On a seemingly ordinary summer day, timid Alice Gardner crosses paths with Kai Anderson, a notorious figure in their small town. As serendipitous encounters bring them together, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, driven by a mutu...
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Kai was watching Crimson Peak mid-day with the fan on high and as close to him as possible in the sun-drenched living room.
Kai had carefully planned out what he was going to do for the day: watch movies. Right after the one he's watching, he plans to watch Titanicbecause he felt the need to do so, as one of the very few people across the entire planet who had never seen it. Then perhaps put on The Breakfast Club or maybe even American Psycho.
He caught sight of the slight movement by his right, distracting him from the movie.
"Why hello there, satan."
He laid eyes on the cat that was leisurely walking here and there. Kai tried calling its attention but the cat couldn't care less, as usual.
"Pst! Nathan!"
The white feline with grayish spots whipped its head around at Kai who was patting the seat next to him. It scrutinized him cautiously for a minute or two before finally giving in and walking towards the couch.
It jumped on the empty space beside him. Kai started scratching its chin and it responded with a push, its eyes slowly drooping.
"You're generally apprehensive and cranky." Kai looked at the cat then back at the television, "Guess you're starting to like me."
If Kai only knew that Nathan willingly approached him because the fan was there.
Kai's uncle, who works at an auto repair shop a few blocks away, informed him that he might be home late. He was thinking of making him a meal so that by the time he comes home, he wouldn't have to worry about anything else.
He found out that the lightbulb in the bathroom died and headed straight to the corner store. While he was inside, he considered about having a little snack. He had money to spare, so why not?
Kai set down the lightbulbs and noodles he bought at a table facing the window along with the single cheese slices he got. While waiting for the noodles to cook, he noticed a girl in her sweats eating ramen as well.
Now he knew why the bike parked outside the store seemed familiar.
"Here." Kai tossed her a cheese slice. Her shoulders flinched and she looked at both the cheese and him in confusion.
"Add it to your ramen."
" . . . Why?"
Kai bit his lips marginally. He got the cheese himself and added it to her cup.
"Mix it well." He did the same with his ramen and slurped a big portion of it.
It took a minute of debating before she finally ate her noodles. The way her eyes widened in surprise, better yet in amazement, made Kai grin.
"Tastes good, huh?"
She nodded.
Kai noticed the redness in the girl's ear. The spice was getting to him as well.
"Go buy some milk."
The girl blinked her eyes at him.
"Why do I feel like you think I'm suspicious . . . Dummy." He mumbled under his breath.
He patted his pockets to see if he still had some change then briefly left his noodles and returned with three school-sized cartons of milk. He gave the other two to the girl.
Before she got the chance to ask, Kai already spoke up.
"I take it you're not used to spicy foods."
"Thanks." She said in a mellow tone.
"Look at us, eating hot and spicy ramen in summer like we're asking for punishment." Kai stifled a smile. He really needs to start making his uncle's dinner.
