"Do you always study until this late?" He watched as she frantically put her books away and picked up one of the books. "Your handwriting is nice."
She beamed at the compliment. "Do you think I got those questions right, Mr. Lucas?"
The calm mask on Lucas's face dropped as he wondered whether he looked like someone who studied.
He shoved the book into her bag and changed the subject. "You don't have to send food to me tomorrow."
She froze. "Is the food in the fridge enough for tomorrow?"
"You can come here and cook for me tomorrow," Lucas said. "My dad messaged me just now, saying that he is taking his wife and his daughter out on a trip."
She beamed. "That's great! Mr. Lucas, you are free!"
"Whatever. It's not like I want to go outside even if I'm allowed to," he said proudly.
"Is it too cold for you out there? It's not that cold. Your jacket is just too thin. Do you have a down jacket?" She studied the jacket he was wearing and asked, "Your dad said that he is giving you an allowance each month, right? Why don't you use it to buy a thicker jacket?"
"You are so nosy." He shot her a dark look and said, "It's late. You should go."
"Alright." She picked up her bag along with the trash and walked toward the door, before remembering something. "Mr. Lucas, can I come by a little later tomorrow? I have something to do. I will come here once I'm done. I promise that I will arrive in time to make lunch."
Lucas instinctively wanted to ask what she had to do, but he immediately stopped himself from asking and simply said, "Sure."
He watched as she disappeared into the darkness.
She was horrendous, and no matter how many times he studied her face, she remained the most horrendous-looking person he had ever seen.
She shook her head. "It's fine! I have other jackets at home."
With only six dollars left after buying the down jacket, she decided to use the remaining change on the train.
After walking out of the shop, she tightened the scarf around her neck and walked toward the train station.
Shortly after, she noticed that she was being followed. She immediately made her way to a crowded area. The men behind her quickened their pace to match hers.
Within a few seconds, two towering men stood before her.
"Irene, do you mean to tell us that you have the money to buy new clothes, but no money to pay us back? Do we look like fools to you?" One of the men asked her sharply. "Pay us back the money you borrowed!"
"I don't have money, Sir! The money I used on this jacket isn't mine. I'm buying this for someone else. If I had any money, I would definitely pay you first!" She held onto her plastic bag, her heart threatening to jump out of her chest.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: His Eagle Eyes on Me