Zigh and Lian stepped out of the Edelweiss Estate, a heavy, almost suffocating silence swirling between them. They walked toward Zigh’s sleek sports car, the engine’s silhouette gleaming under the light.

  Zigh stopped by the driver’s side door, glancing at his companion. "Lian, what are you exactly?"

  "I don’t know."

  Lian paused, his gaze drifting back toward the Edelweiss Estate. Rhea was still there, standing before a doorway that had simply... vanished.

  Zigh let out a long, weary sigh. "Do you want to go back?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

  Lian’s eyes remained hollow, devoid of their usual light, yet a faint, haunting smile played on his lips. "No."

  "Fine. Get in."

  Lian opened the door and slid into the passenger seat without a word. Outer followed, settling quietly into the back. Zigh took one last look at the estate—at Rhea, who remained as still as a statue.

  Miss Edelweiss is truly devoted to him, Zigh thought, a pang of objective observation hitting him. He hopped in and ignited the engine. The roar of the car came to life, a stark contrast to the quiet tension.

  "Fast or steady?" Zigh asked.

  "Whatever."

  Outer smirked from the backseat.

  "Full speed it is," Zigh declared.

  The car tore through the streets, turning the city skyline into a blurred smear of neon and concrete. Despite the G-force, Lian’s expression didn’t flicker. He sat there, a portrait of indifference.

  He doesn’t even flinch... Zigh noted inwardly. He pressed the accelerator harder, the force pinning Lian back against the leather seat. Zigh stole a glance at him. "Hungry?"

  "Are you?" Lian countered.

  Zigh offered a thin, sharp smile. "Something like that."

  He swerved the car into a restaurant parking lot and cut the engine. "Lian, let’s eat first. It is a blessing to have food before us; we shouldn't neglect it."

  "Go ahead without me," Lian replied.

  "Come on. Think of it as a celebration for our new contract," Zigh insisted.

  Without a smile, Lian stepped out, followed by Zigh and Outer. As Zigh approached Lian, he draped an arm around the younger man's shoulders. The moment his skin touched the nape of Lian’s neck, he recoiled slightly. Lian was burning up.

  "Hey, what’s wrong with you? You’re burning."

  Lian remained silent.

  "You need a clinic," Zigh said, his voice dropping its playful edge.

  "Unnecessary."

  Zigh ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Let’s just eat first. Maybe some fuel will help."

  Lian shook his head. When Zigh reached out to grab his hand, Lian pulled away with startling speed.

  "Enough," Lian said coldly. "You don't need to do things that aren't required."

  "Fine," Zigh relented. "But you’re sitting down with me."

  They entered the restaurant, Zigh heading straight for the counter. "Do you have a private area?"

  "Second floor, sir," the clerk replied.

  Zigh nodded. "Two orders of roasted chicken wings, fries, and an iced coffee." He turned to his companion. "Lian, what do you want?"

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  "Anything."

  Zigh clicked his tongue in annoyance. He scanned the menu again, looking for something gentle on the stomach. "A bowl of chicken porridge and hot tea."

  "Anything else, sir? Cash or Card?"

  Zigh pulled out a sleek, black card and handed it over. The clerk’s eyes nearly tripled in size. "This card... that means you’re—"

  "Shh," Zigh cut him off with a finger to his lips.

  "Ah, yes! Of course! Just a moment!" The clerk scrambled to process the payment with newfound urgency. "Please, sir, Table 4 on the second floor," he said, returning the card with trembling hands.

  "You're rich, aren't you?" Lian asked tonelessly.

  Zigh patted Lian’s shoulder. "Let's just go up."

  ***

  Table 4 offered a commanding view of the city. Lian leaned his head against the glass, staring out at the world he seemed so detached from. Zigh sat across from him, watching him like a puzzle he couldn't solve.

  "Is your head spinning?"

  Silence. Lian’s vacant eyes remained fixed on the horizon.

  "Lian... why did you make the pedestrian bridge vanish?"

  Lian’s lips curved into that faint smile again. "I was bored."

  Zigh’s gaze sharpened, his green eyes turning cold. "You’re a terrible liar."

  "If you say so," Lian whispered, closing his eyes.

  Zigh tapped his index finger rhythmically against the table. "Why did you choose to come with me?"

  "Because you're an Eosvile."

  In the seat next to Lian, Outer’s grin widened. Lian shifted his position, leaning back into the sofa and tilting his head toward the ceiling.

  Zigh stopped tapping. "Eosvile..." he muttered.

  "You don't like that?"

  Zigh shrugged. "Who knows?"

  "You know," Lian said, his eyes still closed. "You just refuse to acknowledge it."

  "Forget it. You still haven't answered me about the bridge," Zigh pressed.

  "I told you. Boredom."

  "It’s never that simple, is it?"

  Lian opened his eyes. "Why do you keep asking?"

  "Because it's my job."

  "I see..."

  Knock, knock, knock.

  The waiter entered, breaking the heavy atmosphere. He quickly laid out the spread of food. Once the service was done and the door clicked shut, Zigh didn't let up.

  "So?"

  Lian looked back at the window. "What?"

  "The bridge. The real reason."

  "Enough."

  Zigh sighed and picked up a French fry. "Lian, eat. It’s a waste to let good food sit."

  Lian looked down at his bowl. "Porridge again..." he murmured.

  "Problem?"

  "There's barely any chicken."

  Zigh let out a short, genuine laugh. "How can you say something so petty with such a blank face?"

  "It’s just a fact."

  "If it tastes good, it’s not a loss," Zigh countered, biting into a fry.

  "As long as it sustains life, it doesn't need to be expensive," Lian replied.

  Zigh stopped chewing, swallowing slowly. "Lian... are you..."

  "Get to the point."

  "Are you an orphan?"

  "Yes."

  "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to—"

  "It’s not an issue."

  The aroma of roasted chicken and coffee filled the room, making the awkwardness even thicker. Zigh pushed his plate of wings toward Lian. "Here, eat these."

  Lian sighed. "Those are yours."

  "They're yours now. See? Now you have plenty of chicken."

  Lian looked at the plate. "It only increased by one."

  Zigh blinked, then chuckled. "You’re a strange one, Lian."

  "I could make you disappear," Lian threatened softly.

  Zigh met his gaze intensely. "You don't need to act like that. Aren't we partners?"

  "Contracts can be broken."

  "You want to break it now?"

  Lian went silent.

  "Eat! Your porridge is getting watery!" Zigh commanded.

  Porridge is supposed to be watery, Lian thought. He took a spoonful. His pupils dilated slightly.

  "Good?" Zigh asked.

  "Yes."

  They finished their respective meals in a strange sort of harmony. As Zigh finished his coffee, he noticed the wings were still there. "You're not going to eat the roasted chicken?"

  "You didn't eat them either," Lian pointed out.

  "You're really not what I expected, Leuliang Esculenta."

  Lian huffed.

  "Who was the ruffian you were talking about when we left Rhea, Lian?"

  "An Eosvile."

  Zigh’s face shifted. His green eyes darkened several shades. "What do you mean by that?"

  "Well, an Eosvile is the same as you, isn't it?"

  Zigh fell silent. Lian finally smiled—a real one this time, though it was sharp.

  "You’re quite annoying," Zigh remarked.

  "I might become even more annoying as time goes on."

  Zigh grabbed a wing and tore into it. "Not bad."

  Lian glanced at Outer. Outer, what do you think of this man? he asked through telepathy.

  "He’s hiding something," Outer replied.

  "Lian, why are you spacing out?" Zigh snapped.

  "Something."

  "You... just eat the damn chicken!"

  How long has it been since I last tasted meat? Lian wondered. He picked up a wing. It was tender.

  Zigh watched him closely. He eats like a child, he thought.

  "Why are you looking at me like that?" Lian asked.

  "I'll order some more for you to eat in the car."

  Lian looked away. "No need."

  "Whatever you say."

  The silence returned, but it felt less like a vacuum and more like a shared breath. When they finished, Zigh stood up. "Let's wash up."

  Lian nodded slowly. They walked to the sinks, Outer trailing behind. Lian watched with intense curiosity as Zigh placed his hands under the faucet, and the water flowed automatically. When Zigh pulled away, it stopped.

  So that’s how these faucets work, Lian noted.

  "Why are you just staring?" Zigh asked.

  "Noisy," Lian retorted, before placing his own hands under the stream.

  They headed back downstairs. Zigh stopped at the counter. "Three roasted thighs, take away."

  "Right away, sir."

  "Lian, wait for me outside?" Zigh requested.

  Lian turned and headed for the door without a second thought. Zigh watched him go, shaking his head.

  "He really is... something else."

  To be continued...