Chapter 8 How Boring
- Before Melanie could reply, Yohan stirred awake.
- "Is everything sorted?" His voice was gravelly.
- "Yep, the other guy owned up and called his insurance." Melanie approached him, offering the water bottle with the cap off.
- Her tone softened, a hint of warmth slipping into her professional demeanor. "I've also touched base with the banquet folks. I'll sort your ride back too."
- Melanie's attention to detail and care shone through.
- Yohan reclined and took swigs of water, his Adam's apple bobbing rhythmically.
- In their bubble, it felt like it was just them, distant from the bustling world.
- Yuki watched them quietly before stepping closer to Yohan once he finished.
- With a mixture of remorse and guilt, she murmured, "Mr. Stewart, I'm really sorry. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."
- Yohan motioned for Yuki to join him, "Come here."
- After a brief hesitation, Yuki settled beside him.
- He extended his injured hand towards her, asking softly, "Are you frightened?"
- Yuki kept quiet. Her gaze lowered.
- With a gentle chuckle, Yohan lifted her chin, comforting her, "No need to fear. I wasn't scared at all. Why would you be?"
- Yuki playfully pouted, shooting him a teasing glare, then whispered, "I worry about you getting hurt."
- Though soft, her words reached Melanie clearly. She glanced at the water bottle Yohan had casually set down, its contents nearly spilling.
- The nurse from the emergency department approached with an X-ray film, inquiring, "Anyone here Yohan's family?" After scanning the few individuals, she handed the X-ray to Melanie. "Take this to the doctor. It's his X-ray."
- Yuki, poised to rise, hesitated and settled back into her seat, mustering a strained smile as if to conceal her emotions.
- Observing her, Melanie prepared to engage when Yohan interjected casually, "Could you fetch the doctor? I need a word with Yuki."
- As Melanie departed, Yuki's discontent was palpable.
- Yohan leaned in, asking softly, "What's troubling you this time?"
- "No, I just think you and Melanie vibe better," Yuki remarked, then clammed up, watching Yohan's reaction carefully.
- It was a subtle probe, a gauge of his feelings.
- Yohan paused briefly, then chuckled, responding nonchalantly, "Vibe? Nah, her vibe is too bland and predictable for me."
- Yuki blinked, but Yohan's next words brought a radiant, innocent smile to her face.
- Melanie lingered in the corner, intending to offer the water to Yuki, but now she stood immobilised, as if trapped in place.
- Yohan's depiction of her as dull and utterly uninteresting echoed in her mind.
- Yohan's injury turned out to be minor, needing only a few days' rest. By the time Melanie brought the medication, Yohan and Yuki seemed to have patched things up.
- Yet, the sparkle in Yuki's eyes and the lift of her brows betrayed a genuine happiness, affirming to Melanie the sincerity of what she had just witnessed.
- During the ride, Melanie stayed quiet, guiding Yuki home before heading back to her and Yohan's place.
- Once parked in the underground lot, Melanie retrieved the car key, her voice steady as she asked, "Have you two made things official?"
- As Yuki stepped out of the car, Melanie caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror of her kissing Yohan on the cheek.
- Yohan didn't hesitate, admitting, "Yes."
- Melanie pressed further, "When did this happen?"
- Recently, Yohan replied. "She felt a bit insecure seeing how close we are."
- Melanie's fingers tightened around the car key. "Why would she be jealous of me?"
- Yohan cast a quick glance at her black dress. "Maybe it's the colour. Black doesn't quite fit your vibe."
- Melanie bit her lip, wondering if it was the colour or something deeper.