23 Won't Leave
(Ella's POV)
I sat behind the counter, doing accounts while repeatedly checking this week's sales records.
Since Kyle started helping me watch the shop, sales have nearly doubled.
Could Kyle be a hidden commercial genius?
Especially fragrance, skincare, insect repellent categories, and some common disease prevention potions—sales ridiculously high.
"Why is this happening..." I looked up in confusion.
The wind chimes at the door rang lightly. Two more young women pushed the door open.
After entering, they first whispered to each other, then pretended to casually browse the shelves. Less than half a minute later, one began stealing glances toward the counter.
And Kyle stood right there.
Today he wore a simple white shirt, sleeves casually rolled to his elbows, revealing beautifully lined forearms. His light brown short hair was made soft by sunlight. Blue eyes gentle and focused.
"Need help?" He asked with a smile.
The two ladies' faces instantly reddened.
"I, I want to look at aromatherapy potions..."
"Recently my sleep hasn't been very good."
Kyle skillfully took two bottles from the shelf.
"This one is more suitable for nighttime use." He said. "If you want to relax your mood, you can try this scent."
His voice was low and gentle, politely just right.
When those two ladies left, they bought nearly the most expensive skincare potions in my shop as well.
I silently watched all this.
Finally understood.
Being beautiful really makes people jealous. Kyle selling things is too easy!
"What's wrong?" Kyle noticed my gaze and looked over.
"Nothing." I said quietly. "Just suddenly realized you're very suited to be a salesperson."
He raised an eyebrow: "Mainly because your potions are effective. That's why there are many repeat customers."
Being praised by him like this, I couldn't help but smile. Kyle has been getting better and better at speaking lately.
Kyle's current appearance is completely different from the dark elf on the wanted poster.
Gentle, patient, gentlemanly. The fierceness in his eyes has disappeared, replaced by water-like peace.
Who would think such a man would be the one who made the Elven Kingdom issue the highest level wanted order?
Kyle's learning ability is extremely astonishing.
I only briefly introduced the potion classifications once. He actually remembered everything.
He even knows the properties of some complex herbs.
"Did you really never study potions before?" I couldn't help asking.
Kyle organized the shelves while taking time to respond to my repeatedly asked question.
"No."
"Then how did you learn so fast? If you'd studied with me when you were young, you'd definitely be better at exams than me. Then I wouldn't be Thornhaven's youngest junior pharmacist."
Kyle seemed very interested in my past: "We're different. I'm an elf. Elves are naturally loved by plants. Your talent is really very good. Why don't you want to go out and see the world, learn more potion knowledge?"
I froze. I'd never thought about this. Since Wayne left, my world also closed.
My ideals, my ambitions—all disappeared. Only one thing remained: I must stay in Thorn Town and wait for Wayne.
He'll definitely come back!
But I couldn't tell Kyle these things.
"I don't have any talent." I sighed. "I can even kill thornball. If other pharmacists heard, they'd laugh at me."
Kyle raised an eyebrow: "Believe me, your talent is absolutely extraordinary. As for not being able to grow plants, there may be some special reason. To find the reason, you need to leave Thorn Town. Staying here forever, nothing will change."
"I don't have anything I want to change. I think things are fine as they are." I looked directly at Kyle. "Do you want to leave?"
Before I could press further, another customer came to the door.
Until evening closing, Kyle and I didn't continue this topic.
And today's sales also broke records again.
I separated the gold and silver coins, then pulled out a portion and pushed it in front of Kyle.
"This is yours."
Kyle glanced at it: "Why give me money?"
"This is your commission." I pushed the money pouch to him. "You helped me earn so much money. Of course I should give you a share."
Kyle frowned and didn't take the pouch: "I'm not helping you for money."
I directly stuffed the money pouch into his arms: "I know you're taking care of my health, wanting me not to overwork. But you also need to think more about yourself. If you want to leave, you'll need money."
Saying this, my heart trembled. Deep down I vaguely hoped Kyle would refuse me.
Does he really want to leave?
Kyle held the money pouch and walked toward me step by step: "You want me to go?"
His voice suddenly changed, like low-hanging clouds before a storm.
Before I could raise my head, I felt his shadow cover me.
He came around the counter to my side.
His footsteps were light, but each step landed on my heartbeat. Thump. Thump. Thump.
I raised my head.
He stood before me, very close. Close enough I could see his lashes clearly, and below those lashes, those captivating eyes.
He placed one hand on the counter behind me.
Then he leaned down.
I'd never seen him like this, or rather he'd never shown this side before me. Full of oppressive force, making my body feel pinned by something. Even breathing became cautious.
Kyle's face drew closer and closer.
I was forced to lean back. My back pressed against the edge of the medicine shelf. Dry rosemary rustled down from the shelf. Fine leaves fell on my shoulders, releasing a bitter fragrance.
"Do you want me to leave?" He asked again.
He stared at me, a ring of extremely faint red at the edge of his irises.
This reminded me of the identity of the person before me—dark elf. Evil, terrifying, uncontrollable dark elf.
Also the discriminated against, falsely accused and hunted, homeless Kyle.
I sighed. My fear of him turned to pity.
Looking at this face growing increasingly somber, I couldn't help but touch his cheek.
"That's not what I meant."
"Then why give me money?" He narrowed his eyes, as if weighing whether my words were credible.
"That's... commission." I tried to make my voice sound normal. "You help me work. I give you payment. This is very reasonable—"
"Reasonable?" He cut off my words.
The hand holding the money pouch came down, bracing on the counter on my other side.
Now both his hands braced on the wooden shelf behind me, circling me entirely inside.
My back pressed tightly against the medicine shelf. No room to retreat. Rosemary leaves still falling, landing on his shoulders, landing in my hair. The fragrance spreading around us.
"You think this money can hire me?" Kyle lowered his head.
His breath fell on my face, warm, carrying the slightly bitter aftertaste of calming tea.
I caught a whiff of dangerous scent, like deep winter river water—surface calm, underneath all undercurrents.
"I didn't..."
"I help you like this, yet you think of me this way. I'm very angry."
He leaned closer still.
This time, his lips nearly touched my ear. His voice so low it seemed to come from far away, carrying damp heat, slowly creeping along my ear.
"I'm going to punish you." He said.