16 Trial 16: Around My New World

Mama snapped me out of my thoughts of Dashiell when she said that she, along with Dr. Al and Mr. Thomas will tour me around the places in the hideout that I haven't explored yet.

We began with Mr. Thomas explaining how the ingress and the exit of the hideout works. I learned that there are 3 ways to enter and exit this hideout. The one that's usually used is located inside a disguised staff room, on the ground floor of an apartelle which is run by an old acquaintance of uncle Bob. The other one is in the basement of a convenience store which is run by another old acquaintance of uncle Bob. Lastly, the one that's referred to as the emergency entry/exit which is located at the abandoned amusement park which has not yet been used according to Dr. Al because it's the one closest to where we are and the easiest one to get spotted by the enemies.

Moving on, the bedroom of mama is on the first door of the left corner before reaching the living room. As for the bedrooms of Dashiell, Mr. Thomas, and Dr. Al, they're located on the right corner before reaching the living room. Dashiell's room looks the biggest.

After checking the locations of the bedrooms, we moved onto the medical treatment room that has complete medical equipment, starting from the first aid kits up to the more advanced ones. According to Dr. Al, he usually does an inventory of the items and calls for maintenance if needed. Of course, the ones who do the maintenance are also our friends and are enemies of Dr. Foley.

The next place they led me to is a small fruit and vegetable garden wherein a small variety of plants are planted. I can't believe that they were able to grow a garden here. Mr. Thomas explained that they used solar panels that's why it became possible. This is my first time to hear of agrivoltaic being used underground; I'm really amazed. Mr. Thomas admitted that it couldn't have been possible without spending a hefty amount and the help of Dashiell's connections. When I asked who they are, Mr. Thomas chuckles and suggests to ask Dashiell myself. I agreed to it, after all, I already decided to let go of my ill feelings towards Dashiell and be nice to him because no matter how much of a jerk he acts, he had risked his life for my safety. Speaking of him, I wonder if he's done shopping. Oh right, shopping! I'm supposed to set up my phone.

I hurriedly turned my phone on and set it up. When I am done, I asked Mr. Thomas for Dashiell's contact info. Mr. Thomas gave me Dashiell's discord app profile. I immediately added him up and sent him "Hi Dashiell!" with an emoji. He replied right away with a "Hi! is that you, idiot?" message. I replied, "My name is not 'idiot;' it's Alaine."

Dashiell: Lol, okay, idiot Alaine. You're late by the way; I've already checked out.

Alaine: What? That fast! And again, I'm not an idiot. Geez, can't you call me just by my name? It's unfair, I'm calling you by your name, but here you are calling me an idiot."

Dashiell: Fine, Alaine. Oh! Ask everyone if they want anything else for groceries, then chat them to me right away.

Alaine: Okay, will do.

Dashiell: How about you, do you need something else?

Alaine: For now, there's nothing. I'm done asking everyone, they said just the usual.

Dashiell: Okay, copy that. I'll be back in an hour or so.

Alaine: Alright, take care, Dashiell :)

Dashiell was taken aback by Alaine's kind message but decided to shrug it off and focused on finishing the day's errands.

Back to the hideout, Alaine was led to a workout room. She was told that it will be the room where she will train with Dashiell. The room is really spacious and has an ambiance suitable for any physical training.

It was almost time for lunch when they finished touring me around. It was a bit tiring, but I really enjoyed it.

Soon, mama led us to the kitchen and asked us for assistance in preparing for our lunch which we all gladly obliged. As we are preparing for lunch, I ask Mr. Thomas how come Dashiell can safely walk around outside. Mr. Thomas explained that Dr. Foley was probably unaware that he has a son or he couldn't care less about it. Also, one unit in the apartelle that leads to the common entrance of this hideout is Dashiell's registered address. If they ever order something online, they use that address. Lastly, it's quite incorrect to say that he can safely wander outside because he always goes in disguise. I was about to ask another question, but Mr. Thomas beats me to it, saying, "If you want to hear more about my son, just ask him directly. He's not as grumpy as you might think he is. Besides, if it's y--..."

Mr. Thomas was cut off by Dashiell's voice, "Dad, I'm back."

"Oh, son, you're here now. Perfect timing, lunch is almost ready."

"That's good. Aunt Mari, what's the menu?"

"Greek shrimp souvlaki and farro bowl with strawberry cheesecake ice cream for dessert."

"Sounds good auntie."

"Thank you."

Dr. Al joins in, "Ooh you bought quite a lot than last month. How come?"

"We have an additional person in the hideout doc if you know what I mean."

The remark somehow ticks me off, "Hey! What do you mean?"

"What? Did I say something bad?"

"You definitely did. You just implied that I'm a glutton."

"Wait a minute, what makes you think that? What I meant there was you're here with us now so of course, our consumption will be higher than usual."

Dashiell's explanation got me embarrassed all of a sudden, that I stammered, "I s-see. S-sorry."

Dashiell sighs, "Geez, you always quickly jump to wrong conclusions."

Mama adds, "Dashiell does the groceries and shopping only once in a month so he always buys in bulk. As you can see our fridge is already big, yet we still have two more chest freezers, one for the wet goods, one for our desserts, and other frozen fruits and veggies."

"Okay, sorry again, Dashiell."

"It's fine. Here..."

Dashiell hands me shopping bags that are filled with some stuff inside.

"Your clothes," says Dashiell.

"Oh, Thank you."

"I apologize as early as now if they're not to your liking. I had no idea what you like since you didn't chat me right away."

"It's okay, I'm fine with these."

"I hope you mean that and you won't charge at me like a madman later."

I flushed at his words, "Absolutely."

Dashiell sighs in relief, "Good then."

After lunch, I excused myself and went to my room to fit the clothes that Dashiell bought for me. I got 3 pairs of matching pajamas, two bath towels and robes, comfy shirts and shorts, and 5 sets of activewear gears. Everything fits me just fine. Then there was a knock on my door. I opened the door and standing outside is Dashiell.

"So, are you okay with the fitting?"

"Yes, thank you."

"You're all set then. Tomorrow at 6 in the morning, meet me in the workout room. Eat before heading there, got that?"

"Yes, thanks again."

Then, out of the blue, I remember I didn't find any undergarments and underwear.

Dashiell is already turning away so I call out, "Dashiell, wait! I didn't find any, you know...um." I am embarrassed to even say it aloud so he's confused.

"What? What did you not find?"

"You know, the one that you wear beneath and uh..."

Dashiell must have gotten what I meant as he starts talking, "About that, I didn't buy them on purpose."

"What? Do you expect me to train wearing nothing underneath?"

Dashiell scoffs, "Look, I don't know your size. If I asked you, you would get mad and start again, wouldn't you?"

Realizing what he meant, I went silent and shyly nodded.

"You're really a handful. Just borrow from auntie for now. I'll let you order online later using my account."

With that, Dashiell strides out of the room.

I mull over what he said about not knowing my size and suggesting to just borrow mama's undies. Come to think of it, he gave me a fresh change of clothes this morning, undies and undergarments included. If he didn't know my size, how come he didn't check the size of mama's undies when he had the chance? Does it mean he...I get it now, Dashiell is not perverted like some other guys out there even though he's like a jerk sometimes. The thought made me smile for no known reason.

Later, at night, Dashiell follows me into my room and gives me his phone so I can order some undergarments and underwear. When I finished ordering, I returned his phone, and he left my room, reminding me about my training. I wished him good night and he just waved his right hand.

I couldn't sleep yet even when an hour had passed since Dashiell left my room. I was just thinking about what Dashiell had done for me today. I thought that I didn't thank him enough for that so I decided to chat with him.

Alaine: Dashiell, are you still awake?

Dashiell: Yeah, why? Do you need anything?

Alaine: No, I just want to say sorry, I hope you forgive me. And...

Dashiell: And what?

Alaine: Thank you, really. If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know. I want to return you the favor.

Dashiell: Lol. What's with you all of a sudden?

Alaine: I just want to do something for you in return because I mean my gratitude for what you did for me today.

Dashiell: Ah that, it's not a biggie so don't bother yourself about it. Just sleep it off. You're probably just sleepy.

I can't think of what else to reply to him so I just wished him a 'good night and sweet dreams.' He replied with a thumbs up.

I'm glad that things went well between Dashiell and me today. Without notice, I dozed off with contentment.