Chapter 29: Exposed (Part 2)

I was startled when I opened the door and it revealed Colleen’s irritated face. She was looking at me with a raised brow. "Aren’t you going to let me in?"

I came to my senses and told her to come inside. Fortunately, I was able to put away the cups Vyl and I used in the sink. She knows I live alone so it'll be suspicious if she sees two cups and two spoons on the table.

"What are you doing here?" I immediately asked as the two of us sat on the sofa.

"Wow. Good morning to you too, Ven," she greeted me sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at her and she snorted back which made me laugh a little.

"Seriously, what are you doing here on a Sunday morning?"

I can't help myself to glance at the door of my room, thinking that Vyl may be peeking and Colleen might notice. But to my relief, the door is shut tight. Looks like the guy’s naughtiness is kept under control.

I can't afford anyone seeing him right now. I don't want to explain.

"Why aren't you replying back to my messages?"

I blinked a few times before actually remembering her message last Friday. I forgot to reply to her because I was annoyed with Vyl then.

"You mean last Friday?" I asked to make sure.

"Yep, and I also messaged you a while ago. What the heck? You’re not reading it on purpose!"

That reminds me. Where's my phone?

"I misplaced my phone. I'll look for it later. So, why are you here?"

"Who the hell would misplace their phone?" Her tone screams sarcasm. I didn't say anything back and just waited for her answer. "You guys have practice later. Rain messaged me and told me to inform you too. Turns out, none of them has your number, you bonehead."

Why are we suddenly having a practice today? "Really? Practice on Sunday?"

She just shrugged. "They must be a bit anxious. The cultural festival is next week after all."

"What's a cultural festival?"

I stiffened in my seat and seemed to lose my breath. My eyes widened as I looked in the direction of my room. Vyl stood in the open doorway with a frown.

"Why did you come out?!"

I told him in our mind link but he didn’t answer me and just shrugged.

I looked at Colleen's face whose lips were parted because of shock. She slowly turned her head to look at me. "W-Who is this?"

My mouth opened and closed as I was thinking what I should say. I look like a freaking goldfish. The room is now filled with awkward silence. Though I was still the one who broke it first.

"Umm... H-He's my cousin. Yes. He's my cousin," I stammered in response to Colleen's question. I was engulfed in nervousness.

She raised an eyebrow because of my answer and looked at Vyl again who’s still standing by the door. “Why don't I know him? This is my first time meeting him.”

I stood up from the couch while my heart was still beating like crazy due to the extreme nervousness.

"He’s a distant cousin from... uhh, Canada! He's staying with me for the meantime."

I went to where Vyl was standing and pulled him into the room. "Wait for a minute, Colleen."

I dragged Vyl in and hit his head

"Why did you come out?!" I whispered loudly to his ear.

He scratched the part of his head where I hit him and he snorted which made me more irritated. "Why do I have to hide anyway? And when did I become your cousin?"

I closed my eyes and inhaled a deep breath to compose myself. I can't let anger get the best of me this time. When I'm somehow a bit calm, I started talking again. "Look, she can't find out your real identity. You have to keep it a secret."

"I know, okay. And it's not like she'll find out anyway."

I breathed a sigh of relief when he understood what I wanted to convey. "We'll have to pretend to be cousins so stop acting weirdly! We can't afford her getting suspicious. Play along."

Although I know Colleen is already suspecting. I just shook my head. I hope she won’t ask any more questions.

He nodded at me so I decided to leave the room. I found Colleen still sitting on the couch with furrowed eyebrows.

“Sorry about that," I apologized and sat back down on the sofa. Vyl followed and sat down next to me.

"So... you're Heavenly's cousin, huh?" I can see the doubt in her eyes. You can't fool this girl easily but I really wish she would just drop the topic.

Vyl nodded without saying a word.

"Why are you hiding inside her room?" I rolled my eyes with Colleen’s question.

"I'm not hiding. I was sleeping and just woke up. I didn't know she has a visitor," Vyl answered cleverly. I almost sighed in relief. This might actually work.

"What makes you think he's hiding? Come on, Colleen," I added. "You're being weird."

"You two are acting suspicious."

"You're reading too much into it." I positioned comfortably on the couch. "Anyway, this is Vylant. And Vyl, this is Colleen, my friend."

"Hello!" Colleen's tone of voice suddenly changed. She greeted him with a cheerful voice but Vyl’s expression stayed blank. He looks like he has no interest with whatever’s going on here.

I nudged him on the shoulder and he looked at me with the same expression plastered on his face. I just shook my head displeasingly.

"Sorry about this. He's an introvert," I just reasoned out.

"Right." Colleen replied awkwardly with a fake smile. "So Ven, start preparing. Let's go to together. "

I nodded and would have stood up to take a bath but Vyl suddenly spoke. "Where are you going?"

"Practice for the band. Ven didn't tell you?" Colleen answered.

"What's a band?"

Colleen looks dumbfounded and I literally massaged my head. More confusions.

Colleen looked at me questioningly, but I just told her that I'll explain it later. Good thing she let it go. How many more lies do I have to tell her because of this guy? It's making my headache.

"Ven's cousin, you should come with us."

I turned around and was ready to enter the room, but I glanced back at them in shock because of what Colleen said. "What?!"

"I mean, why not? You don't have anything better to do, right?" She asked Vyl and unfortunately, the idiot grinned widely. I know he wants to come.

"That's a great idea."