Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I didn't get much sleep that night. It's nearly impossible to sleep in such a disorganized house. It's more like a warehouse than a home. That's why the next day, I managed to stay awake for the whole night straight. I got up from Troy's filthy couch when I heard his bedroom door open. We locked eyes as we both recognized each other's presence. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed that he had just taken a bath, indicating that he had plans for the day. He was dressed in pants, a black shirt, and work boots.

"You're awake. Did you sleep well?" he asked, perhaps expecting a positive answer or genuinely innocent about my state of sleep. "A little. I'm not sure," I replied truthfully, avoiding lying about having slept well. He nodded in understanding and headed towards the kitchen. I watched him grab a slice of bread and spread some delicious-looking jam on it. Suddenly, I found myself feeling hungry.

"Help yourself to breakfast," he kindly offered when he noticed my interest in the food. Swallowing hard, I approached him without saying a word. I knew he was observing me as I took a piece of bread and spread some jam on it. "So... how are you planning to locate your mother?" he suddenly asked. His question caught me off guard, causing my bite of bread to freeze in mid-air. I had almost forgotten that the person I had been making excuses for yesterday was supposed to be my own mother. Damn!

"I think I'll go back to the place where me and my mother last met," I stated casually. He nodded and took a bite of his bread, capturing my attention. I couldn't help but admire him. How could he eat bread so effortlessly, yet still exude an air of sexiness? Oh well, Elisaria, don't even go down that path!

"Do you want me to accompany you?" he kindly offered. I was taken aback by his gesture. All night, I had been silently cursing him for making me sleep on his dirty couch. However, if I really thought about it, he had been incredibly kind. I was just a stranger, and yet he openly welcomed me into his home.

"No need. I can manage by myself. I don't want to be a bother anymore," I replied, suddenly feeling grateful for his previous hospitality. I paused when he smirked and raised an eyebrow at me. "Are you sure about that? Or are you just making excuses? Or maybe you really run away from your home?" he teased.

"No, I didn't! I was simply lost... that's all!" I retorted, growing a little irritated. I couldn't understand my feelings towards this man. Sometimes he treated me with kindness and generosity, while other times he would become playful and annoying. It was frustrating!

I had finished eating before him, and now I was faced with the dilemma of how to take a proper bath. I glanced down at my simple attire of jeans, a cloak top, and boots. I felt uncomfortably sticky and desperately in need of a thorough wash.

I turned towards Troy, who was calmly sipping his coffee across from me. When he noticed my gaze upon him, he returned the look. Despite feeling embarrassed, I had no choice but to ask him. "Is it possible for me to use your bathroom? I feel cramped and dirty, so I really need a thorough bath at the moment," I requested. I observed as he scanned me from head to toe, raising an eyebrow before locking eyes with me again.

"Unfortunately, I don't have any spare clothes for you," he replied. "That's alright. I can just wear my own clothes again. I just really need a good bath right now," I assured him. "But I could lend you my smallest shirt," he offered. Given that I had been staying under his roof, I agreed to his suggestion. He led me into his room, and I couldn't help but take a quick glance around.

The room had a distinctly masculine scent. While it was still somewhat messy, it appeared more organized than the rest of the house. His bed was neatly made, and the curtains matched the white and gray walls. "Here's the bathroom. Take this shirt," he instructed, handing me the aforementioned shirt.

Grateful, I accepted it as he departed, making sure to lock the door behind him before heading to the bathroom. I reminded myself to remain cautious. While Troy could be kind at times, he was ultimately still a stranger to me.

While taking a shower, it was hard for me to comprehend how I had ended up in this situation. Thoughts of everyone back in the Urzua Kingdom flooded my mind. I couldn't help but worry about my guardians and how concerned they must be for me. And my brother... I could only imagine how furious he must be with me right now.

As I got dressed in the bathroom, I was momentarily taken aback when my bra accidentally fell onto the wet floor. "Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, realizing that it was now soaked.

How could I possibly wear it in this state? Frustrated, I remembered the oversized shirt that Troy had lent me. If I put it on, it would help conceal the fact that I wasn't wearing a bra. That's why I continued wearing Troy's shirt without a bra. With no other option, I hung my wet bra in the bathroom. Feeling uncertain, I looked at myself in the mirror to see if it was noticeable that I wasn't wearing a bra.

Thankfully, the shirt being black worked in my favor. It wasn't obvious at all. Satisfied, I left his room and found Troy sitting on his cluttered couch, engrossed in reading a newspaper. I couldn't believe he could sit there without paying any mind to the mess surrounding him.

"I've finished," I declared, causing him to set aside his newspaper and examine me. His gaze made me inexplicably nervous; there was something electric about it. It was a sensation I had never experienced before, particularly from the intense green of his eyes.

He tilted his head slightly, which distracted me momentarily. It felt as though he was fixated on my chest area. Frowning, I couldn't help but wonder what had captured his attention. "What is it?" I finally asked, unable to suppress my curiosity. His eyes met mine and a smile formed on his lips, a smirk tinged with mischief. That smile sent a shiver down my spine.

"Why aren't you wearing a bra? Are you trying to seduce me?" His remark caught me completely off guard. My eyes widened, heat rising to my cheeks, and in that moment, I almost wished the ground would swallow me whole.