wounds that never bleed | h.ran

chapter nine

"Is this all of your belongings?" Ran asked, scratching his chin.

"Yeah. why?" You put your things down and stretch your back. You just got out from your shift at the ramen shop earlier and to your surprise, Ran was standing outside the shop, waiting for you. He said that he'll help you move. You insisted that you could do it on your own, but he didn't listen, and in the end, he won. Why can't I say no to him?

"One luggage?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Alright. We need to schedule a shopping day to buy you some new clothes," Ran took a step forward and lifted your things with one hand. Turning around, his other hand reached for his phone inside his pocket and typed something.

"Shopping? clothes? me?" You whispered to yourself, trying to sink in what he just said.

"Ah, yeah. Clear my schedules tomorrow and close the entire mall. I don't want other people there except for the staff. I'm going shop—"

"What?!" Your eyes widened upon hearing the closing of the mall. Is he for real? You panickily held Ran's arm to get his attention. "Wait! I don't need new clothes. What I have is fine."

"This rubbish? you call these rubbish, clothes? Look at your shoes! It's already worn out, the sole is going to leave you anytime soon. tch," Ran clicked his tongue and continued to talk to his phone. "Yes. on the second thought, don't close the entire mall just the branches of the brands I want to shop to. yes. yes, that would be great. Thank you, Amane." He ended the call and looked at you with a proud face, like a puppy waiting for its owner to praise them.

"Is it necessary to do that? I'm just your cleaning lady—"

"Assistant." Ran's brows furrowed. He looked a little disappointed. Is he really waiting for me to praise him?

"It's the same."

"No, it's not."

"How's it not the same?"

"Oh, look at the time. let's go home. I already talked to your landlady and she returned the deposit. so, here." Ran handed you an envelope and held your hand, dragging you out.

Why is he like this? He's hot and cold at the same time. Sometimes he's playful like a kid and sometimes he's dead serious like some scary dude. Why does he care where I live? Why is he doing things for me when I caused him pain before? He was supposed to forget me. I don't understand him.

❀

You arrived at his penthouse with only thirty minutes left before you start your shift at the bar, so you quickly put your things inside the guest room and started to prepare. As soon as you stepped out of the room, you saw Ran sitting on the living room couch.

You went there to tell him that you're leaving. "Hey." Your brows raised upon seeing him smiling like a kid, swirling his glass of liquor in his hands. "Ran-san?"

"Oh, y/n. Did you finished settling your things?"

"Partially." You said and looked at the time. "I need to go. I'm going to the bar now." You bowed and were about to walk away when Ran held your wrist.

"You don't have to go to the bar. You're working for me now."

"What? We only talked about my milk delivery, not my shift in your bar."

"But I want to go home with a homecooked meal. If your shift is until 2:00 am, how can you prepare my food?"

"But—"

"Don't worry. I'll pay for your bar's shift."

"It's not about that... It's unfair for me to earn money without working for it."