I get back to my room around ten in the evening. Yu, who said she'd come back before, kept her promise. Now, the sweet-faced girl is sitting and watching TV, seemingly waiting for me.
"You're back!"
Her slightly nasal voice sounds cheerful and happy to see me. I smile a little because I feel that the once quiet room now seems lively just because someone else is here. It's such a delightful change.
"You kept your promise."
"Of course, I said I'd come back first, so I did. By the way, how was the matchmaking session today?"
"Well..."
I roll my eyes and walk to the fridge in the kitchen pantry to get some water to drink. Yu, seeing that I'm doing something myself, quickly runs over. It's like she forgot that it's the maid's duty to take care of her employer like me.
"No need, I'm just pouring water. And this isn't your working hours either."
"So, should I just watch you do everything yourself? That wouldn't be worth the pay..."
"I think I should learn to do some things myself. Like... how to cook rice. I could wash dishes when I was studying abroad, but cooking, it's a disaster."
I make a face as if I've just remembered something.
"Pixie, you can cook, right?"
"Yes, but I'm not very good. I can do some things."
"Then teach me those things, will you?"
"Well, I can, but why do you suddenly want to learn how to cook?"
"I just think that if one day I get married, I might've to cook for my husband."
"I thought you said you'd stay single to make men regret it."
"The situation has changed."
I put down the glass and scratch my head before looking at Pixie, trying to start a conversation.
"Pixie, have you ever had a boyfriend?"
When asked that, the sweet-faced girl goes silent for a moment, seeming to hesitate whether to tell or not, before nodding and deciding to speak.
"I have."
"Precocious," I immediately bare my teeth upon hearing that. Suddenly, I feel angry for no reason.
"Hey, you asked me, and now you're insulting me for answering?"
"Why did you have to have one? Can't you just stay single and virgin?"
"Well, I am. I've never done that kind of thing."
"But you said you had a boyfriend."
"We haven't gone that far. Ms. Frung, you're so old-fashioned. Even if I'd lost my virginity, it doesn't mean my value has decreased."
"That's true..."
But I still don't like it. Why does a small, cute person like her have to be messed with by men? It sounds unacceptable, like a Pomeranian being humped by a bulldog.
"So, why did you suddenly ask about my boyfriend? Did something special happen today?"
I purse my lips a bit, feeling shy, and turn my face away, not daring to meet her eyes, but the small person is determined to know, running into my focus and asking again.
"Avoiding eye contact like this, something must've happened to you. What's going on?"
"Someone proposed to me."
