“It’s you,” she says in a soft voice. “You’re back.”
She…remembers me? Heat envelops my cheeks as my heart thuds mercilessly against my ribcage.
“I… like the food,” I answer simply…idiotically.
She smiles again, seemingly not caring about my lousy excuse.
“What would you like today?”
My thoughts are in disarray as I continue to stare at her, wishing I had the power to stop time just so I could watch her for an eternity. She’s beautiful, yes, but there’s something more than that. It’s the warmth she emanates that can sneak even in the most obscure corners of my heart.
I gulp down, unable to reply.
I’ve not interacted much with females…well, not at all. But I’ve also never seen someone on her level, with such a magnetic presence that all train of thought leaves me.
In between someuhmsanderrs, I turn my attention to the menu, regretting the fact that she’s not in my field of view anymore.
But I can’t seem like a mumbling idiot, no matter how much of one Iam.
“How about…this?” I point to a dish withstroemeat and grilled vegetables. Since thestroefish is found in all areas of Tartareia, it’s one of the cheapest meats available. But because I am a little embarrassed by my limited funds, I choose not the cheapest dish, but the second-cheapest.
She nods. “That is a good choice. Would you like something to drink as well?”
Now that she asks… I once more look at the menu, but it’s like the letters are all jumbled together and I fail to grasp the corresponding words.
“What aboutBelamale? It’s not too strong and it goes perfectly with the fish?”
“I will have that, please.” I quickly turn to look at her, not wanting to waste a second of her presence near me.
She’s slowly jotting down the items. She has the same serene smile on her face, and when she’s done, she beams at me and tells me she’ll be right back.
I watch her departing figure as all types of thoughts go through my mind. Is she mated? Does she have a husband? A child? Does she have someone she fancies? I doubt someone like that would be unattached. Though I can’t be certain of the customs around here, she appears to be of marriage age.
Disappointment crashes into me as soon as those thoughts form. Not only is she mortal, and therefore incompatible. But my own situation is far too complicated for me to even think of that. What would I have to offer someone like her? I have no wealth. I may have a job, but due to my abysmal level, I’m one step away from a terrible situation that might cost me my life. Not to mention my family and their grudge against me. Or my physical condition that is neither mortal nor immortal…
On that note, evenIdon’t know what’s going to happen to me: if I’ll start aging like a mortal now without my father’s shield, or if something worse will happen to me.
There’s nothing I could offer to anyone.
But at least I can… imagine it, in my head where no one would see the extent of how pathetic I am. I can still watch her and bask in her warmth.
Another sigh slips past my lips in resignation. And once she completely disappears from my field of view, going somewherein the back of the restaurant, I turn my gaze downward, to my table.
Getting out the copy ofAdventures of Hippothat I bought the day before, I start reading.
For the last ten years, this book series has been my salvation. I’ve read and re-read all the previous volumes as I was waiting for this one, and now I find myself reluctant to even start it for fear it will end too soon.
I flip to the first chapter and I only read the first half of the page when I feel someone next to me. Raising my head, I look to the side. It’s her. But she doesn’t have any food with her.
I frown.
“What are you reading?” She asks as she leans in carefully.
Since my words seem to abandon me when in her presence, I merely close the book and show her the cover.
Her eyes widen and she beams at me. “You likeTheAdventures of Hippo?” She asks with unbridled excitement.
My eyes grow wide before it sinks in that sheknowsabout the book series.
