006

Cross POV

It was dusk already, yet Mulan was yet to reach out to me, not like I expected her to do so.

Foremost, I was a stand in groom for her and I was crippled; which sane girl with her amount of beauty would agree to be a bride to a cripple.

That was my thought but still, I couldn't hold myself back from reaching out to her.

From our conversation, I knew at once that all was not well with her and this was confirmed when she arrived a few minutes ago.

Though I was worried, I didn't show.

“I should help you.” She suggested as I tried to lift myself off the wheelchair.

“I never solicited your help.” I snapped back at her, pulling a brown envelope to myself.

When she wouldn't join me on the couch, I patted the spot next to me but she chose the couch which was adjacent, giving me ample distance.

After going through the document, I passed it to her.

While she read through the lines, I never allowed my eyes to leave hers even for a second as I wanted to see every bit of her emotions.

“I don't have anything to lose.” She said as she scribbled her signature on the document.

Without any doubt, it was apparent that she had given up already.

Her actions were a testament to this.

Relieving her of the document, I placed my signature too before replacing the content of the envelope.

In a bid to start up a conversation with her, I cleared my throat to get her attention and when I did, I asked, “Are you hungry?”

As expected, her eyes went straight to my feet.

Well, I was used to this so I didn't take any offense.

“Show me the kitchen, I will make dinner.” She offered as she slowly pulled herself to her feet.

“It's not hard to find.” I said with disinterest, reaching out for the remote which was next to me.

Instead of flaring up because of the way I had treated her, a smile crept to her lips.

“I will be back in half an hour.” She forced a smile at me and then took her leave.

Certain she was out of ear shot, I reached out to my phone and then dialed Percy’s phone.

The moment the lines connected, I asked, “What are you doing?” My voice was stern.

Having analyzed her carefully, I was fully convinced that her plan didn't fall through.

“I’m currently at the hospital.” He replied. “The surgery started about half an hour ago.” He added.

When I didn't respond, he cleared his throat, “I was going to initiate the call at the end of a successful surgery.”

“Hey Kaiser…” Mulan's voice interrupted and at once I snapped my head in her direction, wondering what she wanted.

“Can you help me out here?”

“A minute.”

The moment she took her leave, I resumed my conversation with Percy.

“Are you there?” I asked.

“Yeah!”

“What about the other stuff I asked you to handle?”

“It's complex but I’m still working on it.”

Mulan poked her face through the door and so without wasting more time, I hung up.

Now in the kitchen with her, I expected she would start bombarding me with questions but she was mute as she diced the veggies.

She must have wanted me to keep her company.

I should have ignored her — I mumbled, filling up a glass with water.

“What's your occupation?” She asked, casting me a glance before she resumed what she was doing.

“A remote worker.” I said after a long silence.

Talking about myself to people was one of my biggest challenges and so I always found it difficult to give a response when I was being asked.

If it was someone else, I would have ignored her but since we had six months to spend together, it would only be fair if she knows a little about me.

“What about you?” I asked though I already knew the answer to that.

With a shrug, she said, “I lost my job but I already sent out my applications.”

“I will definitely get a job before the new week ends.” She spoke with so much confidence that made a little smile appear on the side of my lips but I quickly wiped it off before she noticed.

“I'm not supposed to ask a sensitive question of this sort but I’m curious…” I didn't give her the chance to finish speaking before I cut in.

“An accident that was meant to take my life decided to go for my legs instead.” I spoke through my teeth as I grabbed the wheel of my chair.

“That wasn't what I wanted to ask.” I was already at the door when she said this.

Reluctantly, I pushed my chair backwards, locking eyes with her.

“Then what?”

“You're bitter, why is that?”

Taken aback by her question, I couldn't speak as I was tongue tied.

Mulan was the first person that had pointed this out to me, not even Percy, my closest ally.

“It’s fine if you don't have a response.” She spoke in a dismissive manner and with her back turned on me.

Digging my teeth into my lower lips, I grabbed the arm of my chair, trying hard to keep my anger in check as my chest rose and fell in rhythm.

“We aren't close enough for you to say that to me.” I snarled only to start wheeling my chair out of the kitchen hurriedly.

“Hey Kaiser,” She called out to me but I was too angry to respond.

To my disdain, I heard a soft chuckle emitting from the kitchen.

Turning around, I saw a bright smile tugging the side of her lips.

“What?”

“It's going to be fun after all.” Her soft chuckle rented the air, making me feel uncomfortable while making my skin crawl.

“I will fix your legs, you just wait.” She smacked her lips passing me a wink.

Confused, I raised my brow, urging her to speak but she ignored me completely.