006 Mr Lion

POV JEANNE

"What time is it?" I mumbled while rubbing my eyes.

I unconsciously fell asleep because I was exhausted, even though I was still in the middle of a chat with someone I knew from a dating app. Then I grope around and find my smartphone to see what time it was.

"W-What the ...."

I was surprised to see many messages on my phone screen. Those are all from dating app. I quickly opened the app and read one by one the messages sent by a man that I know from there.

["Hey, why aren't you answering me?"]

["I've been waiting for you to reply, but you just read my messages without replying."]

["Are you angry?"]

["Are you still there?"]

For a moment, I smiled as I read the series of messages. Three days passed since I decided to reply to his messages on the dating app and without realizing it, I started to feel comfortable chatting with him even though I don't know him.

He introduced himself as "Mr. Lion", while I use the name "Snow Moon" on the dating application.

["I'm fine. Sorry for the late reply, I fell asleep while typing those messages, before."] I then immediately sent the reply.

DING

Not long after, the notification sound of my smart phone rang again. I received a new message from him again.

["If I could be there, I'll massage your feet and take care of you. So you can relax more."]

Those two sentences were enough to make me smile. I never knew that getting concern from someone made my heart warm up.

When I still had everything before, I worked day and night to expand my business and even though I had a fiancé and best friend, not once did they care about me. I realize now, that they both would only call me when they needed something.

"Love really made me a fool," I muttered.

Then I typed the reply, ["Is it true? So far, no one has ever done all that for me."]

Not long after, I got another message back from him, ["Then, I'll be the only one who allowed to do all that stuff to you. By the way, aren't you busy today?"]

Then I typed the reply, ["No. I'm free. Don't worry, the bar closed today. I don't know the reason my Boss close his bar today, but it's a good thing because finally I can take it easy today, lol."]

Not so long after I get a message from him again, ["Then, doesn't it mean you've more time in your hands now? So, we can chat more, right? I really miss you."]

I laughed when I read the message and then replied, ["Lol, don't worry. I still want to chat with you too."]

["I'm glad. But, anyway, can I ask about something?"] That's what he said in the message.

I immediately replied, ["Of course."]

I stared at my phone screen and waited for his reply. It took a while, until I finally got the reply I was waiting for.

["What do you think about marriage?"]

I furrowed my brow when I read the question. It seems like the direction of this conversation is getting too deep, I thought.

["I don't know and I don't want to think about it."] I answered as such.

To be honest, I didn't want any further discussion and hoped that he would change the topic. As I was about to type a follow-up message, he sent a reply message first.

["What do you think if we get married?"]

I'm getting confused as I stare at my phone screen. This message that I just received really surprised me.

"What is he really thinking?" I muttered in annoyance

Then I quickly typed a reply message, ["I don't think so. We haven't even met."]

["Then, we'll just have to meet, right?"]

When I read that message, my mood suddenly turned upset. I really wanted to end this conversation soon.

["I think I've already said that I'm not ready to meet a new guy in person right now."] I typed and then sent it immediately.

Without waiting for him to reply to my message, I immediately typed a new message, ["Can we stop talking about this? I really feel uncomfortable"]

I lay down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I stared at my phone screen for a moment and then snorted.

It seemed that guy was replying to my message — judging by his 'typing' status. I don't care anymore and decided to close my eyes for a nap.

However, the sound of my stomach made my eyes open again. Suddenly, I feel hungry and it makes me think about the last time I ate. I just remembered that I haven't eaten anything since yesterday.

"I'd better go and buy something delicious," I muttered and quickly got up.

I grabbed my thick coat and quickly left after picking up my phone. This cold air made me think of eating something warm.

"Instant noodles with sausage and egg is the best choice. That will be delicious," I muttered while humming.

I went down the stairs which connects the employee's residence with the bar on the first floor. Today, almost all of the employees are enjoying their day off, including Lara who went for a date.

"Where are you going?"

Suddenly the deep voice surprised me. Then I turned to the source of the voice and found my Boss coming out from the meeting room.

His appearance was a little messy. Seems like he is a little drunk, I thought.

"I'll go with you," he said.

Does he know where I'm going? I asked myself.

"Do you wanna go to the convenience store too, Boss?" I asked.

"Store? What for?"

I put on a stiff smile. I could see he was pretty drunk right now.

On the other hand, I tried to respond to him politely and said, "I want to buy some food. Is there anything you want to buy? If you don't mind, I can buy it for you."

I saw that he was silent and just looked at me deeply. Meanwhile, I tried to wake him up by calling him.

"Boss?" I called.

"Hm?" he replied with a mumble without taking his eyes off me.

"Are you okay?" I asked to confirm his condition.

"Accompany me for lunch," he didn't answer my question before and instead changed the topic immediately.

I fell silent and didn't argue with him. I think it's all because of the alcohol.

He then seemed to enter the meeting room and I just stayed where I was, while looking at his well-built back.

"Why are you just standing there?" My boss said.

I gasped and then looked at him awkwardly as I said, "I can't go in because of the rules —"

"I'm the Boss here and I will let you in," he said in a cold tone.

Without replying to his words, I stepped into the meeting room. Inside the room, there was only an elevator door. My boss led me into the elevator that took us down.

The atmosphere was quiet and occasionally I glanced at my boss. I had many questions in my head, but I decided to keep silent. Until, the doors opened and revealed a big room.

"This is really unexpected," I muttered.

I didn't expect there to be a secret room under the bar. The design and interior inside was luxurious with a classic American style.

"What did you staring out for? Come and sit with me."

Suddenly my Boss called me and directed me to sit in front of him. I went over and sat across from him at a fancy dining table.

After that the chef appeared from the kitchen. I was just watching my Boss talking to a chef. Actually, we even have a star chef here.

"What would you like to eat?" My Boss asked while looking at me and it was enough to make me a little nervous.

"Ah, I think I'd like something like a soup," I said and the chef just nodded before he left.

The atmosphere between us fell silent. My Boss seemed to be busy with his phone. Meanwhile, I tried to divert my nervousness by looking around.

Suddenly my cell phone notification surprised me. Then I checked my phone quitely and saw a message from a dating app.

["Are you enjoy the fine dining lunch?"]

I read a message from a Mr. Lion. What does he mean? How did he know I was having lunch? I wondered.

DING

["What do you think about the secret room?"]

DING

The notification sound came back and shivers came down my spine. Because he knows exactly where I am right now. I quickly turned off my phone screen.

DING

["It's nice to have lunch alone with you, even though it's not our first meeting."]

I frowned and stared at my phone screen feeling scared. I thought that he is a hacker and I'm going to block him now.

"Don't even try to block me! I want to enjoy this lunch time with you. Isn't it Ms. Jeanne Hart? Or maybe I need to call you Snow Moon?"

My eyes widened when I heard my Boss' voice and said, "Are you Mr. Lion?”