This was why the agent wanted Zach to avoid a similar fate. However, Zach's mind was made up and he had no interest in becoming a full-time chef.

Meanwhile, Jade was done arranging everything they had used and was ready to leave with Zach when she noticed the agent leaving already.

She already knew what the agent wanted to ask Zach and she was certain Zach would give him the same answer he gave her so she didn't bother asking him what her agent said.

Zach walked back to her and asked. "Can we leave now?"

Jade nodded her head and checked the time to make sure there was still time to catch the last train home.

A few minutes later, Zach and Jade boarded the train. Once everyone was seated, the train hovered above the ground before moving.

Jade sat next to Zach and it was clear to see how exhausted she was. She leaned towards Zach and rested her head on his shoulder.

"You did great. You made a lot of sales today," Zach praised her.

"Thanks, it wouldn't have been possible without your help." She replied modestly.

"You can rest better with the knowledge that your job is safe for now."

Jade nodded in response. Not only was she able to clear her initial debt, but she was also able to come up with the amount she needed to pay the agent.

This meant she could keep the cart and equipment for the month.

In short, everything became pretty easy for Jade because she had Zach by her side and she was grateful for that.

"Thank you so much, Zach."

"You're welcome," He replied, placing his hand over Jade's. The two of them slowly laced their fingers together and Jade giggled at this.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"And what do you think you're doing?" She asked teasingly, acting as though she didn't like it, but her hand firmly held Zach's.

Meanwhile, Zach knew she didn't want him to let go, so he decided to tease her a little as well. "You don't like it?"

"Don't try to change the subject. You still haven't answered my question."

"True, but do I need a reason to hold my girlfriend's hand?" He asked and a smile bloomed on Jade's face when she heard that.

"No, you don't," She replied, feeling butterfly wings fluttering in her stomach. She tightened her grip on his hand and snuggled closer to him.

"Does this mean, what I think it means?" Zach asked in surprise.

"What does it look like to you?" Jade chuckled before looking at Zach with joy-filled eyes.

"What is it?" Zach asked, noticing how she was smiling at him.

"Do you mean it?"

"What?"

"What you said to those girls at the coliseum?"

"About you being my girlfriend?" Zach asked and Jade nodded.

"Of course. It's not every day I get to see a beautiful girl's smile and you looked like you really had fun today. So, what's wrong with wanting to see you that way every day?"

Hearing that, Jade could feel a sudden heat, rising in her cheeks. She instantly rested her head on his shoulder once again to conceal her flushed face.

"You're weird, do you know that?" Jade asked with a smile.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"It isn't. It's just that sometimes you're like a different person, and although it is strange, it is also satisfying to see you become more open with everyone in the mansion. I just want you to know that everyone is trying their best to ensure you live a curse-free life."

Zach was touched by her words and the two of them remained silent for the rest of the train ride until they arrived home.

However, just before Zach could open the door of the mansion, he heard Jade's voice from behind.

"That reminds me, if you aren't interested in joining the culinary guild, do you have any other guild in mind you wish to join?"

"Yeah, I do, but for now, I'm only interested in selling a few portraits to some experienced artists."

Jade nodded her head in understanding before recalling something else. "I totally forgot that Luna told me to check out the recent portrait you made of her. Was it really that good?"

Zach shrugged. "You'll have to see it for yourself and decide if it's good or not."

"Then, I'll certainly take a look at it tomorrow before leaving for work."

"You'll be leaving tomorrow morning?" Zack asked in surprise and Jade nodded.

"Don't you think you should take a break? You did work a lot more than usual today. Besides, you still look exhausted."

"And it seems like you aren't," Jade folded her arms underneath her breast with a surprised look on her face, observing Zach from top to bottom.

"I guess it's because I work out," Zach shrugged indifferently and Jade recalled the two girls in the coliseum mentioning something about it as well.

"Well, since you'll be going to work again tomorrow, I guess I could accompany....."

"That won't be necessary," Jade interrupted.

"And why is that?"

Hearing his question, Jade could sense his concern about how she would handle the customers on her own and this caused her lips to stretch into a smile.

She was pleased to see that he cared about her, but she wanted him to focus on something else. "Tomorrow is the day of your awakening and you need to be focused and mentally prepared as well."

"Alright, I understand. Then, after my mana core awakening, I'll be joining you as well tomorrow."

Jade immediately shook her head. "I won't be staying for long. After selling for a few hours, I'll leave as soon as I can and besides....."

Jade paused mid sentence, opting to walk towards Zach rather than saying what she had in mind. Then she brazenly wrapped her arms around his neck before locking her lips with his.

Slowly, their tongues began to twirl and dance around each other with neither of them wanting to end it anytime soon.