Handsome Guy Upstairs, Mind Your Influence

4.

He flipped on the light and looked at me, confused. My face must have been ghost-white from fear, because he rushed over to support me.

It was Zane Shaw.

I froze. Looking around the unfamiliar room, I suddenly remembered... I had fallen asleep at Zane Shaw's place last night.

"S-sorry," I stammered. "I-I forgot I was at your house."

I felt a wave of relief, but I'd been through so much crap these past few days. I was exhausted and weak. I tried to stand up straight, but my legs felt like they didn't belong to me. They gave out, and I fell right into his arms.

'I didn't do it on purpose!'

'I swear I didn't mean to fall into the arms of an ultimate hottie like him! I wasn't throwing myself at him!'

My face turned so red I thought it might start bleeding. From my angle, I could just make out a strange, unreadable glint in his eyes.

Then, he blushed too. He gently held me, carefully avoiding any inappropriate places.

"Don't worry," he said. "You're safe now."

He patted my back lightly, and the tense furrow in my brow gradually relaxed.

'The embrace of one of the People's Police, as expected! It feels so safe!'

And just like that, enveloped in a faint scent of lavender, I completely calmed down.

"Thank you, Zane Shaw."

My face was full of gratitude. "I'm just being such a bother."

He shook his head. "It's no trouble. Do you want some water?"

I nodded. That was what I'd been looking for in the first place.

He cleared his throat. I paused for a second.

Then, I quickly stood up straight and gave him an embarrassed smile.

'I forgot he was still holding me.'

'To be honest, his arms were so warm... I kind of didn't want to leave.'

'What are you thinking, Lucy Young!'

'The nerve!'

'He took you in, and this is how you repay him, by having improper thoughts?!'

After fiercely scolding myself, my mind kept replaying the scene of him holding me.

'Hehe, I know it's "criminal," but I just can't help it.'

Maybe it was Zane Shaw's comforting presence, but I slept soundly for the rest of the night.

When I woke up again, I washed up and went out to find he had already made breakfast in the kitchen.

"You must have been terrified last night. Have something to eat."

He glanced back at me and placed the plate he was holding onto the table.

Fried eggs and a vegetable salad. It looked delicious.

I took a bite. It was really good.

"I never would've guessed you were such a good cook!"

It looked simple, but the flavor was anything but.

He paused. "I'm on my own, so I cook for myself often."

I work downtown in City A, but my home is in the suburbs. My mom comes over every weekend to stock my fridge with food.

So, I couldn't really relate to what he was saying.

But I silently took note of his words, then thanked him and left for work.

At work today, I finished my entire day's tasks in just two hours. For the rest of the time... I was looking up information, trying to learn a few signature dishes in a single day.

When I got home that evening, carrying a basket full of meat and vegetables, I saw the dead rat at my door...

'So despicable! Who did this?!'

A musty smell filled my nostrils. As I fought back a wave of nausea, I decided I couldn't live here anymore.

I took out my phone and called my best friend.

"Hey, Vivi, I've run into a bit of trouble recently. Would it be okay if I stayed with you for a few days?"

She paused for a few seconds. "What's wrong, Lucy? My place... uh, my boyfriend moved in, and my dad's sick so I'm back in my hometown taking care of him. It's just my boyfriend at home right now."

She didn't explicitly say whether it was convenient or not, but there was no way I could stay alone with her boyfriend!

"Oh, never mind then."

I sighed. I was about to call property management and the police to investigate what was going on when I suddenly heard a familiar voice behind me.

"The surveillance results are in. It was an accomplice from the den downstairs getting revenge on you. Unfortunately, we didn't catch them in the act."

Zane Shaw appeared, holding some kind of certificate. He handed it to me. "This is a certificate for reporting a crime. There's some reward money included inside."

I took it, but I felt a little guilty.

"I-I can't take this."

That whole thing was just an accident.

He raised an eyebrow and looked at the dead rat on the ground. "Consider it compensation for emotional distress."

I accepted it and said with some difficulty, "Forget it, I'm not going to stay here for a while. I... maybe I should just go home."

"Where is home?"

I told him I lived in the suburbs, and he gave me a look that said, 'Have the last few days scared you stupid?'

"Then how are you going to get to work for the next few days?"

'Until I find a new place, I'll have to get up at three in the morning at the latest...'

I looked at him pleadingly. "But there's no other way."

"How about this: you can stay at my place until you find a new apartment."

Even though constantly bothering him made me feel incredibly guilty, it was the best solution right now.

I nodded gratefully. "Thank you! Don't worry, I won't stay for free. I'll pay rent!"

He paused for a moment, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Okay."