Jun wanted to drown in alcohol tonight. It was miserable feeling lonely in his condo. He wanted to drink so much that he would just pass out and wouldn't have to suffer the emptiness anymore.
So, he stepped out to bring a lot of booze from the supermarket. But on his way back as he glanced at the park, he recognized Ai's figure. Seeing her sleeping on the bench made him speechless.
What does she think she is doing?
Jun walked towards her and was shocked to see her sleep so defenselessly on the bench of a public park all alone.
"What are you doing sleeping at the park?"
Startled, Ai opened her eyes and got up. Her brown orbs slowly widened seeing Jun before her, looking back at her confused.
"You."
She didn't realize when she already reached the area closer to where Jun lived on her way to search for hotels.
"Yes, it's me. But what are you doing?"
"Sleeping."
He gritted his teeth. "Of course, I can see that. If you have any confusion, then let me clarify it to you that I am not blind. I mean what are you doing sleeping at a park at this time?"
"My house got on fire."
"..."
"I wanted to bake a cake, but a small accident happened."
"..."
I don't feel it was a small accident.
"The repairs are going to take a month. I have no place to go as all hotel rooms are booked."
It definitely wasn't a small accident.
Jun raised his brow. "Such bad luck on Christmas Eve."
"Indeed."
"You didn't ask your neighbors or friends?"
"My neighbors cannot accommodate me due to some reasons of their own."
He chuckled. "Ah. Is one of the reasons being afraid of you seducing their husbands?"
Ai glanced at him. "I figured that though I have no such intentions. It's fine. I cannot force them. As for my friend, she is out of the city and won't be back anytime soon."
By friend, she meant Xing Bi.
"And you figured sleeping in a park was a good option?" His brow twitched.
Ai softly exhaled. "Not my best option, but I don't have a choice."
"Idiot! You got loose screws in your head. Sleeping all alone at a park late at night? You are just inviting predators to you. I don't need to tell you what kind of predators."
"This is a public park," she defended herself or at least tried to.
He sneered. "So the public should be present at all times, even at night as bodyguards? There IS a type of public that lurks around, but they aren't so desirable or reliable. Remember, predators?"
Silence.
Ai smiled. "Thank you for your concern, but I- wait, where are you taking my bag?" She hastily asked.
"Just follow me."
"But where?"
"Shut up and just follow me."
Ai was confused. Until the end, Jun refused to talk to her and only dragged her along. Reaching his condo, he put her bag near the couch and faced her.
He pointed in a direction. "That will be your room."
Ai rapidly blinked. "My room? I will be living here?"
"Why did you think I brought you here?"
She felt at a loss. "You…are allowing me to stay here?"
He stared at her with his dark gaze. "Until the time your repairs are over. Don't overthink."
Ai hesitated. She got help from someone who she expected the least. She gave it a long thought and nodded. "I appreciate the help. Thank you so much."
Compared to sleeping on a bench in a park which would be unsafe at night, staying at Jun's condo was the best she could have gotten. Plus, his place was even better than a hotel's room.
Jun leaned. "I thought you don't like to bother people, so I would have a hard time persuading you. But you agreed pretty quickly. Are you sure I am-"
"You are not my type," Ai stated. "But this is a dire situation for me. Rest assured. I will keep my distance from you."
Jun narrowed his eyes.
"...Whatever. Now some ground rules for living here. You have seen my place before, so you know that I am a very organized person. You can use whatever you like or whatever you need, but I need you to put it back to its place when you are done with it. No making any mess in my house," he coldly iterated.
Ai nodded. "I don't like mess and disorganization either. You don't have to worry."
He had seen her taking notes when he had asked so he believed her. Plus, his house was neat and tidy when she took care of him.
Jun hummed.
"I don't like too much noise. I don't want to hear unnecessary loud sounds or talking on the phone from your room."
"Me too. I like peace and quiet. I won't disturb you."
Jun recalled all the times he saw her at the library sitting by herself reading books without a sound.
She does keep quiet for a long time.
"Breakfast will be ready by 8 AM, lunch by 1 PM and dinner by 8 PM. If you can accommodate these times then good, or you will have to arrange your own food. Either cook for yourself or order."
Ai nodded. "The timings are more or less similar. I won't have any problem with the schedule."
Jun was slightly surprised.
…That's convenient.
He added. "Don't enter my room without my permission. Of course, the same applies to me too. Also, I read in the mornings and at night, and I don't like disturbance or any form of hyperactivity when I am reading."
The last line mainly was for his twin elder brothers who never gave him any peace.
Ai sincerely agreed. "I like silence while I am reading too, or I cannot enjoy the experience. You won't face any trouble from me."
Why does this seem so easy? Jun wondered. He couldn't help but get suspicious. There was nobody he met until now who fit in all his demands and habits.
"Well then. Do you want to ask anything?"
"No. But I do want to say something."
"What?"
"Merry Christmas."
He blinked.
"It was going to be a lonely evening for me, but I am not alone now. I don't mean it in a romantic way naturally, but I appreciate your company. Thank you for taking me in. I hope we can spend a good month together."