The lengthy chime of the shop bell barely overcame the forceful thud of the door as I barged in, hoarding the attention of the few customers in the restaurant.
"Welcom- Oh? That's a rare face. " The restaurant keeper raised his eyebrows as he looked up to see the short figure that proudly walked into the shop alone.
"What are you planning to get, a glass of water?" One of the customers mocked, followed by a snigger from everyone there, some more louder than others.
"Hmph, watch your mouths when you talk to me, peasants." I ordered with a smirk, as I reached to both of my bulging back pockets, that made it look like I had a big dump.
"Because today, I might be able to pay for all of your meals at once." I said, bringing the two stuffed pouches opposite my chest. My light smile slowly crept into an ear-to-ear grin as I heard a gasp successfully leave the mouth of every person there. Yes, I counted.
"Did you steal those from someone, Adam?" The chef asked with suspicion.
"Hah, am I so rich now that people accus-" I hurriedly stopped myself from continuing, as I realised a better reply to this question.
"Ah… is it really such a crime to be rich?" I asked, gazing at the roof with a solemn look.
"I'm sorry, I'll be sure to give you guys some. After all, with great power comes great responsibility. Although only the kindest are the ones to think of it like that, as much as I would like to be humble." I said, attempting to keep the frown on my face. I failed though, and I wasn't able to keep edges of my mouth from curving up as I imagined the respect I was getting from everyone's thoughts.
"No, seriously Adam, did you steal it? Do you want me to tell your mom?" The chef asked seriously, dropping a bulky tungsten ball on my mood.
"They were bullying a poor girl! I'm doing them a favour if anything, by teaching them a lesson! Kindness is worth more than this gold or whatever! Plus they were kids, they didn't work for that money anyway!"
"Kids? With that much money?!? Did you mess with the prince or something?!?!" The man banged on the wooden table on front of him.
"I remember him calling himself the king's cousin's nephew's wife or something stupid like that. And he looked proud about it too, haha. Plus even if he was, I didn't show my face." I spouted random family pronouns, only realising I called him someone's wife later.
"Haah," The chef sighed. "Well, I guess that's fine then. Anyway, what are you gonna order? Surely you're not actually gonna pay for everyone's meals?" The ears' of every customer perked up, as they began to cheer for his name.
""Adam! Adam! Adam!""
"Hah! As if. You guys were the ones mocking me when I came in." I shot them down with a shrug, and they all looked at the one who made the joke when I came in. "He was right though, I'm only gonna get a drink of water. Have to save my hunger for dinner."
"Okay then." The chef replied.
"Actually maybe a little of chicken. The days still young after all." I added, to my later regret.
|
"Aahh, I'm stuffed." I caressed my stomach, as I walked down the near desolate pathway beside the restaurant I just walked out of. If someone saw me before and after entering the restaurant, they might've thought I got pregnant there.
"I shouldn't have asked for anything else… I didn't know I'm so easily tempted when I'm in a good mood." I sighed. Sixty years old and I'm still learning about myself. Well, not that I was ever in a good mood in my last life to be able to tell.
It was quiet and peaceful right now, despite the sun being so bright and fit for a family outing. It's because it's market day today, so most of the people are near the centre of the city, taking advantage of the weekly discounts.
I lifted my gaze to see the three women who were presumably adventurers or dungeon raiders, walking opposite me, and in the verge of crossing paths with me. Two had bitter expressions as they talked about something they seemed to relate to, as they nodded to the centre woman's one sided blabbering.
As they got closer and closer to me, their words became decipherable, and as I assumed, they were backbiting on someone. I normally wouldn't care, but I don't have much to think about right now.
"Like, I keep telling him that we should just kick her from the party, but he keeps saying no. And he never gives any reason for it either." The leading woman continued. She had such a bratty voice that it made me want to stop listening.
"I know right, sometimes I wonder if he likes her or something." Another girl said with a tinge of playfullness.
"Ugh, no way. She's ugly." The leading girl added.
"She's prettier than you though." The woman who hadn't spoken yet commented, seemingly wanting to embarrass the leading girl, as if she was fed up. She still decided to sugarcoat it with a laugh though.
"S-So what, her heart's ugly. True beauty is on the inside." The girl retorted, flustered.
"…" The group was silent as they passed me, until the woman-child glared at the girl who mocked her.
"Also, was that on purpous? Do you wanna go?" She decided to not let go. It was clear they weren't the best of friends.
"I was just joking…" She said without a hint of regret.
They quickly got far enough for me to not be able to hear them anymore, and i covered my ears with my hands, cursing my stupid self for listening to them.
"Ugh, what a voice. I don't know if I'm even gonna be able to sleep tonight." I quickly dismissed the thought though, as with Emily with me, I could probably even sleep if the sky was falling.
I fixed my gaze on the ground as a tiny bit of worry made its way into my heart.
"I hope Emily's party is… a good one." I muttered.
|
"I'm home." I said to the ghosts in my house, as I took off my shirt, revealing a slightly chubby physique. I've never exercised, as I thought that learning optic powers would be a better use of my time. Plus my face is handsome enough to be the only thing I need.
I then grabbed my optic powers book and walked over to the couch, where I would spend the rest of the time until Emily would come.
Ever since I completed the Novice optic control book, I've been quite a bookworm. The satisfaction of finishing it and feeling results has been one of the few unparralelled feelings of pleasure that I look forward to in my life. Heck, I still have the 'clump' sound from finishing the novice book in my mind for whenever I want to remind myself of it, and it's the exact same sound I'm pretty sure. I also have the intermediate optic control book there to, although it's not as good as the novice one. I normally just replay them as a lullaby when Emily is rarely not there to sleep with me.
Realising I was stuck in my own thoughts, and unable to focus, I decided to put the book down beside me and close my eyes. I don't know why I'm introducing myself to myself, and creepily talking to myself, either, but I don't mind it. It's weirdly peaceful.
Oh, and why's… cushion touching me. I don't like my head, it's full of sun on my eyes. Go away…
|
"I'm home! Are you there Adam?" A pretty woman wearing a brown apron asked as she stubbed off her sandals, holding two large baskets full of groceries. She had silky, brown hair that was all pushed to cascade gently down her left shoulder, leaving her gracious right ear exposed; along with round, striking orange eyes that were bright even in the shadowed corridor.
"Hm? Still not here yet? That's odd." She said as she closed the door. But it was then that the outside noise was isolated from the inside of the house, and a subtle snoring made its way into her ears amidst the silence.
"Haha." She chuckled at the image, and then crept into the living room. When she reached the shirtless boy, she gazed at him smiled helplessly at his relaxed sleeping face. She then bent down to clear his intrusive bangs off his forehead, and blew a light kiss on there. It was light, but it was more loving than any mouth-to-mouth kiss would ever be.
She went down into a squat position, and rested her head on her fist, as she looked at the resting boys face, with a mellow smile.
"I couldn't love you more, Adam." She said in a slight haze.
"I just… don't know if I could even be happier." She muttered to herself, and minutes passed by, with her still glaring marshmallows into the sleeping boys face, as her mind went lazy to his snoring.
Suddenly, she snapped, and realised she had almost let go of the basket that she didn't intentionally put down, and quickly strengthened her grip on it.
"Ah right! Dinner." She remembered at the sight of the groceries. She then began to move her hands towards the boy, in order to wake him up, but hesitated just before reaching him.
"I'll… let him sleep a few more minutes."