GEMINI
I was in the middle of changing after our little hot tub session, the warm water still clinging to my skin as I carefully peeled off my soaked clothes when Percy appeared in the doorway, carrying a neatly folded set of clothes. I was completely naked—no towel, nothing covering my body. Nope, just in my birthday suit.
I didn't think much about it at first—but then I noticed Percy's gaze on me. He took his sweet time, alright? Just standing there, seemingly lost in thought, staring at me like I was some kind of exotic creature. I mean, he really looked, as if he'd never seen another person naked before.
I was frozen, unable to move. My heart hammered in my chest, and I felt my cheeks burn hotter than the late evening sun outside. I was completely vulnerable—standing there, bare. I couldn't reach for a towel to cover myself even if I wanted to because I hadn't gotten one. The silence stretched on. I could feel his gaze, heavy and unblinking, like some kind of one-sided staring contest. And then, after what felt like eternity, he just turned and walked out of his massive walk-in closet, leaving the door slightly ajar. No words, no smirk, no apology—just that blank, unreadable expression on his face.
"Ugh!" I muttered under my breath, crossing my arms over my chest. "I've had it with that guy." I was annoyed at myself too—I can't believe I just stood there like that. Couldn't he have just said something? Or at least not stare so intensely? I can't help but wonder what is going through his head. And...why am I even freaking out? We're both guys, for crying out loud. It's not a big deal, right?
When I finally managed to gather myself, I stepped out of the changing room, trying to ignore the flush creeping up my cheeks.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," I said awkwardly, hoping to break the tension.
Percy glanced at me, calm and composed. "It's fine," he said smoothly. "I should be the one apologizing. I should have knocked before going in."
I blinked, unsure whether to be relieved or annoyed. "No, it's your place. You don't have to apologize," I said, trying to brush it off, though my cheeks still burned. What am I even saying?
He turned to me like he wanted to say something and then he paused, then a moment later he spoke again, his was almost a whisper.
"You're right. I'm not used to having someone else beside my sister around." His words hung in the air for a moment, contemplative, almost like he was trying to explain himself.
Before I could say anything else, his phone chimed, and he started walking out of the room.
"Come on, dinner has arrived." Percy called over his shoulder with a slight nod and I followed behind, feeling overwhelmed and embarrassed.
As I descended the stairs, I saw Percy already at the door, he exchanged a few words with the delivery guy. He handed him a generous tip before turning to lead me into the kitchen.
"My sister ordered us dinner," Percy said, dropping two takeaway bags onto the kitchen island. "Knowing her, she'll definitely go overboard. I hope you don't mind?"
I shook my head. Free food? Who was I to complain? Besides, I was starving.
Percy made me a plate, and we sat at the kitchen Island to eat. The room was filled with only the sounds of clinking utensils, the aroma of the food and the quiet hum of the refrigerator, and despite the initial awkwardness, I found comfort in the normalcy of the moment.
He kept looking at me without said anything with those intense eyes—I too stole glances at him while trying my best not to let his gaze affect me too much. It's good to know this one thing hasn't changed—the way he looks at me, like he's trying to look into my soul. It made me feel both uneasy and oddly seen.
As we ate, I tried to focus on my meal—but his eyes kept drawing me in. I wondered what he was thinking, what it would be like to be privy to his innermost thoughts.
When we finished eating, we got back to working on my project. The sound of cardboard papers and the scratch of pencils filled the kitchen, a peaceful rhythm that let me forget the weirdness of earlier. But then, out of nowhere, the doorbell rang.
Percy's brow furrowed slightly. "That was fast," he muttered, standing up with a calm expression that seemed very natural. Without hesitation, he moved to the door and opened it, and a moment later, he returned, carrying a sleek, luxurious bag.
"Here," he said casually, handing it to me. "My clothes are too big for you."
I looked at him, puzzled. Then I peeked inside the bag, and my eyes widened. Clothes—brand new, stylish, expensive-looking clothes. I was stunned. This was way beyond anything I'd ever expected from someone I'd just met.
"You shouldn't have gotten all these!" I exclaimed, feeling a mix of surprise and guilt. Just when I thought I was starting to get a handle on the situation, he goes and does something like this—something so generous and unexpected.
Percy shrugged, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "What can I say? I didn't even have to pay for them," he said. "Call it a perk of allowing them to use one of my family properties."
I blinked, trying to process that. "Perks of allowing them to use one of his family properties?" I thought, feeling both awed and bewildered.
"You just casually restocked my entire school supplies yesterday… and now I'm getting clothes?" My mind spun—how rich was he, really? How often does he do things like this?
He leaned against the counter, relaxed but attentive. "Why not? You're staying the weekend, and you'll be spending a lot of time here. If you do decide to accept my proposal, I figured you might need them."
I hesitated, chewing on the inside of my cheek. "I'm still thinking about your proposal," I said slowly. "But this"—I gestured toward the clothes—"it's really too much. You can't keep doing things like this—the food, the new phone, now clothes… You didn't even know me last week!"
Percy chuckled softly, shrugging again as if none of it was a big deal. "Yeah, and look where we are now," he said, gesturing between us as if to encompass the whole bizarre unfolding of events. "Sometimes, things just work out like that. I want to help. And," he paused briefly, then with a remorseful tone he added, "I feel bad for what those guys did to you. I want to make it up to you…Penelope feels the same way."
See? This is the part that still confuses me, the way he can switch so fast. One minute he's laying down all the rules, and the next he's saying something that totally disarms me. How am I supposed to keep arguing with him when he says things like that? He has this way of saying things that are both casual and completely sincere, and it makes my heart flutter with a mix of anxiety and excitement.
Whatever! I'll play along, for now.
He looked at me with that relaxed, genuine expression, waiting. I felt that flutter again—part anxiety, part curiosity, part something I couldn't quite name.
Finally, I smiled back, feeling a little overwhelmed but grateful. "Fine," I said, voice light but steady. "Freaking rich people," I muttered under my breath, then looked up at him with a grin. "I guess I owe you now too."
He chuckled again, that easy grin making me feel slightly less tense. "I'll let Pen know you liked the clothes," he said, pulling out his phone, probably texting his sister.
As strange as everything is, I couldn't help but feel a little more at ease. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.