T's & C's (don't) Apply

7. We (don't) Have Something in Common

I drooled and swallowed air multiple times to satisfy my craving. I loved food and freshly baked bread straight from the oven with butter was my weakness. However, from the age of seventeen, just one bite of bread did more harm to me than good. My condition was self-diagnosed because my parents refused to accept there was anything wrong with their daughter.

I struggled with stomach pain and bloating silently because every time I complained, the words I heard of my 'unhealthy' lifestyle just put me in more pain. My mom got upset whenever I ate something other than the food she cooked. So, to spare her feelings, I used to endure pain and discomfort and ate everything she made.

It was only when I moved to London that I visited a GP, and he diagnosed me with IBS. There wasn't much medication I could've taken for my condition. Eventually, I eradicated trigger foods and began eating less and less.

Whenever I was stressed or tense, I frequently had IBD flare-ups. Sitting opposite Kai at a restaurant, I already felt the repercussions of the croissant I ate that morning. I rubbed over my stomach while I craved the delicious food on Kai's plate.

"Just order something, already," Kai said as he dug into his

"I'm not hungry."

"Your eyes tell a different story."

I raised a brow. "Why are you looking at my eyes?"

Kai looked at me displeased and shook his head. "Suit yourself but stop lusting after my food."

"I'm not," I lied. "I just find the relationship between humans and food interesting. Your mood seems to have gotten a little better since you've eaten. You devour everything on your plate as if it's your last meal. And the little moans you're making while you eat are quite fascinating."

Kai dropped his fork and knife on his plate. "I can't even eat in peace with you around."

"Please." I gestured to his plate. "Don't mind me and eat."

"How can I when you made eating sound like you're watching porn?"

"I assure you I'm not in any way aroused right now," I spoke in a monotone.

Kai was once again caught off guard by my words. "You are so fucking weird."

"Isn't normal overrated?"

Kai grabbed the menu. "That's it. I'm ordering you something so you can shut up."

"I don't want anything."

"I don't care. You're eating," Kai spoke authoritatively. "And it's my treat."

"Ooh, like a date?" I raised a brow.

Kai stared at me unamused from behind the menu. "I'm not the two-timing type."

"Then keep your treats for your girlfriend."

"So, to pay for a meal and eat together, I need to be in a relationship with someone?"

"I didn't say that," I said honestly. "But our... situation is strictly business. As your babysitter, you say you're hungry, so I allow you to eat but that doesn't mean I'm obligated to interact with you socially over pancakes and waffles."

Kai furrowed his brows. "All this fuss over a meal?"

I admitted I was a little extra grumpy because of my disgusting ex and the pain in my stomach didn't help the situation.

"Finish up so we can leave. We're already late."

Kai gave up and mumbled something that sounded like 'weirdo' under his breath before he silently ate. I clutched onto my stomach and hoped whatever heat my hand offered would've eased the pain.