Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I don't know if Troy planned it, but he ended up taking me to his workplace. We're now living together in the same house, but will I still have to see him at work too? It's really frustrating!

"Why would it be a problem to work in the same place? It could be nice to see me every day, considering how much you seem to admire me," he teased as I paced back and forth in front of him. We were in a nipa hut near the construction site where he works, on his lunch break. I shot him a glare in response to his comment. He was being shameless. Just because he saved me doesn't mean everything is fine between us. There's no way I would find his features attractive.

"Are you serious? I would never have feelings for you! I can't stand anything about you!" I exclaimed in disbelief. He just smirked at me, unfazed by my reaction. I couldn't understand why he was smiling, especially after what he had done.

"I'll find another job then! I refuse to work here any longer!" I declared firmly, ready to leave. But he stopped me with a warning. "Do you want to go through what happened yesterday again? That man almost violates you... Eli," he reminded me. I clenched my fists, knowing he was right. Despite my desire to find a different job, I couldn't ignore the fear I still felt about being in that kind of situation. Maybe staying here for now was the safer option.

With a heavy sigh, I turned to face him. I tried to muster up strength as I looked into his eyes, even though they had a strange effect on me. "Alright... but promise me you won't interfere with my work here," I negotiated. He raised an eyebrow as if to say he wouldn't interfere even without my request because he didn't care.

"Of course, I won't. Just do the same with me," he said as I raised an eyebrow in response.

"Of course, I would do that! Why would I interfere with you, right?" I replied, also raising an eyebrow. He smirked, and I couldn't help but dislike that smirk.

"I'm just reminding you in case you get jealous every time I flirt with other women," he teased. My lips parted in disbelief at his audacity. He stood up and walked past me to leave the hut. However, before he could leave completely, I couldn't hold back anymore. "Why would I get jealous, you jerk!" I shouted, thinking that everyone probably heard me.

I returned home in the afternoon. I decided to clean Troy's house to keep myself busy while planning how I would spend my salary once I got paid. I hadn't even started working yet, but I was already thinking about my earnings. But I knew that planning ahead was important, so it was better to be prepared.

In my thoughts, I couldn't stop thinking about the Urzua Kingdom and my brother, Alpha Phoenix. It had been a week since I left the kingdom, and I couldn't help but wonder how everyone was doing. Despite feeling a bit sad, I had no regrets. This was the path I had chosen, and I needed to show my brother that I could succeed on my own. I wanted him to see that my days of confinement within the four walls of my room were over.

I paused my cleaning when I noticed a scroll beneath the sofa. Was it Troy's? Curiosity piqued, I reached for it and was surprised by its appearance. Was I mistaken, or was this type of scroll familiar to me?

I had seen a similar scroll in my brother's room. Why did Troy have one too? Was this just a coincidence, or was there a connection to Tyreese?

"Where did you find that?" I nearly jumped in shock at Troy's sudden voice. I blinked twice to compose myself as I saw him standing in front of me. I hadn't even realized he had entered the house.

"I found it under the sofa," I replied. He nodded and took the scroll from me. "I must have dropped it while organizing my things," he explained. I nodded, confirming that it belonged to him.

"Where did you purchase that type of scroll here?" I inquired. He gazed at me, responding, "I bought it in the market. Tyreese has a variety of these scrolls. Are you interested in buying one as well?" he asked. I shook my head quickly and said, "No, I just thought it looked familiar but it's okay now." I responded. He nodded and walked past me, instructing, "Set the table and let's have dinner."

I nodded and hurried to the kitchen, but I couldn't shake off thoughts of the scroll and Troy's behavior. Why couldn't I sense his movements? Did he have special training like my brother? Wait... why was I comparing Troy to my brother? Alpha Phoenix is an Alpha King, a werewolf, while Troy is just a human in Tyreese. But for some reason, I felt that Troy was different.

The next morning, I woke up early to get ready for work. Troy and I had different jobs and schedules. His schedule is set earlier than me. I dressed in simple jeans and a shirt, the only clothing Troy had bought for me.

Upon arriving at the hardware shop, I was greeted by my new colleagues. The manager introduced me to Aleth, who had been working there for a long time, and Mary, who would be my coworker at the counter. I nodded along to everything the manager said.

Hi! Are you the new one here?” Mary asked me in a friendly way. I quickly nodded and smiled even though I wasn't in the mood to smile right now.

"It's true that they talk about how beautiful you are!" she giggled. I smiled flaccidly. I didn't know that I was already being talked about here.

"Thank you," was all I said even though I didn't know if I should say thank you more.

Mary is a bit loud while Aleth is louder. They are both energetic, that's why I just try to go along even though I'm not really an energetic person.

"I'll buy arc welding inverters," I heard a familiar voice at the counter. I was busy putting up products inside the shelf so I could hear Mary and Aleth giggling because of the man in front of the hardware store.

"What can I do for you, Mr. handsome?” I heard Aleth's voice. I don't know why Aleth's voice is making me suddenly annoyed. I turned to the counter and I was right. Troy is the buyer so Mary and Aleth are so eager to serve him!

"Arc welding inventors," Troy smiled at them. I raised my eyebrows and he really felt like smiling. That's why Mary and Aleth almost fainted with excitement.

"Wow, you're really good-looking!" Mary exclaimed with a giggle. As I watched the scene unfold, Troy's eyes met mine and his smile turned into a mischievous smirk. "Do you have a girlfriend, Troy?" Aleth asked as she prepared the arc welding inventor, taking her time with it.

"No, but I'm open to flings," he confidently replied, much to my irritation. What the hell? He's really proud that he has flings!

"Can I be one of those flings?" Aleth flirtatiously inquired, making me roll my eyes. Feeling bothered, I joined Aleth at the counter to assist her in wrapping up Troy's purchase, sensing Troy's eyes on me the entire time. "There's only one empty seat, sorry," Troy stated suggestively. "Would you like someone to fill that seat, Troy?" Mary eagerly asked.

"Yes," he replied, causing me to shake my head in disbelief. He is really a bastard.

"Who?" Aleth and Mary chimed in simultaneously.

"She lives in my house," Troy revealed, leaving me stunned and catching him looking at me as Mary and Aleth shrieked in excitement. Troy raised an eyebrow at me and smirked teasingly, making my heart race inexplicably fast. Shouldn't I be angry? Why do I feel the opposite?