A Place To Stay[2]

Chapter 13: A Place To Stay [2]

Fortuitously, Zain possessed the knowledge of the doctor's home address, having visited her on a few previous occasions. Determined to seek her counsel and assistance, he briskly navigated through the quiet streets, his footsteps carrying him towards her residence.

"Hmm... it should be around here somewhere," Zain mused, his gaze scanning the surroundings with a hint of uncertainty. His memory played tricks on him, causing a temporary lapse as he searched for the doctor's home.

After a few moments of careful observation, his eyes landed on a familiar facade nestled among the neighboring houses. Relief washed over him as he recognized the telltale signs of the doctor's residence—a charming garden with blooming flowers and a distinct, welcoming front door.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

Zain knocked on the door, patiently waiting for a response. After a brief pause, the door swung open.

The door creaked open, revealing a young girl with an air of curiosity about her. Her vibrant yellowish golden eyes sparkled with intrigue as they met Zain's gaze, while cascades of blonde hair framed her face like rays of sunlight.

She possessed an aura of youthful innocence that resonated with the timeless spirit of adventure.

It was evident that she was the same age as him, her presence radiating a sense of warmth and genuine curiosity. In that moment, a connection was forged between them, hinting at the possibility of shared experiences and a journey yet to unfold.

"Miss Riry actually..."

"..."

"Huh...? You..." Zain's voice trailed off in surprise as he recognized the girl standing before him.

His initial expectation of meeting the doctor was replaced with confusion, realizing that he had encountered someone unexpected instead.

The girl mirrored his bewilderment, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she tried to make sense of the situation. Zain hadn't introduced himself. The girl hesitated for a moment as she prepared to close the door.

However, just as she was about to shut it, a voice from within the house called out to her, breaking the silence of the moment. "Sherline, who is it?"

The girl, Sherline, couldn't help but add a touch of humor to her response. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she called back, "Some skinny looking guy is here..."

'Huh? Skinny?' Zain's eyes widened in surprise as he glanced at Sherline and then at his own reflection in a nearby mirror. It was an unexpected moment of self-realization. He couldn't help but admit that he did have a slender frame, his physique aligned with Sherline's teasing observation.

Suddenly, another woman came rushing to the door, taking a quick glance at the scene.

"Zain...? You..." The woman's voice trailed off, her eyes wide with astonishment. Her surprise was evident, as she hadn't expected to see Zain alive, especially considering the news that had spread, claiming he was dead.

The news of Zain's supposed demise had been deliberately spread by none other than Schein Suzo.

"Miss, it's really me..." Zain spoke softly, confirming his identity. In an instant, she dashed towards him, enveloping him in a tight embrace. The warmth of her hug overwhelmed him, their bodies pressed together, stirring a mixture of flustered emotions within him.

Zain felt a rush of comfort and familiarity, as if he had finally found a safe harbor amidst the storm of uncertainty.

"Mom!? What are you doing with him?" Sherline's voice rang out, filled with surprise and confusion. Her gaze turned towards her mother, seeking an explanation for the unexpected embrace.

In that moment, the realization of the situation dawned upon her, causing her mother to immediately release Zain from the hug.

Zain's face flushed crimson, but not from the physical proximity or the unexpected embrace. No, it was a different kind of heat that surged within him, threatening to consume his composure. As soon as the name Suzo echoed in his ears, it ignited a flicker of anger deep within him.

His jaw tightened, and his hands clenched involuntarily, his body instinctively ready to react. Yet, amidst the rising storm of emotions, Zain summoned every ounce of self-control, determined not to succumb to thoughts that could lead him down a path of negativity and weirdness.

"Ahem, miss..."

She turned back abruptly, fixing her gaze on Zain. Before he could utter a single word, she cut through the tension with a sense of urgency in her voice. "Zain, I'm relieved to see that you're alive, but I need to know what exactly happened.."

Zain took a deep breath and began to recount his experiences, leaving no detail untold. As he spoke, Sherline's mother listened intently, her brows furrowing with each revelation. Anger and shock flickered across her face, emotions that mirrored the turmoil within her.

With every word that escaped Zain's lips, the weight of truth settled upon the room.

Sherline listened intently to Zain's account, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and skepticism. However, as the weight of his words settled within her, a tinge of bitterness crept into her voice. She couldn't help but mock him, a defense mechanism masking her own internal turmoil.

"Pffft, I pity you," Sherline scoffed, her words laced with a hint of sarcasm. "You don't even have enough power to protect yourself, yet you claim to have beaten Schein? It's hard to believe."

Riry's patience wore thin as she heard her daughter's mocking words. She turned towards Sherline, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and disappointment. With a stern tone, she reprimanded her, "Sherline! That's enough! Can't you be normal for once? Go to your room!"

Sherline recoiled slightly, taken aback by her mother's sudden reprimand. She knew she had crossed a line and regretted her hurtful remark.

"I'm sorry, Zain," Riry apologized, her voice tinged with regret. "She can be a bit... thoughtless at times."

Before Riry could finish her sentence, Zain interrupted her with a gentle smile. "Please, there's no need to apologize. Sherline didn't

say anything wrong. Maybe she saw my profile earlier..." His voice trailed off, acknowledging the truth in her words.

Zain's profile clearly stated that he hadn't undergone awakening and was a normal human. Given this information, Sherline's skepticism and mocking remarks were understandable. Zain had anticipated such reactions, aware of the limitations of his current state.

"But..." Riry's voice trailed off, her intention to apologize halted by Zain's sudden movement. He stood up, his eyes filled with determination, and began to explain the remaining details of the situation.

"So, you want to stay here tonight?" Riry asked, her gaze fixed on Zain. Zain considered her proposition, weighing his options. While sharing a room with someone he didn't know might be a little awkward, it was still better than having nowhere to stay. He nodded, grateful for her offer of shelter.

Riry paused, deep in thought, before continuing, "Well, the room upstairs used to be empty, but Sherline is occupying it now. Can you adjust and share the room with her?"

"Huh?!", Zain's eyes widened in surprise as he heard her unexpected suggestion.

Suddenly, Sherline, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, appeared out of nowhere. With a mocking tone, she exclaimed, "You want me to share the room with this loser?"

Just as Riry turned around, her gaze fell upon Sherline, who stood near the door with a questioning expression on her face.

"Yes..." Riry replied, her voice low and calm.

"Why!?" Sherline exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief. The prospect of sharing a room with a boy made her uncomfortable, and she couldn't fathom why her mother would suggest such an arrangement.

Sherline exaggerated her concerns dramatically, her voice filled with mock horror. "How can you trust a boy and send him to my room to sleep all alone? What if he does something to me!"

Riry rolled her eyes and took a few determined steps towards her daughter. With a playful yet exaggerated swing of her hand, she lightly tapped Sherline on the head. "Enough with your silly excuses!"

"He is a good boy, so he won't do anything... right?" Riry turned her gaze towards Zain as she spoke, seeking reassurance.

Suddenly, Zain felt a chill run down his spine, sensing the sarcasm hidden behind Sherline's smile.

He couldn't help but feel a slight unease. "Yeah, I won't do anything..." he replied, returning her smile with a hint of caution in his own.

"And even if he tried anything funny, you can handle him, right?" Riry turned towards Sherline, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, and asked with a playful tone.

Sherline smirked, taking the cue. "Oh, absolutely. He won't stand a chance against me. Consider him warned."

"Oh, yeah, that's also true. He's not even that tough so I can beat him down if he tries to do something!"

Zain couldn't help but sense mischievous vibes emanating from Riry and Sherline. It was as if two mischievous devils stood before him, their playful eyes revealing that they had experienced encounters with their fair share of horny and misbehaving boys.

Zain's sincere gratitude shone through his eyes as he thanked Riry and Sherline for their generosity. "I really appreciate you both allowing me to stay tonight.."

Riry nodded understandingly, appreciating Zain's gratitude. "Ya, no worries..."

As Zain turned to thank Sherline, he noticed that she had already retreated to her room without saying a word. While slightly taken aback, he understood that she might need her own space and respected her choice.