Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 43: Spill

Chapter 43: Spill

Rina wanted us to go to this new sushi place for lunch. She raved about the good ratings and how hard it was for her to snag a booking.

The place had a modern twist on Eastern design elements. The private room we got had beautiful stonework combined with traditional tatami.

"Hopefully, the food’s as good as the interior," I told her as we sat down.

Rina ordered for us and while I sat there patiently listening to the server’s recommendations.

There’s no need to rush her since Rina will take her time grilling me anyway.

And as expected, she really went grilling.

"You. Are you for real?" Rina asked, avoiding names in case the soundproofing of this place sucked.

"For real about what?"

"You know what I mean!" She looked impatient and coupled with having to filter things out, Rina was getting annoyed.

"Tsk. We should’ve stayed at your house so I could just interrogate you freely."

I laughed at her misery. Well, thankfully, we’re here.

"Tell me. Is it love?" Rina looked like she couldn’t find the words to phrase her question, so she ended up with that.

I shook my head instead of answering her verbally, "Mutual understanding." I said it nicely, though it’s more like mutual benefit.

"Are you serious? That’s supposed to be mutual understanding?" She’s probably referring to all that skinship.

"Dead ass."

"Could’ve gotten me fooled. But you’ve done all the exercises?"

"Are you seriously asking about that?" If they weren’t related, then it wouldn’t be this difficult to talk about it.

She looked like she was debating something before saying, "Spare me the details, but I need to know that much."

"Did you think I looked like I had chicken pox for nothing?" I gave her a side-eye.

"I knew it!" she slammed a hand on the table. "Eli! I did not see this coming! Of all people!" But then, as she calmed down, she said, "Though I guess I should’ve also seen that coming. I mean, who else?"

She’s referring to Luci. And sure, had it been my little Luci, screw waiting. We’re getting married in an instant. As kids, that joke often came out, and the adults had practically signed us over already. But Luci’s now buried somewhere there, and what she’s got is the irritable albeit hot version. Can’t say there were no losses, but at least she’s got some gains.

"But if you’re wondering about my emotional state. I’m fine. I find that I prefer this arrangement."

"You sure?"

"You even sound like Aunt Ingrid." I chuckled, remembering how she kept on doubting my words. "You know why I’d prefer it this way."

"But I know what you really want to know and also what you’d rather not hear. So let’s get this over with and never talk about it again, okay?"

Rina straightened up like she had a serious battle to fight. "So the verdict?"

"Capable, very capable."

"The rating?" Her eyes were practically in slits as she asked.

"11 out of 10. Will come back again." I answered earnestly, even making a hand gesture for "okay."

Rina almost rolled onto the mat upon hearing my words. "See?! The problem wasn’t you! That bastard frog pinning his inability on you!" She exploded, angry about Jasper before returning to Earth.

"Girl, you know I would’ve loved to hear the details, but there’s only so much my brain could accept about my own cousin. But it’s good that you have that going."

"There’s gotta be something to compensate for hypertension." I joked as the server knocked to deliver the food.

We gave our thanks to the server and ate while we discussed a bit of everything. The food was as great as the interior, much to our delight. So when Rina wanted to talk about Lucian’s antics, I was at least in a better mood.

"So, did you teach him about that?"

"Teach him what? What could you even teach a guy that even resists actual professors." I asked, actually confused about her question.

"You’ve got him delivering slippers to your feet and cutting apples for your convenience. He even shuttles you from place to place in his arms. Did you exchange your soul for that or something?"

Ah. That. "I did no such thing; frankly, I don’t understand either. But it came with the purchase. The robot booted up with that function and continued periodic upgrades."

"You mean to say that it’s free? Are you sure?" She’s as bewildered as I was the first time I noticed.

"I haven’t had to pay up. But I don’t know if it’s just some free trial. So I’m just watching as I go." The shuttle bus from point A to point B alone was expensive, let alone drying my hair and feeding me. I even get free scrubbing in the bath, but she doesn’t need to hear that.

"Nothing comes for free, so maybe I’m incurring debt. But I’ll think about that when the time comes."

__

Elsewhere, a young woman waited by the curbside of the street. Discreet and with only a few passersby. Perfect for what she intended to do today.

"It should be here." She mused, waiting patiently because she wanted to see it with her own eyes.

Lara went against her parents by flying over, so she’s doing things solo. It’s not that she’s forgotten about the restraining order, but this time, she wasn’t here for him—notjustyet. She’s here for her, and that’s not part of the restraining order.

Just what does this woman have for her to be able to take what’s supposed to be hers?

She was deep in thought when she was suddenly grabbed by the waist.

"Miss, you seem to be lost. Let me help you out." Said a slimy and partially intoxicated voice. This sent shivers through Lara, a well-pampered Castor.

She was your typical rich kid. The type that didn’t even touch paper money with her own hands. She’s always had security, save for today, when she did everything possible to evade them.

And now someone had his arm on her, and she almost fainted in shock.

"Let go of me!" She shouted, trying to dislodge herself but failing, her frail constitution not helping the least in getting her out of this.

"You shouldn’t treat those who are helping you like that." The man said, his breath almost making her wretch. He whispered in her ear, disgusting her even more.

"Let go of me! You should know that you’d be killed for much less!" Lara was now screeching, hoping to attract people’s attention.

But her soft-spoken upbringing wasn’t helping her. At this point, she just sounded coquettish to the onlookers, which weren’t even many, as she chose this place for that very purpose—something she’s clearly regretting now.

"Then I should just have my way with you if I’m going to die after all." The guy said, tightening his grip on her and scaring Lara even more. She’s got cold sweat all over her back and has gone limp from trying to untangle herself from him.

But she needed to get out of here, or she’s dead. Tears had started to well up and her voice felt locked in her throat.

She really needed help.