Ava doesn't know about the shadow or the whole story about what happened. She knew that Aven had loaned some money to buy some pills to help him release the stress, and he also mortgaged the house for it.
I am so glad that they can keep the house and continue to open the gym. The coaches suggested that Aven should visit the playground over the weekend.
I sent them off at the entrance of the village. I wanted to go back with them, but due to my condition, even if I could, Mr. Laith would probably make a fuss about it. Just walking to send them out, Mr. Laith tagged along with me.
After the fight last night, Mr. Laith and Dr. Zhen seemed to understand each other's terms. Mr. Laith hasn't been scared of him from the beginning. He just wanted to protect his team from being involved with the dark market like that, and another reason was the risks of being the lab's rats for Dr. Zhen.
I am very grateful for everything Mr. Laith has done for me. Also, Coach, who has taught me and sculpted me to be stronger, learn more about myself and embrace it. Emris is the one person who brings my vulnerability out of my stiff system, and I'm fine with it. He holds me whenever I feel weak, providing warmth from his cold body. He is so gentle that I can't even handle the fact that I have fallen for him since the beginning.
The team, all of them, is concerned and cares about me more than my real family.
Even with the intensity of living my life like this, I am willing to do so.
"Ah!"
Mr. Laith pinches me on my cheek.
"What are you thinking?...or whom?"
Mr. Laith.
"Nothing..."
I answer.
"And what is it that your friend is talking about?... That I and Riz in your head?"
"She's just messing with me. Ha-Ha-Ha."
I do a fake laugh.
"Hmm."
He gives me a glance with a little smirk.
We walk back to the Playground together, passing local people who are gossiping and smiling at me. I'm trying to get used to using the clutches. A bit of struggling, but I'm working on it.
"Roelle Reize, you're amazing!!"
Then, some woman shouts at me in front of the store we walk past. I nod to her and slightly smile.
I thought they would be scared after seeing Xin in action like that.
"Hi!! Get well soon!"
Then a man walks past us and talks to me with a blush on his face."
"Thank you."
"She will..."
Then Mr. Laith puts his hand over my shoulder and tells that man with a creepy smile.
Here it is. I haven't seen that smile for so long.
"!!"
The man flinches a little, his face redder, and he runs away.
We are walking ahead, and several people come to me and wish me good luck in my career and well in my leg. And a group of kids run to me with marker pens on their hands.
"Ah!"
They hug me, and I almost fall.
"Be careful...little ones."
Mr. Laith glares at the kid with a smile.
It starts to come back.
"Can we sign your leg!?"
"My leg?"
"Pleaseeee..."
They beg.
"Yes, of course, here."
I answer with a smile and move the left clutch behind, and they start to gather around my leg.
"Hehe... it feels weird."
I say out loud.
'You're famous.'
"Can I see your shadow again!? Pleaseee..."
And one of them asks for Xin.
You're famous, too, Xin.
'Hehe. What can I say? They like what they see.'
Do you want to come out?
'I hate kids.'
But they're your fans.
'But I hate kids'
"How about only this form...he's resting..."
I tell them and turn my back.
Then, Xin spreads him out in transparent form on the street's surface.
"Wow."
Kids are amazed.
We keep walking, and it feels like the street is longer than before.
"Let me carry you."
Mr. Laith.
He kept asking me since we left the Playground.
"It's okay."
"..."
He shows me an upsetting face.
"I want to write...on your leg, too."
He tells me.
"Hm?"
I turn my face to see him.
"You can."
"Let's sit here for a moment then."
Mr. Laith carries me up and puts me on the side of the street bench.
He kneels on the ground and observes my left leg.
"Hehe."
Then he chuckles with a mischievous smile.
The old him is back.
I watch him writing on my leg. Suddenly, my right hand is on his head.
"!!"
"I'm sorry."
I quickly apologize to him.
My hand automatically moves by itself. His hair always attracts me to look, to touch.
He grabs my right hand and puts it on his head again.
"..."
I pat his head and use my fingers to run through his hair.
"Thank you, Mr. Laith... for not giving up on chasing after me."
"..."
"To join your team..."
I smile.
"Roelle."
"Yes?"
"Can you move in?"
"Hmm."
"Permanently...move in and stay here with me."
He looks up to see me.
"ha..."
I pause my hand.
Mr. Laith puts both hands on the bench, locking me between his arms. He moves closer.
"I want you to be with me."
He talks to me while his eyes look straight deeply into mine.
Badum, Badum.
"I...am with you, Mr. Laith."
"You know what I mean, Roelle."
He keeps on moving closer to my face.
"!"
I put my hand on his face and try to push him away.
"Yes...I'll move in...permanently..."
I tell him while I lay my hand on his face.
"Hehe..."
He smiles and chuckles happily behind my hand. He touches my hand, moves my hand to the side of his face, and puts his lips on my palm.
"!"
What is he doing!?
Badum Badum
"I'm so happy."
"No..."
I speak out, and then he looks at me confusedly.
I use my same hand to touch his lips.
"Your smile...it's sweet again."
My words stun him, and he starts to smile even more.
He moves closer to my face, quickly puts his lips on mine, kisses me inducingly, and continues to give me his arousing kiss, ignoring the surroundings.
"!!"
I push his face out violently.
"Ha...not again..."
I talk to myself lightly.
"What are you doing, Mr. Laith!? Why...kiss...me."
I stutter a bit, and my face turns red, and my body under my clothes is hot.
"I just continue what we left back at the river."
He explains while my hand is still pushing him.
"!!"
"Mr. Laith...you like me?"
I ask.
Then, he grabs my hand to move away from his face and is back in the same position. He looks at me seriously with his dark green eyes, which sparkled like the river that night.
"You said to me not to fall in love with you...I don't fall for you, Roelle... I jump in."
Ha.
'NO!'
-End of First Story-