Chapter 11

I wake up and stare at the wall across from me.

It feels like I didn't even sleep with how heavy my eyelids are.

Maybe it was a bad idea to stay outside in the cold even though I had a coat.

It's all Melzul's fault. He is the reason nothing's working as planned.

No...

I rub my temple. He doesn't have that kind of impact on me. Definitely no.

But... Somehow, I leaned onto him last night and... It wasn't as annoying as I expected.

Maybe everything was a mistake and it started when I saw him from the window of my office and decided to check out what was happening.

After all the scandals, I still haven't figured out whether he was missing home. He didn't seem to want to talk about it. Maybe he still hates me.

He's such a big dumbass. So annoying.

A stream of heat brews at my cheeks. It feels like... What will happen if I let him hold me for a bit longer? And... if there were no coats? Like... We'd still be clothed, but I could get closer to him...

I shake my head. I should get that stupid idea out of my head. He is here to annoy me, nothing more.

Before it gets late, I prepare for the day and make myself presentable. Sometimes... I hope I was just one of the villagers. There'd be no responsibility outside of the workgroup. Yet...

I take a breath, slowly letting it out. So much for daydreaming. There's no time for that too.

And when I get to the food court, that gray thing will come and annoy me again.

I pick up my staff and get going. I can't let him stop me, he doesn't get to change my mind and affect how I do things.

Inside the food court, some are already eating. Everyone seems to be sleepy. I'm that way too, but work isn't sitting around. It has to be done.

I take my set of breakfast and settle myself at an empty table. Then, I won't have to talk to anyone.

Melzul flashes in my mind. I can see his ass staring at the sky again. Maybe... Maybe he wants to go back to his place, but he doesn't want to bother us.

Wait....

He won't care about bothering us. I'm imagining him as someone better. He was the one shouting at me after we just saved his ass from the forest. That kind of being won't care about others.

I pick up my bread and the knife for jam. At least we get food here. I suppose I'm doing my job well, still. I take a bite when...

Melzul shows up with his tray and a frown. He is half-naked again. His sense of fashion is so bad that he thinks he is good-looking or something. Except no one wants to look at his chest and those abs. We should've turned off temperature control, then he will get his ass into a jacket or something.

He puts on a smile, which is too tight to be genuine. It looks like he is trying to invite himself near me again. He asks, "Can I sit here?"

I lift my brows at him and I remember what happened last night again. I don't want to see him, not at all. "No, go elsewhere."

He chuckles. "Are you making that joke again?" He sets down his tray, promptly ignoring me.

I hiss at him. "I mean it. Sit elsewhere and stop bothering me."

He flinch. "What happened? I thought..." He swallows when I glare at him even harder. He better not tell anyone about last night. Technically, all that happened was some cuddling, which isn't that big of a deal, but still... I don't want anyone to know that we spent time together. I don't even know why, I just don't want that.

He continues, "I mean... You let me sit yesterday."

"I don't care, go elsewhere."

He nods and picks up his tray again, heading to another table.

I stare at my piece of bread. Am I a bit too mean and harsh to him?

But he has been annoying me, so he has himself to blame. It's not my fault.

He sits at the far side of the food court, finally learning a lesson. He sits with his back against me, which is better for him and makes it easy for me to peek. There are other beings at the table, but Melzul doesn't talk to anyone. He digs into his food and that's it.

I continue with my food too. My brain keeps rewinding to last night as if there was something important that I should be aware of.

But there's nothing. He made me emotional and I cried, that was all about it. And...

I should learn not to be curious so I won't get myself into trouble.

I finish my food, sipping my cup of tea as I head to the tray collection cart. When I lower the mug, Melzul is there again... He is holding a piece of bread in his mouth as he puts the tray in the slot.

He must be here just to annoy me.

He turns around and sees me. He blinks and looks away. I wait for him to move his ass so I can put my tray away. I don't have the whole day to waste with him.

"Um... Irene, I can help you with the tray."

I shove it to him. He stumbles and hurries to hold it, including the plate and utensils on it. I turn around to leave, not wanting to spend another second with him.

He is standing a bit too close to my liking and I don't need that. He said he wanted to help me anyway, he can have fun doing that.

That fucking gray ass.

"Hey! Wait!"

I halt to his voice again. He hurries over with wide strides. I glare at him. "What's the big deal?"

"I mean... Do I work with the farming team today? Or do something else?"

Can't he figure it out himself?

He sends the spark in my stomach flying and I want to punch him. But with his ego, he'd think I want to touch him or something.

I take a breath to calm myself. I suppose I did tell him that I wanted him to try out different teams and see where he fits, so...

I'm about to say something when someone gets close. It is the team for food production, that turns basic produce into more complicated ones. I nod. "Morning, Hoge."

"Morning, Irene. Will you have time to check on the ham and cheese? It is about time."

Ah... He mentioned to me a few days ago, before the annoying gray ass landed, and I haven't had the time. "Sure, we can go today, or now if it works better for the schedule."

"Sure, and will the new guy come with us?"

Fuck... Maybe he sees Melzul here and therefore he asks.

Melzul nods before I can say a word. "I'll gladly go with you. Maybe I will work in the team and see how it goes."

I grit my teeth. I want his ass gone and away from me, not to tag along...

Hoge is seemingly oblivious. "Sure. Irene?"

I silently roll my eyes and sigh. "Sure, he can come along."

Fuck him... He just won't leave me alone...