Chapter 15

Chapter 15

I'm feeling restless for some reason after what happened earlier. I can't seem to stop thinking about Troy and find myself constantly looking towards the construction site where he is working. It's frustrating because I can't focus on my job, especially with Aleth and Mary continuing to talk about Troy.

"Troy's girl is so lucky! The girl he likes must be beautiful!" Aleth exclaimed.

"But why did he say he didn't have a girlfriend? Does that mean he just had a fling with that girl and now lives in his house?" Mary raised doubts. The conversation made me drop the nails I was sorting, causing Aleth and Mary to turn around "Are you alright Eli?" Aleth went to me. I didn't say a word and just fixed the nails. Even Mary helped me. I can't stop thinking about what she said earlier. There's no way in hell that I'll agree to be Troy's fling!

"I just noticed that you're quiet, Eli, I'm sorry for Mary and I's noise," Aleth said while fixing the nails inside the box. I tried to smile at her. "It's okay," I said sparingly. I can feel the way she and Mary look at each other.

"Would you like to join us for lunch with Mary?" Aleth added. I was stunned by her offer. If I don't go with them later, I won't have someone to have a meal with me and even more I don't want Troy to go with me!

"Okay, I'll eat lunch with you," I said. I smiled at them both. That's why when lunch came, they immediately pulled me to a restaurant near the hardware store. Because it was lunch break, there was a lot of people eating here.

"What would you like to eat, Eli?" Mary inquired as she surveyed the array of dishes on the counter. My stomach rumbled at the sight, realizing I had skipped breakfast earlier.

"I'll have the steak meal," I replied. Their sudden pause made me curious, was there a problem?

"Why?" I asked, my confusion growing as I looked between the two of them.

"The steak meal is a bit pricey, but it's fine if you want to treat yourself," Aleth said hesitantly. I was taken aback, unaware of the cost as I was used to having food provided for me.

"In that case, what's the most affordable option?" I questioned, considering the money Troy had given me the night before. He had insisted I repay him once I received my salary.

“This one—”

"Excuse me, are you the new employee at the hardware store?" a man interjected, catching Mary's attention. I turned to him, unfamiliar with his face but noting his attire suggested a higher status than Troy's, likely involved in construction.

"Yes, that's me," I confirmed.

"Engineer!" Aleth and Mary chimed in greeting. An engineer? That was a profession related to building and infrastructure here in Tyreese.

"Sorry for the interruption, just wanted to introduce myself to your new acquaintance," he stated politely to Aleth and Mary, causing them to blush with surprise. Turning back to me, I noticed his handsome and kind features.

"I'm Engineer Nath Linton, I’m an engineer who’s overseeing the construction of the building on this site," he introduced himself with a friendly smile, extending his hand. Feeling at ease with his demeanor, I shook his hand without hesitation.

"I'm Elyse Torres, but you can call me Eli," I introduced myself. He smiled at me; his gaze fixed on me.

"OMG! You guys look so good together!" Mary giggled. Engineer Nath chuckled at her comment, while I frowned. I couldn't tell if Mary was just into romance or if she genuinely believed there was something between us. I shook my head. Even before I could break away from Engineer Nath's grip, I noticed a tall man entering the restaurant. My chest tightened instantly. It was Troy! Acting quickly, I pulled my hand away from Engineer Nath's.

"I'll order this," I said hastily at the counter, indicating the inexpensive dish that Mary had recommended earlier.

"You seem very hungry," Engineer Nath chuckled from behind me. I chose to ignore him and grabbed my food. Aleth and Mary followed me to a table.

"Looks like Engineer is quite taken with you!" Aleth whispered to me as we sat down.

"I'm not thinking about that right now," I replied with a shrug.

"But you have to admit, Engineer is quite handsome!" Mary insisted. I remained silent and focused on my meal.

"Mind if I join you guys?" Engineer Nath's voice interrupted, as he took the seat next to me.

"Of course! Sit next to Eli!" Aleth exclaimed excitedly. I shook my head, indifferent to their antics.

"Thank you," Engineer said happily, pulling up a chair next to me and placing a milk tea in front of me.

"This is for you. Give it a try, their milk tea is really good here!" he suggested. I furrowed my eyebrows at him, causing him to glance away nervously.

"If you don't like milk tea, I can give it to Mary—" he started to say.

"It's fine," I interjected quickly. I reminded myself that I needed to get along with them in order to survive in this job, even if I wasn't keen on forming any close relationships.

"Thank you!" Engineer's smile returned. "But don't feel obligated to buy me one next time," I added, causing a moment of silence at the table. I continued eating, indifferent to their reactions.

After finishing my meal and drinking the milk tea Engineer Nath bought for me, I mentioned that I needed to use the restroom. I scanned the restaurant and noticed that Troy was not there. I wondered if he had eaten here or left already. Why was I so concerned about finding him anyway?

Entering a cubicle to relieve myself, I was startled to see Troy waiting outside. Why was he in the women's restroom? Observing him, I noticed he was dressed in a sleeveless shirt and black pants with traces of cement stains from his earlier work. He leaned against the wall with his hands in his pocket. Trying to compose myself despite feeling tense under his intense gaze, I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down even though my whole being was tense because of his eyes drowning me in the depth of his gaze on me.

"This is a women's restroom, Troy. It's not a place for you," I walked to the sink to avoid any further awkwardness. I looked at my face in the mirror and thank goodness there’s nothing wrong with my face!

"So... you're now close with that engineer huh?" his tone was unfamiliar. I frowned, Troy's sudden question about my relationship with Engineer Nath caught me off guard. I turned to him. His green eyes are becoming dark for unknown reasons.

"Not that close, why?" I said in a normal voice. He stood up properly and walked towards me. I swallowed hard when he stopped a few inches away from me.

"Why are you here anyway? Are you here just to ask that? You better get out of here. You shouldn't be here," I said angrily before he could say anything. He raised an eyebrow. He tilted his head while his eyes were examining every corner of my face. Confusion and a strange fluttering in my heart made it hard to comprehend his behavior. What is he doing to me?

"Did you enjoy his milk tea, then?" he asked. My forehead furrowed even more at what he said. Why are his questions like that?

"What's it to you? If you want milk tea too, then go get your own!" I snapped in annoyance as I tried to walk past him. But instead of letting me pass, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back to where I was standing. I shot him a glare, ready to confront him, but was taken by surprise by his next words.

"Yes, and I want to taste it too," he murmured, leaning in to brush his lips against mine. I was frozen in place, my heart racing at the unexpected sensation of his lips on mine. He held onto my shoulder as I tried to process what was happening. Why was he kissing me? And why... am I enjoying it so much?

His lips continued to explore mine, causing me to struggle for breath. I felt a wave of weakness wash over me, a desire to embrace him and hold him close, yet I remained rooted in place, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions.

Just as I was about to close my eyes and surrender to the moment, he abruptly pulled away. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as I was left reeling from the intensity of his gaze. What was this strange, overwhelming feeling stirring inside me?

"If you ever get close to him again, you won't have a home to come back to," he warned before turning and walking away, leaving me bewildered and lost in a whirlwind of emotions.

What... just happened?