Chapter 5 : Toxic Ex

I couldn't let her go back to wherever she came from, it felt too dangerous. So I brought her into my room, gave her a set of my clothes, and told her to freshen up. While she showered, I made her some toast and tea.

She ate, and we sat in the living room in silence. I didn't know how to start a conversation, and I knew she needed quiet to clear her head. After a while, I stood up.

"If you're ready to sleep, come into the room," I said.

It was past 2 a.m., and she was still sobbing softly maybe still hurting. I went back to the living room and gave her a hug. It was what she needed. A few minutes later, she calmed down. I carried her to the room and patted her to sleep. The girl had cried until her eyes looked like walnuts.

I woke up first the next day. She was still deep asleep, so I made breakfast: fried noodles and chocolate tea. She must have woken to the aroma and followed it to the kitchen.

Ann: "Good morning." She said dryly.

Me: "Morning. Hope you slept well?"

Ann: "Yeah, I did. Sorry for disturbing you last night… and thank you for helping me. He might've beaten me up again."

Me: "So it was him? Your toxic ex?"

Ann: "Yeah."

Me: "What does he want?"

Ann: "I guess he came back because he heard Mike and I aren't together anymore."

Me: "You and Mike aren't together?"

Ann: "No… I couldn't keep acting forever. Besides, he has a life. It's better I figure things out on my own. At least he helped me a lot."

Me: "And figuring things out means letting your ex beat you up?"

Ann: "No, he caught me off guard. That guy is a lunatic. I'm still thinking of the best way forward."

Me: "Report him to the police."

Ann: "Police! Police, police! How come I never thought about it?"

Me: "Maybe because you're scatterbrained."

I was serious, but she took it as a joke and laughed. I was amused, so I laughed too. Breakfast was ready, so we moved to the dining table.

Ann: "You're a great cook."

Me: "Yeah, I know."

Ann: "Did you go to culinary school?"

Me: "Well, my mom is a culinary school," I laughed. "I mean, she's the best cook in the world. I started learning from her when I was five. I was an only child then, and my dad was always busy. Even though she was busy too, she made time for me. Cooking was how we bonded."

Ann: "Wow… your mom is amazing."

Me: "Yeah, she is."

Ann: "I wish my mom could cook too." Her expression fell.

Me: "Well… your mom is definitely perfect at something else. I'm sure she's a sweet mom too."

Ann: "Yeah, she's perfect at working 24/7 with my dad at his company. Sometimes they sleep over there and leave me alone at home with the housekeeper."

I kept quiet for a while, unsure how to respond. She went quiet too. Our breakfast ended in silence.

She gathered the plates and moved to wash them.

Me: "Don't worry, I'll do it."

Ann: "No, you already made the meal. Thank you for the food."

Me: "It's nothing."

Ann: "I'm planning on going back to my room after this."

Me: "You think your ex isn't following you?"

Ann: "But I can't keep staying at your place."

Me: "Yeah, you can't. But you can stay here as long as your toxic ex is still roaming the streets freely."

Ann: "Why are you being nice to me?"

Me: "Bitch, I'm not. I'm just being human. I'd do it for any other girl. Don't feel special."