Eight

Wilder stopped to catch his breath near the front of their village. He glances at his wristwatch. It’s one am. At this time, he was still asleep. Unlike today, when it was almost dawn, he was still jogging in their village. It has been around the town a few times.

He took a deep breath as Avery and Fertine smiling at each other, bothered him.

She smiled at him, a genuine one.

He had never seen a woman smile like that every time he was with her. She is always staring at the ground.

Geez! Why does it bother him so much?

His eyes narrowed when he saw the bulk of the body in the distance.

His head raced as he jogged near it, and his eyes widened when his eyes landed on a lady with long hair and a white dress.

“Shit!” he cursed. It’s not even three o’clock, and it’s here!

He would have run away if the woman didn’t turn around.

“What the hell? What are you doing here?”

Wilder looked down at the paper bag she was holding.

“I was going to return the clothes you lent me yesterday, but you were talking to someone,” she said, then looked away.

“Have you been here before?”

She shook her head.

“You should have gone straight to the house so you wouldn’t have waited here.”

“The guard didn’t let me.”

Wilder nodded. Yes indeed. It’s about the rules.

“But you realize it’s one am in the morning, right?”

“I-I’m sorry, I’ll be back tomorrow---”

Wilder grabbed her arms. “What? Wait! You’re already here.”

“I’ll return this to you.” She gave him the paper bag.

“Give it to me when we get home.”

“H-huh? I don’t need to go to your house anymore---”

“Then, you’re going to let me take that looking like this? I’m sweaty right now, Fertine.”

“Then use it---”

“So you want a live show?”

Her eyes widened. Wilder couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction.

“Follow me.”

Fertine didn’t have a choice but to follow him. Another thing is that he is also tired. Even a little rest is okay with him.

“Sit wherever you want,” Wilder said when they arrived at his house. Wilder went straight to the kitchen. That’s why he followed her.

“What do you want to eat?”

“N-nothing.”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

She swallowed and shook her head, even though her last meal was lunch.

“Fine, but I am,” he said.

“Y-your clothes, I’m leaving---”

“I’ll get it when I’m done cooking.”

“But---”

“Can you stay? You know it’s lonely to eat by myself.”

Wilder smiled secretly as she stopped protesting. He takes his time cooking pasta. He got hungry the few times he ran the village, and why he did that was with him now.

He keeps on thinking about her even though he shouldn’t.

He served the pesto pasta in front of her. He prepared two plates for them with water and coffee.

Although wine is perfect for this, he cannot be drunk with her. What will he think later, especially now that he can’t get Fertine out of his mind?

“I-I’m not gut---”

“You are, Fertine. I can tell,” he said.

“Think about this as my apology. I’m the reason why Ava hurt you.”

“I-I’m fine.”

“I know. It’s obvious that you’re even smiling at Avery.” Wilder murmured.

“Huh?”

“Nothing,” he said and took a bite.

“Shouldn’t you change your clothes first, d-because you’re sweating?”

“Right,” he said, then took the paper bag.

He took off the wet sweater and wiped it on his body.

Fertine focused her gaze on the food. It also took a small bite.

His brows raised. He was sure his body was better, but he chose the pasta.

Instead of wearing the clothes, he chose to remain topless.

“You can look now,” he said.

The satisfaction of Fertine’s reaction is priceless for him. Her eyes turned round, cheeks reddened. She stared down at her fingers.

“Why are your eyes always on the ground?”

“Are my eyes so melting that you can’t look at me?” he smirked.

He waited for her reply, but she only gave silence.

“I-I’m leaving… I got your clothes back.”

“How rude of you, Fertine. You didn’t even eat the pasta I cooked.” I tried to tease her, but my voice sounded disappointed.

Fertine doesn’t have a choice. This is also why he chose to stay and eat with Wilder.

She shouldn’t be getting close to anyone. She knows what would happen if she let anyone get to know her. They will judge her within a second, just like what happened to him before.

“The food is delicious.”

“I know, but I taste better,” Wilder said with a smile.

“Wanna taste?”

He kept quiet and didn’t answer.

“Look, I’m just kidding, okay.”

She raised her head. Their eye’s met.

Her cheeks flushed.

Wilder’s eyes remained on her.

Geez! This is freaking weird!

Why does he find her cute when she’s blushing?!

“Shouldn’t you be asleep at this hour?”

“Because I just finished work.” He bowed and promised.