Her Weakest Link

. . .

Time passed, and before Zeirenne knew it, morning came.

She bandaged her foot and arm before stepping out of her room to gaze into the horizon on her balcony. Letting herself get mesmerized as the sun slowly lit the surroundings with bright colors.

The view was no less beautiful than how it dazzled at night. With the dews still covering the leaves of trees, the sparkles comforted Zeirenne in an indescribable feeling. She missed waking up to this scenery every morning—being greeted by lively greens rather than noisy cars.

In the middle of enjoying her sceneries, her stomach grumbled, and she groaned from this, "URGH. Could you hang in there? I swear I'll make that Miura Takumi eat dirt once all of these ends," she clenched her fist before slamming it into the balcony.

A knock interrupted her starvation, and she looked back to see one of her 'prison guards' inside her room.

She furrowed her brows before stepping back inside. After sliding the door close, she walked towards him, "Follow me," he said.

Zeirenne shrugged her shoulders while opening her fingers in front as if saying, "Go ahead."

Eventually, her tour guide led her somewhere painfully familiar.

She entered the dining room just to be greeted by the long table bearing all sorts of dishes. The food prepared could feed an entire tribe; she thought to herself before walking towards her seat. Willy pulled the seat for her once again.

"What is this? I thought you wanted to starve me. What made you change your mind?" she said while glaring at Miura Takumi who was on the other side, "Perhaps... don't tell me I'm here because..."

"You're right," Miura Takumi said, ingesting a spoonful of corn soup. He wiped his mouth and took a sip of water before continuing, "I want you to watch me eating. This makes it harder for you doesn't it?" he smirked and Zeirenne gripped the table napkin in front. She was ready to throw it towards his direction but she stopped herself somehow.

"It's okay... don't let him win this game," she told herself.

After the self-talk, she shrugged her shoulders, facing Miura Takumi once again. This time, she was the one smirking, "You think I'll let you enjoy your meal?"

Miura Takumi contested her words. He took a bite of his food, chewing it with gusto just to show her, "What can you possibly do?"

Zeirenne laughed while clapping her hands. All the maids and musclemen inside the dining room fidgeted in their positions.

It was the first time they're seeing someone brave enough to laugh in front of their Miura-dono. She was a beautiful lady, and they were getting concerned. "Such a waste," crowed their thoughts.

"Hmmm..." Zeirenne started and Miura Takumi raised his eyebrows.

"What bullsh!t is this woman up to now?" he thought to himself.

Eventually, Zeirenne continued her monologue, "It was freezing last night, right? Miura-san?" she said with a mischievous smirk, "You shouldn't have slept naked, you know... It's bad for your... health."

Everyone inside the room had to choke themselves just to stifle their laughter. Willy eyed them one by one and they had to bite their lips shut.

They almost jumped off their places as a thud echoed around the entire dining area when Miura Takumi slammed his utensils on the table before eyeing Zeirenne with rage.

"What?" she asked innocently.

Miura Takumi rubbed his temples before flicking his fingers to summon his subordinate, "Willy..."

"Yes, Miura-dono?"

"Bring that doctor in."

Lines started appearing on Zeirenne's forehead after hearing this, "Doctor? Don't tell me..." she turned her head just to see the same 40-year-old man standing in front of her.

"Why are you still here?!" her eyes said upon meeting the doctor's eyes, "Jin Yang! I'm gonna kill you after this!"

Thankfully, Miura Takumi couldn't read minds all the time. He looked at the chubby doctor before pointing at Zeirenne, "Please make sure she's at her best condition. There's bunch of things she has to do."

Jin, who was in the being of Mr. Gomez, immediately crouched down in front of Zeirenne. He reached out for her ankle, glaring at her on the sly as if saying, "Get hurt again one more time and I'll drag you out of here. AT ALL COST."

She flinched as he intentionally twisted her ankle to the side like a small punishment.

"What do you mean I have lots of things to do?" Zeirenne asked as she brought her gaze back to Miura Takumi.

"I'm going to Russia, and you're coming with me."

"Wha- ouch!" Zeirenne hissed as the bandage wrung around her sprain a little tighter than what was necessary. She rounded her eyes towards Jin/Mr. Gomez, mouthing, "I'm gonna kill you after this."

They were both eyeing one another before Miura Takumi snapped their competition, "It's that bad?" He asked while eyeing her ankle.

"No, it's not a bi-"

"Miura-dono," Jin cut her off, "It's sad to say, but we must keep her ankle under watch for three more days to ensure complete recovery."

Miura Takumi rubbed his chin, "Too bad our flight's today. If you can... I mean, it's not like you have a choice... you'll come to Russia with us, Mr. Doctor."

"What?!" Zeirenne's eyes said as much.

It was unnoticeable to many, but Jin knew her enough to know she was being hysterical inside her head. Indeed, she was, "What in the world is going on inside this genius's mind?!"

"You're good to walk now, aren't you?" Miura Takumi said. He wiped his mouth and downed his water before standing up from his seat, "Then move your legs. We're leaving now."

Dr. Gomez packed his kit and stood up to offer his hand to his patient, "Please take my hand, Miss."

Zeirenne glared at him before gripping his hand tightly, "Thank you, Mr. Gomez," she looked at Willy who was still standing behind her, "I don't have any clothes to pack, anyway. Please lead the way, Mr. Willy."

. . .