Chapter 12
Glutton for Punishment
C.C. lay slack-jawed with her head on her arm where she rested at the kitchen island, her eyes lazily following Niles' movements around the room as he busied himself with preparing their breakfast. She distantly wondered how he could function so well despite the awful hangover she knew he had.
"Here you are," he said quietly as he placed a breakfast platter and a hot mug of coffee before her.
She sighed as she raised her head so that she could take a careful sip of the steaming beverage.
"You don't have to watch me, Niles," she grumbled, looking up at him.
"I was just making sure you didn't inhale the plate," he shrugged.
She scowled at him as she took a small bite off the corner of a piece of toast.
"So nice of you to continue working on your day off," she spat sarcastically, a note of bitterness scratching at her voice.
Niles was taken aback by her sudden hostility.
"Need I remind you," he said, his voice flat and heavy, "that taking care of you is not in my job description."
"Then what are you wasting your time on me for?" she bit back, waving her hand dismissively.
"Maybe you have a point," he replied harshly.
"You're just like everyone else," she hissed, scowling at him to hide any resemblance of vulnerability from her face, "Only around because you have to be."
He frowned at her, and she suddenly felt uncomfortable at the weight of his stare upon her.
"Well, considering this is my vacation yet I'm still 'around,' I'd say your point is inaccurate."
C.C. wouldn't look at him. She didn't want to see the look on his face as he waited on her to wither under his gaze.
"Then why are you here?"
Her voice sounded too small and weak for her liking. Niles sighed.
"Do you really need everything spelled out for you?" he replied exasperatedly.
Just when C.C. thought he had dropped the subject, he took a step toward her.
"Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment," he began, his voice low. "But maybe I actually like having you around…"
To be continued
