126 Seven Days (1)

Upon giving the deadline, Kyro didn't just let her go as she had hoped. "Do you have any idea what influences your transformations?"

This was a question she very much wanted an answer for herself. The last few times, she had been terrified out of her wits, so fear could be the trigger, but the first time there was nothing like that…

"I'm not certain… I kept thinking about what could be the trigger when it happened the first time, but I couldn't come up with anything. It seemingly happened without a cause. Or at least not because of any external factors."

"So it's no item…" He thought for a moment. "Could it have something to do with your emotions?"

"Emotions?" There might be truth to that, based on her latest experiences, but how exactly was she going to repeat them? It would be much easier to change if it was some thing that brought it out, not an emotional state. "I hope it's not."

When his dark eyes focused on her, she explained, "I can learn to not come in contact with some thing, but how am I supposed to stop feeling emotions? Whether it's fear, relief, or uncertainty that causes it, how do you expect me to live without them?"

The more she talked, the more annoyed she got. It would be a horrible life if she was forced to transform every time she felt a stronger emotion of some sort. Whether Kyro kept her around or she left for home, her life would be quite miserable. Never able to leave the house or show up before people in fear of transforming.

"It's so messed up," she muttered, squeezing Lucifer so tight the cat meowed angrily at her and pushed his way out of her grasp. He shook his fur with a disappointed expression her way and marched off to Kyro.

There was a slight smile on the man's face. "I think you just returned my cat's affections to me, thanks."

Iris rolled her eyes at him, then looked around the living room. The dishes were still on the table, so she collected everything to tidy up. Since Kyro had gotten dinner for her, it was only right for her to clean up.

When she returned after that, Kyro was still sitting on the sofa, Lucifer by his side. "You'll need actual clothes if you're to stay here."

Her eyes lit up at this suggestion. How long had it been since she could wear something fitting her? Every time she transformed, it was one kind of humiliation after another. First she was dressed in a blanket, then some old work coat, and the last time she had to take some clothes from someone drying them out in the open.

But the problem was that she had no money. At least none she could access without everyone learning that she was an ocean away.

"Can I borrow some money?" she asked with hope.

He looked amused. "You're planning to pay me back for that?"

She blinked at him a couple times, feeling a little stupid. What was he referring to? Was there something wrong with her repaying him?

"What about living for a month at my place?"

"We were roommates…" Her voice was a little on the low side. This apartment… If she was to pay rent for it, she'd probably go into a dept-for-life after a single month's pay. There was no way she could afford living here.

A smile touched Kyro's lips—he was probably reading her expression—and all her thoughts scattered away. This was the person around whom she wanted to stay . He looked his age when he was smiling, and he was as handsome as a devil. That single smile transformed him from a cold-eyed terror into a prince charming.

"I think we have a different understanding of roommates then," he said, and her eyes followed the movements of his lips. When he stopped for a second, she realized what she was doing and swiftly looked away, red-faced. "I didn't know they could not pay for the house, get free food, and other bonuses."

"Other bonuses?" Iris asked. She needed to distract herself from what she had been doing just moments ago. Kyro was her roommate and an eye-candy, but that was it.

A thought suddenly came to her, and she rushed into the bathroom. From there, she brought out the collar she'd worn as a fox. "Bonuses like this?"

Kyro almost choked on nothing. "You— Why did you bring that out?"

"Just making a point," she said, smiling. "If you try to give me such bonuses ever again, I'll claw your eyes out in your sleep. Count yourself warned." She then threw the collar at him.

After that, she quickly escaped into his study where she turned the computer on. A quick check showed that his Amazon log in was still active, so she dived into the catalogue to find something for herself. There were many choices, some of them better than others, but she started from the lower price range.

It was hard to say what would be good and what not, but she chose items that looked decent and cost a bit more than two dollars per piece. Cheap was cheap, but she didn't want the item to fall apart while she put it on.

In the end, her basket cost close to fifty dollars, not counting the shipping. In it was a light summer dress, thin jacket in case of a change in weather, simple shorts and a T-shirt for everyday use, sleepwear, and three sets of underwear.

With that, she was about to click 'Buy', but then recalled something. She couldn't go outside bare-footed. Thus, she returned to the catalogue and located the shoes section. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to get simple flats. Comfort was more important than impressing some strangers she didn't care about.

On her way, she also collected a pair of slippers to use at home. The price of her basket had increased now, but it wasn't too bad. When she clicked buy, the mailing address popped up.

"Hey, is the address here correct?" she asked Kyro.

He rose from the living room, and while coming, he asked, "How did you find this place if you don't know the street?"

"A lot of wandering about the area…" she mumbled, more to herself than him.

His expression froze for a moment, then he just shook his head and took the mouse from her hand. With a few swift clicks, he confirmed the address, chose the fastest shipment, and glanced over the basket.

"That's all you want?" he double-checked, and she nodded, finding his face way too close to hers.

They weren't touching, but she could swear she could feel the heat radiating off his hand on the back of the swivel chair. If she leaned back against the backrest…

'Why am I thinking about it?' she hollered at herself, but it didn't change the fact that she was extremely aware of his close proximity. Or that her heart was picking up speed without having asked for permission.