Saving the Villain

Meanwhile…

"Are you sure you're fine?" Sarah asked for the umpteenth time, staring at the grumpy Cosette.

"Did you ask us to hang out just so we can watch how your frown grows deeper and deeper?" added Fay, sitting beside Sarah while Cosette was across from them. "I thought we'll plan a trip together since it's our summer vacation, but I don't think that's possible if you are just glaring daggers at that parfait."

Cosette's frown deepened upon hearing her friend's remarks. However, she could say anything but sigh. They were right. She told them to hang out today because one she missed them, and second, she was still very annoyed at Maxen and didn't want to be with him at the moment, even though he told her they would visit Remo's grandfather.

"Sorry, girls. I'm just really in a terrible mood and it was growing worse every single day." Cosette leaned forward and picked up her spoon to enjoy the sweet she ordered. "Maxen just said something that really ticked me off."

"So, it was a lover's quarrel?" Sarah rocked her head in understanding. "No wonder you're grumpy — it was rare."

"Lover's quarrel?" Unlike Sarah, who seemed to be enlightened, Fay was confused. "Who are lovers?"

Sarah and Cosette slowly set their eyes on Fay, only to see the genuine confusion in the latter's eyes.

"Right…" Sarah bit her tongue. "... you haven't heard about it yet?"

"Heard, what?"

"That Cosette and Maxen were dating."

"Huh?" Fay cocked her head to the side. "Isn't that obvious?"

Fay's answer and her lack of reaction to the news now confused the two young ladies.

"I mean, even if you don't want to notice, the way Maxen treated Cozie is obviously different. The way he looked at her was different as well. But I didn't think they're official."

"Wait, wait." Sarah let out an awkward laugh, as this was getting even more confusing. "So you're saying you're not surprised that the two are dating? But at the same time, you didn't know they were official?"

"Mhm." Fay nodded. "I just thought Cozie has her own harem, and everyone is her slave."

"..."

Sarah tried to open her mouth, but to no avail. What Fay revealed rendered her speechless. Meanwhile, what Cosette heard was so ridiculous she was doubting if she even heard Fay correctly.

"I'm not saying Cosette is that kind of girl, but with a girl who had beauty, brain, and also rich, it won't be surprising if her story will lean more on a reverse harem type." Fay shrugged as if everything she was saying was normal from the standard the society had created. "I'm just saying. It's not a bad thing; to be fair, I'm sure more than fifty percent of the female population had fantasies of multiple guys competing to win her heart."

"I… please stop." Sarah pinched the bridge of her nose, almost begging Fay to stop. "It's just good that you know Cosette and Maxen were dating."

"Lucky."

Cosette sighed. "He's not lucky, I am."

"Huh?" Fay cocked her head to the side. "How come he's not and you are? I may sound bad and you guys might disagree, but Maxen was almost nothing before you came."

"Fay."

"That's why I said I may sound bad, but isn't that a fact, Cozie?" Fay quickly replied, defending herself as she was just trying to speak the facts no one dared speak about. "For you, it might not mean anything, but I'm sure Maxen thinks about it from time to time. If he doesn't, then I'd call him shameless."

"Fay." This time, Sarah called with a firm tone.

"What?"

"Please. You're not helping."

"It's okay." Cosette chimed in before this would lead to an argument. "I understand, Fay, and what she said was true. Still, I never counted whatever help I did because I didn't do much, to be honest. No amount of help could help someone if the person isn't willing to help themselves. The credits aren't mine to take, but his."

Fay shrugged, not arguing with her, since that was beyond her control. If that was what made Cosette happy, then who was she to argue? Meanwhile, Sarah couldn't help but sigh.

"What happened?" asked Sarah with genuine worry in her voice. "We're all ears."

"Well…" Cosette smacked her lips, darting her eyes between the two. "... I think Maxen still doubts my feelings."

"Huh?" Sarah furrowed her brows while Fay sipped from her glass of juice. "Why?"

"The other night, we brought up the talk of marriage. I joked that he should propose when I'm at the legal age, but he said it was too early for that." Cosette sighed once again. "It's not that I don't understand where he was coming from, but he could've at least said yes."

She raised her hand before the two could even start with her. "I know, I know. It sounds childish and Maxen was someone who always sticks to his promises. But at least, let your girl know that you'd marry her even without any plans, right? Just like a foolish person in love who wouldn't even think of anything because of love."

"Are you saying you prefer someone who doesn't have plans and just says things out of the spur of the moment?" was Fay's response, making Sarah cast her a cursory look. Sarah bit her tongue as she wanted to word it differently, but Fay just went off, hitting the bulls' eyes.

"No. Of course not."

"Then I don't think he is in the wrong." Fay threw a quick response. "We're still young. We haven't even finished high school. Talking about your future is normal, but it sounds a bit too much for you to get angry just because he wants to plan for your future properly. You're pressuring him, Cozie."

Sarah pressed her lips before she spoke. "I'm sorry, Cozie, but this time, I'm with Fay. I'm not saying your feelings aren't valid, but we don't need to rush these things. We're aware you really like Maxen, but fighting with him just because he told you it was too early for the two of you to tie the knot sounds a bit… too much."

"We still have a year to finish high school. What's the rush?" added Fay. "It's not like you're dying anytime soon."

Cosette could only purse her lips while darting her eyes between the two. 'Well… not anytime soon, but I don't know what this life has in store for me eight years onwards.' — this was what she wanted to tell them, but kept her mouth shut.

"Cozie, we're not fighting you nor siding with Maxen." Sarah stretched her hand over the table to hold Cosette's hand. "Feeling hurt by his reaction or answer is normal, but if Maxen is really important to you, you guys need to talk about it with an open mind. I'm sure things will work out well."

"That's right, but if you still want to dwell on it, then let's go." Fay knocked on the table to get their attention, grinning. "To a place we can forget about a jerk like him. Hehe!"

"Didn't you say Maxen was not in the wrong here?"

"He wasn't, but that doesn't mean he should be a jerk and ruin something that could've been a great memory to look back on." Fay shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't be angry because he wants to be prepared, but because he lacked some proper manner to keep his girl happy!"

Cosette's brow, darting her eyes between Sarah and Fay, only to see the smile on their faces.

"I also agree with Fay on this," said Sarah, nodding in agreement.