Meanwhile, Zach's shadow laid in Sonia's bed in cloud nine. He even covered himself with her blanket without shame.
"Why isn't she returning? So cruel, If I hadn't said that out loud by accident I could've enjoyed her more. Damn!" he cursed and vanished into him, leaving the memory and consequences of his action for his other side to deal with. They are one anyway.
With his shadow back in his slumber, Zach sighed. 'I shouldn't have been greedy. I can't believe I let my shadow take over in that moment.'
'Miss Sonia didn't tremble in my arms, but I might have startled her.'
Zach turned to the side. 'How should I go back?'
'Just what did I forget? If that information is enough as an equivalent exchange for transporting me to another dimension, I'm sure it's important.'
'Or… was something taken from me but I haven't figured it out yet?'
Zach faced upward and closed his eyes. 'But are her words credible? Does another world really exist? What if she's lying to me?'
Before he could entertain another thought, he fell asleep due to fatigue. The sweet scent of her sheets combined with the incomparable softness of her bed soothed his nerves, making him fall into a deep slumber.
"Caw"
"Caw"
Sonia glanced at the swarming crows. Their wings tinted by the sunset as they flew away.
'What should I do with him?' she asked before opening a paper bag. She took out a pair of newly bought and laundered pajama before placing it on a circular glass top table. She did the same to a set of men's underwear and leaned on a couch.
'I've confirmed his statements. The surveillance footage proves it. He doesn't belong here.'
Sonia took a sip of coffee and set the glass down. 'He looks delicate and weak, but he's certainly dangerous. I don't want to be involved with him.'
She hugged her knees and rested her head on her arms. 'But I did him wrong, so I can't just kick him out. I should at least help him settle somewhere.' She glanced at the bed. Right in time, Zach sat and pushed her blanket aside.
"Delmier," he called groggily. His body tense as he awaited for his reply, but instead of a baritone voice, he heard light footsteps.
"Did you sleep well?"
'A woman?' His brows knitted. 'But there's no woman in my mansion.'
"Are you not fully awake yet?"
Sonia sat beside the bed. Her orbs focused on his disheveled clothes. Before she realized it, she had already buttoned his robe and is currently straightening his crumpled clothes.
Her unfamiliar touch, and her alluring scent reminded him of what happened earlier. "Miss Sonia?" Zach muttered as he stopped her dainty hands from setting his chest ablaze.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to touch you without permission," she said while looking at her wrist's gently nestled on his palms.
"The deed is done, so will you make up for it this time, too?" Zach pulled her towards him, but with his minimal strength, Sonia didn't budge. She freed her hands instead, making him long for that bit of warmth.
"It was unintentional. Besides, I didn't harm you."
"You're mistaken, miss Sonia. Your sudden touches mentally harmed me," he whispered.
"Do you dislike being touched?"
He shook his head. "I just get startled since I can't predict your actions. Besides, it alerts me, so I might defend myself."
"Then must I ask for your permission every time I touch you?"
"Not necessarily, when I know it's you, and I know you're there."
"I'll keep that in mind. As an apology, I'll forgive you for sleeping in my bed."
"That's it?" Zach said. His lips turned into a pout without him knowing.
"Yes"
Sonia looked at her watch. "It's past five. Are you hungry?"
"Mm, I'm famished. Will you feed me, Miss Sonia?"
"What do you want to eat?"
"Vegetables and meat," Zach said, although they're not what he really wanted.
"Anything else?"
He shook his head.
"Do you have a food allergy? Or are there foods you mustn't eat?"
"There's none, Miss Sonia, but... may I ask if there are foods here that are only reserved for women?"
She eyed him. "Like?"
"Sweets," he said.
"There's no rule like that. At least not in this community. Men and women here eat what they want depending on their lifestyle and financial capability."
The corners of his lips curved upwards. "That's great," he said.
Later, in the dining room.
Zach sat in front of an elongated glass-top table. 'Is she still cooking?' he asked. A frown was evident on his face as he shifted uncomfortably on a chair.
'The clothes she gave are warm and comfortable, so I like them, but the underpant is killing me. Did she perhaps give me the wrong size? Or was the fabric meant to be this tight?' he asked, while trying to maintain his posture.
Several minutes later, a mix of aroma spread in the room as Sonia set dishes on the table.
"Miss Sonia..." he said softly, it can barely be heard.
"Hm?" she asked, while placing a plate in front of him.
"I feel suffocated d... down there." Zach didn't face her, although he knew she was beside him.
"What?" Sonia asked, but when she saw a tint of pink on his cheeks, accompanied by a frown and an evasive look, she understood what he meant. "Oh, is the underwear too tight?"
"Mm, can you do something about it?"
"I bought larger sizes. Do you want to change now?"
He nodded, so she guided him in the bathroom and went upstairs to take the underwear's she ordered.
After handing him the items, Sonia familiarized him with the location of the sink and waited outside until he came out. "Did you find the perfect fit?"
He nodded. His facial muscles now relaxed.
"That's good. I'll figure out the size of your underwear later by checking what's missing, or I'll just get your measurements."
"A... aren't you embarrassed?" He dried his hands with the towel she gave earlier and walked towards her voice.
"Why should I when I need that data for future use? You need more underwear's right? Or would you prefer it if I got you the wrong size and your little thing gets suffocated once again?" Sonia said. Her purple eyes focused on his groin. Then it traveled to his face.
"I do need more, but calling mine little is too..." Zach took a deep breath. "But still... for a lady to speak of vulgar things..."
"Hm? do continue."
Sonia led the way. She walked slowly to ensure he'll be able to keep up with his baby steps.
"It's nothing," he said before pressing his lips.
Once they reached the dining hall, she ushered him to a chair and told him what and where the dishes are before sitting across.
"Miss Sonia, what's this?" Zach asked while caressing the pointed edges of a tableware.
"It's a fork for picking up food. Are you perhaps more familiar with using a spoon and a knife?"
"Mm, I've never encountered this before."
She stood. "I'll fetch you a knife."
"There's no need. I'll try this instead." Zach fumbled for the plates while ensuring his hand wouldn't dip on a dish. Then he stopped at the location of the appetizer she mentioned.
'This tastes good,' he thought while savoring a spoon of potato au gratin. He has never tasted it before, so he proceeded to the main dish with great expectations.
'Rice? It's not coarse and nutty,' he thought as the delicate sweetness of grains, paired with juicy meat, blended in his mouth.
'Miss Sonia is probably rich since she can afford rice,' he thought as the arduous process of growing the crop popped in his mind.
After eating the main course, he fumbled for a dessert and devoured it like a little beast.
"Do you like sweets?" Sonia asked, unable to look away at his blissful expression.
"What? No, I... I just don't mind eating them."
Sonia leaned in and rested her head on her palm. "Then you wouldn't ask for seconds, right?"
Zach nodded reluctantly, which made her eyes sparkle.
"Well, that's too bad. Besides the fruit salad and pie, I even prepared some cream puffs and chocolate cake."
"You did? Miss Sonia..."
"Can I try them too? Yeah?" he asked, curious about what they are and how good they'll taste.
"Sure, eat as much as you want. I'll place the chocolate cake on your right and the cream puffs on your left."
"Mm, then I'll eat well."
After satisfying his fill, Zach placed the spoon down. 'How should I persuade her to let me stay? She said she'll buy me more underwear so she might let me stay for a while. Even so, I need to offer her something so she'll provide me shelter till I find a way home. Besides, I'll need help in finding a way back since this place is unfamiliar to me.'
"Miss Sonia..." he said, his voice angelic.
"Hmm?"
"Can I stay here for a while?" He spoke in a relaxed and unhurried manner, despite knowing she might refuse. Especially, since he's a full grown man, and she's a woman.
"I'll help you settle somewhere else."
"Can't I stay with you?"
She squinted and stared at him. "Why would you want that?"