The man is watching me with a baffled look on his face.
A 632-year-old virgin, huh?
I mutter, "I am sorry. I was confirming if you were still a man in your real form. I don't know much about ghoul's physiology."
I admit that I was teasing him a little. But there are many questions in my head. If ghouls live for a long time, then why does he want to go out with a human? Human beings don't live for long -- disease, accidents or something else can catch them easily. I will age faster too. If humans are ghouls' food, would his family accept a human as his wife? That's unlikely. I am sure that my parents wouldn't have accepted it if I decided to marry a vegetable.
And I have nothing more to say. I can ignore all the differences. But how do I accept that he did try to make use of my weakness? When I asked him to become my eyes and ears, I trusted him. Whatever his reasons were, I can't rely on someone who had made a fool of me. If I didn't start this conversation today, I am sure that he wasn't planning to tell me.
"Thank you for being honest to me, " I say to him quietly. I took a step forward in this relationship and now, I feel like I need to take ten steps back. "I won't use your eyes or ears any more."
"I knew it. " He stares at me with moist eyes. "You hate me. "
"I don't hate-- " I close my mouth when I see the big drops of tears sliding down on his pale cheeks. His purses his red lips tighter with eyes full of despair.
I am angry. I want him to cry to his death. It's better if he does it when I am not looking. But he looks like the world has ended for him. I am not sure how to handle this. Being angry doesn't mean that I hate him.
I should let him cry. His tears won't affect me at all.
"I am sorry." He sniffles. "For lying to you."
I guess I should let it go this time. I should give him a little credit for being honest. I put my finger on his chin and raise his head. "Look at me."
He does. The rims of his eyes are red. Though his eyes are different, the look in his eyes is familiar. With skin as white and soft as cotton, he is like a little marshmallow.
When he's looking at me like this, it's hard to stay angry for long. I kiss his soft lips once and then, I look into his eyes. "I will say this once. I don't find you disgusting. I am not afraid of you. I don't hate you at all. I am angry with you because you took advantage of my weakness, but you gave me a sincere apology and I have accepted it. I won't rely on your sight or hearing. If you want me to rely on you again, then work hard to gain my trust. Also, I promised you that I won't leave you. So, don't be afraid. Where is the confidence that you would make me fall for you?"
"Nell, I keep falling for you more." He pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around me. His claws aren't hurting me. I inhale his scent. Though I am not in love with him yet, I want to sleep like this.
He pecks the side of my head. "I will become the best husband."
"Mhm." I brush my nose against his nape. "Want to do it?"
He whispers in my ear with a hoarse voice, "You know that I do."
"You have work." I pull away and smile at him. "Go and save lives. I will sleep at home today."
He shakes his head. "No, you have to come with me."
"Nope." I climb on the bed and cover myself with the blanket. "I didn't get a minute of sleep last night. Your office couch is not comfortable. We both know that it's not good to go to your workplace every day. I don't want to be seen as a wife who keeps an eye on you for all days in a week."
"But Wife…" He whines go me, "I feel relieved if you are close to me."
"This apartment is close to the hospital. Come home at lunchtime." I close my eyes. "I won't leave the apartment."
It's bait. I wonder if he will take it.
"You really won't leave?" I feel his hand on my head. "Not a step out of the apartment?"
"Mhm." The Devil didn't want me to leave the apartment. Eli doesn't want me to step out of the apartment. When Evie disappeared right before my eyes, the Devil was glad that someone came back.
If it is what I think it is, was Evie speaking the truth? If she was suspicious about something, she wouldn't come here. She would have gone to the police station.
I have to see whether Evie is alive or not.
"You really don't want to come with me?" He asks me again.
I don't answer him, letting sleep take over.