It’s Saturday. I can’t help but feel at peace as I lay in bed. The usual weight of the world feels so much lighter today. I can finally breathe. Monday will bring work again, but for now—this is my time to relax.

I stretch, considering whether to spoil myself with a lazy morning or call Joseph. Last time, he didn’t pick up, so this time, he better be ready to invite me for a nice breakfast. He owes me.

I turn around on the bed trying to avoid the light of my window.

“Ten more minutes,” I mumble to myself, sinking back into my pillow. The sheets are so warm, so comfortable, it’s almost too easy to just drift back to sleep.

A slowly breathing on my face. Someone is too close.

“Good morning,” a voice speaks right next to me.

I open my eyes in disbelief

“AZAZEL!”

The audacity!

“How is this even possible? I locked my door!” I scramble out of the covers, panic shooting through me. This is not happening.

Azazel looks unfazed. “Did you forget? I’m a demon lord.”

I throw my hands up, completely done with him. “Don’t you know what personal space is?!” With all my strength, I push him out of the bed, my frustration boiling over.

“Ouch,” he says, scratching his head as if my actions are no big deal. “Personal space is more of a suggestion for me.”

“You can’t just solve everything by saying you’re a demon lord!” I groan. But the truth is... this demon lord thing? It’s starting to sound more believable.

Azazel shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I know, that’s why I brought gadgets with me to solve my problems.”

“Gadgets?” I blink, utterly confused.

“Yeah, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” he continues, flipping through what appears to be some magazine. “Taking that topic aside, I read that physical affection can attract many girls in this world. So, that got me thinking… why didn’t you accept my words of love?” He strikes a dramatic pose. “Look at me. I’m a prize made of flesh. Aren’t I attractive to you?”

I stare at him, sizing him up uninterested as possible. “You’re alright,” I say with a blank expression.

“Not all women have the same taste, you know,” I add, dismissing his offer with a disinterested tone.

Azazel’s grin doesn’t falter. “So, this magazine is wrong?” He pulls out another magazine from somewhere. “It says friends can be lovers—it’s a normal transition, and one of the easiest if the man plays his cards right.”

I try to keep a straight face but fail miserably. “Haaa, I understand…”

“Are we friends?” Azazel asks, raising an eyebrow, almost too hopeful.

Revealing your intentions is not playing your card right azazel, this guy is sometimes so predictable.

“No,” I say firmly. “I don’t think a friend would just get into another friend’s bed without permission. You’re like the bottom of the friend barrel for me.” I cross my arms, exasperated. “Besides, why are you asking me all this? I told you—I’m helping with your research, but don’t drag me into your weird experiments. I want out of this equation.”

“I understand your frustration. Then it’s better if we talk this over, and I explain many things to you, like…” Azazel starts, trying to salvage the situation.

“Stop. Please, I don’t have time for that. I was having a really good morning, and you came in here with all this nonsense. Just… get out.” I don’t have the patience to deal with him anymore.

Azazel shrugs, his usual calm self. “We can hang out. Help me find someone, then.”

I just stare at him for a moment, processing how he’s wrecking my peaceful day. “Sorry, but I have an appointment with some friends.”

His response is almost too calm. “I understand. Okay, go enjoy.”

I blink, frozen for a second. That wasn’t the reaction I was expecting at all. I thought for sure he’d try to drag me into his weird research. Instead, he just lets me go.

“Thanks…” I mutter, a little surprised.

As he heads toward the door, I can't help but add, “To be honest, I thought you’d say something out of place.”

Azazel glances back with a knowing smirk. “If I restrained you too much, it might give bad results to my research.”

And with that, he opens the door and leaves. Just like that. Gone.

“Well, at least that’s done,” I sigh, pulling my phone out to call Joseph. It rings a few times, but no answer. I try again, but still nothing. His phone’s on, so why isn't he answering?

He must be busy.

The thought nags at me. I realize I don’t really know much about Joseph. I know he’s from a middle-class family, I think. He’s a gentleman—handsome, too. Well, who am I kidding? I think, he has some really good-

“Behave, Elysia!” I scold myself, a blush creeping up my cheeks. I pull my cheeks until they sting, forcing myself back into reality.

But seriously, I don’t know much about him. What does he do in his free time? Is he in college? I have no idea. What does he even do when he’s not with me? What’s his past? His present?

“Maybe next time I see him, I’ll ask him.” I tell myself, trying to push the thoughts aside for now. “For now, I’ll go out with Maria.”

I text her, but after a few minutes, there’s no response. Maybe she’s working.

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I start getting ready to leave my apartment. I’ll head to the store where Maria works and ask if she wants to hang out once her shift is over.

“Jacket’s ready. Jeans are ready. It’s freezing today,” I mumble to myself, eyeing my thin jacket.

I can’t afford a new jacket, I think with a sigh. Gosh, wait… if I get my job back with Boss Raian—if I’m not mistaken, he said I’d get a raise. Maybe I can afford a new jacket after all.

“Good,” I smile to myself, my spirits lifting. “In two weeks, I’ll buy a new jacket.”

I step out into the cold air, but somehow, the thought of my potential raise makes me feel warmer. As I walk toward the store where Maria works, my phone buzzes with a new message.

It’s from her.

Sorry, Ely. I got sick, so I can’t go out.

I text her back No do not worry Maria, get better.

I sigh dramatically, looking up at the sky like it's going to grant me some miraculous new friends. "Now what? I have no one left to hang out with. Why didn't I bother being more social?" A chilly gust of wind answers me, and I shiver.

“Ugh! This jacket is the absolute worst.” I rub my arms and huff. “Fine, fine. Risking my budget for a jacket it is.” If I get sick from this icy breeze, I’ll miss work, and no way am I jeopardizing my hard-earned stability. So, it's decided—downtown shopping adventure, here I come!

I stomp toward the bustling shopping district, where prices are as extravagant as the displays. My eyes widen at a purse in a window. "Wow, that purse is... gorgeous. And priced like a small fortune," I mutter, my heart clenching. I move on, determined.

A pushy store clerk tries to draw me into a clothing store. “Miss! We’ve got discounts on everything—jackets, pants, whatever you need!”

“Uh, no thanks. Just looking.” His smile vanishes, and he retreats into the store, visibly annoyed. Whatever. If I'm spending my precious money, it has to be on something I love.

As I keep browsing, I get the feeling someone’s trailing me. I glance around nervously. Azazel? Nah, he’s probably off reading another ridiculous dating magazine. But the sensation lingers, making my paranoia spike.

A sudden squeal and a thud behind me make me jump. I whirl around to see someone sprawled on the ground. The person is having difficulties to stand up.

One step

Two step

I can’t leave that person like that, why sometimes I meddle where no one is calling me? Gosh.

“Excuse me, let me help you” I wave my hand.

The person looks at me as then the hood slipped off to reveal a woman with flawless, white porcelain skin. A clean crimson long hair without any imperfection.

She’s drop-dead gorgeous in a way that makes me feel like an extra in the background of a glamorous movie. But her face? Totally blank. Unsettlingly blank.

"Um, hey, you okay?" I force a friendly smile and extend my hand. When she just stares at it, I wave awkwardly. "Hello? Need a hand?" Seriously, who taught this girl how to interact with people? A mannequin school?

I help her to her feet, my hand gently offering support.

"Thanks for your help," she says softly, looking at me with a shyness that almost makes me smile.

"No worries," I reply, brushing off the gratitude, but I can’t help noticing the way she looks at me—tentative, like she’s not quite sure how to act around a stranger.

"Yes?" I ask, sensing she wants to say something more. "Do you need something?"

Her gaze shifts away, and she speaks in a quiet voice, as if unsure whether she should share. "No, sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you. I’m just walking around... I’m new to town."

I pause for a moment, trying to think of something to say. "Oh, well, I don’t know much about the center," I start, feeling awkward, "but I could give you a tour if you want. I know a little bit, at least."

Her expression softens. She’s not just a girl lost in the city anymore—she’s a shy one, caught in a quiet moment of vulnerability.

It’s kind of awkward, the silence hanging between us. I wonder if I should open up to her, but she’s still a stranger, and I’m not sure how much I should reveal.

"I arrived about two weeks ago," she says, her voice soft as she continues. "I was supposed to hang out with my best friend, but she got sick. So, I decided to explore the city on my own."

I laugh lightly, almost nervously. "Oh, what a coincidence—my friend was also sick, so we couldn’t meet tonight."

"Oh, yeah... Sorry, I didn’t ask your name," I ask, almost sheepishly.

She smiles, trying to ease the tension. "It’s Elene."

“ Nice to meet you Elene, I am Elysia.”

Her face lights up slightly. "Elysia... such a pretty name."

I feel my cheeks flush, a mixture of pride and embarrassment. "You think so?" I laugh, a little flustered.

She shifts her weight, as if noticing the time. "I’m getting hungry. How about we go to that restaurant over there?"

Oh no. I freeze for a second. I don’t have any money—this jacket, the one I’m wearing, it's the last of my budget.

"Sorry, I—" I hesitate, trying to come up with a polite excuse. "I was planning to buy a new jacket. See this?" I gesture to the worn, patched-up jacket. "I need to get a new one, and dinner would just drain my budget."

She looks at me, and I can tell she’s already made up her mind. "Don’t worry," she says with a calm smile, her voice steady now, less shy. "I’ll invite you."

Her change in tone catches me off guard. She’s no longer the shy girl from earlier; she’s confident and kind.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure of what to do. "No, you don’t have to. I’m just a stranger to you."

But she insists, her voice soft but firm. "It feels lonely to eat alone."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Well, if you insist…"

The waiter leads us to our table, his smile warm as he pulls out the chairs.

"Do the ladies want something to drink first?" he asks, looking at us.

"Water, please," I responded with a gentle nod.

Then, she turns to me, her gaze lingering for a moment. "You can order anything you want, Elysia. To me, I’ll take the best recommended cocktail of the house. What about you? Don’t you want a cocktail?"

I freeze, uncertain. A cocktail? The last time I had one, it didn’t end well. My head spins at the thought of it.

I shake my head, a little embarrassed. "No, I’m fine," I say quickly, trying to cover my discomfort.

Elene, with her usual confidence, orders without hesitation. "Give me this one from the menu."

The waiter raises an eyebrow. "The party option 2?" he asks, double-checking.

"Yes, please," she confirms.

I’m curious now. "What is that?"

Elene grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Don’t worry. It’s four Italian dishes—lasagna, chicken Alfredo, spaghetti, parmesan chicken, and unlimited breadsticks."

My stomach growls just hearing it. "Italian food!" I can’t hide my excitement. "I’ve always wanted to try that."

The waiter raises his eyebrows, surprised by my enthusiasm. "Or do you want a French special?"

"Anything’s fine!" I say with wide eyes, practically glowing with excitement.

He nods, then leaves us with the menu.

I lean back in my seat, catching a sigh escaping from Elene’s lips. "Bosses can be so demanding, right? They’re heartless most of the time. I quit my last job because my boss refused to raise my paycheck."

I blink, stunned for a moment. Wow, she’s so direct—and even more decisive than I am. She may seem calm and delicate, but there’s a strength to her that’s undeniable.

"Right! Bosses suck," I agree, smiling and nodding.

She smirks playfully, leaning forward a bit. "You look like there’s more behind your expression. Maybe a beer would make you more honest?"

I laugh, feeling the familiar temptation stir. Beer—my old nemesis. A double-edged sword. But when it's free, how could I say no?

I grin back at her. "Sure! Waiter, waiter! One beer, please!"

One... Two... Three beers, and a mountain of food on the table. My thoughts slip out before I can stop them.

I can’t believe I will have beer. It is so exciting to be back in action!

Nothing can go wrong!