Once in a Lifetime {BxB English}

🖤 Chapter 14

They reached the kitchen, and Ody moved toward the frying pan while Mano stood still, watching him.

"I'll take it off in a minute, and we can eat, okay?" he looked over at him. "Sit down, don't just stand there" he gestured towards the dining area. Mano pulled out a chair and sat. "Do you want something to drink?"

"No..." He looked a little lost as Ody cut the omelet in half, dividing it onto two plates.

"Here you go. I used six eggs, so there's plenty of protein. Since you go to the gym, you've got to eat protein, right?" He sat down across from him.

Mano slowly raised his fork, looking at the omelet.

"Don't tell me you don't like eggs. Damn! I should've asked first"

"No... I like them" his honey eyes met Ody's green ones.

"Ah... good, then" he smiled, taking his own fork and trying a bite first. But he noticed Mano still hadn't made any move to eat. "You're not hungry?"

"You're..." Mano spoke with his gaze lowered, and Ody stopped chewing to look at him.

The pause made him think he was about to hear something bad.

"...too good to me" Mano raised his eyes, and Ody chuckled softly.

"I'm like that with everyone. Anna's sick of saying it" he said casually, continuing to eat. "Eat before it gets cold" he added, and Mano took his first bite. "Do you have class today?"

"Yeah... I'm not going"

"Why?"

"Because I can't" he looked him in the eyes meaningfully, and Ody grew serious. "You?"

"I have one in two hours"

"I'll eat and then leave" Mano said, taking his first mouthful and beginning to chew.

"You don't need to go. You can stay as long as you want. I'll be back by midday" Ody replied, eating his own food.

"You're telling me to stay... at your place while you're gone?" Mano asked, visibly puzzled.

"Yeah, why?" he met his gaze, as he didn't understand his question.

"Because... I'm a stranger. You trust me?"

"Why wouldn't I? What could you do?"

Mano couldn't tell if he was kidding or if he was genuinely naive.

"You're far too innocent about the evil in the world... To the point that you're cut---" he cut himself off, realizing what he was about to say, and took another bite, quickly continuing to eat.

"To the point that what?" Ody asked, though he understood what he was about to say.

"Either way, I can't stay here. I'll head home before you leave for class" Mano said, finishing his food, then took another painkiller and got ready to leave.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ody asked as they stood by the front door.

"I'm fine. I'll get home fast with a cab"

"I can drive you"

"You've already done enough"

"You got beat up because of me" he said seriously, their eyes meeting in a moment of silence.

"Well, I'm off" Mano opened the front door and pressed the elevator button. "Um..." he turned back, looking at Ody, who stood by the door. "Thank you for everything"

A smile appeared on Ody's lips. "Don't mention it. Get some rest"

The elevator arrived, and Mano gave him one last nod before stepping inside. He could walk, though slowly, as his ribs and back ached. The cut on his lip hadn't healed yet. He got into the taxi that Ody had called for him and gave his address when he received a message.