Chapter 7

Mikayla's POV
“Let’s just stay here! I live here. If you don’t mind staying here for a while, I can help so we can stay here,” Rudolf replied with confidence.
I paused, feeling stuck in doubt. Now I have to live with a man I just met, a hired man I assigned yesterday? Honestly, this was a very strange situation, and there was something about it that made me feel uneasy. And he wasn’t a normal human being either; I knew there were a lot of things I still didn’t know about him.
“Rudolf, I… I’m not sure this is a good idea. Is this really safe?” I asked, my voice starting to shake. “We just met, and even though you’ve helped me, I feel uneasy about this situation.”
He smiled softly, trying to reassure me. “Mikayla, I understand that this may feel strange, but I promise to protect you. You won’t be dealing with this alone. Here, I can make sure you feel safe.”
My heart was still shaking between fear and the desire to find shelter. There was some truth in what he said; staying with him might give me a chance to think and plan my next move. However, uncertainty still clouded my mind.
“I just want you to know that I won’t do anything that will make you uncomfortable. This will be temporary. Until you find a better place to live, we can help each other,” Rudolf continued, his voice full of the desire to calm.
I took a deep breath, trying to think about all of this. My mind was racing, trying to weigh everything—safe or not, good or bad. Finally, I nodded slowly. “Okay, if this is the only option I have, I’ll try. But I hope we can live without disturbing each other,” I said, trying to convey my boundaries.
“Deal,” Rudolf replied, a relieved smile on his face. “We’ll share this space nicely. I’ll try my best not to disturb you.”
As I stepped into the house, I felt something different: there was a new hope here, albeit a faint one. With each step, I tried to let go of my fears and open myself to the new things I might encounter. Maybe, just maybe, this was a step in a better direction.
“I don’t have any clothes,” I said in a desperate tone, feeling a little awkward in a situation I wasn’t entirely comfortable with.
Rudolf just smiled softly, as if he had prepared everything. “You can wear my clothes first, Mikayla,” he replied, his tone full of concern.
He then took some men’s clothing from the closet and handed it to me. I accepted it with hesitation but also a little relief. These clothes would probably be very comfortable, and at least they would make me feel better.
As I changed my clothes, I realized that these clothes were a symbol of the new situation I had to face. Not just moving, but also trying to adapt to this unusual life.
Soon after, Rudolf continued his task of preparing dinner. I watched him move deftly around the kitchen, creating an appetizing aroma of food. “You don’t have to bother, Rudolf. I can cook myself if I need to,” I said, feeling a little guilty for all the attention he was giving me.
“Don’t worry, I actually like cooking. This is my way of helping,” he said with a smile. In my heart, I felt grateful for everything. Even though we were in a strange situation, he tried to make me feel comfortable.
After I finished changing, I looked at myself in the mirror. The man’s clothes were a little too big, but they felt soft and comfortable. This small moment gave me a glimmer of normalcy amidst the chaos of my life.
When the food was ready, Rudolf invited me to sit at the small dining table. “Come on, let’s eat. After everything that happened, we need to give ourselves some energy,” he said, looking enthusiastic.
We sat down and began to eat. The food was absolutely delicious—not just because of his skill as a chef, but also because of the care that went into each dish. It felt like a hug, something I really needed right now.
As I devoured a plate of pasta, I looked up at him, “Thank you, Rudolf. This means a lot to me,” I said sincerely.
“No need to thank me. This is the right thing to do,” he replied with a smile on his face, but I could see the sincerity in it.
I began to feel more at ease as we spent the evening together in this small house. With the calmer atmosphere and the delicious food, I finally got up the courage to ask Rudolf about his job. “So, what do you do exactly? I know you work at that bar, but what exactly do you do there?”
Rudolf stared at me for a moment, as if considering his answer. “Yes, I am a hired man at the bar you went to yesterday,” he said honestly. “But I just started working there. It was a way to make some quick money.”
I nodded, as the explanation made sense. Despite our awkward introduction at the bar, I was starting to understand more about him. “So, this is your first time working at the bar,” I asked again, making sure I got the picture straight.
“Yes, that’s right. I haven’t always worked like that. I’ve had a few other jobs before, but circumstances forced me to find a new way to survive,” he replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
I could sense there was a deeper story behind his answer, but I respected his boundaries and didn’t want to press him further. “It’s all hard. Life sometimes takes us down paths we don’t want to go, doesn’t it?” I said, trying to share some understanding.
“You could say that. We all struggle in our own ways,” he replied, his smile hinting at understanding. “But what matters most is how we keep going and don’t give up on the situation.”