Chapter 81: Alive Characteristics
Zephyr sat across from Merin in a small, lit room, the scent of cooked meat and hearty dishes filling the air. His eyes were locked onto the food in front of him— a steaming pile of various meats, breads, and side dishes that looked so fresh and inviting that his stomach growled loudly. It felt like the first real meal he’d had in ages, and his mind was already envisioning the satisfying taste of each bite.
But then, his gaze flicked up to Merin, and a deep scowl spread across his face. She was grinning, clearly amused at the conflict playing out in his mind.
"You should eat," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It’s not every day I invite someone to a proper meal."
Zephyr’s lips twitched in frustration. "Yeah, I know the drill. You’re not gonna pull the same trick you did last time." His voice was low and suspicious.
Merin’s smile widened, and she leaned back in her chair, her hands folded neatly in front of her. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."
Zephyr’s eyes narrowed. He’d been here before—last time she’d invited him to a meal, he thought it was a genuine offer, until the bill came. Instead of offering to pay, Merin had playfully accused him of being ’unmanly’ for letting a woman pay. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, she hadn’t explicitly said she would cover the cost, and Zephyr had been forced to work extra hours in the field to pay it off.
He’d been furious for days.
"This time, I’m not making that mistake," Zephyr muttered, eyeing the food as if it might be some kind of trap. "I’ll eat, but only after I know for sure who’s paying."
Merin gave a soft, teasing chuckle before tapping her fingers on the table. "Alright, fine. You don’t trust me. But I’m not leaving you high and dry, Zephyr. I’ll pay for the meal, if that’s what you’re worried about."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow, but he wasn’t convinced. He wasn’t about to let his guard down, especially not after the last time.
Merin’s eyes twitched before she muttered. "Elden cover the cost from my credit card".