“Well, excuse me for feeling like a hostage and not knowing I could watch TV,” she snapped.
I smirked. “Aight, miss toughness.”
Her eyes narrowed. “So what, I’m just supposed to chill like I’m some guest in your mansion prison?”
I shrugged. “Youcouldrelax. It’s not like you got anywhere to be.”
She clenched her jaw, but after a second, she muttered, “Fine but don’t think for a second that I’m comfortable.”
I chuckled. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Princess.” She grabbed the remote and started flipping through the movie categories. I didn’t say anything, just watched her. She stopped on a classic,B.A.P.Sand I let out a quiet laugh. “This is the shit you’re into?” I asked.
“It’s a classic,” she said without looking at me.
I leaned in a little. “I feel you. Just expected you to pick something different.” She glanced sideways but didn’t respond. I looked back at her from the screen and slid my hands into my pockets. “You work?”
She tensed a little. “At the church.”
Of course she did. “Doing what?”
“Events. Fundraisers.”
“So you make the flyers for bake sales and Sunday brunch? Shit like that?”
She cut me a sharp look. “Weddings. Outreach. Real shit.”
“You like it?”
She hesitated. “I’m good at it.”
“That’s not what I asked.” She didn’t answer. She turned back to the TV like she was done talking. I let it sit. “Aight, miss toughness. I’ll back off,” I said, stretching my arms. “You good here? I’m ‘bout to go pick up some food. Chef had to dip.”
Her head snapped around. “You’re leaving?”
“What? You want me to stay and keep you company now?”
“Not even close.”
I smirked. “Mhm. Sit tight and remember, there’s eyes all around you.”
Princess didn’t respond, just kept her eyes on the screen like I wasn’t still watching her. I left her with her movie, her silence, and the shit she didn’t want to admit was bothering her.
On my way out, I told Crook to keep an eye on her but give her space. She needed time to sit with what was real. She’d hate me for a while. But eventually? She’d understand exactly why she was safer with me.
