“I’m starving! We have to stop by the cafeteria and grab something to eat!” Scott grumbled as they walked to the elevator. He acted like he was gonna faint any moment from now.
Chris rolled his eyes at his childish antics. Sometimes, he really doubts the guy’s age. “I wonder who it was that insulted the cafeteria chefs and vowed never to eat anything from the cafeteria again except for cuisines ordered from a five-star restaurant.”
Scott made a ‘tch’ sound, ignoring Chris as he marched to the elevator. The latter oy chuckled and followed him. As soon as they walked into the cafeteria, they could sense that something was wrong.
The cafeteria is usually scanty during break periods that aren’t lunch break so why does it feel like there are even more people here than people that were probably present for a lunch break?
Scott realized that almost everyone held phones in their hands like they were discreetly taking pictures of someone like those crazy paparazzi.
He trailed in the direction the phones were facing and soon found the source of the commotion.
“Huh? What is brother doing here?” He mumbled to himself but Chris heard him and also turned to look at Ryan. The latter was standing by the counter, pressing his phone while waiting for something.
Chris was astonished. “As far as I know, he has never stepped foot into this cafeteria before so why is he here?”
“And based on how picky brother is, he’d never eaten a single dish from this cafeteria except for the coffee so he certainly isn’t here for food,” Scott completed the narration.
Chris chuckled and they both walked to Ryan. “Brother!,” Scott’s voice made Ryan’s fingers stop. He looked up for only a minute and then faced his phone again.
Scott felt odd at his unusual behaviour but he didn’t say any more words. He just kept quiet, looking into space.
Just then, a well-dressed chef arrived with a small package. Scott and Chris’ eyes almost bulged out in surprise. A good package!!?
What the fuck is going on? Ryan smiled at the chef, collected the package and turned around to leave. “. Is this for her?” Chris asked, his soft voice laced with curiosity. He doesn’t understand why Ryan has been behaving weirdly lately so he didn’t want to seem to…
“Yes,” Ryan only gave them a curt nod and he tried to leave again but Scott stopped him this time.
“Brother… Why do I feel like you are avoiding it? I feel like you are upset with me. Did I do something wrong?” Ryan’s eyes flashed at these questions. His eyes slowly turned that familiar crimson colour.
He turned back to look at them without a word and they were stunned. Chris looked around at a large number of people and shook his head in fear.
“No… No… Don’t say a word. Let’s leave,” Chris walked forward and tried to urge him not to say a word. It will be disastrous if he says anything in that strange voice.
How are they ever going to explain? Scott also walked forward to hold him, “Yes brother. Don’t say a…”
“Don’t touch me!” Ryan shouted and left. The whole cafeteria was stunned by the fearful, strange voice they’d just heard. They couldn’t decipher if they only imagined him talking like that or if he really did talk like that.
Chris and Scott hurriedly followed Ryan out. Scott’s suspicions were now confirmed. His brother is angry with him for reasons known to him.
Ryan stopped because he could feel them following him. “Why are you still following?” He is trying so hard to avoid exploding in anger but the following behind isn’t making it any better.
“Brother, at least you should say what I did wrong,” Scott’s words made Ryan stop again. A cold smile appeared on his face and he pulled Scott into the nearest office. Thankfully, it is empty.
*****
Emily anxiously looked at the door as she paced around the office. He told her he would be back within an hour but it was already getting so late yet he isn’t here.
She had contemplated going out in search of him many times but decided against it. What would she say if someone asked her why she changed her clothes?
She looked down at the casual pair of cashmere sweater and pants he’d gotten for her. A red blush stained her cheeks as her eyes darted to the door of that room.
The door suddenly opened and her attention turned to Ryan. She rushed to him and was startled to talk. When he dropped the food package on the table with a loud thud, she finally asked him, “What happened to you?”
She watched as he sat on the table panting hard with his face bruised. Even his hands had scratches and bloodied marks. Her heart suddenly hurt seeing all these.
“Ryan… What happened to you? Who did this to you?” She asked softly as she walked closer to stroke his hair. She touched the bruises gently and he winced a bit.
“Let me get the first aid box,” she was about to turn away seeing that he wouldn’t respond. But he held her back and hugged her tightly. His head came to rest on her chest.
She didn’t mind though. “I’m fine,” His voice sounded hoarse. She patted his back gently and protested, “You are not fine. You are bleeding. I don’t like seeing you like this. Let me get the first aid box.”
He didn’t let her go. Instead, his hands tightened around her like he was afraid to let her go. “No… I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Don’t leave,” his voice obviously sounded like he was pleading.
Emily was speechless. What the heck happened to him? He doesn’t act so vulnerable like this. He always acts like a jerk, always taunting and disturbing her every time. So why is he being this way now?
Emily stroked his back again not knowing what to do. She doesn’t even know what is wrong with him. He looked up at her and pointed at the small package he brought in.
“I requested them to cook that porridge, especially for you but now… It’s all cold and you won’t be able to eat it anymore.”
.
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…..