World after Worlds: Brightest Star

CHAPTER 12

Yanarym knew the plan of teasing and playing with him was coming to fruition. Now that Kane had invited her to lunch, it's a good sign. Her hard work and patience were being paid off because honestly, she couldn't afford to stay any longer. She's so broke she will starve to death if she doesn't come back to work tomorrow. However, she still couldn't make a move on him. She even had no money to begin with. She might need to doll herself up but she's a natural stunner, so maybe not.

The hospital fee for Yarisa's critical condition was no joke—there were even miscellaneous fees to think about! Not to mention, she too would need to eat at least once or twice every day but yesterday she was forced to do a water diet. She was so hungry she couldn't stop herself from being impolite and eating as much as she wanted in front of the doctor. Sure she needed to seduce him but the food was free. No one could resist that. Not her.

Through her observation, she had concluded Kane wasn't a broken sleeve at all. He's actually a healthy and straight young but very professional oriented man. Therefore, he's not used to interacting with women. People said he's cold but Yanarym thought they interpreted it wrongly. For her, he's just shy, that's all.

"Thanks for the treat, Kane." She took a deep breath and thanked him in a polite manner. As soon as she caught his eyes peering at her, Kane just smiled.

"You should eat more. Do you want me to order some more carbonara?"

"Oh, that would be good. To be honest, this isn't enough for me," she laughed so sweetly like a flower blooming in spring.

Guide-sama: "Isn't that shameless?"

"He offered it first. We should be thankful for the blessing and I don't refuse freebies. I have no luxury to do so. I'm poor."

Guide-sama: "I see."

Kane kept a close eye on the young woman in front of him, who was cheerfully feasting on her carbonara. He was well aware that she had ulterior motives towards him, though unlike the others, she wouldn't pursue him actively. She had established this distance between them that he initially thought was beneficial. But as time passed by, he slowly became less enthusiastic about it. He even questioned whether his assessment about her- liking him was legitimate or not. He had always been so certain of it but somehow he soon started doubting his judgement.

She would always talk to him in an appropriate manner, which was supposed to be good, right? But he's steadily getting disappointed day by day. She would laugh with him, get comfortable together, would always initiate the first move and that's it. He was expecting she would soon confess her feelings for him but she wouldn't. Maybe she's content with what they had now, but he was anticipating more from her.

Usually, girls would cling and flock around him. He's young and successful in his career after all. He had luxury, the look and a perfect body women would swoon over. They would seduce him trying to win him over and he didn't mind. He wasn't planning on getting rid of them unless they cross the line.

In Yanarym's case, this woman had never left her starting line and it's been giving him frustration. He even initiated to move closer to her earlier, which he found strange since he had never taken interest in such matters before. His priority in life was his career and saving lives. Dating was always out of the question, however, these past few days he noticed how interesting his life unfolds and it's because of her.

Just take, for example, this morning: she greeted him when they met at the corridor of the wing where he usually took his morning rounds, even though her sister's room was on the other wing. It was obvious she made an effort to see him but still she left without saying anything else—just a simple greeting. She didn't even try to keep the conversation going.

Later in the afternoon, she didn't show up and somehow Kane felt uneasy about it. He had this feeling that this woman was losing interest in him. It bothered him because he knew himself that he liked her too.

So he looked for her to invite her to lunch, even though it was already past noon and found her in her sister's room. It was small and packed with machines that had kept her sister living. Yanarym was silently watching her sister with a gloomy smile on her face. He secretly gazed at her for a while before finally asking her to eat together and she immediately agreed with a big smile.

"The halo-halo is so good~!" She closed her eyes as she appreciated the taste of her dessert. Kane couldn't help but bite his lower lip to stop himself from smiling. Why did he find this trivial thing so delightful?

"You know, once Yasa wakes up, I will bring her here too." She smiled bleakly, a hint of sadness was visible in her eyes. Kane unknowingly reached out for her hand and gently rubbed his thumb on the back of her palm.

"She'll wake up. Just don't give up," he said to her as he placed his hand on the top of hers. He wanted to comfort her with his presence. Yanarym looked at their hands then quickly yanked them away, smiling as if nothing had happened. He was startled but still remained silent.

Didn't she like him? Then, why was she the one stepping back and acting all aloof? Why? It's making him confused. She should be the one initiating between them because she did approach him first. So why did it seem like she was withdrawing herself from him already? Was she just toying with his mind? Was she trying to use the 'playing hard to get' act on him? Or was this the push and pull effect?