Saving the Villain

Cosette sat in the backseat in silence, peeking at Maxen, who was sitting near the other window. When they left the establishment, they didn't idle as they got into the car with Luke. They first dropped Luke and Remo off, with Maxen asking the latter to look after Luke for him.

Now, it was just Cosette and Maxen on their way back to the Blac Mansion.

It was rare for the two of them to stay so silent. Although not all the time they were chatting, the silence between them wasn't anything awkward. It was a peaceful kind of silence, but tonight was different.

"Are you angry?" she asked, breaking the silence between them when she couldn't take it anymore.

Maxen snapped his eyes at her. "I'm upset."

"Max."

"Cozie." This time, Maxen didn't allow her to reason out with him. However, his tone was still calm. "Don't put yourself in danger over and over."

"Then what do you want me to do?" she sighed deeply. "If I didn't barge inside that room, they would've done the unspeakable to Amie! If it's you, will you just stand idly when you know your friend is in danger?"

Silence followed Cosette's remarks as the two of them stared at each other. The answer was obvious. However, Maxen was still upset. Not because he couldn't understand Cosette's point, but the fact that he couldn't refute her argument.

"All we want is for you to be safe, Cozie." A deep exhale slipped past Maxen's lips after a moment of silence. "I have nothing else to say."

Cosette pressed her lips into a thin line. Even though she knew she was in the right and there was nothing wrong with what she did, Cosette wasn't so stubborn not to understand where he was coming from. She should be glad that Maxen was the one who came, and not her father. Conrad would kill and she would be in deep trouble.

"Sorry," came out a remorseful whisper, gazing down at her lap. "I know why you are upset, and I understand that. You only want the best for me and for me to be safe. However, even when I understand that, I can't promise that I won't do it again."

"After all, if you or Luke or even Remo would be in such a tricky situation, I will still do everything I can to help you. So, I want to say sorry today and in advance," she added, raising her eyes at Maxen once again.

Again, the two of them stared at each other in silence. Cosette didn't want to make promises and eventually break them. She knew she would be in the same situation again if the important people in her life would be put in danger.

"I don't know what to do with you." Maxen pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head.

Maxen didn't say anything further, making her purse her lips. They didn't talk after that as well until they reached home. However, Cosette forgot about one thing: her outfit.

"Papa, I'm home —" Cosette halted as Conrad, who was sitting on the couch, turned his head to her.

The second Conrad's eyes landed on her, his expression turned blank. His reaction was the reason Cosette suddenly stop, wondering why her father was giving her such a strange look. Her puzzlement, however, was quickly answered when Conrad's eyes went from head to toe.

'Oh no!' Her back and face stiffened, frozen on the spot. Cosette instinctively cast Maxen a look as if blaming him for not reminding her of her revealing attire.

"Cosette." Cosette flinched when Conrad called, shifting her attention to the couch to see her father rise from his seat. "Are you rebelling now?"

"No!" she defended immediately.

"Max?"

"She's not." Maxen let out a deep exhale, standing beside Cosette. "She was in a costume party."

"Oh…" Conrad rocked his head, darting his eyes to Cosette and then to Maxen.

He didn't notice until now that Cosette and Maxen seemed to have grown a bit. They looked more mature than before, especially now that Cosette was wearing quite revealing clothes matched with bold makeup. While Maxen was in his tux after an important business meeting.

"Papa, don't you trust me anymore?" Cosette frowned, snapping Conrad back to his trance. "Why do you need to ask Maxen?"

"Confirmation." Her frown deepened. But Conrad didn't dwell on it, assuming she already knew his good intentions. "By the way, Max, I need to talk to you about something. Come to my office."

"I will. I'll just drop her off in her room." Maxen lowered his head to Conrad.

Unlike before, Conrad wouldn't allow Maxen near Cosette's room, but now that he trusts Maxen enough to let him at least make sure Cosette would be in her room. After all, Cosette had been very mischievous lately. She had always been, though. Conrad just didn't know.

"Alright." Conrad rocked his head in understanding.

With that being said, Maxen faced Cosette and tipped his head in the exit's direction. Her frown remained but didn't say a word as she march back to her room.

"It's not like I need a bodyguard to make sure I enter my room," she complained as she reached the shut door of her room, turning to face Maxen. "I'm not a kid anymore, Max. It's not like I will sneak out or something. I can at least do this myself. No need to guard me."

"I'm not guarding you," explained Maxen, keeping his eyes on her. "I just want to see you and spend just another minute since I didn't come to school."

"Oh…"

Maxen's eyes softened, raising his hand to cup her cheek. No word came out of his lips, brushing her cheek with his thumb.

"I missed you today," he whispered, offering her a subtle smile. "Goodnight, Cozie."

Cosette pressed her lips into a thin line, watching him retrieve his hand before walking away. She bit her inner lower lip, feeling a bit guilty for being rash and sensitive.

"I forgot to ask how was his day," she whispered, squeezing her biceps while keeping her eyes on his retreating back. "Great, Cosette. Great."