Just like Jane said, breakfast is ready and served after 15 minutes or so. She prepared 2 steaming bowls of instant ramen and reheated my leftover sandwich just like she said she would.
I took a bite of my food and it is glorious.
It is the same instant cup of ramen I have in my cupboard and the same kind of sandwich I always bought every night but the food feels warmer and tastier than I remembered.
Is it because I am finally sharing a meal with someone?
This feeling is so unusual yet familiar to me.
This is exactly how I felt when my mom prepares food for us back home and we eat together as a family.
Ever since I moved here to the big city, I often spent my meal time alone since no one wants to join me even during lunch break at the office.
I remember the times when we go out to catch fish on the nearby lake every weekend and cook them on an open fire before daybreak.
All of a sudden I feel homesick.
I took another bite of the warm noodles and another and another.
"Is there something wrong with the food? Or are you in pain?"
I lift my head and look at Jane who's looking at me with concerned eyes. "Huh?"
She points her finger at my face, "Your eyes" she said
Only then I realised that tears are dripping from my eyes.
I quickly cover my face with my palms and wipe out the tears on my face while turning to my left to avoid her eyesight.
"It is completely normal to cry. It is just a way of the body saying that you are either sad, overwhelmed or in pain," she said in a very comforting voice while still gazing at me with curiosity, "So, which one is it?" she added
I shake my head and give her an assuring smile, "It is nothing." I said and take a bite of my sandwich, "The food is great, thank you for preparing such a wonderful meal."
Jane waved her hand, "I just boil some water and heat the sandwich. It ain't like I made all these foods from scratch to gain such a compliment." she objects and take a bite of her sandwich, "Besides, this is all yours so technically I am eating your food and NOT serving you one." she added while chewing
"But you join me and it's been a long time since the last time I shared a meal with someone," I said to her while stirring my ramen
"Is that the reason why you're crying?"
It is so embarrassing to admit that I am crying in front of such a beautiful woman but there is no point in denying it because she already saw me so I decided to nod my head, "I just remembered my parents and the hot meals we were sharing by the lake when I was young." I added and slurped some ramen noodles
"Oh my gosh! Are they dead?" Jane asks
I almost choked on the food in my mouth because of what she said and some of the broth came out of my snout.
It so freaking hurts!
I quickly shook my head and waved my hands to tell her that she is wrong and ignored the stinging pain in my nostrils.
My parents are very much alive and having the time of their lives back home.
"No, they're not dead," I confirm to her
Jane burst into laughter. As in, heartfelt laughter.
I don't know if it was because she mistook my emotional ramen-eating moment a while ago or maybe because I spilt my food through my nostrils.
She gets the table napkin on the table next to her. Jane leans in and reaches out to me, "Here let me help you." she said and then wipes the corner of my lips with the napkin
I want to refuse but I don't want to be rude so I let her wipe the wetness off my face. And to be honest, I also get distracted by her firm, round, and healthy melon that slightly peeks out from the loosened neckline of the shirt she is wearing which is why I forgot that I was supposed to dodge her touch and not stare at her well-curved body.
I really, really tried to look away but my sight always find its way to her chest.
"Here. All done," she said and get back to her seat
I quickly avert my eyes from her, "t-thanks," I said and snatch the sandwich from my plate and take a huge bite out of it.
The rest of the meal becomes uneventful after that. Also, I intentionally finish my food faster than I normally do to prevent another awkwardness between us.
Jane stands up and begins to collect the used plates and utensils on the table after she finishes off her food.
"Don't bother, I'll do that." I protest and stop her from getting the dirty bowl in front of me.
She smiles at me, "It is fine besides I swear to myself that I am going to take care of you until you fully recovered." she said
"But I am fine. Rest for a couple of days is all I need and you helped me enough as it is so don't bother yourself any longer," I explain, "Besides, you must have a job you needed to go to and staying here with me for several days may get you in trouble."
"You don't have to worry about that," she said and turn on to her back to put the dirty utensils on the sink, "Taking care of you for a whole month won't make a dent in my work schedule" she added
I look down at my hand and the bowl that I was protecting from her is already gone. I didn't even notice her taking that!
I follow her and she is already starting to wash the dishes, "What? Are you some kind of a wealthy businesswoman that needed not to go to the office because you already have someone to do that for you?" I commented sarcastically while trying to snatch the sponge from her hand.
She giggles, "No." she said and dodges my attempt
I feel another striking pain in my back all of a sudden.
"ugh." I flinched
Thankfully Jane did not notice me so before she suspected my pain I decided to retreat on my battle for the sponge.
I head back to the dining area which is only a couple of steps away from the sink and then sit on the chair while I am still able to move.
I am so confused right now.
I don't see any scratch on me to feel this kind of pain. Also, Jane told me that I fell on my face so why the heck my back hurts like it has been severely injured? My face feels swollen so does the rest of my body but my back really puzzles me.
I heard the water flowing from the faucet halt so I turn my head to see if Jane is still there.
She looks like already done taking care of the dishes and drying her hands on the kitchen towel.
"What is your job anyway?" I asked her just to avoid her noticing my current dilemma
"Hm?" she turns around and places the towel down beside the sink then leans on her back.
"Your job. What it is?" I repeated, "You told me that you can take care of me even for a month without any problem." I clarified
"Ahh.." she nodded and then get the butter knife from the knife holder and look at me with a devious curve on her lips, "My job is you."
"W-what? What do you mean?"
A cold shiver rushes down my spine.
Her eyes are filled with soul-shattering darkness like she is thirsty for my blood while tracing her finger on the sharp end of the knife.
"I don't have a proper education since I grew up on the streets and because of that, no decent company wanted to hire me even for a trivial job like janitor or messenger of some sort. I don't believe that I am lacking in knowledge for survival and believe me, I learned it in a very hard way than most people," she said while shaking her head lightly.
I can barely hold myself from trembling while Jane is slowly walking toward me, "You see, selling my body ain't enough to get me what I want and it is not even practical since I could get a serious infection in that so I sought out other ways to earn a decent amount of money."
Because of fear, I averted my eye contact with her and stare at the floor instead.
I want to pounce on her and get out of here but she got a knife! What am I going to do?!
Jane stops in front of and I can see her pale white boney feet in front of me. Then, she bends her knees to hunker down and meet my gaze, "I have been following that asshole who wants to rape me last night and I learned that he owns a lot of money. His mere watch cost a fortune but I never thought that he could outsmart me and almost had his way with me. If you didn't come, he must have succeeded that is why I am grateful to you," she smiled but only for a nick of time and turns back to being treacherous, "but after last night, there is no way I could get near to him again so I need to have a new prospect." she said and lift her right hand that is holding the knife.
I flinched after the cold metal touches my trembling lip.
"I am very sorry for doing this but it is nothing personal. Just business," she said and lifted her hand in the air
This is it!
I am going to die as the virgin, coward and lame guy that I am. No one will be noticed except my loving parents.
*Thud!*