Arcane ~ ONGOING

~Chapter Twenty~

not edited
My eyes widened at the intrusion in my room as Ana's head snapped back to gaze open mouthed at Octavian who now has his eyes narrowed at both of us. He advances towards us as I squeeze Ana's hand. I am the shitiest liar ever so it was out of question to try and come up with a lie, Octavian would catch it straight up and it scared me. I didn't want to know what the consequences of lying to him would be.

Ana's face snapped back to me, wide eyes and asking me to do it. Her eyes sharply moved to Octavian, motioning me to tell him about what's going on. I didn't want to. I didn't trust them enough yet to tell him about my worst days. I don't think they have accepted me enough to know what has happened. They still don't like me that much and if they find out about my pathetic actions, they would just ship me back to my old home.

I wanted more time with them, so that's why I lightly shook my head to Ana before turning back to Octavian, "Nothing,' I said, gulping lightly. I looked anywhere but his eyes while Ana just sighed silently.

"I know you're lying, Astria," He said, taking up and chair and sitting down on the other side of the bed, "Why don't we try again? With more truth this time," he said. His cold blue eyes narrowed at me, glaring. This is what I was afraid of. He looked so intimidating and scary and angry and unfortunately, this time, his anger was aimed towards me. I would have rather not been the aim but her I was. "Miss Collins," Octavian addressed the lady sitting right beside me, holding my hand for emotional support, "You wouldn't mind waiting outside for a little, would you?" he asked. It was posed as a question but it was clear as day that Octavian was ordering her to leave.

My eyes snapped to Ana who was giving me a sympathetic smile. It did little to soothe my nerves as I felt my chest tighten. My grip around her hand tightened as I pleaded with my eyes. I didn't want to be left alone with an angry Octavian when his anger was directed towards me. She just tried to free her hand while muttering, "You'll be fine. He's your brother. It's going to be alright," She said, while she softly rubbed my back.

"Can't she stay here, please?" I asked Octavian. His hard expression did not change at my terrified face which shocked me. I was a little sure that maybe Octavian would be softer on me considering his behaviour with me for the past few days but he was definitely not having it. My eyes widened a bit and my bottom lip stuck out unintentionally, "Please?" I asked, this time my voice sounded more desperate and it was quite pathetic but if it helped in persuading Octavian, I am not complaining.

He took in a deep breath, closing his eyes as if trying to calm himself down. His jaw clenched as his hands fisted. "Fine," he gritted out. I knew my antics were making him angrier but he wouldn't do anything when his employee is present, right? But I still sighed at his response, relieved as Ana settled down in the armchair again, still holding my hand, which I greatly appreciated.

"Now, Astria, what is going on that you don't want me to know?" he asked, looking right into my eyes. His electrifying blue eyes held mine with an emotion so strong, it was hard to pull away. I didn't want him to know. I could not tell him. Ever. He didn't need to know it so he wasn't going to know it.

"Like I said, it's nothing," I muttered, this time more firmly.

"Then why did you need Miss Collins in here with you?" He asked.

Well, you see, about that. I don't really have an answer. I jut stare at him blankly, trying to think of a valid reason. After a moment or two of pure silence, Octavian raises his left eyebrow, prompting me to answer and increasing my pressure.

"Because you scare me," I blurted out. My eyes widened at my own response as I cowered a little.

"I know that," He said, calmly this time My eyes widened more at his response. I definitely wasn't expecting that but ok. "But are you that afraid that you can't stay with me in the same room alone?" he asked. His tone and expression said that he knew the answer. He knew what my response was going to be but I could still see a sliver of hope behind his guarded eyes. I felt absolutely terrible doing this, but he will get over it, I can make it up to him by staying in the room with him sometimes and stuff like that but if he knows what happened there, that will be irreversible.