Chapter 145 - 140. Keeping the Ship Afloat
Maybe...maybe?
Bassena froze, eyes staring wide at the lips that just let out that simple, quiet word. He couldn’t register anything that the others were discussing right now, because...maybe?!
Did he hear it right? Did Zein--the Luzein--just admit that he grew feelings for Bassena?
Of course, Bassena knew that Zein treated him differently than other people. After all, he was in the business of desperately seeking a signal of progression in their relationship. The gentle taps, the hair strokings, and the soft gaze that Zein sometimes gave him were filled with an affection that the guide did not provide to others. And Bassena was proud of it.
But even though he could see the trace of affection in Zein’s gesture, it was a different matter hearing the guide admit to it. Because it meant Zein was admitting that his attraction to Bassena was no longer a mere physical thing. Because it meant that Zein was starting to open the gate to the stone wall surrounding his heart.
And Bassena didn’t even know what he did to warrant such progression.
"Can you...say that again?" Bassena whispered softly, with a slight tremble in his voice.
Unfortunately, the blue eyes blinked once and Zein reapplied his defense, again putting on that cold, nonchalant face as if that two seconds of tenderness were a lie. "No," the guide averted his gaze and leaned back on his chair, putting distance between them and crossing his arms, as if erecting a defense inside his heart.
Bassena had no idea whether he wanted to laugh or cry.
"You’re flirting is cute, but please do it later, yes?" Radia tapped the table suddenly, prompting Bassena and Zein to focus on him. "We’re not done here."
"I thought you’re doing well there without me, Boss," Bassena grinned, and Radia almost threw his pen to the unruly kid.