Poisonous Mouth

Daniel's appearance was like a driftwood to her.

"What are you doing here?" she softly asked— her throat feeling dry.

"Working," Daniel answered.

Her eyes then went down to his uniform, and she registered he was a waiter here. Although she couldn't remember exactly, Daniel was running around, doing a lot of odd jobs right now.

Daniel bent down to pick up the large pieces of the broken glass carefully.

Seeing their interaction made Samuel ask, "You know him?"

Emma nodded, not planning to explain further. She knew Daniel didn't wish to be associated with being her boyfriend.

"That was careless of you," Jonathan vocalized, "You didn't get hurt, right?"

He reached out to touch her arm. The contact made her blood run cold, but before she could react, Daniel placed his hand around her shoulder, bringing her close to him.

"I will take you to clean up." There was a hint of gentleness in his cold voice.

"You two, what's the relationship between you?" Samuel frowned.

"I am dating Emma."

With that, he led Emma out of there. Once Emma was away from the room, she rushed over to the washroom. The nausea overtook her, and she threw up.

Goosebumps rose all of her arms.

She dug her nails into her forearm, pulling it down and making scratches. The pain made her get a grip over herself.

"You're too weak, Emma. What are you going to do if you keep on collapsing like this?" Emma mumbled.

Once she was done emptying her stomach, she walked over to wash her face. Raising her head, she looked at her desolate, lifeless self on the mirror.

Pulling her lips, she tried to bring out her smile, but even that felt too exhausting for her.

Lowering her head, she stepped out the washroom. The figure standing in front of her caught her off guard. She raised her head to look at Daniel.

Her reddened, watery eyes matched with her pale lips made her look pitiful. Daniel's eyes shifted towards her forearms. The imprints of the scratches could be seen.

That made her immediately hide her hands behind her back.

"What are you doing wasting time here? Don't you have work to do?" Emma asked. Then, forcing out a smile on her face, she added, "Could it be that you're concerned about your pitiful girlfriend?"

Daniel didn't respond. He reached out to grab her hand and brought it forward. One of the scratches was made too deep, and the beads of blood gathered on the surface.

A slight frown appeared on his face.

He pulled her hand, bringing her over to the staff room. Emma was a little shocked but followed him there. When he sat her down and took out the first aid box, the sweetness touched her heart.

Her dark eyes softened when he gently put the ointment on her wounds before placing a bandage on.

"Don't foolishly hurt yourself," Daniel said.

Emma scrunched up her nose. "Aren't you the actual fool? Do you like being threatened by me that much? You should be happy now."

"Stay here," he ordered. "I still have two hours of shift to cover."

Emma blinked her eyes. "I can get home on my own."

"There is a higher possibility of you getting run over by a truck than returning home safely."

Leaving behind his cold, poisonous words, Daniel was out of the room.

"I am not that careless," Emma muttered.

Looking around the room, she stated, "Leaving me all alone here, what am I going to do? It's not like I can't pay for the little he makes in this shift."

Emma raised her hands and slapped her cheeks. "No, Emma, you can't think like that. You promised to not degrade him and stay away from him in this life."

"Then, do I leave?" She tilted her head, contemplating.

"I should. But before that, I can rest here for a little while. There is two more hours before he returns. I will leave before that," Emma muttered.

Emma shook her head.

What was she doing talking to herself?

Leaning back against the chair, she closed her eyes.

°°°

After a talk with the manager, Daniel was allowed to retire few minutes early from his shift. When he entered the staffroom, he saw her uncomfortably resting on the chair.

There was a frown settled on her forehead, displaying her discomfort.

Emma grew up privileged, having everything she wanted at the palm of her hands. Her parents showered her with affections, and even her most impossible wishes will be fulfilled by them at a little tantrum.

There was nothing for him to feel disheartened or pity her.

However, looking at her like this unexpectedly made his heart soften.

As her head was about to fall down, Daniel extended his hand and supported her head.

The contact made Emma's eyes flutter open slowly. Looking at him with her blurry vision, she muttered, "Daniel."

"Come on, I will take you home," he said.

His voice immediately brought her to her senses, and she stood up straight.

"I am alright now," she said, "I can go home on my own. Thank you for earlier."

"I don't want your father to question me if you get in trouble," Daniel voiced out.

Emma nodded.

A realization hit Emma.

Just like how Jonathan disgusted her to the point she threw up at the sight of his face, she should be such a person in Daniel's eyes.

Here, she was unable to endure a second of Jonathan, and Daniel had to be in a relationship with her for five years.

How did he manage to stay sane for that long period of time?

"Daniel, don't be so kind to me," Emma said.

It only made her feel more guilty and conflicted.

Although Daniel heard her words, he chose to give her no response.