Now that Ren had calmed down, Luca quietly observed him. He wondered what would happen in the future to make this kid hate him to the point of killing him. Ren was already aware Luca was a vampire, but rather than hatred, he regarded Luca with wariness and a hint of fear.
“I already told you my name, so who are you?” Ren asked, breaking the silence.
“You don’t recognize me?” Luca asked.
Ren tilted his head, confused. “Have we met before?”
“Don’t think so, but I’m so famous, you should be able to recognize me with a glance.” Luca gave his signature smile, but Ren’s expression didn’t change. In fact, he just looked more unimpressed.
“I’m Luca, Luca Echethier.” Luca stated, waiting for Ren’s shocked reaction. Instead Ren just nodded slightly.
“That name sounds a bit familiar . . . maybe?”
There really was someone who hadn’t heard about him?
“I’m the chairman of Brillianze.”
Ren continued staring at him blankly. Did this kid previously live under some rock or something? There was no one who wasn’t aware that Brillianze was one of the five big companies that dominated the business world. Even Ari, who lived in the middle of nowhere, had heard of it. Though perhaps that had more to do with her being acquainted with Luca rather than the company’s reputation.
“Oh. So why did some bigshot like you save me?”
“Out of the goodness of my heart.”
“I wasn’t aware that vampires even had hearts.”
Luca chuckled. “It’s a heartbeat that we don’t have, but some of us can be very heartless.”
“I know.” Ren whispered. His voice was soft, and Luca almost thought he had imagined it. Before he could think more on it, Ren suddenly asked, “What if there really is someone looking for me and willing to pay a large sum?”
Luca frowned. “Is there?”
Ren snorted. “No. Just wondering.”
Luca carefully observed Ren’s expression, but couldn’t find any indication he was lying. Luca was probably overthinking this. Children asked off-handed questions out of pure curiosity, right? Though this question felt like an insult to his entire career. *sigh* Forget it, he won’t argue with the injured.
“Don’t look down on the occupation of a chairman. It comes with the privilege of being rich.” Luca answered.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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“What, can’t get enough of looking at me?” Luca teased.
Ren immediately turned away, feeling his face heat up. Thankfully, his embarrassment of being caught red-handed was short-lived.
Ari arrived with a huge broom in her hand, and expressionlessly started to clean up the mess.
“Let me help.” Luca said, still feeling a bit responsible for the mess. After all, he was the one who brought the kid here, in the middle of the night.
“No way,” Ari refused. “You’d just create a bigger mess.”
Luca smiled sheepishly. Last time Ari forced him to go back and help her organize the herbs, he messed up the entire arrangement, leaving them with more work than they started with. That was the last time Ari ever asked Luca to help clean.
“I’ll do it. It was my fault.” Ren suddenly spoke up.
They both turned to Ren, surprised. Ari felt snapped out of her mild stupor, and shook her head.
“You’re injured.” Ari pointed out.
“But-”
“As long as you’re in my house, you’re my patient, and therefore my responsibility.” Ari stated, leaving no more room for arguments. Ren looked like he wanted to say something, but seeing Luca’s ‘Don’t bother arguing’ expression, he smartly decided against it.
Instead, Ren asked. “How long will you keep me here?”
“Who said you’re staying here? You’re coming with me.” Luca replied.
“What?!” Ren and Ari both yelled at the same time, looking at Luca in shock.
Luca shrugged. “I happen to have plenty of space.”
Ari left her broom and pulled him close to her harshly and whispered, “I don’t care how big your house is or how many rooms you have, you can’t keep him. He’s obviously dangerous.”
“He was nervous, and he offered to take responsibility for his actions. I think he’s a very reasonable person.”
“Maybe, but look how he’s looking at you. He doesn’t trust you.”
Indeed, Ren was looking at Luca with suspicion. Luca sighed, and shrugged Ari off.
“So, do you plan to let him stay here?”
Ari hesitated. “This place . . .”
“-is not suitable for any patients. I know. Besides, even if it was, you wouldn’t want someone like that to stay here.”
Ari was silent.
“It’s my decision.” Luca continued.
“Well, it’s a stupid one.”
“You think any risk I take is stupid.”
“Because it is.”
“And yet I’m still alive.”
‘Though I might not be soon.’ Luca thought, his gaze sliding towards Ren.
“You’re the most reckless patient I’ve ever had. Do you secretly have a death wish or something? Don’t you know how dangerous desperate humans are?” Ari said, infuriated.
Luca patted Ari’s head in comfort. Of course, Ari would know of the terrors of human desperation and fear. They were what caused her to lose her family, and almost lose her own life.
“I’m well aware.” Luca said. Ari was still frowning, and turned away from Luca. She grabbed her broom, and continued sweeping, ignoring Luca. Luca had made her mad again.
Luca looked at Ren, but the kid didn’t seem too happy either.
“Don’t even think about it. I’m not going to live with a vampire.” Ren said, with no hesitation.
Ari coughed, hiding her laughter.
“Rejected so quickly, just give up.” Ari said.
Luca glared at her. No way would he give up convincing Ren now.
“So do you have some place you can stay? I can drop you there instead.” Luca said.
“I-You don’t need to worry about it. It’s none of your business.”
“But butting into other people’s business is what I do best.”
Ren’s lips twitched. “I’ll be fine.”
Luca raised an eyebrow. “Without a place to stay? You can’t stay here, because dear Ari here, only has space for one person – herself. The cot you’re staying on is used to carry her precious medicines. One of which you spilled.”
“. . . I apologize for that.” This time, Ren actually looked guilty.
Ari waved her hand in dismissal. “It’s too late to do anything about it. Just-”
“So, it’s best for you to come with me. I’ll take full responsibility for you.” Luca interrupted.
Ren stared at Luca, studying him. Luca didn’t know what Ren was searching for, but he slowly nodded.
“Fine. But as soon as I’m better I’m leaving. You no longer have to take care of me.”
“Of course.”
Ren slowly tried to get out of the cot, but Luca came closer, and picked up Ren.
“W-what are you doing?” Ren asked, unprepared for Luca suddenly picking him up.
“I don’t think you’re in any state to walk, so I’ll carry you instead.”
“N-no need.”
“Don’t be shy. How do you think I took you to this cottage in the first place?”
“You-”
Ren was speechless. This vampire was so willful, having an excuse for everything and ignoring anything that went against him. Ren decided it would be best to just stay silent.
But Luca did have a point. Ren had nowhere to stay. He had no spare cash, no job, and no one to rely on. Even if he thought Luca was dangerous, staying with him was the best option Ren had. Who knows if he went out, that the ones chasing after him would find him? By now they must have noticed his absence. At least going with this vampire, he could have a safe place to hide. After all, Luca wasn’t any threat to him . . . Yet.
love it!
thank you!!
Somehow I became invested in this without realising it
who is after him? is he really just a normal human?
thanks for the chapters! <3
Thanks for the chapter! ❤