Chapter 52
Frederick was still hung up on that bottle of “First Love.” Jonathan had made a fuss about their shared sulking over it. I couldn’t help but giggle. “That’s one way to put it,” I said. He stood at the doorway, looking a little awkward. “Are you coming in or what?” he asked, turning his eyes away, unable to meet mine.
I walked right in without hesitation. “Quit being dramatic. You’re not some delicate maiden. Why are you acting like I just barged into a princess’s bedroom?” With a furious glare, Frederick snapped, “Shut up!”
His eyes didn’t scream anger; if anything, it seemed I’d struck a chord. I pursed my lips and didn’t push any further. His room had a bold, modern vibe—nothing like Jonathan’s. Jonathan’s personality was always cold and sharp, so his room decoration leaned toward the minimalistic style. Everything was grayscale, without warm colors, just like him. However, his refined act didn’t hold up much past the bedroom door. I might not remember what went on between us in bed, but with how confidently his hand slid under my shirt, he definitely wasn’t some gentleman.
Frederick called out behind me, “Stop looking around.” I looked away and sat on the couch before speaking. “Don’t feel bad. I’m sure your parents had their reasons.”
Frederick protested, “Oh, please! Their reasons just mean I’m always second to Jonathan.” He sat down across from me, his eyes a little gloomy. “Growing up, everyone in our circle looked up to Jonathan. He was brilliant and talented, always pulling off things none of us could. He had a calm and composed demeanor, like he was more mature than any of us back then.”
He let out a self-deprecating laugh. “We’re supposed to be peers, standing shoulder to shoulder with people like my dad. He even acts like he’s above us.”
I paused before saying, “Everyone grows at their own pace. Don’t let it bother you; just focus on being yourself.” It was just the usual hollow pep talk, but I didn’t know how else to comfort Frederick. If I had grown up under that kind of pressure, I might have turned out just as rebellious.
Frederick shook his head with a faint smile. “I’ve said that to myself more times than I can count, but…” He trailed off mid-sentence and closed his eyes. Then, he continued with a raspy voice, “There are times when Jonathan feels like a damn nightmare I can’t shake.”
I muttered, “About your parents…” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “It’s probably not what you think. They’re just expecting a lot from you.” Frederick chuckled but didn’t talk about it. After a while, he suddenly called out to me.
I responded, “What’s wrong?” He suggested, “I want to show you a place.” I asked, “Where are we going?” He replied, “Follow me, and you’ll find out.”
Frederick dragged me through the window, and I gasped. “Are you insane?” Even though it was just the second floor, it was high enough to seriously injure me if I were to fall headfirst. Frederick clicked his tongue impatiently. “Why are you such a coward?”
I retorted, “I’m not chicken, okay? I just don’t have a death wish.” I walked up behind him and peered out the window. There was a lawn underneath, but I still felt a chill run through me. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” Frederick asked contemptuously. “Great. Just what I needed.”
Without warning, he grabbed my hand and yanked me out the window. I screamed instinctively, but he covered my mouth right away. The next thing I knew, there was nothing under my feet. By the time I recovered, my feet were already on solid ground. So, there really was a big open space outside the window.