Chapter 31

I follow Irene around the food area as she talks to beings at the tables. I have a trusty clipboard, which almost seems like technology from a museum.

Acea has collected a list, it looks like a few are looking to go back and visit family and friends, but are willing to head back here afterward.

It's not a bad idea. I think most of the beings here treasure what they have built and the community. The food area is bustling with beings busy eating or on their way to getting food. Now this place doesn't annoy me as much.

I still remember the time when I fought Irene here for food. I didn't get food that would fill my stomach that day, but everything worked out fine.

"Melzul... Are you listening?"

I blink to her glare at me. "Oh, for sure."

She narrows her eyes. "Sounds like you're definitely not listening. Anyway, mark it down. They will be heading back for a visit."

"Okay." I put down the check mark next to the names, which Acea has already gathered, or it's a list generated by the system, since Irene knows exactly who's here.

I'm about to start walking when there seems to be a shadow right in front of me. I halt and move the clipboard to the side so I can...

Oh... It's Irene watching me. I reach my hand over to the back of her head to tinker with her ponytail. "Yes, boss. What's up?"

She rolls her eyes. "Even you call me boss now."

I wink. "It's only when others are around. When we're alone..."

Her cheeks light up perfectly with a shade of pink. She hisses at me. "Shut up, gray ass."

Ah, I love it when she shouts at me as if she's really the boss. My cock twitches and... When I get her alone, she will regret her life's choices.

I know I should stop thinking about that for now, but when she snuggles to me and we sleep together on the same bed, it's hard for me to think of something else. I've been controlling myself, so it makes a lot of sense for me to be able to enjoy myself after we finish dealing with this important issue.

She is so cute... so tempting to grab for myself already. I wonder when...

"Melzul, I'm asking, do you know where's Vikul?"

Oh... I keep getting distracted, it must be her fault with that cute and beautiful face. "I think Acea and Hoge are with them. They said that they would show Vikul's crew around."

She takes a deep breath, slowly letting it out, but the tension in her spikes, regardless. I pat her head, which will for sure annoy her. "Hey, what's the worry?"

"I don't know what they will think. I mean... Maybe Vikul does have the right connection... but what if he doesn't like what we got?"

"No way, we have good stuff around here. And it's cheese and ham, I'm sure we will find the ones who will want to pay for and enjoy them."

"You took a slice and you're now the biggest advocate, huh?"

I wink at her. "Focus on what good can come."

She nods and heads to the next table. "I hope you're right."

When we get close to another table, she puts on a smile for those beings again. She is professional at her job even though I think she can be herself a bit more and beings won't be anxious when she doesn't feel the best.

She talks to them while I pretend to be present. I'd much rather be with her alone. Not to mention we're here to figure out what's on everyone's mind so we can arrange for everything, not to chat about dumplings that were served last night.

I love the dumplings Irene makes, but this isn't the right time and place to chat about that in detail. It's not that important.

My stomach rumbles at the thought of dumplings, even though I've just done with breakfast. I love those. They look simple, but probably not.

Irene and those beings are still chatting and I'm bored... Maybe this makes Irene a good leader who everyone likes. Even back when I captained a battleship, I was the one to be feared, not loved, not like this. But this isn't a battleship, so I understand completely.

It takes longer than I want, but finally, we can move on.

We go steps away from that table. Irene stops when we're far away enough that the other beings won't hear us. "It looks like someone's bored."

I swallow, looking away before I can stop myself. "Well, I wasn't expecting this. I was thinking that we'd just be checking the boxes and calling it a day."

She rolls her eyes. "Come on, we are a community, so you can't just go up to someone, ask them a question, and proceed to leave."

"I know. I know." I spread my arms to the side, but take them back quick when it feels like someone is walking by. I don't want to accidentally slap anyone. "Maybe I'm not cut out to be a nice being, that's all."

She laughs and pats my chest. Her cute little hand tickles. "At least you're nice to me."

I kiss her forehead before I can give that more thought. "I mean, I love you."

She kisses my cheek before I stand straight again. "I love you too. But I need you to work hard so we can be done with the rest of the list."

I wink. "Do I get any reward for that? Not to mention I haven't gotten my reward from a while ago, too."

She sucks in a breath, but with a soft smile that I've missed for a while. "We'll see."

"Ah... That's such a bad answer."

"It will depend on whether you'll be a decent being."

"Fine, fine..."

For the best mate ever, I can wait.