Her POV
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
I hid under the blanket in the rented room. There was no way I could go back to Ethan. I just couldn't deal with him right now. I didn't know what to do...
At the moment, I was staying in this room I rented for seven days. I hadn't spoken to anyone. I hadn't eaten anything, but now I was starting to feel a little hungry. I needed to go to a store. What time is it…
"Ah, 5 AM? Is anything even open at this hour?"
Bakeries are probably open. At least I'll walk around until something opens. I got dressed and headed out.
I didn't even know what part of the city I was in. I only knew the capital from the route between Ethan's house—the bus station—and my workplace. And the occasional nightclub, when Ethan dragged me along as his accessory. But I had no idea where any of those clubs were.
If I tried to remember how to get to that bar… ugh, why even bother? I was trying to forget about it! I'm done with bars and nightclubs, with everything. I'll just focus on work now. I'll try to find another job, but I'll have to stick to this one until something better comes along. Ugh, that frustrates me...
I wandered until I found a small bakery that was open. It looked like they had just opened, and there were no other customers—except for me. The workers must have been annoyed seeing someone at the crack of dawn. It still hadn't fully gotten light outside.
"Give me a rolled pizza, please."
While the worker was getting my order, another man entered the bakery.
"Is the bread ready?" he shouted.
"Restoran Domingo, order for buns, bread..." Another worker came out carrying a box.
"As usual," the man laughed and took the box. The worker went back to grab another.
The first worker handed me my order and gave me my change. It was mostly in coins, which I hated because I always broke a nail trying to pick them up. That's exactly what happened this time. My nail cracked all the way down to the flesh, and a bit of blood dripped out. Annoyed, I decided not to bother with the change. I just turned around, holding my finger, when the man from the order stepped in front of me, staring at me strangely, wide-eyed.
He scared me, and I just walked past him. I went to a nearby park to eat my breakfast. What a rude man...
Back in the bakery...
The worker saw the blood, clicked her tongue, and started wiping it.
The man grabbed her hand before she could touch it with a cloth.
"Wait. Let me clean it."
He pulled out a cloth handkerchief from his jacket pocket and wiped the blood. There wasn't much, just a tiny dot, but it left a stain on the handkerchief.
"Have a good day," he said and walked out.
"T-Thank you... Weirdo."
***
"Boss, I've got a new sample. Yes. I'm coming over right away." He hung up the phone and put his hand back on the steering wheel.
***
"Mmmm... Mmmm. This is delicious. I was hungrier than I thought. I might go back for another one. But... I'm too lazy to go back. Maybe… maybe I'll explore this part of the city a bit more. I'm definitely not going back to work today. Probably not tomorrow either. Or the day after."
I pulled out my phone and opened the maps app, turning on my location.
"Let's see what's around here... maybe a café... or a restaurant... Oh, what was that restaurant the guy mentioned in the bakery... hmm..."
I zoomed in and searched.
"Something with a D... Dominiko? Dolingo? Yes, that's it! Strange name."
I typed it in, but nothing came up with that name. Instead, it suggested a place called "Domingo."
"Yeah, that's what I meant. Just said it wrong, haha. Oh, it's not far from here. Just two kilometers, so I'll go there for lunch while I wander around the city."
And so I did.
I looked at shop windows filled with mannequins dressed in the latest fashion. Second-hand shops. An antique store. Stalls. Pigeons. And finally, people slowly emerging from their hibernation.
I don't judge them—I used to love sleeping in until at least 9 AM too. But since I started working, that's nothing but a dream.
After wandering through the streets of the capital for almost an hour and a half, I reached the fancy Domingo restaurant. I hesitated to go in because it looked pretty expensive. But since I was already there and had some money on my card, why not treat myself?
I walked in and sat down at a table. A waiter quickly approached and handed me the menu. There was a wide selection of food, but I chose their daily special. It looked delicious.
The meal arrived just as quickly. Extremely efficient staff. I hope the food is just as good.
While I was eating, a man passing by brushed against my elbow, and my food fell off the fork and onto my lap.
"Ugh, of course... now this...," I grabbed a napkin, but the mysterious man beat me to it.
"Let me, it was my mistake. I'll help you," he said, starting to wipe my thighs.
I wasn't in the mood to tolerate a man's touch. Not after everything.
I stood up.
"There's no need for you to do that." I headed for the exit. Then I remembered I hadn't paid for my meal. I turned around.
"At least let me take care of this to make it up to you," he said, pulling out his wallet.
"I said there's no need. Please, just go about your day."
"But I insist."
"…"
Fine, if you insist, then pay. I just smiled and turned toward the door. He paid and followed after me.
"Miss," he called as he tried to match my pace, "I still feel like I haven't made it up to you."
"That's your problem. I hold no grudge."
"Would you join me for a drink? I was headed that way anyway, and there's a nice café nearby."
"Why would you want to have a drink with me? We don't even know each other!" I continued walking quickly.
"Allow me," he was slightly out of breath, "to introduce myself." Suddenly, he stepped in front of me.
"My name is Benjamin," he smiled and extended his hand. I looked him over.
"Sorry, I'm late for work."
"Where do you work? If you don't mind me asking," he continued to follow my pace.
"If you must know, I work at a prestigious magazine." I said, holding my head high. I bit my tongue.
"Very interesting! I own a publishing company, 'Right Now.' Not sure if you've heard of it..."
HOW COULD I NOT HEAR OF IT? IT'S AN INTERNATIONAL NEWS COMPANY!
"I... of course, I've heard of it... Your daily column determines the fate of many public figures."
"And which magazine do you work for?"
"Well... I work...," I hesitated, "at 'CelebritieZ&GossipZ.'"
"Huh, isn't that the trashy magazine that makes up lies about everyone? I can't believe it..."
"Well, I'm planning on leaving it."
"You might not believe me, but I'd like to offer you a job. Of course, if you're interested."
What an opportunity! I have to at least hear what he has to say!
"You know what, I've changed my mind. I think I could use a coffee right now."
"I couldn't agree more."
***
"Sir, we've identified the person whose blood you requested to analyze."
"And?"
"It's a young woman, around 25 years old."
"I already know that. Tell me who she is."
"Her name is Melanie Lore, and she works at that trashy magazine that published so many lies about you."
"Is that so?"
"There's something else, sir. Her blood... it's quite special."