Sold?

• Rosalie

I was in a daze. It never crossed my mind that the big brother I used to play with was Lexus. Was it because I forgot his name? Or because I barely remember him? Those memories seem so distant and faded.

"Rosalie?" He waved his hand in front of me, "Rosalie?" I snapped back to reality. "Was it too much to take in?"

"I- uh- I don't know. Yes?"

He smiled.

"It was a long story."

I nodded and looked down at my hands then suddenly remembered something and shot my head at him, "Grandma!"

"Hmm?"

"Why was grandma killed?"

Lexus took a deep breath, "I think she chose to die. The men who had killed Lizzie's husband were after her too. In order to let her escape. Grandma stayed behind to buy some time. Well it wasn't like she could run away either so she chose death while Lizzie took you and Alios with her."

"I see…"

"I know you hate Lizzie, but she saved your life. She did what she thought was right. She kept you both in boxes so that if anyone else came before her you both will be safe."

"She left me locked there in the middle of nowhere. I was going to die!"

"You really would have, all of you. If she didn't leave one of you behind. And of course Alios was her first choice."

"She didn't even come back!!"

"You don't know that."

"What?"

"You weren't there."

"I-..."

"I know she did many things wrong but that's because she was always wary and afraid. The point is. She kept you safe for years."

"..."

"You should rest. You're going to be discharged tomorrow. I'll come pick you up myself."

He got up and turned to leave when I grabbed his shirt. He looked back, held my hand and sat back down.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I don't want to be alone."

He stood still for a while, then let go of my hand.

"Lexus?"

He left the room, leaving me alone.

Is he perhaps angry? Did I make a selfish request?

I sighed and laid back down. Well, i'll be leaving tomorrow so maybe I should just sleep again. I sighed and thought about all he said, all what he had told me.

It made me feel fuzzy inside, thinking about how I've known him since birth.

The door opened again and Lexus entered the room, I sat back up and looked at him.

"Lexus?"

He came towards the bed, "Can you walk?"

"I-uh- yes?"

"Okay. Your clothes are there on the sofa." He pointed at the sofa at the corner of the room. "Change and we'll leave."

"Leave?"

"You said you didn't want to be alone. So I'm taking you home with me."

"Wait! Really? The doctors allowed it?"

He just passed me a grin, "Let's go."

***

Walking after just sleeping for so long was difficult. I did have a rehab but I was still stiff, seeing that Lexus picked me up in his arms.

"Lex!"

"What?"

"People are watching!!"

"I want them to watch."

"Oh my God! I can't believe you're the same person who shocked me!"

"I had to shock you to complete the contract."

"Excuse me?"

" The controller activates with the fingerprints of the owner, just to activate it one has to press it. The shock was inevitable." We reached the car and he carefully sat me inside. Then came and took his place on the driver's seat as I wondered about the whole thing.

"... Then-"

"Hmm?" He started the car and drove.

"What about the second time? Why did you do that!!"

"Think about it Rosalie. Just think about it, how could have I done it when you had the controller?"

"Ah…" That's right. I had a controller… "Then?"

"It was preprogrammed like that. If you set a foot outside the hotel it will shock you on its own. I really didn't think you'd try to run away this fast."

"..."

"To be very honest. Your actions made me beyond angry."

I turned the other way and looked out the window quietly. The decorations for Christmas had started.

A lot of time has passed since I first met Lexus. Or should I say when I met him again.

As we reached the hotel, he tried to pick me up again but I didn't want the people inside to see us like that, so I stopped him and got up myself. Contrary to what I expected he didn't insist and just stood aside as I made an attempt to walk.

It failed.

I fell down after a few steps and then he came and picked me up effortlessly. I glared at him, he knew I wouldn't make it!

"What? You're more than welcome to try again."

I pouted and he laughed.

Embarrassed, I hid my face in his chest.

God!

He walked in, I could hear people all around. There were many, and I could feel their gazes but I didn't raise my head. I didn't have the confidence and I just wonder how Lexus is so relaxed?

"That's because I'm claiming you in front of everyone."

Did he just read my mind?!!!!

***

Although the only thing I did for days was sleep, yet, as soon as he laid me on the bed and slid next to me while hugging me. I drifted into sleep immediately.

For the next few days Alios came to help me walk better.

At first I couldn't get the courage to ask him but when I was all better and we both sat down on the kitchen counter to have coffee I finally asked him.

"Alios?"

"Hmm?"

"You remember the time we spent with Lexus as kids?"

He nodded, "Everything."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Lexus asked me not to. Besides you barely remember stuff and neither one of us wanted to tell you how grandma died."

"I see… still, I'm glad Lexus did." I took a deep breath, "That day-"

"That day?"

"When Lizzie took you with her and ran, leaving me there in the box. You remember?"

"Yea?"

"Did she come back to look for me?"

Alios shook his head, "No."

"She didn't?"

He sighed, "She was shot while we were on the run. So while we both hid in a hut. She sent me to check."

"So-"

"Of course she didn't plan to just abandon you but I couldn't find you. I looked everywhere near the place but the only thing that was there was the broken box."

I really don't know what to think. It's making me dizzy.

"How-" I looked at him,"How did she die?"

"Kidney failure."

"She wasn't caught?"

"She went to them herself. After she found out that her kidneys were done for. Just so that they don't come after me. To end things."

"And you've been fine?"

He just shrugged. "Life goes on. We're alive right now, time will continue to flow for us and I'll make the best out of it." He smiled.

I smiled back. Life does go on and I want to make the best out of it too.