LIVING A LIFE OF A SALTED FISH

20: Blushing with the villainess.

Now, I'm back in my room. I ate near the window, sitting on the window sill with all sorts of plates of delicacies surrounding me. It left an impression that I'm in paradise. I always find joy and comfort in food. No matter what kind. Eating would always be my comfort zone. In addition, back in my past life, I didn't have the money to buy myself tons of food, so having such a privilege now in this second life feels like heaven instead.

Furthermore, my love for food is much greater than my infatuation and attachment to Ruhee. So even though I lost my appetite for sharing a satisfying meal with that woman, I still brought the delicacies with me. After all, food shouldn't be involved and be affected with those silly arguments and fights. And if Ruhee doesn't plan on eating with me, then there is no reason for me to stay in that dining hall. It would only ruin my appetite if Ruhee started talking about Cleopatra again.

Because now that I have realised my feelings for that woman; my tolerance for Ruhee's unrequited love for that princess lessened. I am not going to let myself sit there and be tortured by hearing such ridiculous devotion of words to someone who couldn't even see their worth. 

At this, I shrugged and took a plate of spaghetti, twirling the pasta on the fork then proceeding to put them inside my mouth. "Hmmm," I closed my eyes, moaning to myself.

I entered bliss upon enjoying my food in solitude. I chewed them slowly, smiling to myself in ecstasy as I savoured the thunderous scenery outside the transparent window. 

Ah, rain and food; my joy on this unproductive day. Seeing the comforting rattling sound of the showering water from the clouds. I let out tunes, humming to myself as I felt satisfied. After all, this is what living is all about. At this, I swirled more pasta, enjoying its taste and texture. It's the right amount of saltiness, sweetness, and sourness. It was just what I needed to comfort myself that I just ruined my first date with Ruhee. 

That's right. I consider that as our first. Because this is the day that I realise my feelings. Having said that, Ruhee and I actually shared meals even before, after all, that woman would just suddenly come barging into my room to demand that I eat with her. It's probably why I grew accustomed to her uninvited presence despite our differences.

Right after thinking that, the door in the room burst open. My mouth hangs open as I stare at Ruhee with a dumbfounded expression. The woman in the red fitted dress is holding plates of delicacies with her. All of which seemed to be my favourite food. 

Those are boiled potato and egg, rice porridge, buttered garlic shrimp, and all sorts of meats. They are all my favourite foods. And as far as I recall, Ruhee doesn't like any of them. She is more of a salad woman after all. It is according to her to maintain her curvy figure. So I'm a little clueless why Ruhee is holding such things.

For a while, Ruhee and I just gazed at each other. Her ruby eyes held hesitation as her chest heaved up and down, seeming nervous. Afterwards, she tread forward, clicking her heels on the floor with pride and arrogance as she held her chin high, walking inside the room like a queen. Her hips swayed side to side as she came forward, and I couldn't take my eyes away from her whole person as I found myself being gravitated towards her. Like a magnet, my heart moved before my head could even think. 

I gulped as I closed my gaping mouth, putting down the plate I'm holding, then I stood up, walking to meet Ruhee in the middle of the room. I blinked my eyes as I tilted my head to the side in wonder, staring at what the woman was holding. A question popped into my mind. Did she bring those for me?

Such a thought led my heart to skip a beat as all sorts of expectations started filling my void. I swallowed as I tried to play it cool. I cleared my throat as I opened my lips to question this baffling woman.

"Ahem, host, to what do I owe the pleasure?" I said, plastering a smile as my eyes went to her.

Ruhee didn't respond for a moment as her eyes fixated on my lips. I took a deep breath as I pursed my lips, and the woman squinted her eyes as she put the delicacies down on the small table to the side. After that, she sauntered her legs, coming forward in front of me. When there was only a few centimetres of space between us, her steps came to a stop.

Ruhee raised her hand, reaching to my face as she leaned her face near to me. Since we both just bathed, her scent smelled like a fresh flower of Rose mixed and blended with an aged wine. Such a strong aroma left me fluttering my lashes, and something within me is telling me I should close my eyes. 

Before I could, Ruhee smiled apologetically as she explained in a few short words. "You have something on your lips," she said, looking a little shy.

"..."

That attack hit right in the core of my heart. It took me a while to process that Ruhee and I are not of the same mind most of the time. I just feel fortunate enough that I didn't close my eyes and embarrass myself further. I wouldn't be able to face her again otherwise. Because contrary to what I look like, I have very thin skin, and I am easily shied from such things. Still, I don't know whether to sigh in relief or in frustration. 

Regardless of what I feel, I kept my most charming innocent smile on my face. Clearing my throat once more, I nodded as I took a step back from Ruhee, which made the woman narrowed her eyes. But I don't care. I'm still upset with her.

"Ahem, so…I'm happy that you took your sweet time to visit me, but why are you here?" I asked gently.

Ruhee frowned as she opened and closed her lips, looking hesitant to speak. "I…"

"Yes?" I tilted my head with a patient smile.

She averted looking as she fidgeted with her fingers. "I came to…" she paused, biting her lower lip, looking frustrated whether to continue or not. 

"To…?" I urged softly.

Ruhee furrowed her brows, taking a deep sigh. I took a step forward, tucking a piece of loose hair behind her ears, and Ruhee breathed heavily from the contact of our skin. I smiled as I stared down at her since I'm much taller. She looked up, appearing dazed for a moment, and I felt elated from seeing such a reaction. 

I stared at her tenderly as I continued to ask. "What is it?"

Her throat made movements as her chest lifted up and down. She shook her head, taking a step back, then Ruhee left the room without saying anything else. She walked and left, almost running away.

I blinked my eyes as I felt amused and confused. "What was that about…?" I mumbled.

I thought she went to my room to eat with me, but what did I even expect…

With a sigh, I shrugged as I decided to go back to my seat and enjoy myself, but my eyes happened to glimpse on the plates that Ruhee left on the small table to the side of the room. Somewhere between the boiled eggs and the boiled potato, a small piece of folded paper is being hidden. Feeling curious, I went to it, grabbing the paper with my fingers. 

I unfolded it, reading the content.

…

Accept this as a token of apology.

Sincerely,
Ruhee Bellerose

…

Upon reading such a short letter, my lips raised as my insides caused havoc in my stomach. "Ruhee…why are you so cute…"