene's cross, and of course...my future brother.

As I enter, the first thing that comes to my mind is the emptiness of the room, minus the bed placed next to the window and a wardrobe where I can put my clothes.

Dropping off my bag on the floor, I sigh and immediately slump to the new bed. Lemon-scented bed-sheets, I quickly note as I sniff it. At least, Luca has the decency to prepare this bed for me.

I check my phone to see that it’s almost 10PM. I check the call history and save Gene’s number to my contacts. While doing so, I notice that “Boss” is the most contacted person in Yu's call history.

Should I change it to Luca? Wait, I don’t know if I should still address him in a familiar way. How about Mr. de Milano? Err... stepbrother? Future stepbro, maybe?

After a lot of thinking, I just changed the contact to “The Bringer of Misfortunes”. I don’t know what got to me when I wrote that.

Then, I notice some unfamiliar names in Yu's contact list. Should I really keep this phone knowing there are personal contacts of his? I mentally note not to check his messages or anything that doesn't concern Gene.

And if I want to start talking to my mom, maybe I should start creating my social media accounts like Facebook or Instagram.

Growing weary, I feel like I need to give myself some shut-eye. However, before that, while I still have some battery left, I need to call Gene.

I wonder if he’s still awake.

Click.

“N-Nina?” I can hear a drowsy voice from the other line.

“Hey, Gene.” I smile. “Sorry I woke you up.”

“It’s okay,” he says while yawning. “I take it that this is your new phone number?”

“Yes, Yu just gave it to me without any hesitation.”

“Well, that’s good. I didn’t expect he would literally give it to you.”

“It’s fine. And since I don’t want guilt eating my conscience, I’d like to return his phone before I leave for Spain.”

“Like a one-year loan?”

“Something like that.” I laugh a bit then my mood falters a bit, reminding myself of the purpose of this call. “Gene, I met Luca.”

He doesn’t say anything so I continue. “H-he didn’t try to kill me since I’m all in one piece.”

Yet.

“But I didn’t expect him to be…” I halted a bit, trying to decipher what I was about to say.

“...beautiful.” It was a slip of the tongue when I said that and I immediately clasp my mouth. My cheeks flush once more thinking that

“Beautiful,” he repeats, a voice mixture of drowsiness and curiosity. “This is the first time you’ve said someone as “beautiful”, Nina.”

“And it has to be my stepbrother of all people,” I say, scratching my head. “But I think it will be awkward from now on.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, when he approached me, I screamed as if I'd seen the boogeyman.”

“Why did you scream?”

“I—I don’t know what's got into me. M-maybe it’s because I thought he would kill me.” I don’t know how many times I’ve stuttered today.

“Nina, you didn’t think your mom sent you to Dawn City just to see some kind of an embodiment of a grim reaper, did you?”

“Ah, no! Of course not!”

“Then, everything is going to be okay.” He then yawns. “I’m sorry, Nina. Today is a...tiring day. I’m sure you’re tired as well.”

“I know… but Gene about the cross—”

“I want you to keep it,” he cut me off. “It’s not the best p gift, I know…” he hesitates for a while. “And I’m sorry.”

“Gene, there’s nothing to apologize for.” In fact, he shouldn’t apologize for anything at all. If he gave me that cross that means he completely entrusted it to me.

"I want you to come here, Gene. You promised me."

Did I sound demanding? I’m not sure. A part of me wishes that Gene will tell me everything. He does it even with just his actions. But when it comes to his brother, all he said to me was that he will tell me “one day”.

“Sure.” And I feel like Gene smiled as he said that. “I miss you, Nina. Good night.”

“Good night.”

After we hang up, I look at my phone and the battery shows it is 10%. I close my eyes as I feel like my worn body feels at ease as I almost reach into a deep sleep.

Yu will come back tomorrow morning. Before that, I have to apologize to Luca for screaming.

Yes, tomorrow. I will do all of these tomorrow.

After all, tomorrow is the official new day for me.

<<<>>>

It was at 7AM when I woke up earlier. I didn’t expect to wake up this early without an alarm. As expected, Yu’s old phone is completely dead, having only 10 percent left last night.

.

Today’s a Saturday so that means I won’t have anything to prepare before school starts on Monday.

Oh right, Yu is coming to give me his charger and probably a tour around the school.

I jump out from my bed and realize that I haven’t showered since yesterday. Maybe that’s what I should do first. And a new fresh eye pad.

As I grab my towel and head outside, I haven’t expected to see Luca at the breakfast bar, drinking what seems to be a banana smoothie. When he heard the sound of the creaking door behind him, his head turned, and automatically his features changes into a frown.

He didn't say anything. Nada. But he is observing me which makes me embarrassed and lower my head.

I walk with slow steps, praying to God that the bathroom is just straight ahead because I don’t want to look stupid. If this will be an everyday routine, I might as well shower in McDonald's if they let me. It's better than... what's happening right now.

I feel his gaze darting in my direction as I walk closer. Then a thought suddenly comes to me which makes me stop my tracks.

Not to mention, I just stop the moment when I can clearly see his pajama pant legs in my view. Yeap, I’m in front of him now. I'm such an idiot!

Should I also greet him? Yes, I should! It is the most reasonable thing to do especially if I go in his direction.

“G-good…” Oh God, why is it so hard to greet a person!

“What are you doing?”

I reluctantly look up, Luca who is in his pajamas while sitting in front of me with his arms crossed. The ever-present frown is still there.

I couldn’t respond, my cheeks redden once more.

He stands up and I can finally see that just by standing next to him, I feel like a helpless child since he's incredibly tall. He walks a bit closer to me and leans down, gazing at me again without a word. Then, he lifts his hand and touches a few strands of my hair, fingers softly touching the brown locks.

Something about his touches even if it's just my hair makes me feel fuzzy inside.

“You look exactly like your mother.”

“Y-yes,” as if auto-pilot, I responded. “You look exactly like your father.”

At that moment, I knew I shouldn’t have said that.

“I look like him, huh?” He seethes as his golden brown brows furrow into a glare.

Crap.

I gulp. I shouldn’t have said that to him!