Saving the Villain

DING DONG!

Cosette was placing a pot inside an oven when she heard the doorbell ring. She looked up for a moment and put the pot inside in a hurry. The doorbell rang once again, making her quickly take off the apron and mittens she was wearing.

DING DONG!

"Gosh…" she sighed lazily as she marched to the wired video intercom monitor near the entrance to check who it was. Outside was a handsome man in a fitted emerald button-down long-sleeve paired with cream-colored trousers. He had a leather brown belt that matched perfectly with the color of the strap of his watch and shoes.

Cosette folded her arms under her chest, leaning her side against the wall beside the small monitor.

"Why is he ringing the door? Did he lose his key again?" she clicked her tongue. "Should I let him stand outside — huh? Remo's with him."

Cosette frowned. "I want to punish him and let him stay outside for losing his key more than a hundred times now." — that was an exaggeration, but it was true that Luke lost the house key many times.

"Cozie, I know you're there and watching me stand here. Can you please open the door? Remo is a bit tired, so… have mercy on him." From the telecoms came Luke's voice, guessing what she was doing and the reason she was taking so long. "Cosette, don't make me wait for so long. You know how this makes me so anxious."

"Look at him. He already ditched me last night, and he has the gall to make it sound like it was my fault." She shook her head, peeling her side from the wall lazily. "There's literally a gigantic red flag waving on top of his head. Does he really think I'm blind?."

Cosette dissed Luke on her way to open the door, and when she opened it, her expression said it all. Luke could only sport an awkward smile.

"Hehe." Luke chuckled awkwardly, but Cosette stopped him from whatever nonsense he would say with her remarks.

"Is that how you're going to treat your wife?" she asked in disbelief, shaking her head. "Let her alone all night while you are having fun? I can't believe you."

"Wha — what? Oy, that's a stretch. I just treat my staff to some nice dinner and drinks after years of hard work," Luke defended himself but talking only made her squint her eyes. "Fine, fine. Goodness. I'm sorry, alright? What should I do for you to forgive me?"

"It's too early for you two to quarrel." Remo stepped in before the two could start again. He looked at Cosette, and the frown on her face disappeared. "How are you Cozie?"

"Rem-rem~!" Cosette pushed the door wide open, and then pushed Luke to the side to throw herself at Remo.

Remo chuckled, welcoming her warm embrace.

"I missed you so much!" she expressed, drawing back to look at him from head to toe. "Gosh… look at you. Are you not eating well? I think you lose a lot of weight since the last time. Is this guy giving you a hard time?"

Cosette glared back at Luke, and the latter scoffed in disbelief.

"Tsk." She rolled her eyes at him, looking back at Remo. "Did you eat everything I sent you last time?"

"Mhm. They're really good, though. I'm afraid Nana Chen will not be very happy if she hears you give away the food she makes you."

"Don't worry about that. She makes a lot, knowing I'd share it with my friends."

"Are you his mother or what?" Luke gasped in disbelief, warranting Cosette's glare and Remo's attention, but he didn't care. "How can you treat him like that when me, the man who —"

"Shut it, will you?" Cosette cut him mid-sentence, clicking her tongue in irritation. "We're not yet done. I'll give you my undivided attention later. You've been warned."

Luke's countenance froze, making Remo chuckle.

"Anyway, let's get in, hmm? I thought you'd come a bit later, so the food isn't ready yet. But I have some snacks." Cosette smiled sweetly at Remo, and the latter nodded.

With that being said, Cosette led the way, ignoring Luke, who was just by the main door. Luke scoffed again when Remo walked past him as if he didn't see anyone.

"Tss…" Luke huffed, stretching his neck from one side to the other before heading inside.

"Just leave your stuff there…" Cosette told them to feel at home, which she didn't need to do because they were already too familiar with this place. "Rest while I prepared the food. It's almost finished…"

Ring!

Cosette stopped, looking back to Remo. Remo fished his phone out and only glanced at the screen before facing her.

"Take it." She smiled, nodding.

Remo simply nodded, turning on his heel to go outside to answer the call. As soon as he did, he faced Luke's deep frown. However, he didn't have the spare energy to deal with Luke at the moment. Hence, he stepped out without a word.

When Remo left, Cosette stayed on her spot and kept her eyes on the door. She smacked her lips, glancing at Luke, and her eyes bore displeasure. Without saying anything, she turned around to go back to the kitchen.

"Cosette." Luke flung his arm helplessly, sighing, before dragging his feet to follow her.

Wherever Cosette was upset, she would just stay silent and not talk. So Luke didn't push his luck, following her to the kitchen quietly. He stayed in the corner of the kitchen, propping his bottom against the counter with his arms folded under his chest.

Cosette ignored him as she worked in the kitchen while he watched her quietly. When he couldn't take her silent treatment anymore, Luke sighed and broke the silence.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, frowning deeply. "I know I promised I will accompany you, but I had an important meeting. LG Builders is now in a different league and I still have to play it safe. Connection is important in this field, so —"

BAM!

Cosette slammed the pot lids beside the stove, turning her head in his direction. The piercing sound it made surprised him, making him flinch.

"That reasoning… do you think it is enough to appease your wife?" she asked with deep disappointment in her voice. "Luke, I know you are aiming for something and I'm very proud of you for persevering. But this… breaking promises is a bad habit."