Chapter 27

La-La Point of View

As we ate, Zayne continued eating calmly. The way he held his utensils and chewed his food was elegant, a clear indication of his refined upbringing. Being a blessed one likely meant he came from a wealthy family.

Just how good is that?

To be honest, I was suspicious of him, he makes me feel something- an unease or more than that. The day we met at the hospital was unexpected, and since then, he had been overly kind to me without any clear reason.

But wasn't he a blessed one? It was natural for him to be nice.

Still, there was more to it than that. He showed no surprise at our existence, agreeing to keep our secret and even allowing me to work with him.

He did not ask anything for granted-

We kept crossing paths, even during the accident. More to that he knows about something about me. As if he knows me as whole.

I adjusted my scarf, "Is there anything wrong?" Zayne asked, pausing his meal he had a worried tone. I smiled.

"No, nothing," I said. He put down his utensils, took a glass of water, and drank it.

"Later, I can check your wound," he offered.

"No, don't bother. I’ve troubled you enough, and it’s already healed," I replied.

"It’s good that it healed quickly. It must be because you’re different from us humans," he said comfortably, continuing to eat.

How could he say that so comfortably? The fact that he accepted our existence was suspicious.

Everything had gone south since the day I met him.

I picked up my utensils and paused. "Well, an injury can't bother us," I said.

"Because of your work as an MT?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"But it’s still better if I check it—it might leave a scar," he insisted. The clang of utensils hitting the plate echoed between us.

"It will not. I always appreciate what you do for me, but it's your birthday today. Just don’t bother with it. Let's enjoy this moment," I said to him.

Zayne sighed softly, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, Lanaya. I'll let it go for now. Let's enjoy the meal."

The waiter returned with our drinks and desserts. The iced Americanos glistened with condensation. My ice cream cookies and cream dessert was a sweet finale to the meal.

As we ate, the restaurant's ambiance enveloped us in a cozy, intimate bubble. The warm lighting and soft background music made this afternoon at least feel special. Zayne's expression softened, and for the first time, I saw a glimpse of genuine relaxation in his eyes.

As if he is happy in this moment.

"Thank you for this, Lanaya," he said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. "It's been a while since I celebrated my birthday like this."

"Well, even a busy doctor like you and the boss of a library has the right to celebrate a special occasion like this, it’s your birthday" I replied with a smile.

He chuckled. "Right, a busy person like me."

Lanaya, can I ask you something?" he began.

"Of course," I replied, intrigued by his sudden seriousness.

He took a deep breath, seeming to gather his thoughts. "How long have you and Axel been friends?" he asked me.

Suddenly- are you curious about that?

"It's been a long time. I don't really remember," I lied.

Better change the topic. I dropped my utensil once again and leaned back. "Zayne, by the way, how old are you?" I asked him. He paused.

"I'm 29," he said.

"29?" I asked again to confirm. "Yes, is there something wrong?" he asked. That's young. This person always shocks me.

"No, you're actually young—you know, you said to me before you don't have a girlfriend, right?" I asked.

"Yes, I do remember that," he said.

Even though he had no strings, he is allowed to be in a relationship. It’s typical for a person to have lovers. With his looks and wealth, I bet he is a fisherman in a pond full of fish. It would be easy for him to have someone, even though it's not his soulmate. I bet even men he can fish out. He is young, affluent, statuesque, and strikingly handsome.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Why though? I'm just curious, typically—just being honest, a man like you, you know, a lot of women would adore you, not kidding- " I said to him. He paused and looked at me—I raised my eyebrows. He chuckled as if I had told a joke.

"You speak like a grandma," he said.

Huh, what? Who speaks like that?

Then he put down his utensil and grabbed the cake. "You know, in life," he said, "even though there are a lot of capable choices, it doesn’t mean it’s perfect." He then cut through the cake.

"Perfection is a myth," he continued. "People have this idea that they need to find the perfect partner, the perfect job, the perfect life. But the truth is, perfection doesn't exist. We all have flaws, and sometimes it's those imperfections that make things beautiful. I want to have someone who will love me with those flaws, I’m not perfect I don’t want their high standard for me to fill "

"That's true. But it still surprises me that you haven't found anyone," I said.

"Maybe I just haven't found the right person yet. Or maybe I'm too focused on my work. Who knows? Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it," he said.

Then he put the cake on a small plate near me. "You know, Miss Lanaya, I'm having fun that you're being comfortable with me now, asking me such questions. I never thought that you were curious about me that much," he said. My eyes widened at what he said, and I looked at him. He smiled at me and licked the chocolate off his finger.

Ugh, this dude.

"I just want to have a conversation with you. It’s your birthday, after all, right?" I said, reverting back to a formal tone and picking up my utensil.

A Few Moments Later

Zayne held my hand as he stopped me from paying the bill. I used my other hand to try to stop him. "I will pay," I said eagerly, my voice firm.

But he gently put down my hands, his grip firm but not forceful. "No, I will," he insisted, his tone equally resolute.

I quickly raised my hand, holding up my black card like a shield. "No, let me," I said.

"Ms. Lanaya, please," he pleaded, trying to take the card from me.

"It's your birthday, so let me," I said fiercely, determination burning in my eyes.

We stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills, both of us unwilling to back down. The waiter watched us with mild amusement, clearly entertained by our standoff.

Suddenly, I saw an opening. With a swift move, I twisted my wrist free from Zayne's grasp and dashed toward the cashier. Zayne, taken by surprise, hesitated for a split second before following me.

"Excuse me," I said breathlessly to the cashier, who was already reaching for the bill.

Zayne was right behind me, trying to catch up. "Lanaya, wait—" he started.

But I was quicker. I thrust my card toward the cashier, who took it with a slight smile, sensing the urgency of the situation.

Zayne reached out to stop me again, but I used my body to block him, positioning myself between him and the cashier. "Just this once, Zayne," I said, my voice a mix of determination and plea.

The cashier swiped my card, the machine beeping as it processed the payment. I felt a rush of triumph as the transaction completed, and the receipt printed out.

"Thank you," the cashier said, handing me the receipt.

I turned to Zayne, a victorious smile on my face. "See? I told you I'd pay."

Zayne shook his head, a defeated but amused smile playing on his lips. "You’re something else, Lanaya."

I grinned, pocketing the receipt. "Consider it my birthday gift to you."

He laughed softly. "Alright, you win this round. Thank you, Lanaya."

We left the restaurant, Zayne carrying the leftover cake, when suddenly a soul of a man ran in front of me, followed by a familiar figure with a sickle in hand. Time seemed to slow as our eyes met.

"What the actual hell, Axel?"

He stopped chasing the soul, looking me up and down before focusing on something behind me. “What are you wearing?” he questioned, disgust evident in his voice. He hid his sickle, and I immediately slapped his shoulder.

“What are you doing? ! Why are you not wearing your hat? You—why are you comfortably using your power in the crowd?” I whispered fiercely, grabbing his arm and walking a two step ahead from Zayne.

“I didn’t expect that soul to run. Why would I bother to carry a hat for one soul?” he said nonchalantly. What is wrong with him? Is he missing his brain? I looked at him in disbelief.

“You have no right to question me. You’re the one wearing a weird dress and with that strange guy. I bet something is going on, so don’t reprimand me. Tell me why you and that doctor are together?” he retorted. I sighed.

“It’s my birthday” Zayne interrupt,

“Your birthday?” Axel repeated, his tone a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Zayne nodded, holding the cake box a little higher as if to emphasize his point. “Yes, and Lanaya was kind enough to celebrate it with me.”

Axel’s eyes flickered with recognition, but he didn’t comment further on it. Instead, he looked back at me. “Well, happy birthday, I suppose,” he said reluctantly to Zayne before turning back to me. “But you still need to explain why you’re dressed like that.”

I rolled my eyes. “Axel, it’s just a dress. We were celebrating, and this is how humans dress for such occasions.”

Axel snorted. “Humans. Right.” He glanced around, noticing the stares from passersby who were now curious about our little scene. “Fine. And you,” he said, pointing at Zayne. But I immediately pushed his pointing finger away.

“Don’t start a fight,” I said to him. He looked at me in disbelief.

“I’m not starting a fight,” he said using telepathy.

“You obviously were,” I replied the same way.

“Do you have anything to do?” Axel asked me telepathically.

“Why?” I responded.

“I have five jobs today, help me” he said.

“Five?” I questioned.

“Is there anything wrong?” Zayne asked. “Is your library open today?” Axel immediately asked Zayne.

Zayne got confused. “No,” he answered. Then suddenly Axel grabbed my wrist, shocking both me and Zayne.

“Then if so, I’m borrowing her,” Axel said.

“Borrow? I’m not a thing,” I said to Axel, but he just held me and started to walk away., he is pulling me, Zayne immediately grabbed my other wrist.

What the hell?

“What do you think you’re doing? Ms. Lanaya is obviously with me; you can’t just take her away,” Zayne said.

“No – I should ask you what you’re doing. You’re done for the day, so La-La and I need to work, just go home” Axel retorted.

“But you cannot just take her away, at least have her consent she is not a toy for you just to grab around” Zayne said, holding my wrist tightly. I immediately pulled my hand free from both of them.

“What the hell is wrong with you two?” I said, looking at them in disbelief. I clenched my own arms.

“I will go with you, Axel. No need to force me,” I said.

“I’m not forcing you though,” he answered. I looked at him in disgust.

Literally pulling me is not force?

“You’re joking right?” I asked Axel but he just shrug. I turn to Zayne.

“Zayne, can you go back alone?” I asked him.

“He is old enough to do that,” Axel answered. I looked at him sternly to shut up. This dude- rude as usual.

“There is no problem with me but—” Zayne said, looking at Axel.

“There is nothing wrong going on, I’m just going to help him,” I said.

“If that's so,” he said.

“Yeah,” I said.

“Then you can go, if you are safe I guess there is no problem. Thank you for today,” he said.

“It’s nothing—once again, happy birthday,” I said. He smiled a smile that really can make a person faint.