Chapter 7; Girlfriend

"Uhmm, what I mean is, I'll need to live with you so I can draw you however and whenever I want," she explained, flushing red in embarrassment.

Zeke smirked as he stood up from his chair, walked up to her, and trapped her against the wall. "Little Red wants to live with me? Think again, because there will be consequences," he warned, his lips dangerously close to her nape. Alexia shivered unknowingly at the foreign sensation swirling in her stomach.

"What consequences?" she managed to ask.

He raised his head to meet her eyes. "Well, if people ask what a grown 21-year-old lady is doing in a grown man’s house, just saying you're there to draw me isn’t a good alibi. You need to understand how the world works," he explained.

Alexia blinked, thoroughly confused. Sighing, he elaborated, "Listen, Alexia, I usually don’t talk much, but you’re making me talk a lot, and I’m getting a headache. What I mean is, we need to give the relationship a name so people won’t gossip. Okay?"

"Oh! Now I get it," Alexia exclaimed as realization dawned on her.

Zeke pulled away, walked back to his desk, and leaned against it, his hands tucked into his pockets.

"So, what’s it gonna be?" Alexia asked.

"Be my girlfriend," he said plainly, shocking Alexia. Gosh, he was so unpredictable.

"Fine, if that’s what you want," she replied, determined to do anything to get his drawing. She really needed this—it was the only thing she was good at. Besides, she was a grown 21-year-old and had never had a boyfriend. This could be an experience. The only problem was her family.

Regina! Yes! Regina, her best friend, lived alone. She really needed to talk to her now. They hadn’t spoken since yesterday, and Regina would definitely help her.

"Okay, goodbye, Mr. Xiao. I’ll tell you when I’m moving in," she said, curtseying before leaving.

After she left, Ramon and Tyler, who had been sitting like statues, finally spoke.

"Zeke, girlfriend? Really? Since when did you start taking innocent girls as your girlfriend?" Ramon asked.

"This girl is strange. She actually agreed to it," Tyler muttered, shaking his head before continuing his work. Zeke ignored them both.

As Alexia left, she immediately tried to call her best friend, but the call didn’t go through. Frustrated, she left Regina a message, hoping she’d see it soon. She needed to talk to her about the mess she’d gotten herself into. But this was necessary—she really needed to live with him. Besides, it wouldn’t take long. Once she finished the drawing and got some inspiration for her new webtoon story, she’d leave.

When she arrived home, it was just in time to help her mom prepare dinner. The family of five had a good meal before Leon and his wife, Elena, left. Afterward, Alexia showered and checked her phone before bed, hoping Regina had replied to her message.

"Goddammit, Regina, reply!" she grunted when she saw no response yet. She sent another text with a pleading emoji before turning off her phone and going to sleep.