Chapter 41

KATELYN.

"I'm leaving now, just about what we discussed, okay? Aimee and I will go to your apartment this weekend. Bye, guys! Enjoy!" She waved at both Eli and me, and I noticed that Eli waved back in a normal manner.

Once she left, I immediately asked Eligor, "Are you serious? I just saw that girl for the first time. Who is she?" I questioned Eli, who paused eating and turned his hand toward his face, making a loud snap.

We fell silent for a moment, just staring at each other. It seemed like he was waiting for something to happen or for me to say something.

"What was that for?" I asked in confusion, observing his widened eyes in astonishment before he returned to his food.

"Oh, nothing. I just tried to get your attention. I was a bit too restless," he replied, and who wouldn't be restless given the circumstances?

"Well, it just feels off. Something is definitely wrong. I don't know any beautiful Loraine in the high school department," I responded, and he gripped his neck while looking at me.

"I'm here with you now, but your mind wanders all over the place. Can't you eat the food I cooked for you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, and I couldn't help but feel guilty.

I took a bite and continued eating, refraining from asking further questions since it was evident that he didn't want to discuss the matter. It seemed like he was avoiding my questions about Loraine.

But who is she really? Did I hit my head when I fell into the abyss and suffer from amnesia? Or am I just confused by the events happening around me?

***

Our lunch break ended just like that, as they say when you have a lot on your mind, you lose track of time.

I went to the restroom while my students were busy with their activities in my last class of the day.

After relieving myself, I walked to the sink to wash my hands. "Hi, Kate. Are you done with your class today?" I turned to the person beside me, not expecting it to be Loraine.

She must have gone quite a distance to reach this restroom; their building was on the other side.

"Oh, no. They're still doing activities," I answered, even though I hesitated to talk to her since I didn't know her.

"Is something wrong? You've been acting strange today like we were just laughing together yesterday before going home," she said, surprising me even more.

"Huh? Yesterday?" I asked, and she nodded. We faced each other in front of the large mirror above the sink. I glanced at her reflection and she looked back at me with a smile.

"You don't remember, right?" She asked, and my heart couldn't help but race with anxiety. How could I not know what she was talking about? What happened yesterday? I couldn't recall doing anything with her.

"Hey," she called me, placing her hand under my chin. She looked at me seriously, and I didn't know why it felt like she was hypnotizing me with her eyes.

Her eyes turned red, and I suddenly closed my eyes.

"Huh? Loraine, were you here earlier?" I asked her, and she smiled while giving me a wink.

"Tomorrow, okay? I'll bring drinks and pizza for us," she replied, and I just nodded, even though I couldn't remember what happened.

"Okay, see you!" I smiled and waved at her, but suddenly my head started to ache. I held my forehead and leaned one hand on the sink.

I shook my head and left the restroom, heading straight to my class. I finished my last class for the day and waited for Eli to pick me up from the faculty room.

"The teachers' vacation trip keeps getting postponed. There are too many things going on," I commented, glancing at Eli as he closed the car door.

"Yeah, after the field trip, team-building, and sports fest, it seems like the school has no more budget," he replied, sighing.

"I really wanted to go on a vacation with you. They said we would go to a hot spring," I said, feeling disappointed that there was still no news about the trip.

"But I heard they moved it to the semester break so that the students wouldn't have classes and we could have more days to relax," I added, and he started driving home using his car, which I didn't know he had.

"I hope they push through with it. The semester break is just a few weeks away," he commented, and I nodded.

I forgot about our conversation when I remembered his car. It didn't really matter to me whether he had one or not, but I wondered if he had the money to buy such an expensive car. Now I suddenly learned that he had the means.

I didn't know if Eli was just frugal or if he was tight on money before. I mean, I saw his rundown apartment, which was cheap and old, and he was always asking for food from me, so I thought he was struggling.

But now, he always wore branded clothes, had the latest gadgets, and treated me to dinner.

"Eli, is your family wealthy?" I asked him unexpectedly.

"Huh? Why are you asking?" he questioned, and I sighed.

"Earlier, I realized that I still don't know much about you. We've known each other for almost a year, but I have no idea about your lifestyle, whether you have siblings or not, or even which province you're from. I don't even know your birthday," I explained, feeling emotional for some reason.

It felt like I still didn't really know my boyfriend.

"Oh, I'm an only child. My parents are abroad, and we're originally from Verine," he replied, providing me with some information about him.

"Oh, what's your favorite color?" I asked him, and he pondered for a moment.

"What color is the underwear you're wearing today?" he asked, making me blush as I playfully hit his arm.

"You're ridiculous! I'm serious!" I retorted in annoyance, causing him to laugh heartily while driving.

"Red, hahaha! Just kidding, you're taking things too seriously," he replied, and I chuckled in frustration.

"Oh, by the way, are you going with Aimee and Loraine tomorrow?" he asked, and I nodded. I was excited for the three of us to hang out again.

"Yes, that's why I'm sorry I can't let you come to my apartment for now."

"No worries, have fun," he said, and I smiled at his words. He was so different from Gadreel, who always found a way to ruin my happiness. With Eli, everything was allowed.

"Yeah, we'll chat all night. It's strange that Aimee is coming too. You know, she never separates from Charles," I said, and he laughed. But as I realized what we were talking about, I suddenly felt strange, as if something was off.

This is Aimee's first time joining these overnight trips because she usually goes home before midnight because her boyfriend picks her up, Charles. Even though Charles allows her to stay overnight, Aimee chooses to go home and accompany her boyfriend because that girl is really clingy to Charles.

"Oh? Why are you quiet, Kate?" I didn't realize that my forehead was furrowed until I glanced at Eli.

"I just can't believe that Aimee chose us over Charles," I replied to her and Eli just laughed.

"Come on, Aimee took care of you when you were sick, she just didn't stay overnight," she answered, and I nodded because I remembered that.

"That's true, but now she wants to do an overnight," I replied to him, and it seemed like he didn't expect my response.

Here I go again, overthinking about small things that disturb my mind. Why is it like this? I really feel like something is wrong like I'm not used to what's happening.

"You know, you're really furrowing your forehead. Do you want to age prematurely? Stop thinking and we'll be home soon," he said, and I nodded, then looked out the window.

I let myself be amused by the view that I see every day until I caught sight of an old woman pushing her cart on the street.

I immediately grabbed the car window and leaned forward to get a better look at the old woman.

"Eli! I just saw the old woman selling charms," I said to him, but I saw him accelerate.

"Huh? Are you saying something, Kate?" he asked, and we turned at the crossing. The traffic light on the other side was also red, so maybe he accelerated to beat it.

"Nothing..." I just sighed and let my mind continue to wander as we entered my apartment.

As soon as I entered, I headed straight to the sofa and slumped down. Eli arranged our food containers and shortly after, he suddenly moved next to me and lay down behind me.

I glanced at him, while he kept tapping on his cellphone. My hands moved instinctively and I touched his soft, curly hair.

"Your hair is really soft," I said to him, and he just smiled at me, seemingly busy with what he was doing.

It's evident that he really enjoys it when I play with his hair. We often do this after a tiring day at work or when he hangs out at my apartment.

Even though we don't hold hands, hug, or do the so-called cuddling, he likes lying down on my thigh and using it as a pillow.

I don't know what came over me, but I suddenly noticed myself staring at his long eyelashes that matched his hair color and his beautiful eyes which always captivated me.

I kissed his forehead and she immediately turned to look at me. He was shocked and sat up as if he had seen a ghost.

He covered her forehead and couldn't speak.

"Ka-Kate?" he asked, and I raised both eyebrows in confusion. Did I do something wrong? Didn't he like what I did?

"Wh-why did you su-suddenly kiss me? I-I just remembered that I still have laundry to do! Stay there, I'll be back for dinner later!" He ran out of my apartment and left me here, bewildered by his actions.

I suddenly frowned, sighed, and sank to my knees.

"Ugh... is he disgusted by me or what? Does he really like me or what?" Now that he's acting like this in front of me, I'm finding it difficult to understand him.

We've been living together in my apartment for months, we've been together for a month, but damn it! Not even a single kiss? He even ran away when I tried to kiss him on the forehead.

What's really going on? Am I so repulsive that he can't even enjoy the things I do?

Where is the justice in that?

"Tsk, you're so frustrating, Eligor!"