Returning Red

#3: Changed.

"Yes?" I turned around with both my eyebrows raised. I wish my voice sounded louder and more confident. 

"I uh--my visit here was for two reasons. Apart from VOGUE, there is also a message I have to personally deliver," he scratched his hair and I nodded understanding.

Speaking now would mean making the wrong decision because my mind seems to have lost control over choosing the right words. 

"Okay," I said still clutching onto my bag on my shoulder and my blazer locked up in my arm. I made my way to the dining table and when he didn't say anything, I was forced to say, "Go ahead."

He watched me blankly, from the bag hanging on my arm to the chair in front of me. "Is it too difficult of an action for you to sit down?" 

It almost felt like he was choosing his words in anticipation of a reaction. Austin Cooper never spoke without thinking, so if his words are this harsh, then either he is intending for it to seem rude or he's not thinking at all before uttering those words. And frankly, both the excuses are beginning to scare me. 

I rested my bag and my blazer at the foot of the chair. As I sat on the chair opposite him, I watched him shut his computer. 

"Coffee?" he asked abruptly. 

"I'll make it," I said as I got up. Anything to just go away from being right in front of his eyes. 

"No, I was asking if you want some," he said referring to the kettle in front of him, right in the middle of the dining table. 

Well, I sat back, as I watched the kettle. His eyes were gawking at me and I was not liking how strikingly confident he was. He wasn't afraid or anxious or restless, everything that he was making me feel. And caffeine at this point would only make me more anxious so I pulled out my hot water bottle from my bag to distract myself. 

"No, thanks," I said drinking from my hot water. 

He scoffed looking away. He either didn't respect my decision or he chose to completely ignore it because he poured fresh coffee from the kettle into his cup first and then to another. He slid the second cup toward me and I looked more confused. 

"Drink," he commanded as he sipped from his own. "I haven't planned on poisoning you, yet." 

I glance at him in bewilderment but that only lasts for a second before I take the cup in front of me. I'm still deciding whether he meant that as a joke or as a warning. 

Something in his voice told me I shouldn't be crossing him. The choice of shutting up and drinking the coffee seemed less in need of talking rather than starting up an argument. So I did as he told me to. 

The first sip I took, I looked straight into his eyes. The taste, the sugar, the warmth, the color, everything was absolutely perfect. It instantly reminded me of how and why I had gotten attached to coffee years ago. I shivered with goosebumps because every sip just reminded me of home and for once, I wanted to remember more. Not once in eight years have I ever had the thought of going back, even if it meant just to visit. Because, honestly, what do I even have there to visit? 

Dr. Katherine would definitely not be happy with me getting back on caffeine. I don't think she would approve of this even if I told her it made me happy. Because this happiness is not going to last, and well, happy memories make you sad. 

"I'm not sure if you will recognize the names but Maya Sen and Liam Davis are getting married in three weeks." He said sitting back on his chair and observing how my normal face slowly escalated to shock and then surprise and then confusion.

"May and Liam?" I said almost completely shocked and unaware of his presence.

But his face just remained calm and cold. He moved his finger tracing the mouth of his coffee mug. Maybe thinking too much about what his response should be.