CHAPTER 9
1083 Words
Lyra was startled when someone suddenly grabbed her arm just as she was about to open the gate. She clutched her chest in shock when she recognized the audacious man.
“You…”
“Yes, me.” He interrupted before she could finish her sentence. “Tell me how to use this damn thing,” he demanded, shoving his smartphone in her face.
The man wasn't asking—he was ordering. Who did he think he was to boss her around? They weren’t even close. Like, what the hell!? And wait… has he been following her?
“You’re the one from the cafe? And also at the top hill? And the same one who showed up the other night when I had car trouble?” Lyra asked, still in disbelief.
The man nodded, looking bored. “Now, teach me how to use this crazy thing. I’ve noticed people use it to find answers to all their questions.”
Lyra blinked rapidly.
'People…?'
Does he not consider himself human? She scrutinized him closely from head to toe—he looked every bit human. A man. And not just any man, a devastatingly handsome one. So what was he even talking about?
Then she suddenly remembered the two instances when he had appeared out of nowhere. He moved quickly, was always involved in a conflict, and, most importantly, he knew where she lived.
“You must be a stalker!” The thought made her nervous.
It was creepy having a stalker. But if he was this good-looking, maybe she shouldn’t be so scared.
“Stalker? Me? Do you really think you’re attractive enough for me to be your stalker?”
Her embarrassment was quickly replaced by anger as her ears burned.
“What did you just say?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“You’re not that attractive, so cut that thought,” he said bluntly, waving his smartphone at her again. “Now, teach me how to use this damn thing.”
“Huh!”
She couldn’t believe it. After insulting her, he had the nerve to ask for help with his phone.
“Where on earth are you from that you don’t even know how to use a smartphone?”
And what annoyed her more was that she still wanted to help him, despite the insult. Maybe it was because she remembered how frustrated he looked earlier in the cafe with his new smartphone.
“I didn’t need this damn thing before. I knew everything,” the man replied confidently.
“And now? You finally found something you don’t know, and now you’re consulting the resident genius?”
His thick eyebrows shot up, and she found it so sexy.
What?!
What’s so sexy about that? Just because his eyebrows moved, she found it sexy?
Get a grip, Lyra!
“Resident genius?”
She gathered herself to regain her sanity. “Yeah, Google. Isn’t that who people ask all their questions? Although, not all its answers are right.”
“Where’s Google from?” he asked seriously, without blinking.
Fleure’s eyes widened. What kind of question was that? Did she hear him right? He doesn’t even know about Google?
“What?” His forehead furrowed as he urged her to answer.
“Seriously? You don’t know? Google is right there inside your phone.”
He flipped his phone over and back. “There’s nothing there. And how could a person fit inside something this small?” He even shook the gadget as if something might fall out.
Lyra shook her head and stopped him from doing more damage. She wanted to scratch her own head. What kind of being was he? Did he know nothing except how to pick fights? Why did he have no clue about how to use a phone?
“Crazy,” she sighed, taking the smartphone from him. She waved it in front of the confused man. “This thing is bigger than you think. You have no idea what this so-called ‘damn thing’ is capable of. Millennials, even oldies, love their phones. In this computer age, everything you need is here. A lot of people say they can’t live without their phones.”
She wasn’t sure what she said that he found pleasing, but suddenly, he smiled. And she couldn’t understand why her heartbeat quickened at the sight of that handsome smile spreading across his face.
“So, are you one of them?”
“Huh?” Her heart pounded as she asked.
She felt like an i***t! Why was she suddenly losing her composure?
“The people who say they can’t live without a cellphone.”
“Well… of course.” She had no reason to lie. “My phone is my virtual wallet. Plus, my social life is here. My research. My backup data. This gadget is incredibly useful.”
“Then you know how to use it well?”
“Yes.”
“Then teach me already; you’re wasting my time!” His voice was growing louder, clearly impatient as their conversation kept straying off topic. She took a deep breath. Should she teach him or… teach him? Well, she might as well teach him. It was clear from the determined look on his handsome face that he was eager to learn. And he wouldn’t leave her alone until she did. She was already regretting getting involved with him at the cafe earlier. All she did was invite stress into her life.
“Okay, follow me inside.”
Huh! And if she wasn’t already a fool, she actually thought of inviting this stranger into her home. Considering she knew nothing about his background, that was risky. But something in her gut told her the man was harmless. Yes, his gothic aura was intimidating, especially at night. But oddly enough, she didn’t feel any danger from him. Besides, if he truly had bad intentions or was some kind of malicious being, there were already a couple of times they’d been alone together in dark, secluded places where he could’ve easily harmed her. But he didn’t. In fact, she had the feeling he was looking out for her safety, especially when he escorted her home.
Ah, that. He had brought her home, and she still didn’t know how he knew where she lived. That was just one of the many questions running through her mind. And maybe, if she got to know him better, she’d find answers to those questions.
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- Writer
