13 She is not Alone

It was strange that he would suddenly talk about a cuticle, but Ran shrugged it off as Ro's unique personality. The dinner continued with fleeting conversations and lots of laughter. Overall, it was a brief 'date' but Ran had to admit that the food provided by the restaurant was indeed of high quality. She enjoyed her pasta very much.

*If only it was cheaper...*

Ran wiped her lips with a napkin and patted her stomach. She ate so much that her stomach slightly came out.

> "Now that the date has ended, it must be right for me to escort you back to your accommodation"

Ran laughed out loud after hearing that.

> "Must you always talk so stiffly, Mr. Ro?"

Rowan ducked his head a bit and messed with his curly hair. Ran could see that his ears became a little red, perhaps from embarrassment.

> "My apologies. It's a bad habit that I carried over from my last job"

*Just what was his job? Was he part of the military or something?*

> "This way, please"

Rowan gestured towards the street her motel was located on. She raised her eyebrow and gave a small smirk.

> "Guess Ro knows where I live now. What a scary memory you have. I'm pretty sure I only told you once where I lived"

> "It is my specialty to remember both important and non-important details about individuals"

Once they reached Ran's accommodation, she waved him goodbye. She laughed at his inability to stand still since he was a little tipsy.

> "I'll see you later, Ro. Let me know the results of the job interview through the company email"

> "Yes, I assure you that there will be no bias in choosing the candidates. Please rest assured."

Ran entered her motel room and threw off all of her clothes in a hurry. She jumped into the shower and let her thoughts take over.

*Today was such a long day. But, I must say that my 'date' with Ro was actually pretty fun*

Ran smiled again after recalling Ro's childish teasing. Ever since she lost all of her friends and job, she always felt so alone. But Ro was always next to her side from the beginning. She really appreciated that there was a friend next to her.

*After today, we must be friends, right?*

Ran washed up and plopped down onto her bed. The results of the job interview would arrive after a few days, but she had no plans. Perhaps she could go on a trip? Or maybe she could stop by the library again and spend her time there. Either way, Ran had to treasure the last of her free time since a job could take that away.

*And... goodnight world. Goodnight Elysia, goodnight Owner*

Ran couldn't seem to let go of her treasured people in her heart.

...

> "Boss, a list of the new candidates"

> "I told you to sort it out yourself and only show me the final results. How come you're showing me all of the candidates now Gerard? I must fire-"

The man suddenly stopped as he looked at the list of papers lying in front of him. His eyebrows furrowed as he picked up one of the papers and stared at it quite intensely.

> "Who's this?"

> "She's one of the candidates we are considering for your secretary"

> "Good. Pick her."

> "Understood, Sir."

> "And your search on the user of my card?"

> "I apologize sir, but the investigation is still underway"

The man tapped on his desk impatiently and seemed to be deep in thought. It took him another moment before replying.

> "I'll give you one week"

> "Thank you sir."

> "Now get out"

...

Ran woke up the next day with a really bad headache. It wasn't as bad as the one she had the night she found herself lost on the streets, but it was pretty close to it. She took an hangover pill and laid back down on the bed.

She was planning on going to the library again to fill out more job applications. She wasn't sure when exactly the job results would come out, but she thought it would be better to have backup plans. Suddenly, her phone rang.

> "Ding!"

> "Huh?"

Ran checked her phone and noticed she had a notification.

*My job application results already came out?? How come this is so fast?*

Ran received an email informing her of her acceptance into the company. She read the details of it and it did seem legit.

> "Let's see... my job starts... tomorrow??"

Ran felt her head turn white as she was flustered with how quickly the start date was. She didn't mind working, but she wanted a little more free time for herself. Especially since she just lost her best friend and Owner.

*Wait... but I have no work clothes...!*

Ran discovered a more urgent issue and immediately threw the covers of her bed away. She didn't want to give off a slob image on her first day at work. She grasped her hands together and slowly took out her Dad's card.

> "Oh Dad. I know I wasn't the best daughter, but I must request to use your card again for my future"

After she finished after small 'prayer', she got up to go shopping.

*Maybe I can meet up with Ro during his smoke break if he's free*

...

> "And your total comes out to be 567"

Ran felt her heart twinge in pain as she handed them her dad's card. She just hoped that she wouldn't get an angry phone call from him.

*If I ever do get a call from him*

Ever since that one night, she never received any sort of contact from her parents. Her parents indeed were not the type to actively check up on her, but she still hoped for a message or a phone call since she wasn't able to do it first.

*I just hope they're healthy and happy*

Ran received her Dad's card again and the bag of clothes. She began to laugh as she began to recall the incident where Ro stole her bag.

...

> "Ro!"

Ran went to the usual spot that Rowan usually smoked. But...

> "He's not here for once"

Ran frowned as she saw the smoking booth empty. She didn't know Rowan for that long, but she knew that he always took a smoking break at this time (since this was time where she always ran into him). And he wasn't the type to work so hard either.

> "Just where is he that he missed his important smoke break? Did he finally get in trouble with his boss?

Ran scratched her head and clenched the strings of her bag even tighter. It's been awhile since she's felt this lonely since that one night. She wanted to shake off this bad feeling that was making it's way up.

> "Guess I should head home. There's nothing to do here anyway"

Ran took her heavy bags and walked towards the direction of her motel. Unknowingly to her, a man stepped out from behind the building and entered the smoking booth.

It was Rowan.

He took out his cigarette and started smoking. The smoke entered through his lungs as he breathed in and out. He stared at the direction that Ran headed towards and sighed.

> "I'm sorry Ran"