~Chapter 39~
"Look what we have here," Frank said, his voice low and smooth, like honey dripping from a spoon.
A sly, lazy grin spread across his face as he watched from head to toes, his gaze lingering on my bare feet.
When did he wake up? I wondered, recalling how dense of a sleeper he was. I looked down at my bare feet, the chill of the floor seeping into my skin.
I wasn’t comfortable with Frank, and he still gave a vibe I couldn’t quite place - He has this mix of amusent and curiosity that made feel like I was walking on eggshells.
And to make matters worse, Aria was the one who had offered to stay with them, while Frank was asleep, oblivious to the new addition to their household.
Now, I couldn’t help but wonder what his reaction would be to having as a leech, because that’s exactly what I was - a stranger, imposing on their hospitality, with no money to pay them for the shelter they were providing.
The weight of my dependence on them settled heavy on my shoulders, whispering into that I was a burden and I would always be to people.
Frank cleared his throat, the sound rough and gravelly, as he sat upright on the worn out couch. Before speaking, he flashed a mischievous grin at .
"So Aria finally found a wife, bwahhahaha," he said in his gruff voice, the words dripping with sarcasm and amusent.
"Shut up, idiot," Aria’s reaction was imdiate as she shoved Frank’s leg with her own, the motion playful but with force.
The exchange between them was natural and playful.
They looked to have a very good relationship, one built on trust, humor, and a deep understanding of each other’s quirks. Their banter was a joy to watch, like two surreal match but between two equals. They were twin after all.
I, on the other hand, felt like an outsider, unsure how to respond to Frank’s comnt. So I just stood there watching as they both tumbled to the floor, wrestling and laughing.
Aria quickly gained the upper hand, pinning Frank to the floor.
"Alright, alright. You win, let go, you devilish being," Frank muffled voice said, smacking Aria’s hand away, the one that was playfully strangling him.
She pushed herself upwards, her chest heaving, and her face flushed with so sweats lingering on her forehead.
"Pussy," she spat out in mockery. Frank, still grinning, added, "Eater," his tone dripping with so much smugness.
Aria’s expression transford into a glare of disgust, her eyes narrowing and her lips curling in distaste. I looked so confused at that.
Why would he eat a cat? The thought seed absurd, and I couldn’t fathom why Frank would say such a thing. But who was I to judge?
I had been locked away, sheltered from the world, and hadn’t experienced the freedom to explore and discover its quirks.
Maybe this was sothing normal, sothing I just didn’t understand and it was wired. Really weird to even think of.
Frank’s gaze shifted back to , and he chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "So, my twin there tells you don’t have anywhere to go," he said, stopping to look over to Aria.
"And she’s the most richest to bring soone into our barely surviving ho." Frank said in one breath, leaving wondering if he was being sarcastic or genuinely annoyed.
His facial expression remained neutral, giving away nothing about his true feelings.
"Uhhh, shut up Frank, really," Aria said as she stood up from the floor, brushing off her worn jeans.
"I know we’re broke as hell, but you couldn’t possibly let leave her on her own, could you?" She shot Frank a defiant glance before continuing.
"And yeah, I know I shouldn’t have made this decision on my own, but you were already half dead on that alley, smoking away like a chimney. So yeah, fuck it, I made the decision."She said out, sounding like she was daring Frank to contradict her.
"So you just said it was alright to bring in a total stranger to our house, and she was called the smart twin. Pathetic." Frank shot back, patting his body, as if searching for sothing, before sighing and pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket.
Aria imdiately scowled, her face twisting into a disapproving mask, as she strode over to Frank and snatched the cigarette pack from his hands, just as he was about to light one up.
"Are you being real, Frank? It’s past midnight, and you want to smoke again?" She pocketed the items into her jeans.
Planting both her hands firmly on her hips, like a scolding mother gazing down at her disobedient child.
Aria eyes narrowed, and her voice took on a stern tone. Frank, however, was not intimidated.
He scowled too, his face darkening as he stood up, abruptly. "What the fuck, Aria?" he exclaid.
"It’s none of your business, I’m trying to clear my foggy head about the new addition to our poverty-stinking lives." His words dripped with frustration, and his gaze flashed with annoyance.
The tension between them skyrocketed and I feared their argunt might escalate into sothing physical as their voices raised up and them clenching and unclenching their fists.
All this was making nervous and I quickly intervened, hoping to diffuse the situation. "I can leave," I said softly, hoping to diffuse the tension.
But my words had the opposite effect. Both Aria and Frank snapped their attention to , their faces identical masks of surprise and alarm.
"No!" they exclaid in unison, their voices fighting to overlap the other.
Aria’s eyes darted back to Frank, her expression questioning. Why had he reacted so strongly to the suggestion of my leaving?
My gaze flicked to Frank, seeking answers. Cause he should be happy I was going to leave them and they can go back to their normal life.
He sounded so offended when I ntioned leaving and Aria poked her fingers into his chest.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" she spelled out the words but Frank swatted her hand away irritated as he growled out a response.
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