Chapter 8: Condition

“This is nice. We’re finally alone together!” I look at him. There’s a grin flashing on his face, and he was clinging to my shoulders. It’s making me uncomfortable. 

I pushed him and then give him a glare. What the hell did he think he’s doing?

He suddenly chuckles and puts his hands to both sides of his hips. I just found him weird standing next to me. I might have this confused look over my face as my eyes were plastered to this Elliott guy. Who is he, by the way? I mean, his relationship to that Reign.

“Who are you?” I don’t know where it came from. It’s too dumb to ask questions when the answer’s already apparent. It would be a lot better if I asked him about the location or why I’m currently here.

He then raised both of his eyebrows while moving them up and down multiple times, “The definition of heaven!” I furrowed my forehead about what he just said.

“What?” I can’t seem to get this guy. Well, I can’t even imagine getting close to him. Even though we can’t be consolidated, right? I’m a poor woman who studies and, at the primary time, taking jobs.  Considering my situation in life, I still need sane friends or people to hang around, not with this creepy and weird guy.

What the... Why would I think about this kind of thing, reasoning about how many friends I need to enter in my life? I should be thinking about scaping or getting out of here instead of these nonsense and silly things!

Actually, I don’t have any friends. Maybe there is someone, but yet for me, I can’t say or consider them as my friends. I’m not an average type of person, but I have these standards of making friends. A high one, and I didn’t even find one in my entire life.

A poor and dull woman like me can be picky at some things too. I know life is short but wasting it on some people out of your reach is not one of the choices.

“That’s where you are,” Elliott then burst out with a laugh. My shoulders slumped as I took a silent, deep breath. I can’t usually talk with this man in front of me.

And also, is he a mind reader? I asked him about who he was, but he gave me a different answer. That’s good then since I’m hella wanting to know where I am and then getting a piece of nonsense information was not a plan all along. 

I just stood firm next to him and didn’t bother to talk because I didn’t know how to deal with this man. I never expect to be left in this place. I hope Reign just took me on where he’s going and then dropped me on my home. That would feel a lot better than being here.

And since when did I address him adequately using his first name like we knew each other? God! Well, it’s better than addressing him with a metaphor. 

“Uhm, Miss Ruchee,” I immediately looked at the speaker. It was the maid named Thraia. How did she know my name? As far as I know, I haven’t been told anyone about my name, nor this is my first time talking to someone since I got here. I didn’t even know that I was already here.

I only know that I will be sold in that auction, and it’s still a big mystery for me about how I got myself in that trouble. Who’s my abductor? Why I get abducted, and who’s behind all of this! I want to put everything in pieces and get out of this place. That’s all I want.

“Yes?” I answered. I badly want to ask how she knew my name, but maybe we’ll do that later. I’m still shocked at everything about what’s happening right now.

I have many questions lurking around my mind, but first, I need to know where I am. The exact location. I looked at the maid in front of me and then shifts to the lined maids in her back. Reign’s not here, but they’re still laying their head low. Maybe because of this, Elliott.

“We have an order from the Master. Please come with me,” she said then, without any hesitations, turned her back from me. Well, even if she didn’t say that part, I already know from earlier. I just sigh. Maybe I can ask her later if we’re both alone together. 

I was about to take my steps when Elliott gently crashed his hands on my shoulders. Again?

“Miss Thraia! I forgot to say that I’m borrowing Ruchee for a minute—No. For an hour!” He exclaimed. I looked at him, and there’s a playful smile plastered on his lips. Even if I’m not facing a mirror, I know what kind of expression is painted on my face. I’m already at the full pit of surprises, and what kind of nonsense is this again?

How can he call my name, like he regarded me as his friend? It looks like more than three-person knows my name. I don’t even know about him or them. I only got Elliott’s name and that he has something to do with this place since the maids are still bowing their heads.

“What are you are you talking about?” I asked him a confusing question. He let go of my shoulders and adjusted his own posture. He then crossed his arms over his chest and then look at me thoughtfully.

I thought he was a weirdo, but it didn’t cross my mind that he can do this kind of thing when he looked at me seriously. Being serious. 

“Well, yes. I already borrowed you from my cousin and the fact that you are mine for the rest of the week,” he said and then again, an idiotic grin plastered on his face. I’m taking back what I said before. This man is just filled with weird stuff in his mind.

I don’t know what this man in front of me wants to do. Honestly, I don’t give Reign permission in my life. Yes, I was sold to him, but I had never heard before that Elliott would take care of me. 

I did not agree to be his or one of his friends. No one owns me, only myself. And another thing...borrowed? I’m not something that should be addressed like that. I’m a human. A living creature with flesh and bones. A mind and heart just like him, so why refer to me as a thing!

I’m planning to get out of here soon, and I’m not planning to stay here for a week. Not even a day. I will think of a plan before sunset.

“I know you are curious why you are here. Who is Reign, and what kind of place you’re currently standing,” Elliott’s words hit the jackpot. 

He was seducing me to stay and to know more. I don’t understand why, but he wants me to know something interesting about that Reign guy. I’m not interested but to get out of this place, I need someone’s information. Starting from this place and everything I needed to know just to escape from here.

I might be sold to him, but I’m not addressing myself as a thing. I was just abducted, and everything happened without my concern. 

Yes, I was saved by Reign’s money, and I’m glad because of that. What matters is, I had a greater responsibility outside of this place. Not my school or my job, but more important than my life.

I turned to face Elliott. He was usually smiling now, but I don’t like how his satisfied eyes look at me. It feels like I bite the trap but whatever.

“Would you tell me everything I wanted to know?” I said like I was asking. I’m not sure, but I can’t even act like my usual self. 

I’m not a cautious person, but I need to be standing beside my own in this instance. I’m with unfamiliar persons and with an unknown place. 

“Only if you go on a date with me,” he answered, followed by a burst of deep laughter.