"Now that I'm staying with you, I was wondering if...I...uhm~"
Jedrek took a side glimpse and frowned deeply. Earlier on, he was reveling in the victory of making her confident but now it seemed like her earlier confidence had only lasted for a short while, her uncertainty and fears were back.
He let out a deep breath before using his left hand to control the wheel and his right hand went down to grab her palm softly.
Raine flinched when she felt his palm on her. She didn't expect the sudden impact and moreover, she still hadn't gotten used to his low temperature.
She raised her eyes to him and found him still staring at the road ahead. He didn't say anything but she knew that his actions were silently comforting her.
With that, she gathered the courage and finally spoke up, "I was wondering if it would be convenient for me to go to work and maybe spend some time with my friend. I can't possibly stay here all the time right?"
On hearing her question, Jedrek frowned and turned to glimpse at her expression. Her eyes were staring at him eagerly, waiting for his answer and he knew that if he stared at it much longer he would agree without hesitation.
He returned his head to the road but still didn't say anything.
Finding his silence to be somewhat disturbing, Raine pouted her lips and tugged at his sleeve childishly prompting him to reply to her request.
Jedrek sighed, he seemed to be really helpless towards this girl. After much contemplation, he finally spoke up, "Tell me, why do you want to go out?"
At his question, Raine immediately withdrew her hand tugging at his sleeve, and placed a finger on her lips in deep thoughts.
"Let's see..." she hummed to herself before she continued with her eyes staring at him, "Although your Reis Mansion is big but it's only you, Skye and Zarin accompanying me in there. It would be so boring and plain. Although, the situation I'm in doesn't call for it but I still want my normal life back," she pouted her lips again and her eyes held an expression like a kid who was wronged.
Jedrek continued to steer the wheel without saying a word or turning to her. He knew she liked her peaceful and old life but there was nothing he could do, afterall she got into trouble herself. Her own curiosity led her here.
Even still, he couldn't accept the fact. Going out often will only make her prone to danger but he didn't want to let her know, he didn't want to scare her more than the way she is. Luckily, she understood the fact that she was in danger but she didn't have an idea of the seriousness of the issue.
With his head still fixated on the road, he asked again, "Why do you need to go out? Am I not enough?" his voice was low and if Raine listened carefully she could detect a faint weakness in them.
Raine turned to look at him. Her gaze was locked on his face trying to see if there was a hint of amusement when he said that but his expression remained as stoic as ever. She could only comprehend that he was either serious or an expert in concealing his expression.
She let go of that thought and continued to probe on the topic, "I really do not want to be a hindrance to you at the moment. I know the situation isn't convenient but I'll still try my best to be safe. Besides, I'll always be around my mother or Nicole. I really can't stress you enough to accompany me every day. I know you have your own issues to handle."
Jedrek smiled half-heartedly, "This isn't about you being a hindrance."
"Then what is it about?" Her big eyes stared at him expectantly.
"It's more than you can ever think. Keeping you safe is my only priority for now until I can find a way to get you out of the mess you put yourself into. Although, it's not entirely your fault. The mistakes of the past just happened to fall on your shoulders and now you have to bear the consequences and trust me, the consequences are dire..."