IDTMB — Chapter ten

Ellie was holding the paper bag as she opened the room door. There were two dresses inside that were too conservative for her to wear, and when she saw the underwear, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Damn him, she thought to herself. She took the note that was attached in the paper bag and stated that she had to wait for Arthur until he returned.

"Where the hell did he go again this time?" she wonders as she looks at the clock, which reads eight o'clock in the morning. "I'm already hungry," she grumbled, her stomach growling. "Maybe he left some breakfast in the kitchen."

The fact that she was expecting that Arthur at least left her something to eat disappointed her when she saw nothing. All the ingredients that bought yesterday was all in the refrigerator and she don't know what she will do about it knowing she didn't know how to cook. She doesn't even know what he did to the remaining food last night because as far she remember there's still lot that left.

"He's really a damn." Ellie frustratedly close the door of the refrigerator and start thinking what she will do. She doesn't even know what time he will comeback or how long since he had gone.

(Shotgun sound)

"What was that?" Ellie held her chest in shock after hearing a shotgun roar outside the cabin. She gulped twice before walking over to the window to see what was going on outside. "I can't see anything from here. Aish!" She walked through the doorway and slowly opened it, but she saw nothing unusual, so she decided to go out.

The forest are now at peace and she didn't hear any gunshots anymore. The atmosphere went back to normal as it was. Ellie was standing outside the cabin, staring at the trees in front of her when she noticed a movement. Her right hand signed a cross and prayed briefly before moving behind the trees, trying not to make any noise. She hoped it wasn't a cannibal like the ones she'd seen on TV eating human flesh because the setting was little bit similar. When she got into the trees, she noticed a man on his back with a shotgun, so she took the rock on his side to use as a defense.

"Who the hell are you?" she asked bravely, and the man slowly turned to face her, "Edison?" Her eyes widened in surprise, not expecting to see him in such a place with a shotgun in his hand.

"Ellie, you're here!" Edison exclaimed as he hugged her and laughed as he let her go. "You are absolutely right in your saying."

Her brow furrowed, she couldn't understand what he was saying. "What do you mean?"

"Remember in the airport? You told me that we're just living in the same world, so expect to see each other so often and look at us now. Hahaha."

"Oh, now I remember I said that, but I didn't expect to see you here, and you even with that thing in your hands," she said, referring to the shotgun he was holding, "Are you killing someone here because I heard a gunshot that's why I went outside."

"Pfft. You're hilarious, El!" He burst out laughing, and it's clear from his expression that he's glad they met again, despite the fact that he has a little crush on her from their time in Japan together. "I'm not killing anyone here, El; we're just hunting birds with my father, and our cabin was just on the other side of this forest."

"Is that right? Where is your father then? I haven't seen him with you."

"He was already on his way back to our cabin, and I was curious about this cabin, which is why I left behind because I hadn't seen it the last time I came here," he replied, glancing at the cabin behind her.

"My brother owns this cabin, and I'm not sure how long he's had it; he just brought me here yesterday."

"Ahh, okay, I see; is your brother here right now? It has seemed you're alone here." you're alone here."

"You're right, I'm all alone here, and I don't know where the hell Arthur is right now, but he'll be back later," she grumbled, her stomach growling. "I hope he returns soon because I'm going to die of hunger while waiting for him. Grrr."

Edison bursts out laughing again as he recalls that she doesn't know how to cook. "You really should start learning to cook, El," he says, shaking his head. "If there's anything to cook in your cabin, I can make you something to eat if you want."

Her eyes sparkled with delight as she realized he would save her from hunger. "Are you sure about that? I mean, it's fine for me, and there's something to cook inside, but I don't want to be a trouble for you, and maybe your father is waiting-"

"Don't be ridiculous, you're not a different person to me," he says as he grabs her hand and leads her to the cabin while holding hands, "My father can wait for me if you're worried about him."

"Okay, if you insist, but don't blame me if your father becomes upset while waiting on you."

"Hahaha, don't worry, I won't blame you, so stop overthinking there," he flicked off her forehead, making her pout. "I'll just leave my gun out here."

The two entered the cabin, where Edison noticed the fireplace, where all of the woods had already burned and turned to ashes. Even though the sun is already beaming in the sky, the weather is still cold, which is why Edison is wearing a jacket while hunting with his father. Ellie, on the other hand, was wearing a huge sweater and Arthur's pajamas. She didn't even have a morning routine, not able to care what Edison thought of her if he noticed her.

"Do you want me to set up the fireplace first?" Edison asked, concerned that she might be cold.

"No, just keep cooking. It's better we leave the fireplace like that. My brother would be furious if he found out I let someone into his cabin," she reasoned, nodding as a response that he clearly understood.

"Your brother seems so possessive of you, El," he said as he opened the refrigerator door and began looking for something to cook for her. He doesn't have many options because the majority of the ingredients are vegetables. "And I understand why he is possessive with you." He shut the refrigerator door, holding the ingredients he needs.

"Wh-what do you mean you understand?" she spluttered, her heart racing nervously because of her interpretation of what he said.

"It's because you're his younger sister, El, and I know even though you're adults now, he still wants to protect you, especially when it comes to men; I saw it on him when I first saw your brother at the airport, and I can see he's a good man as well," he explained, leaving her speechless, "You seems speechless there, El. Hahaha." he headed to the sink and start washing all the veggies that he is going to change.

"I just didn't expect you to say that," she said in a low voice, trying not to draw attention to her sudden change of mood, "By the way, just tell me what I can do and I will help you in cooking." she began changing the subject, which he didn't mind.

"You can sit back and relax, El; I can handle this on my own-"

"No, Edison, I want to help you, and I'm really bored doing nothing," she insisted, as if nothing could stop her from helping even if he continued to refuse.

"All right, if that's what you want, you can help me peel these carrots and potatoes."

The two get along in the kitchen while Ellie is only helping Edison with his recipe of "Roasted Potatoes and Carrots with Butter" wherein he is the one who is cooking. It was already quarter to ten o'clock when they finish cooking because he made another dishes for her lunch which is the "Vinegar-braised String Beans". When they already done in the kitchen, Ellie invited him to eat with her before leaving and the two couldn't stop remembering the days they spent together in other country. It seems everything was just yesterday for the memories they have together as a friend.

"Will you be okay here, El? If you want I can stay here till your brother comeback." Edison is worried in leaving her that she will be left alone if he goes now. He was now holding his shotgun outside of the cabin.

"I'm okay here, Edison, you don't have to worry about me. Maybe he is already on his way now." She refuse because she already give him lot of troubles.

"Are you sure, El?"

"Of course! And thank you so much!" She gives her a hug in exchange of making her such an incredible dishes and thanks to him she doesn't have to die in hunger while waiting for him to comeback. "I don't have nothing to give in exchange that's why I'm giving you a friendly hug,"she explained as she distance herself from him.

"Only a dinner with me is enough, El," he said directly as he found the courage to spill out the words at the tip of his tongue.

"Okay I will go with you on a dinner."

"Wa-wait a minute, are you sure?" His eyes widened in so much excitement because finally he already asked her to go out with him even they often do this when they are in Tokyo, Japan. The only difference is he asked her this time rather than having a usual dinner they always have.

"Yes and why would I not be serious? Just tell me when and I will be the one who will choose where."