Chapter 4: The Man I Named Bet
930 Words
By the time we returned to my apartment, the night had completely settled over the city.
I placed the shopping bags on the kitchen counter and glanced at the silent man standing in the living room.
"You can sit anywhere."
He didn't move.
He simply watched me with those amber eyes.
I sighed and walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
A simple meal would do.
As I cooked, I could feel his gaze following my every movement.
Honestly...
It was impossible to ignore.
When the food was ready, I placed two plates on the table.
"Come eat."
Without a word, he sat down.
I expected him to devour the food like someone who hadn't eaten in days.
Instead...
He picked up the utensils with perfect elegance.
Every movement was graceful.
Every bite was refined.
I rested my chin on my hand and stared at him.
Is he really homeless?
The way he carried himself...
The way he ate...
It was as if he had been raised by royalty.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Later that night, it was finally time to sleep.
I stretched lazily and walked toward my bedroom.
Behind me...
Footsteps.
I turned around.
He was following me.
Again.
"Oh, my goodness..."
"How can someone be this clingy?"
I muttered under my breath.
I entered my room.
He entered too.
I walked toward the bathroom.
He waited outside the door.
When I came out after washing my face, I found him curled up on the small sofa in the corner.
Well...
Curled up was probably the wrong word.
He was far too tall for it.
His long legs were practically hanging off the edge.
I crossed my arms.
I had every intention of ignoring him and enjoying my king-sized bed alone.
But then...
Those amber eyes met mine again.
I sighed.
My resolve disappeared instantly.
"Fine."
"You can sleep on the bed."
His eyes lit up.
"But..."
"You stay on your side."
"And don't cross the line."
He obediently nodded before climbing onto the opposite side of the bed.
I couldn't help smiling.
I had always imagined the first man I would ever share a bed with would be my future husband.
On our wedding night.
Not...
A nameless stranger I had picked up outside a supermarket.
Life really had a strange sense of humor.
I turned to look at him.
He was still staring at me.
Seriously...
Didn't this man ever get tired of looking at me?
"You should sleep."
I pointed at his pillow.
He obediently closed his eyes.
Satisfied, I pulled the blanket over myself.
Tomorrow...
I'd ask Liana to investigate him.
Someone this handsome couldn't have appeared out of nowhere.
Surely, someone out there was looking for him.
The next morning...
I slowly opened my eyes.
The first thing I saw...
Was a ridiculously handsome face.
He was already awake.
And once again...
He was staring at me.
I blinked.
"Do you seriously have nothing better to do every morning?"
Silence.
Not a single response.
Only those calm amber eyes.
I gave up.
After washing up, I headed into the kitchen to make breakfast.
As expected...
He followed.
"Sit in the living room."
Nothing.
He remained right beside me.
Watching.
Every.
Single.
Move.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Are you secretly assigned to monitor me or something?"
Still nothing.
At this point, I was beginning to wonder if he was mute.
Or maybe he simply didn't like talking.
After breakfast, I pointed toward the bathroom.
"Go wash your face."
He blinked.
Didn't move.
I sighed dramatically.
"You're unbelievable."
In the end, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the bathroom myself.
A few minutes later, after making sure he had cleaned up properly, we returned to the dining room.
At least he listened when I handed him a towel.
So he definitely understood what I was saying.
He just chose when to cooperate.
After breakfast...
Things somehow became even worse.
When I washed the dishes...
He stood beside me.
When I swept the floor...
He followed.
When I took out the trash...
He followed again.
Everywhere I went...
He was right behind me like an oversized puppy.
I rubbed my temples.
"My goodness..."
"You're driving me crazy."
He simply looked at me innocently.
I seriously considered knocking some sense into him.
But then I looked at his face.
"...Never mind."
It would be a crime to ruin something that handsome.
Just then, an idea suddenly popped into my head.
Since he refused to tell me his name...
I'd give him one myself.
I smiled proudly.
"I've got it."
From today onward...
Your name is Bet.
He tilted his head in confusion.
"It means, 'Bet you didn't see that coming.'"
I laughed at my own joke.
"My brain couldn't come up with anything better."
"Besides..."
"I definitely didn't see someone like you coming into my life."
He quietly looked at me for a few seconds.
Then...
The corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly.
A smile.
It was faint.
Almost impossible to notice.
But it was breathtaking.
I froze.
He can smile...?
That's unfair.
Just as I was recovering from the shock—
Ding Dong!
The doorbell rang.
I frowned.
Only a handful of people knew where I lived.
And I certainly wasn't expecting any visitors.
I walked toward the door.
As expected...
Bet followed closely behind.
I rolled my eyes.
"I should've known."
Taking a deep breath, I reached for the handle.
With a gentle twist...
I opened the door.
The moment I saw who was standing outside...
The smile on my face disappeared.
- Writer
