WEAPONS MAGE

THE BAR MANAGER'S HOME

I woke up from the ache my head was feeling. It's as if miners are pounding and looking for gems inside my head. Well, if it were true, they're in for a treat. My mind's full of dull crap. I laughed inwardly.

Gosh, I still think I'm drunk.

I sat up slowly, feeling the hardness of the thing I'm lying on. Oh I missed sleeping in my soft bed, unlike this hard thing.

I groaned. I felt my body ache all over. Good thing there's no work for today; I'll be free to mope around at home. Oh wait, whose home is this? Am I so pathetic that I reached this low – sleeping in a stranger's place?

I covered my face with my hands and instantly felt crying. Oh Lord let this not be true. I don't want to lose my virginity to an unknown guy.

Just then, I heard the door open to the room I'm in.

"Are you awake? Get up and get out of here!" a deep, familiar voice said to me. Where did I hear this voice again?

I lowered my hands and stared at the owner of the voice. He was a tall man; my head would only probably reach at his chest. He wasn't so muscular, but I could see the well-toned muscles underneath the loose shirt he's wearing.

Okay, I felt myself drooling, but I don't care. My eyes were feasting at such a yummy delicacy. I moved my eyes to his face, and oh gods, so pretty. No, not pretty, handsome!

That perfectly sculpted face that came straight out of a painting. I wiped my imaginary drool and drawled, "Hello handsome."

He just stared at me, expressionless. I schooled my face to one of a woman who was excited to see his love, but deep inside, I was feeling so nervous. My heart was beating very fast I was afraid that I'd have a cardiac arrest at any moment.

It felt like a long time before he replied to me, "Get up. You," he pointed at me, "are overstaying."

And then it all hit me, "What? What are you saying? Why am I here? What did you do to me?"

He leaned on the door jamb and raised his brows at me. "Well, you collapsed last night due to being so drunk and probably, fatigue. I couldn't bear to leave a lady lying on the street. I didn't know where you live so I was left to bringing you here in mine's. Or you'd rather be left lying out there?"

I quickly stood up from the bed and bowed at him, "Thank you so much for helping me. Thank you, thank you."

He waved his hand and pointed towards the room outside. "Now you can go."

"Go?" I asked in confusion. "I-I, can I just stay here for a little while?"

"Why should I let you?" his reply was quick, like lightning.

I swallowed hard, not knowing why I said that. "Uh, no, nothing. I just thought – nah, never mind."

I checked my body and assessed that I was completely dressed, although my hair was disheveled, I still look fine.

I faced him again and said with sincerity, "Thank you. Uh, what did you say your name again? And have we met before?"

He smiled, his first genuine smile. "Ren. And you're already banned at my bar."

And he turned his back at me and walked away. Okay, I take it back; I think that was a genuine, mocking smile.

A little while later, I went out of his bedroom and was met by the scent of toast. My stomach growled, making me realize I was super hungry. I found my way into the kitchen, of course following the scent, and saw him fiddling something in the counter. He was facing away from me, so I had the luxury to snatch some toast on the table.

But the world is against me, for when I stepped back, I accidentally dragged the chair with me which let out a sound.

Oops. I looked up and I met his glare.

"Ah, thanks for the toast," I said in my nervousness, which I realized was the worst thing to do.

His glare then moved to the toasts in my hand. But instead of reprimanding me, he shook his head.

"Sit down; I have just finished preparing for breakfast. I know you're hungry, although this isn't the best food for sobering up."

I was touched by his words. It was the first time after my heart break that someone was concerned with my well-being.

I have no friends ever since I held the CEO position in my dad's company. The people I thought who were my friends started backstabbing me as soon as I rose on top. Some others betrayed my trust and used me as a leverage to get what they wanted. I stopped trusting people, but I didn't stop in finding true love.

But it all went down the drain. All the men I met were sickly good at the beginning but in the long run, they would always betray me and cheat. Others would only want my money.

So before my tears would all fall down, I immediately sat and smiled gratefully at him.

We shared a quiet meal. He was focused on his plate while I was snatching looks at him. Well, I can't deny he is definitely handsome. If he becomes my boyfriend, I would probably be very happy because I think he's not like the other guys I have met before. But I doubt he's into me. The moment I woke up, the first thing he said was that I was overstaying – so hard to get.

When he looked at me, I immediately turned my head away; sure that he didn't catch that. But I was left stupefied when he said, "If you keep looking at me, I might devour you."

Wait – what?