The Official Meeting

Sarien has been staring at Eve for a whole ten minutes now. He wanted to rouse her up at first but figured it would be all right to stay as-is for now. Maybe she was exhausted while waiting for him and fell asleep. He felt sorry for tiring her and was annoyed once again with the heavy traffic that made him run late.

He was thankful the Tang seniors were kind enough to appoint a time for them to meet. They even added that she wanted to see him which made Sarien eager to visit. He was both excited and nervous to finally acquaint himself with his benefactor. He even spent another minute by the door practicing how to greet her. What welcomed him, however, is a fragile beauty sleeping soundly on her reclined bed.

Sitting by her bedside, he can not help but scrutinize the slumbering girl. Her casted leg bulges within the duvet. The tubes were finally taken off her chest along with the gauze that covered her forehead. He then closely studied her once flawless face feeling regrettable over the irregular pinkish spots marring her cheek. Despite their presence, she remains as impeccable as he first laid his eyes on her.

Currently, he was glad that Father Tang gave them privacy though he first thought it was unnecessary. His rude act of blatantly watching the young lady will surely be criticized had they remained. Of course, he didn't know that Eve coquettishly asked her dad for quality time with the hero under the guise of sincere talks. Sylvius simply agreed for he anticipated the old man going mental if his imagination reached critical levels.

Eve who couldn't resist the temptation of dreamland is currently contemplating how to move on from being a sleeping belle.

( Halfsie, you should have woken me up.)

She has already come around by the time he sat near her. Nevertheless, she thought it would be inappropriate timing to open her eyes, especially when feeling his warm breathing against her face.

( Host, you've been fatigued lately so I let you enjoy your beauty rest.)

Certainly, the furball will not confess to letting the leading man feast his eyes on its defenseless boss. It was determined to take matters into its own hands and support the host in further stealing the hero.

Recalling the past two days she spent acting in front of the father-son duo, she was indeed a little strained. She never thought performing like an upright girl is too taxing. She even ended up napping a lot as if to compensate her weary soul.

( Have I regained my vibrant allure?) She asked the system. Stress after all is the enemy of youth and beauty.

( Yes host, but if you lower your head a little right now, you'd be more beautiful.)

Halfsie kindly advised the host. The leading man is showing signs of being captivated which made it thrilled. The road to robbing the male lead is finally in motion.

[ More beautiful?]

Hearing the furball, Eve tilted her face downward. If there is a way to improve her appearance, she is naturally willing to do it.

( Host, if you smile like you are having a sweet dream, it will highlight your features exponentially.)

The childish voice rang again. Eve who was blinded with thoughts of improving her image heeded its help. The corner of her lips lifted and she let out a soft groan.

( That's it! That's it!)

( That's perfect, host!)

The furball cheered ecstatically as the play in front turns to the way Halfsie imagined it to be.

The unsuspecting teenager is immersed with the view in front of him, not knowing that the two deplorable beasts have been directing everything. He could never imagine that behind such an innocent scene is a duo of scheming bastards using their abacus for different means.

Feeling it's the right time to make a perfect entrance, Eve decided to commence the "fragile beauty act part one". Her lashes fluttered gently as she slowly woke up. Her sight immediately met the young man's bewildered ones.

[ We officially meet, my guardian.]

Sarien did not expect their eyes to meet the moment she awakens. Again, he is lost in the most beautiful shade of blue he has ever seen. It reminded him of the first day they've met and how bewitched he was sinking into them. Sarien can only gawk at her for words had left him. He was unable to utter even a single letter out of his slightly opened mouth. Such a stupid look on a handsome face is an incredible sight to see.

A charming smile formed on Eve's lips.

[ That's right. This work of art is your owner. The one whom you owe your servitude.]

The hero ogling at her this way means her face indeed preserved its appeal. Such a positive reinforcement calmed her slightly worried heart.

The furball is screaming on mute mode while on the sidelines. It is exhilarated by the way things are unfolding and applauds Eve's cunning move. Sure enough, if angled in the right way her face can capture anyone at first sight.

Recognizing his ill-manner, Sarien coughed unnaturally. When he recovered his wits back he finally spoke.

" My name is Sarien Lu."

" And I came to thank you."

His gaze is direct and gentle while his voice not too deep but is soothingly pleasant. Eve wonders if puberty is not finished with his glow up yet since his voice isn't as husky and deep as she originally imagined. According to novels, heroes' should emit a sound so attractive it could make ears pregnant. She was curious and was looking forward to hearing one. Thinking back, she did not have the chance of listening to him that day.

" I am..."

" Evangeline Tang." He interrupted.

" How could I be unaware of my savior's name?"

A dashing grin enhanced the originally attractive face. If he flashed such a move while on the streets, surely ladies will flock just to give him their heart.

[ No wonder Halesia fell so freaking hard for you, dear hero.]

" Just Eve."

Her gaze did not die down but rather replaced by a burning one.

[ Good. With a face like that, you will surely capture my sister's heart once more.]

She was satisfied with the sure-win appearance of her investment.

" Eve."

He looked straight into her azure irises and spoke ever so kindly.

" I'm really glad to finally meet you."

[ Fortunately, you survived, Eve.]

The life debt is too heavy and Sarien knew very well his small chance of living had he been hit. It was miraculous that she recovered quickly but it did not mean the same circumstance will happen to him too. Luck after all is based on one's destiny.

Those twinkling eyes of his only contained her. Eve smiled brightly as she appreciates such a marvelous show of capitulation.

" I'm glad to meet you too, Sarien."

[ My guardian hero, I'm expecting a fruitful return of service from you.]

Sarien watched her beaming face but was distracted by the stitches hidden by her hair. If it weren't for her movement just now, he wouldn't have seen a view that almost stung his eyes.

He lowered his head and a gloomy aura enveloped him.

" I am truly thankful for what you did but I hope you never do something like that in the future." He resumed.

Her heavy injuries flashed in his mind. He will never forget that this young lady who appears good as new almost departed in his arms a few days ago.

She examined the young man whose dazzle was replaced by despondency.

[ Does he mean I should just watch him lose his life next time?]

Eve denied that plea without a second thought. How could she ever disregard the hero's life from now on? Wouldn't her death-defying stunt all for naught if he perishes? Naturally, she can't let that happen. She will not let her investment die in vain.

" No. I can't let anything happen to you." Eve spoke in an indifferent voice.

The astonished man widened his confusion-filled eyes. He gaped at Eve whose expression remains placid as if saying it was a matter of course.

" Why?" He can't help but ask.

Eve tilted her head and with a deadpan manner, she answered.

" Of course, because I can never let you die."

[ Let you belch away that easily? No way. I have invested a lot in you Mr. Halesia's man.]

It took a moment for Sarien to register what she said.

[ How can she say that with a straight face.] He thought.

He hurriedly shifted his face to hide his burning cheeks. Those words were not even laced with any sweetness yet he can't help but be moved. For the first time ever, he felt shy.

Sarien peeked at the young girl who acted as if nothing was wrong with the bomb she uttered.

[ Does she… ]

He focused on Eve looking at him without a trace of longing or admiration and scolded himself. Maybe she did not mean anything with those words? Somehow, he was rather disappointed with that conjecture.

***

The well-lit corridor perfectly illuminated Grandpa Tang's seething face. He is currently standing outside the room watching such a mellow-drama scene transpire through the glass panel of the door. His baby granddaughter looking so lovely and innocent talking to a hoodlum whose face is redder than a monkey's butt. Such a wonderful view made him yearn to exercise his powerful yanking skill. He wanted to barge in and tear the man away from Evangeline but his damn son's iron grip won't let him go.

" Brat, if you don't let me go I will disown your wretched ass."

Lionel almost roared at his son clinging to him so tightly. No wonder he was acting suspiciously being a goodie two shoes awhile back. This good son of his has truly polished his skill of being an annoying bastard and even managed to trick him. He almost regretted sending him to those expeditions that nourished his cunning soul.

" Father, you also know this is the first time Evangeline has taken the initiative to meet someone. Let's not mess it up."

Sylvius tried to talk some sense to his father. In truth, he is also pissed off as he watches his daughter smile tenderly to that rascal. If his saner side didn't prevail, he would be joining Grandpa Tang in pummeling the kid away from his treasure.

Lionel stopped struggling when he heard him. He had almost forgotten their bleak past because of their heartwarming interactions these past few days. Recalling those memories, the hand holding the doorknob instantly let go. His son is right. Their darling angel is finally opening up, of course, he was more than happy to see that. After so long, she finally responds to them and even reaches out to other people. Still, why couldn't she have saved a girl instead of this potential threat? He poured all his frustration onto the annoying fly before reluctantly backing down.

" I get it so let me go."

Father Tang freed him. They glanced one last time at the closed door and went inside the next room to wait for the younglings to finish.

" Is something wrong?"

Eve asked the teenager who suddenly became quiet.

" No. Nothing. I just remembered something."

Sarien can finally sigh in relief when the uncomfortable feeling left him. He has no idea why he felt a burning sensation on his back just now when there was nothing behind him in the first place. He attributed such phenomena as the after-effects of the accident.