CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
"You sure you don't want to go down?" Baekhyun asked me once again before leaving my room. I shook my head in response, I was currently facing the wall so I can't tell what his facial expression was.
It's already the third time today since he's checked up on me. It's been a routine lately since I didn't even bother to leave my room for the past week. I felt dead, it's as if I was already soulless. After seeing what Sehun did to those students... I'm afraid to go near him or his brothers much less even see them.
I learned that I shouldn't trust them. Just like what Baekhyun told me back then, 'no matter how human I act, you shouldn't trust me fully'. Although I was able to give a small amount of trust for Baekhyun at least. I was able to trust him since he too was hurt badly by Sehun. He's always worried but I can't blame him for that. I've locked myself in this room for the past week and I hardly even talk to him. Every time he goes in here, I'd always avoid eye contact and stare out of nowhere.
I appreciate his patience though, to think that he could withstand talking to me for the past week just to make sure that I'm okay. I took the remote and I turned the television on, Baekhyun said I could use at least a bit of entertainment here so he moved the TV from his own bedroom.
"The case of the murder of several students from a university remains a mystery. According to investigators the causes of death were-"
I immediately turned it off and covered myself with my red duvet. So much for forgetting it. I buried face in my pillow as I tried to push away the horrific scene flashing in my mind. I kept wishing every single time that this is just a really bad nightmare but I had to face the fact that this is reality.
I'm living with eleven half-demons, ten have control of themselves and one is just extremely dangerous, their demon uncle is after everyone and he's working with my stepfather. At first I thought nothing else could get any more worse, but it'll just turn out that I'm being naive. This could still get worse.
I tried taking a nap but I could only see blood whenever I close my eyes. I could remember Seth, April, and the others. I wish I was the one that was killed and not them.
I heard a knock on the door. "Paige, it's me." I heard Baekhyun's voice. "May I come in?" he asked. I slightly moved on my bed which means yes. When he heard it, he entered. He flashed me a smile when our eyes met.
He went near me and he sat at the edge of my bed. I sat up and looked at him in confusion. He usually just sits on the couch. "We're leaving today, you need to come with us." he began.
I looked at him and I immediately shook my head. I can't leave, especially not at this time. "Paige, it's important. Remember when Suho said you're going to meet father? You need to meet him today." he slowly said.
My eyes widened and I shook my head once again. "I can't," I didn't even realize how dry my throat was. I haven't been speaking much for the past week. I haven't eaten properly either.
"You have to. He could help us, we can't leave you alone here, Paige." he explained calmly.
"But he's with you. He'll be near me, I don't want that." I said as clutched my comforter. He knows I'm referring to Sehun. He looked around the room as if he was looking for something before returning his gaze back to me.
"Listen Paige, we're here. Sehun knows what he did and he's sorry for that. You have to look at things from his side, he has no idea that he hurt you. It's a lot for him to sink in." he added.
I bit my lip when I remembered that time last week when Sehun suddenly returned to his normal form. He looked so shocked, it's like he's afraid. He hugged me and apologized countless times, I felt his sincerity that time... I really did. But accepting his sorry that easily and trusting him again won't be easy.
"He cried," I said as I remained looking down.
"That just shows how sorry he really is. I know that isn't enough but everyone in the house wants to prove to you that you could trust Sehun or any of us again. It's okay to be afraid Paige, but not to the point that don't trust any of us anymore."
"We promise that you'll be safe with us. You'll be able to return here to your room safely." he said as he looked me in the eyes. "I'll give you time to decide, I don't want to pressure you into going if you're really not comfortable." he said before standing up.
"You know, everyone's willing to try anything just for you to trust us fully again." he says before leaving my room.
I took a deep breath once the door closed. I was about to lay down when I heard something from the door. I saw something being slipped underneath it. I slowly got up from my bed and went near the door. It was a rolled piece of paper. I took it and untangled the string that rolled it. Only one word was written on the paper.
Sorry.
Again with that five letter word. It's short yet meaningful. It's easy to say but hard to accept. What's up with this? This is the last thing that I'd expect them to do.
I could tell that there was someone standing behind the door. I held the doorknob and contemplated whether I should open it or not. I shook my head since I opened it anyways.
I looked at Kai in confusion when I saw him outside. He gave me a small smile. I continued looking at him then at the note. "Were you expecting someone else?" he asked as he looked at the side.
"Not sure," I replied.
Kai smiles knowingly. "Someone wants to talk to you but he's too afraid to approach you." he looked at the side again.
I instinctively stepped back since I realized that he's referring to Sehun. Kai looked hesitant for a moment but he looked at me again. "Give him a chance, Paige."
I didn't respond so Kai decided to pull Sehun towards the door. Sehun couldn't even make eye contact with me. I also noticed that he was holding a bouquet of flowers.
I moved backwards and Kai slowly pushed Sehun through the door. "Talk, I'll be right outside." he tells us before he closes the door.
Sehun and I made eye contact but he was quick to avert his gaze. "I-I know I look ridiculous right now," he said. "I know you're afraid, but hear me out Paige." he calmly said as he took a step.
"Don't come near me," I softly said.
He still continued walking towards me but he stopped and kept his distance. "I just found out what I did and I never realized how horrible I was," he started. "I absolutely loathe myself for causing you that much pain. I'll never understand your side because I never experienced what you went through. I know forgiving me and trusting me would be hard and I can't blame you for that. You don't have to fully forgive me, you have all the reasons to do so." he had his fists clenched as he explained.
"It's just that we all want the old you to return. You've been locked up in your room and we're all worried. Paige, I'm really sorry. I wasn't aware, if I was then I would've been the one to avoid you. I had no idea and I hated myself for that, so I'm really sorry."
He held out his hand which was holding the flowers. "Purple hyacinths mean sorry, according to Kai. If you take this then it means you're willing to give me a chance to make it up to you. If not, you can tell me to get out. I won't force you." he calmly said.
I stood there dumbfounded. Never have I ever expected such a move. I could see the sincerity in his eyes. I didn't know what got into me but I moved my hand to take the bouquet. I did it while I was being cautious to not make any skin contact with him. I saw the relief in Sehun's eyes and a smile immediately formed on his lips.
"Thank you,"
We looked at each other in surprise when we spoke in unison. I flashed him a smile and he took a step back. At the same time, his brothers all entered my room. All of them had wide smiles on their faces.
"You're not kicking us out, right?" Chen asked when I turned to them.
I shook my head and I remained smiling. I noticed that each of them were holding flowers too. "I never expected you to do all this for me," I said as they handed me the flowers that they were holding.
"It was Kai's idea," Sehun said. "I owe him for this." Kai chuckled as he gave Sehun a light pat on the shoulder.
"I never expected such an act from demons. I guess that's why I couldn't do anything but accept it. Thank you, no one has ever done anything like this for me." I told them.
"It's cheesy, right?" Tao huffed. "I wanted to disagree but we all missed you." he said with a smile.
"I missed you as well," I said sheepishly as I looked down.
"I'm just being stubborn and I worried you all. I was just afraid. You all know that I have trust issues now, right?" I looked at them. "My stepfather, then you guys... I was just worried." I explained in embarrassment.
Now that I think of it, I think I only caused them more trouble when I locked myself in here. "Look at the note attached to the bouquet Sehun gave you." Luhan said.
I curiously looked at the bouquet to look for the note. I saw a small piece of paper attached to a stem of one of the hyacinths.
"Smile," I read aloud. A smile automatically formed on my lips.
"Smile again like you used to Paige, no matter how difficult the situation is... your smile lightens up the mood." Lay said.
"Thank you so much. Seeing you guys like this now... I can't even tell that you're half demons." I said.
"Hey, even demons can love you know." Xiumin said. "Like we all said, you're our family now. So don't be afraid of us anymore, okay?" he added.
I nodded as tears of joy fell from my eyes. "Sorry for worrying you all," Baekhyun and Kai both went to me to give me a hug while the others comforted me and thanked me. As we were having our mini-celebration, my eyes fell towards Sehun who was just looking at us.
My eyes met his and I flashed him the sweetest smile I could manage. "Thank you," I mouthed and he smiled back.
Going back to normal won't be easy, I don't think things will ever be the same again but things could still get better, we'll get there. Baby steps.
***
"Is everyone in here?" Xiumin asked as he started the car. Suho did a quick glance around the car and mentally counted us. He gave Xiumin a nod and we headed off. We're going to meet their father now. I guess they managed to convince me after the whole surprise that they did for me. I still couldn't help but smile whenever I remember it.
After almost an hour of travelling, we reached a huge building. I couldn't help but get shocked when I saw it. "B-but... this building is a huge business enterprise right?" I gaped.
"Our father owns it," Suho answered as if it was a really normal thing.
"But... he's a full demon right?" I asked in confusion.
"Twenty percent of the population you know Paige are all demons. Even before you met us, you have probably had encounters with other demons. We could live like normal people too. Besides, this business was originally from our mother's family. When she married father, he got a high position in here. Now that mother is gone, he now owns it." Chanyeol narrated.
I couldn't help but feel both amazed and crept out by this situation.
We went through a different entrance which was made especially for them. The building also had an elevator which was only to be used by authorized people namely, their father and them. I also noticed that almost every employee would either step out of the way immediately or give them a quick greeting then scurry away.
"They're all scared of you. Do they know you're demons?" I asked no one in particular.
"Nope. They're just scared, it's the intimidating aura." Kyungsoo answered. Well good point. They do look pretty intimidating.
We stopped in front of huge double doors. On the door was a sign that read 'CEO's Office'. All of them entered the room and I found myself standing in front of the room as if my feet were glued to the ground. I don't know but I feel a change of aura in there.
"Paige, let's go." Baekhyun said.
I gulped as I stepped inside. We all entered but no one was in the room. The room looked pretty normal to me but there really was a dense atmosphere inside. The door slammed shut and I immediately flinched. The guys turned towards me, at first I thought they were actually looking at me but I was wrong.
I took a deep breath as I turned around.
Nothing.
There was no one behind me, I turned around but I nearly fell flat on the floor upon meeting dark red eyes.
"I've finally met you Paige,"