Saving the Villain

"The kiss. Was it good?"

Sarah's heart stopped beating for a second while staring into those inquisitive, menacing eyes. Her lips trembled as they parted, but her voice was gone.

Deep in her brain, she knew the answer. It wasn't about whether it was good or bad since it was an accident, but it did send electricity across her nerves. It was a strange experience, but she couldn't say it. His eyes were looking for a yes or no answer and neither seemed would please him.

"What?" Maxen cocked his head to the side, arching a brow. "Can't answer?"

Sarah lowered her head and clutched her hand on her lap. "Please forgive me."

"Huh?"

"I didn't mean to do that." Tears filled her eyes as she raised her head at him. "Don't kill me. I will be careful next time."

Maxen looked at her from head to toe briefly. "You think I will kill you?"

"No... sir."

"Hah..." he shook his head mildly before holding the armrest to push himself up. He marched towards her and bent over when he was in front of her.

"Hey," he called and waited for her to look at him. "Don't you think it's rude to consider me as someone capable of killing someone?"

"No — no. I didn't mean it that way." She stuttered in horror, seeing his face up close. They had been classmates for years, but this was the only time she truly got a closer look at him. He looked better... but dangerous. Definitely a different kind of allure from Luke's charm that could be seen from a mile away.

'I should run,' was what her brain yelled at her, but Sarah could barely blink. Looking at him straight in the eye was paralyzing. It was akin to staring at death. She was scared.

"I'm sorry...?" she whispered when he didn't say anything in return and held her gaze.

Maxen sighed and when he blinked, the devil looking back at her disappeared without a trace.

"That's disappointing, but let me tell you. I won't kill you. I'd rather bury you alive and then you die — it's better that way to avoid getting my hands dirty with blood." He smiled when her face stiffened, biting his tongue to stop himself from laughing at her reaction. "I'm kidding..."

He straightened his back, still holding her gaze that was full of horror. He was kidding, but because Sarah seemed to see him as a terrible person, he wouldn't mind scaring her a little bit more. But deep down, Maxen knew it was just him being petty since she stole Cosette's first kiss — even if it was pure accident.

"... or maybe not." He forced a smile on his face, shoving his hand into his pockets. He watched the little relief in her eyes disappear with satisfaction before he turned on his heel and walked away.

All Sarah could do was stare at his back and recall the slight smirk that turned up on his face. Fear and confusion were bagged in her head, having this mild trauma of Maxen and what he could do. Although she knew killing her was impossible, there was something in Maxen's tone that gave off this idea he 'could' do it if he so pleased.

"My fear... is justified," she whispered.

******

"Oh!" Cosette stopped and jumped back when the door suddenly opened and Maxen went out. She sported a smile, a phone in her hand, eyes at him.

"Is she fine?" was her first question while he closed the door behind him.

"Mhm." Maxen nodded, blinking ever so slowly. "You should sleep in."

"What?"

"Your face..." He pointed at her face, making the lines on her forehead deepened. "... is red because of the beer. Don't go back there later."

Cosette frowned and clicked her tongue, planting her fist on her hips. "I'm not going back there."

"Your eyes tell me otherwise."

"Gosh. I'll look after Sarah." She rolled her eyes, getting a bit more courageous as the alcohol's effect slowly kicked in. "Thanks for your help, Max. I'll look after Sarah and you should go back to join everyone."

She then took a step, taking a turn as she slid behind him to enter the room. However, she stopped when she felt he stayed still. Looking back, she raised her brows.

"Yes?" she asked.

Maxen walked to the same spot to face her, wearing his indifferent demeanor. "I want to make sure you go in."

"Max, I'm not..." she sighed and closed her eyes briefly. When she reopened her eyes, she let the doorknob go and faced him. "I will not sneak out. I promise!"

"I believe you."

"Then why are you still here?"

"I want to see you enter."

"..." Cosette sighed once more, keeping her eye contact with him. It wasn't a problem if he wanted to see her go in. However, she felt something was wrong. She just couldn't point out what exactly was the problem, but there was something wrong and she knew that. Asking him questions would eventually give her the answer she was truly looking for.

"Do you want to go back in?" she asked after several seconds of silence.

"It's the girl's room." He shrugged before dropping a bomb right in her face. "Do you want to come to my room?"

Her eyes dilated as her ears clapped at his question. For a moment, Cosette tugged her earlobes to know if her ears had some defect from the loud music downstairs. When she made sure she didn't hear him incorrectly, Cosette looked back at him, wide-eyed.

'Since when did this turn from PG-13 to Rated X?' she wondered as that was what that question made her feel. 'He sounds like a wolf luring little red riding hood.'

"What did you say?" she blurted out as if she didn't hear him the first time, and he repeated his question with a straight face. Cosette pointed at herself in disbelief.

"Are you really inviting me to your room?" she asked, and he nodded. "Why? What are we going to do there?"

Maxen wondered about it. His invitation was actually, he blurted out in passing and meant to be a sarcastic one. Of course, being around her wasn't what he wanted right now. Especially when Sarah's and Cosette's accident kept replaying in his head.

"Exercise," he replied before biting his tongue, realizing too late it could give a different meaning to her. 'Well, she wouldn't have such a dirty mind to...' his thoughts halted when he saw the look of horror in her eyes.

"I'm kidding," he immediately added, but Cosette was already convinced he was trying to be serious. Who wouldn't? He asked with a straight face! There was no way anyone would think he was trying to be funny or even sarcastic about the situation they were in.

Maxen let out a deep exhale as he scratched his temple. "Never mind."

"Max..." Cosette finally closed her gaping mouth, blinking countless times. "Since when did you become so sexy?"

"Huh?"

"Ask me again," she requested, making him scrunch his nose up. This story was just getting ridiculous.

"Ask you again?"

She nodded eagerly. "Invite me again! It's really cool!" she exclaimed while clapping once.

"I feel like a prey being preyed upon by a hot psycho daddy."

"..." Maxen cocked his head to the side. For a moment, his brain went blank as he studied her. Here he was, beating himself for something he thought stupid, only to find out she didn't find it weird and scary like Sarah did.

'How can I forget?' he wondered while staring into those twinkling eyes. 'This is Cosette Blac. It'll be a mistake to see her in just one light.'

"This is enough to convince me you had enough alcohol in your system." He pressed his index on her forehead and held it still. "Go back inside and sleep."

Cosette frowned and looked at him in dismay. "Can I sleep in your room?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I don't want to deal with your friend's nagging tomorrow."

"You mean Luke?"

"Who else?"

"But --"

"Go inside." He repeated with a much firmer voice. "Now."

"Aww..." She frowned as her shoulders lowered. "You're so cruel, do you know that?"

"No. You are." He retrieved his finger from her. "Don't ask or ever stay in a room of the opposite sex. I don't even come to your room in your house. Don't make me look bad for wanting to protect you."

"From who?" she inquired. "From you?"

Maxen's back stiffened at her blunt question.

"Max, you're not a bad person. Why do you always consider yourself as someone capable of harming others --" her breath stiffened when he slammed his hand against the door behind her. He took a step forward, making her subconsciously take a step back until her back was fusing with the door.

He bent over until his face was a palm length away from her. "I don't consider myself as capable of harming others. I can harm others, Cosette." His voice was low, eyes flickering with malicious intent.

"Just because you are kind to me doesn't mean I will to you. This world is too unforgiving for that." He shook his head mildly, hoping this would scare her enough to learn her lesson.

Cosette held her breath as she processed his words carefully. But never once did she leave his gaze, nor did she show any other emotion other than surprise.

"But I'm not as unforgiving as the world, Max." Her voice was low but clear. "You don't scare me, Max, nor the things you can do. I believe you need to reevaluate the way you see me because I'm not as good as you think I am."

"For example..." She clutched his chest and stood on her toes, tilting her head, and claimed his lips. But she kept her eyes open, watching his eyes dilate. When she drew her head away, the side of her lips curled up deviously. And at that moment, Maxen was sure that wasn't the Cosette he knew.

"... you hadn't seen me misbehave."