He was too close. Too close to make my heart burst. But I won’t deny that I still wanna steal Behemoth’s gold. It’s too tempting. I wonder what’s more tempting though. I hit my cheeks hard. Get. To. Your. Senses. Lovisa!

“You’re blushing too hard.”

I turned around, my hands still resting on my warm cheeks. I was a little surprised to see Quentin there in front of me.

“You didn’t follow Umika?” I asked.

“No, I guess I’m a coward to do that.” He looked away in embarrassment.

“Don’t worry, you can still steal his gold with me.” I pointed towards the rocks of gold they were loading in a truck.

“Wh- what? You’re becoming a thief?” He looked at me skeptically.

“It’s nothing serious, moreover he’s an alchemist, and sparing some gold to us won’t be that bad.” I explained.

He looked at me before holding out his hand, “Deal?”

“Deal.” I shook his hand but all I got hold of was the air.

“Guess we can’t shake hands.” He looked at me with a somewhat sorrowful smile.

I am quick to catch other people’s emotions, but I don’t know how to confront them even if I want to.

“But don’t you think it’s easier to steal money than gold, the jewelers may find you suspicious.” He shoved his hand inside his pockets.

“You do have a point.” I nod in agreement to his logical concern.

“Well, we should just steal money.” He suggested.

“That’s too boring.” I rejected his suggestion, “Even a street kid can steal money.”

“So you want a challenge.” He sighed and rubbed his chin.

We stood there silently. After a while, I spoke up, “We can think of it later, but for now it is final that you are my business partner.” I smiled.

“That’s some funny business plan you have in there.” He joked.

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I looked up at the night sky’s retreating colors that were soon to be turned golden by the rays of sunshine. This night was a long one. I got kidnapped by an assassin, I looked at his figure at a distance as I thought of the event. I met Quentin who helped me so much and now is my business partner. We then met the goddess, who too helped me a lot and we had so much fun teasing her. I then met Yannick, then Adriel. Adriel...

“You’re blushing.” Quentin teased me.

“I’m not!” I protested quickly.

“Is it because of that guy?” He smirked.

“Which guy? I don’t know anyone.” I lied as I blushed even harder.”

“The guy which saved you.” He voice dropped low and he moved close to my ear to earn my reaction.

I stepped back while avoiding his gaze.

“Anyone can see you are in love.” He stood upright and laughed at me.

“I’m not in love, it’s just I’m grateful for him saving me.” I looked at the rising sun. I finally managed to control the weird reaction and blush I was giving off. I’m sure he never meant anything by that. I sighed in letting go. Some things are beyond are control and it is foolish to even ask for them then.

“You’re a real mood killer you know, it was fun teasing you.” Quentin looked at me in disappointment.

I ignored him. For now, I will have a nice sleep and finish my work before the deadline. After all, I’m not meant to be here. I belong to a small town and then I moved in the capital. I closed my eyes. The warm morning wind drifted me back to the old town memories. Hiraeth. That’s what I’m experiencing Hiraeth because I will never be able to go back to the small town.

“I’m back.”

I opened my eyes to see Adriel in front of me. I saw him for a moment and then closed my eyes again. He stepped closer, “You seem tired.” He said, his voice as gentle as the warm sunshine over me.

“A bit.” I replied back.

“I will drop you back to home then.” He smiled. A kind of smile I haven’t witnessed since ages. I was too tired to have a banter or protest, so I simply obliged by his offer. I was in fact, too tired.

“Um... about before, why were you crying?” I asked him.

He gulped and turned his face away from me sheepishly, “Promise you won’t laugh?” He asked with some sort of vulnerability. Regardless, I promised him.

“I- I was afraid you died...” He blurted out.

“Seriously?” I looked at him in disbelief and disappointment.

“That was not the reaction I wanted either...” He complained, “But I wonder how that ki- ... I mean goddess appeared?”

“It’s a crazy story, but I will kill you if you laugh.” I threatened him but I didn’t really mean it, in fact it was quite good to have someone who cares.

And no matter how I tried, I couldn’t suppress the small smile that tugged at the corner of my lips.

I told him everything on our way back to home. And guess what, he laughed at me and as usual, I didn’t do anything except a few eye-rolls and sighs.

It was a peaceful end or so I thought. I know readers, you may think what now? But do you think I will be left in peace and have a good sleep with tasty food? If you do then you’re too naïve. Because no person can live in peace if there was a murder of the guy upstairs in there building.

And now, I find myself in my room which is filled with the footsteps of three cops searching my apartment and two detectives in front of me, ready for the interrogation. After all, I’m a major suspect since I was out of the house the whole night.

But I must say, one of the detective looks straight out form the fiction. Yes, he’s all handsome and tall ;)