章 26: What women need (Leo)
Julia likes playing with fire. Her eyes shine a particular light every time she teases me.
It must be part of her character, but I wonder if she's doing it only to make me lose my mind.
She walked to me, pretending to be surrendering to the bond. Yet, when she reached me, she pecked my cheek and decided to endure it.
There's no need to suffer: I can help her. And I've regained control over myself, so it won't be dangerous. However, she turned around and strolled to the bathroom with a light heart.
Only to come out of it wearing a simple t-shirt and a pair of jeans. She has packed her clothes back in the bags and leaned everything on a chair.
Her heart hasn't slowed down, but she's ignoring it.
«Come here, Julia,» I say while opening the wardrobe wide.
I move the clothes from one side to the other and let her have half of the place. I don't need this much space regardless.
«You can use this part of the wardrobe, for the moment.» Until her clothes fit in. I might have to buy another piece of furniture for her...
Oh, she's been here for more than a week, but she didn't ask for a lot of things women need, and I didn't think of finding them for her.
Let's start with a hairbrush. She must have used her fingers to comb because her hair isn't that messy. Not until I reach out to it...
I can't even start imagining what else she needs! Is my shampoo enough? Does she need more products? And a hairdryer by any means, she can't rub her head forever every time she takes a shower. She's human: what if she catches a cold?
I could try healing her in that case. But better avoid it if possible.
«I'm an idiot!» I exclaim.
Julia looks at me, confused like never before. She clenches her t-shirt with her fists and moves a step back, maybe frightened about my sudden temper.
«Come with me,» I say.
«Where to?»
Her voice is wary as if I could think of hurting her in any way.
«Shopping,» I reveal, and I grab her hand to drag her out. «Also, we ought to see the sunrise.»
«Why?» she murmurs. She doesn't oppose me, so we soon start walking towards the exit, thinking the fastest way to the closest shop with tech.
I hope we'll find a hairdryer there because we might not make it in time to search for it after looking for fragrances that can appeal to Julia's taste.
«You should have told me all you need, Julia. You can't expect me to think about everything! I don't have a clue about what a human needs to survive, other than food and sunlight.»
«Is that the reason why you want to see the sunrise?»
«Yes. You'll be exposed to the sun for fifteen minutes daily. Minimum.»
«All right,» she says. «But what about shopping? What are you going to buy till dawn? It's not that late yet...»
«Oh, I don't know,» I admit, scratching my cheek. «You'll have to tell me what you need. But first, let's go to the office.»
I need to withdraw my salary because I've spent everything I had in the room.
«I'll need some soap to wash the clothes,» the girl says to me.
It's the first time she asks for something. She worked in the laundry, in the hunters' base. Maybe, this is the first thing she could think of.
Too bad it's useless.
«I'll show you how to wash clothes. There's a laundry on the first floor. It works on coins; I should have a few left in the room... Remind me to check when we come back.»
«Then, I am all right,» she says with a shrug.
«No, this won't work. We have to find something to do till dawn regardless, so we might as well visit some shops and see if you remember what you need.»
I knock at the door of the administration office, and the secretary opens the door with a frown.
«What is it?» she shouts.
«I'm here to withdraw my pay,» I explain.
«Oh, you... Leo, right?» she murmurs while taking a register. «The last three months?»
«Yes, that's right.» Better to avoid lacking money now.
«Here.» She delivers me a stack of banknotes, and I pack it in the wallet before returning to Julia.
She's waiting, leaning on the wall.
«Let's go,» I say, offering her my hand. She takes it, to my surprise, and we head to the city together.
«Don't you have work?»
«I'll finish later, during the day.»
«You won't need to sleep, will you?»
«I don't know. I don't keep track of my sleeping habits,» I chuckle.
She stops walking and pulls my hand to attract my attention. Then, she stands on tiptoe and pecks my cheek.
It's the second time in a short while. Is there a reason behind this gesture?
«What is this for?» I ask, puzzled.
«I just felt that I would die if I didn't do it,» she confesses, her cheeks coloured of a delicious red shade.
«And now?»
«Now I'm all right.» She shrugs, resuming to walk as nothing happened.
«Good,» I murmur, confused.
«I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight,» she continues. «Next time, I'll restrain myself.»
«No need.»
«This is different,» she sighs. «It's something intimate... I don't want to make you feel awkward.»
«It's fine. I don't feel awkward. Actually, it all feels so natural.»
«As if we've known each other since birth,» she finishes my thought.
I can't help but agree. Even though talking with her, touching her, and observing her reactions is a whole exploration, my mind is at rest around her.
Just as if I've known her for long. Our souls recognise each other, and we can't part anymore after meeting each other.
I don't care at all about her motives, her fears, or her secrets. As long as she stays nearby, I don't need to know.
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