Saving the Villain

Knock knock!

"Huh? Who could be knocking at this time?" Rocco rubbed his weary eyes as he dragged his body out of the bed. His apartment was small despite securing a spot in public service, hence, just one knock and he could hear it from his bedroom.

As he dragged his feet toward the main door, the knocking grew louder and more aggressive.

"Aish… okay! Okay! I'm coming," he said, annoyed. "God dam. Just what time is it?"

Rocco peeked from his one eye as he walked past the wall clock in the small living area. The moment he saw it was an hour past midnight, his face twitched in irritation. There was only one inconsiderate prick who would bother people in the middle of the night.

"That prick," he mumbled irritably. "Good. I haven't given him a piece of me about that sudden engagement."

Rocco's face turned sour. As an adult, he didn't have that much free time to hang out with his friends. Although they would set schedules at least once or twice a month, it was still not like it was used to. He couldn't blame his friends, though.

Conrad and Maynard were busy in their family business, and the responsibility and workload they had wouldn't decrease anytime soon. It was the same for Rocco, planning to make a name for himself on top of studying for his master's. Hence, even when Rocco heard about Maynard's sudden engagement and soon wedding, and it was unclear what happened between Maynard and Stella, Rocco didn't find the time to confront his friend.

Perhaps this was just about time since they were all busy.

"Just tell me one thing, May —" Rocco halted the moment he opened the door, seeing that his expectation to see that arrogant friend of his wasn't met. Instead, a petite woman stood in front of the door with her head down. "Stella?"

Stella raised her head. Her complexion was pale, and the subtle smile on her face was obviously forced. "Sorry for bothering you in the middle of the night, Rocco."

"Stella, what are you doing here?"

"I know we haven't talked much lately, but you see…" Stella gazed down at the hastily packed luggage on her side. "... I just don't know where to go or who to turn to, Coco."

Deep lines appeared in between Rocco's thick brows as he saw the luggage she brought with her. When he set his eyes back on her, his jaw tightened.

"Tell me about it inside. Come. God, girl, you're a mess." Rocco clicked his tongue as he bent over, picking up her luggage. When he straightened his back and faced her, he tipped his head inside. "Come in. My place is also a mess, but it's warmer."

Her eyes stiffened as she nodded, following Rocco inside his small apartment. Stella stood still as Rocco switched the lights on after putting down her luggage to the side, revealing the untidy living area. There were tons and tons of papers lying around, used socks, and even empty food containers that seemed to have been there for days now.

"Ah, sorry about this!" Rocco clumsily picked up his dirty socks and cleaned the area. "I didn't expect I'd have visitors and well, I don't really need to clean if someone did since there are only two people who come into this place unannounced, anyway."

"It's fine." Stella candidly laughed while watching him clean the living area out of embarrassment. "You don't need to clean it up. It's fine."

pAn,Da n<0,>v,e1 "No! I'll be quick! Just take a seat in the dining!" Rocco didn't bat her an eye as he continuously tidy up his place.

Stella, who was told to sit down on the dining that was just connected to the living area, smiled. She kept her eyes on Rocco's figure, looking around this simple and cramped apartment he had for himself.

"You didn't change, Rocco," she said, dragging her feet to the dining table. "Even when you found a decent job, you still didn't change."

"Bold of you to assume I didn't, woman. This place is actually very nice when I got in here — very luxurious!" Rocco humored as if they kept in touch even when this was probably the first time they saw each other in two years. "I just didn't have the time to clean it."

"Is that so?" Her voice was soft as ever, but it wasn't as clear as it used to be. There was a tinge of sadness, helplessness, and

Rocco paused and glanced to where she was sitting. Even when he didn't keep in touch with her, the two of them were really good friends back in university. Matter of fact, he had a crush on her the first time they met. It was just that he realized they would be a 'bad' match and dating wasn't their priority back then. So the feelings just died, but they became really good friends.

'What happened to you?' he wondered, shaking his head, keeping whatever thoughts he had at the back of his head. Rocco tried his best to clean the living area as he already assumed he would sleep in there.

When the living area slightly looked decent with all the stacked papers set aside and the foul smell getting out of the open window, Rocco went to the two-door refrigerator to get a can of beer.

"Want a beer?" he asked, propping his arm on the lower door of the refrigerator.

"No, I'm alright. I already bothered you enough."

"Nah, no biggie. Milk? Tea? Coffee? What do you want? Did you even eat already?"

Stella flashed him a short smile, but her eyes showed sincerity. "I'd have the milk then."

"Alright!" Rocco bent over and got what he needed from the refrigerator, but instead of giving her a cold carton of milk, he boiled hot water to make her hot milk. Stella kept silent all this time, watching him busily work in the kitchen, and then join her at the table with hot milk and some snacks.

"You really haven't changed," she said again, gazing at the steam from the cup of milk and the reheated snacks she could eat. Stella slowly raised her eyes and smiled. "You're still as considerate as ever."

"Hah." Rocco rubbed his nose with his finger, plopping down across from her with the can of beer in his hand. "I should be the one telling you that. You haven't changed, Stella. You appreciate even the smallest things."

The two of them smiled at each other before he gestured for her to eat. Since Rocco had exerted effort to feed her, Stella didn't refuse and enjoyed the hot milk and snacks slowly.