Thalia tidied the table, her movements precise but slow. The clink of cutlery against plates seemed louder than usual in the quiet room. Vicious, observing her from the chair, frowned slightly.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, his voice low but carrying that familiar concern. "Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?"
Thalia shook her head gently, her fingers tightening on the napkin. "No," she replied softly, though her eyes avoided his.
Before she could step away, he moved and pulled her to sit on his lap. She stiffened, instinctively trying to free herself, but he was stronger, his grip firm yet careful.
"Can I go now?" she asked, her voice a whisper, tinged with unease.
Vicious didn't release her. Instead, he leaned closer, his eyes searching hers. "What's wrong? You're looking so dull… so moody. Tell me, I promise I'm going to fix it."
Thalia's lips pressed into a thin line. "We all have different days… but I assure you, it's nothing."
He tilted her chin gently with his fingers, forcing her gaze to meet his. "Thalia," he said, his tone softer now but threaded with insistence, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing… everything is fine," she repeated, her voice almost too calm.
He smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Don't be sad. You are beautiful… and have I told you I love you today?"
Thalia remained silent, unable to form a reply. He sighed and, without another word, enveloped her in a warm hug, his arms a protective cocoon. After a moment, he released her, just enough to let her breathe.
"Thank you for the phone," she said quietly, picking it up from the table. "Can I make a call?"
"Sure," he said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You can do whatever you want… except calling the cops on me."
"I won't," she replied, slipping out of his reach and finding a quiet corner. Later that day, she set up the phone and dialled a familiar number.
"Hello? Is this Miss Jill?" thalia asked
"It's me, Thalia," she said, relief washing over her
"Oh my God! How have you been?" Jill exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.
They began to talk, laughter and exclamations weaving into the conversation, until Thalia mentioned she was around and suggested they meet.
"I won't have time this month… or next," she explained, her tone hesitant. "I'm a live-in maid now."
"What!" Jill's voice rang with disbelief. "That's not fair! How are you managing?"
Thalia hesitated, Good
Thalia sat on the edge of the bed the day's weight still lingering in her posture. Vicious knocked and entered the room, his steps slow and deliberate
"You've been carrying a lot today," he said gently, his voice low and steady as he approached her. "I want to help… if you let me."
Thalia's fingers twisted and uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "It's… nothing that can't be handled," she whispered, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her words.
He knelt in front of her, his gaze locking with hers. "I don't believe in nothing, Thalia. I only believe in you. And right now, I want you to feel safe… with me."
Her heart skipped. The intensity in his eyes was not commanding but grounding, as if the world outside didn't exist, and it was only them. Slowly, almost instinctively, she leaned back.