06 Forbidden Feelings

06

Forbidden Feelings

The sounds of distant horns, the soft scuff of shoes on the pavement and the aroma of food which is unmistakably Gram's meal filled the air. Tessy's stomach growled out loud. She covered it with both hands, eyes wide with embarrassment.

Ohh shit

Ryan chuckled. “You are hungry. Didn't you get something to eat at the cafe?” He was concerned. How was their staff treated over there? Do they just overwork them without any concern about their staff? Without caring about their well-being?

Tessy smiled, her cheeks turning red in embarrassment. “I ate snacks and junk food but it seems it wasn't enough.” She shrugged.

Bruno eyed them warily.

He scoffed and opened the door guiding Tessy in while blocking the way for Ryan.

“You've walked her home. Thank you. I think it's time to go back to Grams. The house design might look alike but Grams house is right over there.” He pointed to the house beside theirs which is Grams. The sarcasm reeked well from his statement.

“So I am not welcome in?”

Bruno shrugged, looking at Tessy and back to him. “You see … “

“Bruno, stop being mean.” Tessy warned. She reached out and collected her bag from him. “Thank you Ryan, for today. I'm really tired so I'm going to head in.” She gave him a heartfelt smile before walking in fully leaving the both of them outside.

Ryan's eyes followed her retreating figure until she was out of sight. Then he returned his attention fully to the boy in front of him.

“You know man, we started off on the wrong foot. Let's put it behind us.” He decided to call a truce. He was Tessy's brother. He wanted to stay on the good side of Tessy because he admired her. Him and Bruno having a conflict won't do him any good especially if he really wanted to stay in her good books.

“Hmph.” Bruno scoffed. “Stop talking to me like I'm a boy. Lest you forget, we are practically in the same age range.”

Ryan shrugged, not minding what he said. He was still a boy.

“You like her right?”

Bruno decided to hit the nails on the head. He leaned back and crossed his arms, directing all his attention to Ryan.

“What? No, I just want to be her friend. She is cool to be with. I admire her.”

Bruno frowned. Ryan's eyes flicked to the stairs where Tessy had disappeared into. “And what is your deal if I do like her? Is there something I should know?”

Bruno disentangled his hands, his posture rigid. “No you can't like her. You are condescending, rude and arrogant.”

“I told you we started off on the wrong foot.” Ryan snapped, cutting him off.

“You still can't like her. You can't have her. Now, back off.”

Ryan eyebrows flicked upward. He could hear more than what was said. There was something else. Is he being true to himself? What is his deal?

He smirked and crossed the last of the steps, closing the distance between them, facing Bruno squarely, eye level and towering a bit over him. He was slightly taller and he made sure that fact was known. “If I want her, I will get her.”

He whispered silently only to his hearing, his eyes glaring deep into his. “You have no right to oppose, stop me or tell me to do otherwise. Do you get it?”

Bruno frowned deeply. His mouth tongue tied and his expressions conflicted. His lips parted but no words came.

Ryan exhaled sharply, “That's what I thought.” He brushed off imaginary dust on Bruno's shoulder then skidded off instantly, to Grams house. Bruno watched him until he disappeared through the front pouch. He snapped out of it when he was out of sight.

“Shit.” He cursed, his breath shaky. He turned, entered the house and slammed the door shut behind him.

Tessy stepped out of the bathroom feeling refreshed. She had changed into something more comfortable. Walking over to her window, she stared at Grams’ house. If she could avoid going there tonight, she would. Her mind was too cluttered, she needed space, needed to let some things out.

On her bed.

In her room.

But Grams wouldn’t let it slide. She was clearly anticipating her presence by now. Tessy could ask Bruno to bring her food or even cook something herself, but she was too tired for that. And Grams would definitely want to see her.

A knock sounded on her door, followed by a male voice.

"I'm about to head over to Grams’. Are you done?" Bruno’s voice was slightly muffled by the door.

“No, Bruno, thanks. I’ll meet you over there.”

There was silence for a moment before she heard his retreating footsteps.

Tessy sighed and was about to leave the window when a sudden movement in the room across from hers, Grams’ house, caught her eye.

A male!

Oh no. Is this the room allocated to Ryan's? Damn.

Her eyes widened as she watched his silhouette move about. Then, slowly, he began removing his clothes, one piece at a time.

Tessy gasped, yanking her curtains closed.

So close!

She exhaled in relief and turned towards her bed. Her gaze caught the photo frame resting on the wooden table beside it. Her, Bruno, Patricia, and Grams, all smiling so warmly.

She sank to the floor beside her bed, curling into herself. A small smile touched her lips as she ran her fingers over the picture.

They were her family.

Yet lately, her mind hadn’t been fully present. The dreams were back, haunting and relentless.

The same dark corridor.

The same horrid orphanage. A cruel place, disguised as a home.

The same cold, metallic scent of blood and bleach.

The same sound, the sharp sting of a leather belt cracking against skin.

She’d woken up gasping earlier that day at the café. She didn’t scream anymore, not out loud, at least. Not like before. She was used to it now.

Now, the fear just sat there, lodged in her chest like a rock she couldn’t cough out.

Should she tell grams about it?

But Ryan… his presence, even for a moment, had drowned it out. She smiled, her thoughts drifting toward him again.

Her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts. She stood and grabbed it from the bed. The screen lit up: Grams.

Her lips lifted slightly, and she picked up immediately. “I’m on my way, Grams,” she said, cutting straight to the point.

“Hurry, then! We’ve been waiting for you.”

Tessy ended the call, dashed into the bathroom to splash some water on her face, then headed out.

Everyone was seated at the table except Ryan.

Tessy took her seat after exchanging pleasantries with Grams. She noticed Ryan’s food hadn’t been served either.

Noticing the way Tessy’s eyes flicked repeatedly toward the empty seat and the stairs, Grams offered an explanation.

“Ryan came to pick up his food. He said he wasn’t feeling too good and would eat in his room.”

Tessy nodded and turned to her meal.

But he was fine earlier… What happened between him and Bruno?

She cast a quick glance toward Bruno, her eyes narrowing.

Grams’ voice broke her thoughts again. “Of course, I let it slide this time, but it won’t happen again. No matter what, he’ll be eating here with us, on this table. Together. But for now, he can have the alone time he wants.”

Her tone was firm and final. No one would dare argue.

Bruno furrowed his brows when he caught Tessy watching him. She flashed a wide, innocent smile and quickly looked away.

Maybe Ryan was just going through his bratty phase, she thought with a shrug.

Surely Bruno couldn’t have done anything.