The Human Mate

Chapter 9

"You look like something is bothering you" My mother noted when I made myself a cup of coffee, "Is everything alright?" She asked me, her eyes holding tremendous worry in them.

Of course, she would know something is up. She never misses a single detail about me.

I sighed, "Yeah, everything is alright" I flatly. I didn't want to bring work issues home. What happens at work, stays at work. I took the cup and went to sit in front of the TV. I switched it on and began to flip through the channels, trying to find anything that catches my interest.

I still had plenty of time before I can leave for the supermarket.

My mother quietly made her way to sit next to me, "Why don't you just chill tonight? You don't have to come to the supermarket" She said softly, "We can handle it here" She added when I looked up at her, "You're too young to miss out a lot in your life, Bryce. Go on, live a little"

I didn't say anything at first. Now that I think about it, maybe it was time for me to take a break tonight. Since we moved here, I kept up with my routine. I went to the office, I come home and then I will go to the supermarket only to come home again to sleep. Yes, I was someone who liked following my routine but I can allow myself to break that once in a while, right?

"Yeah, I think I will take the night off," I said with a nod, "I probably won't go out, though. I'd like to stay at home. Maybe order a takeaway and watch something while I eat it" I said, liking the sound of my plan.

My mother shook her head. She probably wanted me to go out and have fun but it's not the weekend yet, "Whatever makes you happy then" She said, standing up, "I am going to leave now"

I looked up at her again, "Do you want a lift?" I asked her.

"You can rest for today, sweetheart," She said, "I'll call an uber or something" She added, taking out her phone.

"I can drop you at the supermarket. I told you I am planning to eat something so I will buy it on my way here" I said, putting down the coffee.

"You can order it online and people will deliver it to our doorstep" She reminded me, "That's what young people do these days. But you know what? Yeah, you should drop me. At least in that way, you will go out other than work matters" She said when I started to contemplate if I just order the food.

"You are making it sound like I am a hermit" I grumbled standing up.

"You are a hermit. Now, at least drink up your coffee" She scolded me.

I sighed and grabbed the cup from the table and gulped the coffee in one go, "There, happy?" I asked at my mother's bewildered face.

"Bryce, you are a psychopath," She said, shaking her head.

I shrugged in response and skipped to the kitchen to wash the cup, "Ready to go?" I asked her and she nodded.

My mother hated to sit behind me on my motorbike but seeing the only car we have is now at the supermarket with my father, she had no other choice but to go with me."Jesus, Bryce! If you keep riding like that I'll call the police myself to cancel your license" She said when we reached the supermarket.

I glowered at her, "Mom, you wouldn't dare" I shook my head at her in a warning.

She smirked, "Oh, I will," She said, "Now, get home safely" She waved her hand at me dismissively.

I revved the engine and threw a flying kiss her way before leaving her there. I haven't explored the town yet so I had to pull up a map on the internet to see what they actually have here. I was pleasantly surprised to find out my favorite Korean food line had an outlet here so I decided to get my comfort food for tonight.

I walked down the street to where I parked my motorbike while carrying a bag of Korean food with a happy smile on my face. I have to cross the busy street in order to get to the motorbike but in my hurry, I only looked at one side.

The next thing I know, a loud blaring horn deafened my ears, freezing me on the very spot I was. I thought my heart nearly stopped and for a moment I didn't know what to do. I could only gasp in shock when a strong hand wrapped around my arm and pulled me away from the speeding car in a flash.

Captivating green eyes looked down at me with tremendous concern and worry, "Are you okay?" Mr.Camelli asked, his eyes scanning over my face and frame as if he was checking to see if I was hurt in any way.

"Mr.Camelli?" I asked, dazed.

The hand around my arm tightened, "Yeah, it's me. Are you hurt?" He asked while I stood there, trying to digest what just happened.

I shook my head, "No, I am not" I said, my eyes wild. At that moment, I realized he saved my life, "Thank you. I- I didn't think-" I stuttered, not knowing what else to say. I looked to the right where I almost got hit by a car a few seconds ago.

Mr.Camelli let out a breath of relief. He gazed down at me, "That's okay. You are okay. That's what matters" He said, his eyes sweeping over my face once again, "Unfortunately, I can say the same for your food" He said, shaking his head, and letting my arm go.

I looked down at my hand and sighed in disappointment. I didn't even realize I had let go of the bag in the heat of the moment. Everything was spilled out from its containers, "I guess I have to buy it again then" I said. This would be a hassle. I rather go home and make instant noodles or something.

"I am going to have Korean food for dinner too" Mr. Camelli stated while I was staring at my food in sorrow, "Do you mind giving me company?" He asked me.

I looked up at him, "That's okay. I-"

"Please, I insist," He said, making me press my lips into a thin line. I wanted to say a firm no but my stomach grumbled out loud, embarrassing me ultimately, "See, you are hungry" He stated as a matter of fact, "Come on, please join me for dinner"

I wished I had ordered food at home.

I exhaled a breath, "Let me just- I don't want to burden anyone" I said, crouching down to gather all the spilled food into the bag. I spotted a trash bin nearby and put the bag inside it, "Yeah, we can go now" I said, turning around to face him.

He was watching me with an unreadable expression. It made my whole body tingle. "Let's go," He said, gesturing me to follow him. He walked slowly, waiting for me to catch up with him, "I thought you will be at the supermarket" He stated, entering the Korean restaurant.

He was trying to keep the conversation going.

I nodded, "I should be but I am taking a day off today," I said, stepping into the restaurant behind him.

"Why? Are you tired? Are those files making you feel overwhelmed?" He asked, once again, appearing to be concerned. I don't think he is this attentive when it comes to all of his employees. Why was he so worried about me?

"No" I shook my head, keeping my answer short. I felt disturbed because of the attention he was giving me. It was maddening.

Maybe other women loved this kind of attention from a mysterious stranger but not me. There is no denying that he is attractive but I still felt uncomfortable around him. Jittery, to be exact.

Mr.Camelli found a secluded spot for the both of us and we ordered our food there. The waitress took the orders and left but I noticed that she looked only at Mr.Camelli as she spoke. I won't blame her, he did look too handsome for anyone to ignore.

"Why did you tell the barista to not take money from me if I order coffee?" I asked Mr.Camelli once the waitress left us.

His back stiffened and he seemed like he was trying to choose the right words for him to answer me, "It is a little token of gratitude" He finally said after a few ticking seconds, "You are working hard so I wanted you to feel motivated" He said, looking proud of himself.

What did he think I was? A dumb girl who believes everything blindly? "I assure you that I am motivated and it has not even been a week since I joined. I think it is too early for you to show a gesture of gratitude to me, Mr.Camelli" I said everything in one breath, "Does anyone else has this privilege?" I asked him when he continued to watch me wordlessly.

He shook his head, "No other employee has that privilege, Bryce" He finally answered after a few fleeting seconds.

I knew it! I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously, "Then why I am the only one getting it?" I asked.

He stiffened but before he can say something, the waitress walked upon us with our steaming food. She arranged everything on the table and reluctantly left, her eyes wandering towards Mr.Camelli more than they should.

"Thank you," I said to the waitress and waited until she was past hearing distance, "You didn't answer my question yet" I pointed out, not wanting to give up.

"I don't know. I just felt like giving you that privilege. Maybe because you are overqualified for the work now and we do not have a proper position for you yet" He explained, his face was stoic of any emotions as he spoke so I couldn't decide if he was telling the truth or not, "I just felt like it was unfair"

I sighed, "It was my decision to leave New York, Mr.Camelli. You do not have to pay the price for it" I shook my head at him, "Yes, you are right. It is unfair. Unfair for the people who started to work in your company from the beginning and still, they haven't received any privilege like this"

He looked fixedly at me as I spoke and nodded his head, "You do have a fair point. Alright, I will talk to the barista tomorrow" He said, "Now, can we start eating before the food gets cold? Korean food is meant to be enjoyed while they are still warm"

At the mention of food, my stomach rumbled loudly again and I took a whiff of the delicious smell that I loved very much, "Sure, I guess" I said, taking a pair of chopsticks and pulling the bowl of ramen towards me but paused to look up at him, "Just to confirm we are on the same page, I am going to pay for my own food right?"

He didn't seem to look happy when he nodded.

I smiled at him, "Good" I said before diving into my food, feeding my ravenous stomach.

Just like I predicted, I felt self-conscious throughout the dinner as I ate. Usually, I wasn't the type of person who would mind what people think about me but with him, I am not like that. Maybe because he was my boss or that's what I telling myself.

"You are good at using chopsticks" Mr.Camelli noted as we walked side by side toward my motorbike. The street was not as busy as it was earlier. The sun went down and the sky has darkened.

I looked up at the stars before I answered him, "My father taught me how to when I was a kid" I explained.

A gust of cold wind blew on my face, fanning my hair away, and at the same time, Mr.Camelli rose his nose in the air and took a deep breath, his face softening in delight. What he was doing?

I didn't ask him that, of course. But I was curious. I think I have seen him doing this before.

He looked to the side at me and instinctively, I looked away, my cheeks turning pink when he caught me looking at him, "You look good with your hair down" He said randomly, making my heart skip a beat again.

"Thank you," I said without looking at him, "I like to keep my hair away from my face while I work" I added. I might look different to him tonight because of my hair and the attire that I am wearing because I wasn't formal in the slightest.

"Thank you for walking me out but I can take it from here," I said once we reached my motorbike. I took out my helmet and turned to face him.

"Your motorbike?" He asked, looking down at it with a hint of disapproval in his eyes as I put on the helmet.

"Yeah" I nodded and glanced down to look at my watch and my eyes widened at how time has passed, "I have to leave now. I'll see you tomorrow then" I said urgently now. Without waiting for his answer, I threw my leg over the motorbike and started the engine.

I revved the engine before looking at him again, "I sense a heavy rain but I think you will get home before it" He said, making my eyebrows furrow together.

"Do you know where I live?" I asked. I couldn't help but look at him suspiciously.

He shook his head, "No but there are only a few neighborhoods in this town, and no matter in which you live, I am sure you will be able to get there in time before it pours" He said, "Ride safe" He added.

I wanted to ask him what he meant when he said he could sense heavy rain and how could he sense that but I was running out of time. I had to be home before nine so I can do my bedtime routine.

I nodded at him before speeding away from there. I glanced at the side mirror to see if he left but he was there, staring at me as I sped away from him. I shook my head to myself and trained my eyes on the road.

I reached home in about ten minutes and I was parking the motorbike when a bolt of lightning struck the sky and the thunder followed right after. Soon, it was pouring like cats and dogs

He was right. I was able to get home before it rains.

I exhaled a laugh in disbelief and shook my head, "What a strange man" I muttered to myself before entering my home. I sighed when my gaze fell on the TV. I was supposed to be home, eating that food while watching the TV but I guess it wasn't meant to happen that way tonight.

Well, at least I got him to take back the privilege he had given me. So that is a good thing.