16. Dinner and prey

Her voice was weak and trembling. Her palm was sweating above his hand, and for a moment, she thought of taking it back. But as she stared at those grey orbs trailing around her ridiculous tiny mask, the embarrassment dissipated.

She bit her lips and softly mumbled, "Not this…"

How stupid can she be? What was the nervousness or the uncalled anxiety for? He already saw that black mark and never looked at her weirdly or pointed out that insecurity. Now, what was the point of hiding it at all?

Isn't this what she wanted all along? To meet someone who won't insult or look down on her because of her hideous appearance. Someone who would say to her – 'what's so hideous in having a little scar?'

What she thought she found in that wretched former lover of hers was now standing before her. And she could see he was genuine.

Azer's gaze moved slightly and met her purple irises. His hand above her mask felt heavy, as though a thousand weights pushed it back that her eyes felt strained. Her eyelids fluttered behind that tiny mask and she lost focus.

"Does it hurt?"

Did it hurt? Why did it feel like something stung the skin around her scar? It felt itchy. She looked up and saw concern masked his face, so she shook her head to reassure him. However, she pushed him back and took a step backward.

"I should go home."

"Do you have a favorite dish?"

"…what?"

Amara looked at Azer, confused. The latter cocked his head and answered, "I sent them away. So, I will be eating dinner alone."

Her eyebrows furrowed at him, "And…so?"

Azer frowned. He leaned his body on the racks and folded his arm on his chest. Then, he answered her with a raised eyebrow, "I'm not used to eating alone. But because you came, I was left behind. So, you need to eat with me."

Amara gaped at his ridiculous reason. But when his words sunk in, her mouth closed and a glint of disappointment showed in her eyes.

Does that mean he was going to eat dinner with that lady? The two of them alone?

"Hans is probably eating at his home now, so I couldn't ask him," Azer continued with a sad tone.

Amara stared at him. He sounded…whining. Like he was trying to guilt trip her from shooing away his playmates.

"What about that lady? Why don't you ask her to eat with you?"

Azer grinned upon hearing her words. And it was already too late before she realized what she meant. Her face flushed red.

"N-Nevermind…"

She quickly turned around and tried to walk to the door, but her feet froze when she felt something hot hit her neck.

As it turns out, he was quicker than her clumsy movement. Before she could step away, his hand was already wrapped around her waist, pinning her on the spot lightly. His lips hovered beside her ears, inches above her shoulder making her fully aware of his hot breath.

His black hair ruffled against hers, and as he spoke, his chest behind her touching her back, vibrated.

"Why do you sound so jealous?"

Amara knew it was coming, yet her heart wasn't prepared. She tried to clear her throat and pretend like she was feeling suffocated by his arm on her waist, but her skin only tingled more upon a simple brush of her dainty hands on his veined arms.

"N-Non…sense!" She exclaimed and took a deep breath. Why did he suddenly hug her? She wasn't ready! Now her mind was rumbling profanities to calm her racing heart. With the distance between them, she was certain he could feel her increasing heart rate.

"L-Let go," she held his arm again and tried to push it away, but it only tightened. With such a movement, even her head bumped on his neck and when she looked up, she could see the bone on his throat bobbing up and down like a dribbling ball.

Because of her height, he could easily look down at her even at such a close distance.

Amara admired his defined jawline and she even had a glimpse of his growing stubbles. Her eyes froze when she caught sight of where he was staring. As his gaze dropped on her, she realized they were focused below her nose.

Unconsciously, she wet her lips with her tongue and was flustered when she realized what she had just done.

Her eyes widened in shock and she tried to straighten her head again, but then, his other hand gently supported her neck and pushed her head further to his chest. He held her like he was choking her, but even without in that position, Amara felt like she was being suffocated.

His eyes burned with emotion she recognized.

Hunger.

"F-Fine!" She shouted out of the blue, her voice sounded strained because her neck was stretched backward. Before the man could do something that he would probably regret, she pushed his chin up away and continued, "I'll eat with you!"

Having her in his arms wasn't good for her heart. The only way to keep her feelings unnoticed was to keep a safe distance. Even though she couldn't understand his intentions, it'd be best for her not to put her hopes up.

What if he was just a clingy person? Like he was just someone who really cared for his neighbors? She wouldn't want to misunderstand him and then get kicked in her rightful place in the end.

And as though nothing happened, Azer prepared a simple meal – braised pork ribs paired with sauteed broccolini and mushrooms. She almost drooled from the appetizing meal laid on the table.

"Dig in."

She looked at him and mumbled her gratitude before picking up the pork and knife. But then, as she stabbed a sliced mushroom, she tilted her head slightly.

"Is there a problem?" Azer asked. He sat across from her and picked up his knife.

"I feel like…I'm forgetting something…" she mumbled in a daze.

Azer chuckled. He replied gleefully, "Is that a compliment? You haven't tasted my cooking yet but you already forgotten your existence?"

"What?! That's not it!"

"What is it then? Tell me," He grinned and took a bite. "And do tell me also if the food is to your liking."

Amara took a bite. The sauce wasn't too thick and just had the right taste, the meat was melting inside her mouth and easier to peel out from the bone, and with the vegetables as side dishes, the taste became more balanced.

She swallowed her food with delight. The food she ate from diners and food establishments in town with Vida was never satisfying and tastier than that.

"How was it?"

She lifted her head and met his eyes for a moment because she quickly averted her gaze again. The look on his face was like a student waiting for his teacher to grade his project – a hopeful and expectant yet quite nervous look.

She giggled as she recalled his face.

"I didn't know you're good at cooking as well," she stabbed a broccolini and brought it to her plate. "You're also good at baking. What else can you do?"

"I can't draw."

She looked up from her plate and gave him a curious yet doubtful look.

"It's true. When it comes to arts, I'm a failure. I was told my drawings often looked like a toddler's homework, and when I studied carving, I excelled in carving different kinds of naturally formed rocks."

Amara listened while she stuffed her mouth with food from time to time.

"Though they said I was a genius and very artistic, growing up, I learned how hilarious my works are. Even a kid can carve the shape of a rock. If you failed to achieve your desired form, then you can just say it was a rock."

"What were you trying to carve then?"

Azer looked at her, a glint in his eyes, and then he answered, "A wolf."

Her hands paused and she wondered, "Why a wolf?"

"I like wolves."

"Huh?"

"You asked me why I tried to carve a wolf."

Did she say it out loud?

"Do you like wolves, Amara?"

Her heart throbbed just from the mention of her name. She hid her emotions by lowering her head and pretending to slice a vegetable.

"No…? Wolves are scary."

"…do they?"

"Yeah. They are big, thrice bigger than dogs, with their large and sharp fangs and paws. And they harm humans."

Silence ensued after she answered. Amara looked up only to find him gazing at him with an unreadable look in his eyes. It felt like the atmosphere changed, and so did the man in front of her. His carefree and relaxed aura seemed to become colder and quieter.

Did she say something wrong? Is he the type to hate a person with a different opinion and preferences from him? What happened?

She suddenly wanted to apologize, though she didn't know why and what was for. She tried, but before she could utter the words, Azer spoke already.

"Not all wolves are harmful. There are friendly ones too," he subtly smiled at her. "Have you met one, Amara?"

"N-No…"

"Then, you shouldn't judge them before you meet them."

Is she supposed to meet and greet a wolf first before she says they are dangerous? If they aren't, then what about the news in the newspapers about some hunter being bitten and killed by wolves? Are they false?

She unconsciously shivered when she recalled the horrendous images of the victims she once read in a morning article.

"I…don't think I'd want to meet one," she muttered lowly.

Her voice almost came out as a whisper, but Azer clearly heard her. His hands clenched the silverware that they slightly bent, his eyes bore into her frail countenance and even though his chest felt heavy, a small smile with a sharp glint showed in his face.

"How unlucky you are then," he uttered slowly and watched her flinched in her seat as he spoke. He waited until their eyes met, and when they did, he smiled widely, masking the dangerous and the hidden intent in his words, "I think one preys on you."