Saving the Villain

"So, how was the dinner?"

"It went well… surprisingly." Cosette simpered, treading carefully on the gravel path in the garden. "There was a bit of an argument, but it was smoothened out. And then I had tea with my nana after dinner before I went to my room, but I couldn't sleep so I went out for a walk."

"That's good to hear." Maxen nodded in satisfaction, detecting the delight in her tone.

"How about you?" she asked, moving her phone to her other ear. "Did you have dinner?"

"Mhm."

"Did you eat a lot?"

"Yes. Did you?"

"I feel bloated." Cosette smacked her lips, looking around the courtyard.

The Blac ancestral home had a traditional architectural design, which felt like she was at a different time than the current. Although some parts of the residence were renovated to add more modern design and appliances such as air conditioning, the overall surrounding was serene. She hadn't toured the entirety of the residence since they arrived late, but she was excited about tomorrow since her nana asked her to join them for fishing tomorrow.

"So, what are your plans tomorrow?" His voice snapped her back to the current lapse. "Shopping?"

"Max, do you think my grandparents had the energy to go shopping spree?" she pouted, dragging her feet to the intricate chair. Cosette sat down on it, swaying her feet. "They asked me to go fishing tomorrow. We had a pond."

"Ahh… that sounds fun."

She quirked a brow. "You think that was fun?"

"Uh-huh."

"I highly doubt that. Guys your age would rather do other things like playing games or extreme sports. I haven't seen anyone enjoy fishing at an early age, unless, of course, it's some sort of family activity."

"Everything is fun with you," Maxen said without much thought, stopping from going through the documents Warren asked him to read. Conrad's assistant was demanding Maxen give out a report tomorrow morning.

"Hehe." She giggled, as she didn't expect him to say that. "Anyway, what about you? What are your plans for the weekend?"

Maxen leaned back to give his eyes a break from reviewing the documents on the desk. "Let's see… I have training in the morning, and then a therapy session. After that, I might drop by in Luke's place since he kept bombarding my phone to accompany him."

"That little —" Cosette ground her teeth, telling herself to calm down. Was Luke making the most out of her absence?

"And then I have driving lessons," he continued. "I will keep myself busy, so I won't miss you so much."

"Gosh… you miss me already?"

"Mhm. It feels like it's been ten years."

Cosette laughed, knowing it had only been eight hours since they last saw each other. "Goodness… why is video call not a thing around this time?"

"Video… what?"

"Nothing." She let out another laugh again. "I missed you already."

"It's late, Cozie." Maxen smiled, reluctance swirling in his eyes. "You should sleep."

"But I can't sleep…"

"That's what you always say every night, only to sleep like a log once you stop playing."

"I fall asleep because you tire me out." She humored, biting her lips playfully. "But I will try."

"Mhm."

"Goodnight, Max."

"Goodnight, baby." Maxen secretly let out a deep exhale, feeling a bit reluctant to hang up. "I love you."

Cosette blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear. No matter how many times he had said those words, the butterflies they gave in her always felt like the first time.

"I like it when you call me like that," she pointed out. "I love you too and I miss miss you — I kiss you."

Maxen chuckled. "Alright now. Talk to you tomorrow."

"Aye aye, captain. I'll update you~"

"Mhm."

Maxen and Cosette still stayed on the line for the next ten minutes, going in circles with their goodbyes before she finally hung up. He used to hang up on her, but now the beep sound whenever the line disconnected left this unpleasant feeling in his heart. He would've offered to stay on the line even if she was asleep, but he knew Cosette wouldn't stop talking to him if they did that.

"I'm so used to her being around it feels empty without her." Maxen let out a sigh, turning his head on the bed. Sometimes, Cosette would just lie down there and fall asleep while he finishes homework.

"I don't think I will ever get used to her absence." He shook his head, refocusing his attention on the mountain of documents he had to make a report on tomorrow.

****

Meanwhile, Cosette pouted as she gazed at her phone.

"Gosh… why do I feel like crying?" she mumbled, letting out a dramatic sigh. "I really miss him a lot. Strange when we used to not see each other for a month or two in the past." — but that was in their previous life, and the story had changed. Cosette doesn't have an entire company to keep her busy and Maxen didn't have enemies to keep him occupied.

"Ahh… so peaceful." Cosette leaned back, looking up at the night sky while keeping her hands on her lap. Her lips curled up, thinking about her grandparents, her father's good health, and then her beloved boyfriend.

"I… am having a good life," she recognized with a grin, eyes shimmering with satisfaction. "A really good life worth coming back for."

The side of her lips stretched from ear to ear until her teeth were showing. In the past, Cosette only wished to have a better situation where she and Maxen could love freely. But now, she was living a life that was far better than she wished for.

Cosette was always grateful for it. Even though how she returned in time was a mystery to her, the truth behind him didn't matter anymore.

"I just want to live like this…" she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to enjoy the freshness in the air and the serene surrounding. "... for as long as I can with everyone."