Chapter 50

“Oh right! I have to pay our neighbor my debt. Wait for me to clean up the dishes okay, it’ll just be fast.” 

“Sure~”

I went out and walked to our neighbor’s house. 

“Oh hey Y/n! What brings you here at night?” 

“Good evening, Ma’am. I was just going to pay the money I owe you two weeks ago.” I laughed, a little shy. 

“Oh haha, thank you Y/n, just in time that I need the money.” She smiled at me sweetly.

I lent her the money and thanked her for being kind.

I was walking away when I got a phone call from my aunt’s maid.

I felt like my world stopped when she said she died last night. I’m not processing it.

A thief wanted her purse and he stabbed her..

I felt my knees getting weak thinking more about it. I texted Haniya with shivering hands that I’ll just be out somewhere.

I.. I need to walk around.

I started tearing, walking to nowhere. 

I held my mouth tight and I kept walking and walking.

Just like how the sky felt my pain, it just suddenly poured heavily. 

My aunt was the only one who looked out for me. Last time we talked, she asked me to ask for anything I ever needed and I kept saying I’m fine and there’s nothing to worry even though I was stuck in a mud of debt because I’m too embarrassed.

Now I can’t even visit her because she lives on the other side of the world and I don’t have the money for it.

I cried out loud, crouching down on the sidewalk even if I see a person with an umbrella about to walk by from afar. 

Why did it have to be her? Out of all the evil people in this world, why her.

The rain kept pouring but droplets of it aren’t hitting me anymore.

I looked up and I was terrified of seeing that guy again. I ended up hitting my butt on the pavement when he wanted to reach out for my hand.

“W-Why are you here! You’re following me aren’t you??” 

“Let’s calm down, I just happen to walk by-”

“In our street?” I got up, distancing my hands from him when he tried to assist me.

“Please, you’re scaring me, stop being everywhere..” 

He sighed, “I’m sorry that I come off as a creep but I just.. that time, when we bumped, you didn’t leave my mind, you felt familiar.” 

“That will not work on me. Please leave me alone.” 

I started walking away, feeling the hard hit of every drop on me again but I heard him follow me.

“Wait, please, listen. My intentions are real. I’d be the same guy to give you flowers if we’d just met in a different circumstance..” 

I kept walking and again, the rain on me stopped.

“Now is not the time. I beg of you, sir.” I kept walking, agitated.

“I know you’re troubled-” he pulled my wrist to face him, making me gasp.

“Stop it, you’re scaring me! I will call the cops on you.” I pulled my hand off. 

“Just give me a chance, please.” 

“On what??” 

“Comfort you, even just for now as strangers.” 

“My emotions aren’t yours to worry about. It’s also pointless to keep on trying.” 

“You think I’d give up that easily?” he asks like his ego got scratched.

I kept staring at his face with my puffy eyes. 

All I see is a straight face, but it wouldn’t matter. Why am I to gain his trust just by his own words?

“Please.. let’s.. let’s stroll around if you want, or drive down the road, any road, maybe that way you could also get to know me, or just eat. Just say it-”

“You sound like a desperate stalker.” I felt cold from my drenched clothes from the sudden gush of wind.

I watched him scratch his head. “Well, how does one not act like a stalker then?” 

“By not following me around, not leaving gifts, and not paying for our meals every chance you get.” 

“I see..” he puffed his cheeks with air. 

Now both of us just stare at each other while he holds the umbrella steady between us.

“Why are you staring?” I asked.

“You’re the one staring?” 

“Ugh.” I turned around to walk away again.

“Had dinner yet? Want to give a newly opened restaurant a try?” He said, huffing while running after me with the umbrella.

My stomach does feel the void again but for a different reason.

“Where.” I simply answered, walking straight still.

“Just right by the Pawfee cafe.” 

“Fine.” 

He didn’t make a sound yet I know he’s smiling like a kid. 

I turned to look at my side and I was right. Weird how I knew that.

“Stay here, hold the umbrella while I get my car.” 

Car? No way. What if he kidnaps me with it? I’m just going along as a distraction but I have my guard up.

“I want to walk.” 

“Walk it is.” 

–

He actually managed to walk this far. I thought he’d whine since he’s a wealthy guy.

The rain also stopped.

“That’s the restaurant? That’s an expensive one and we’re both soaking wet.” 

He suddenly cleared his throat, turning around with his back completely facing me.

“Shit..” I heard him curse silently.

“What?” 

He faced me, “nothing, my throat just got dry.” He then smiled at me. 

“So how about it, we’re wet?” 

He turned around again. What’s with him?? 

“If you keep your back facing me all night, I’ll just go h-”

“No, no. My throat is just acting up. About us, it’s not a big deal. I’ll handle it, let’s go in.” 

“What? No? I’m not eating all wet?” 

“Fuck.” He cursed again looking at his side out of nowhere, making me irritated. 

“I made the mistake of agreeing, I’ll go-” I said all mad.

“I just realized you’d get sick.. let’s go inside, don’t worry about being wet. I have something for it.” 

I followed him in and most people that are eating are eyeing us. I got embarrassed that I looked away.

“Conrad, is the VIP clean as I told you?” 

“Yes sir.” I looked at the two talking, one behind this counter and him asking about the VIP.

“Could you serve us, thank you.” 

“Of course sir.” 

He was about to walk but stopped to tell him, “get my car near the park, on a broken lamp post.” He throws the key on him and the guy gladly catches it. 

He looked at me and said, “follow me inside.” And smiled at me.

As we were walking, I couldn’t help but ask him. “Do you own this place?” 

“My twin’s.” 

Oh.

We suddenly stopped at what seems to be a restroom.