33 Ten

"Bye-bye, Papa~!"

Cosette waved at Conrad as the window of the back passenger seat rolled up. Ever since Cosette hitched a ride with Conrad, it somehow became their routine now. Her father was now the person dropping her off at the bus stop, just like today.

Maxen glanced at her as she still kept waving even when the car sped away. He remained silent as he looked in the other way, checking if the next bus was coming.

"Max, you didn't eat a lot this breakfast." He nearly flinched when she came up to his side to berate him. He leaned back, seeing her narrow her eyes while bobbing her face to examine him.

"I don't usually eat breakfast," he explained while staring at her in dismay. "You're too close. Stand back a bit, will you?"

Cosette frowned but still took a step back. "You didn't eat a lot during dinner too last night. Are you saying you don't usually eat dinner too? If I don't make you lunch, you won't eat lunch too? Are you trying to give yourself a slow and painful death?"