1 - 6

—Dotti, what's his current Lovemeter?—

—It's at 6. Normally, if you make a declaration now, he will accept—

—Oh, really? Then— —

—However, since he knew Melanie, he'll get suspicious so don't—

—Ah, crap—

Gayle felt his heartbeat increasing and his cheeks heating. He didn't expect such a strong reaction of her. She just smiled but we were talking about Melanie. She was usually less expressive.

"I'll talk to my boss and let you know his answers" He answered fidgeting the straps of his bag.

"I'll mail you my resume"

"You have my mail?"

"Yes. Ben always sends us group mails when there is news about the contest."

"Ah true, Ben is a whole repertory on his own"

"Thank you Gayle"

"Thank me when you'll get the job"

"Okay, I'll own you a treat then"

"Now I'm more eager for you to get this job. Let me give you some tips for when you'll have your interview"

A few days later, Melanie successfully passed the interview, thanks to Gayle. Also the owner was quite happy about snatching an experienced employee from another shop. He needed new people because a company bought some floors of one of the nearby skyscrapers. It would bring more customers but the amount of work would increase too. He wanted to reduce the time of the current shifts so he could add a new one at the end of the day. Gayle and Melanie would take this shift after their classes. Melanie would be able to start once she left her current job.

"Will your boss let you leave like this?" Gayle asked while they were leaving the shop.

"Not really. He will make me stay until he finds someone else and will probably take his time if he knows that I'm leaving for another shop. I'll just tell him about the contest"

"That's smart"

"I know" Melanie said with a proud smile. In the last days, they grew close enough for her to be more relax around Gayle. "And now that I officially get the job, I'll treat you"

"Now? " Gayle asked, startled.

"Yes, I'm hungry too. But actually I don't really eat outside a lot so I don't know places where we can eat though". She usually cooked herself at home than eating outside since it's more cheap this way.

"Do not worry, the surroundings have no secret for me. There is a restaurant who makes the best pasta not far. Is it okay?"

"It's your treat, if you're fine with it then it's okay for me too. Lead the way"

The food was effectively very delicious and affordable, luckily for Melanie. She couldn't afford to go too much over her budget.

"Is it good?" Gayle asked while watching Melanie eating fast.

—Hey glutton, stop stuffing your mouth. You'll disgust him—

—...Oh. But it's too good. If only you can taste it, Dotti ? Besides, can you eat? —

—Obviously no. I'm a robot—

—You're not a living being? But you look so... alive—

—My outer appearance is so that i almost look like an axolotl—

"Yes, it's. I usually cook myself and even if it's edible, I'm not a chef."

"I rather try something before making my own statement. Will you let me try your cooking?"

—I still wonder how Melanie manage not to notice how straightforward Gayle was. He's basically flirting at this point—

—She doesn't have enough experience on social interactions to be able to make a difference between friendly and flirty behaviors—

—Looks like because she'll make me take two steps back—

Melanie thought about cooking for Gayle. It would probably mean that he would come to her house and just the thought of that frightened her.

"I can't !" She bluntly said. There was a silence after such a quick refusal.

"... I-I won't have time..." She tried to make up an excuse so Gayle wouldn't think he was the problem. Her mom was the problem and she didn't want Gayle to meet her. She really liked how they became close lately and didn't want him to move away from her. To her surprise, Gayle put on a gentle smile.

"It's okay. Actually you invited me today because I helped you, so I'll make sure to help you again next time so I can properly ask you" Gayle looked at Melanie who was relaxing at his words after being tensed. He didn't take to heart her refusal because until now, she was always very confident and honest with him but this time, it seemed that she was a bit uncomfortable. Melanie, on the other, was relieved that he didn't look hurt but on the contrary he seemed to understand her. She felt her cheeks heat up, while nodding her head.

"Melanie ? ... and Gayle ? Hi !" They both looked up at the owner of the voice. It was Ben. If Melanie was happy to see him, it was another story for Gayle. He noticed that Ben grew closer to Melanie in the last days - just like him - and he couldn't help himself but feeling jealous, thinking that he might like her too.

"Are you on a date?" He asked with a smirk.

"No ! I was just thanking Gayle since he helped me find a new job" Melanie hastily said, feeling embarrassed. Not long ago, Ben said to her that her and Gayle would be a beautiful couple, after seeing that they started hanging out a lot together at school. Melanie gave him a panicked look, scared that he noticed that she took a fancy for Gayle. She hardly denied, not knowing that she acknowledged Ben's thinking. He was already aware that Gayle liked Melanie and kinda pitied him because a lot of work had to be done in her side but he mostly wanted to mess a bit with him.

"Wait, I also always helped you with the contests but you never invited me anywhere. Or is Gayle special ? How unfair !"Ben acted outraged, teasing both of them. He tried not to laugh, looking at the rollercoaster of expressions that passed through their faces.

—Mister President knows everything and he is having fun—

—At least he is somehow helping you. Gayle looks jealous, and jealousy can increase the lovemeter. . . just know with who you use this trick—

—What ? You think I can fall on a psycho who'll be super jealous and possessive to the point he'll lock me in the basement so I won't interact with any men—

—This was a very precise example... Was this one of your sinful wishes ?—

—Haha, time to end the chapter—