Chapter 8

Mikayla's POV
We started to move on to lighter topics—movies we liked, favorite foods, and interesting places we wanted to visit someday.
“What’s your favorite movie?” I asked enthusiastically, feeling more relaxed as the conversation flowed.
Rudolf scratched his head, thinking for a moment before answering, “I like adventure movies, like ‘Indiana Jones.’ Something is exciting about adventure and exploration. What about you?”
I smiled, remembering my favorite movies. “I prefer dramas and movies that touch the heart. One of my favorites is ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’. It reminds us that no matter how hard life is, we have to keep fighting.”
“Very good, it’s an inspiring movie. Plus, the true story behind it makes it even more touching,” Rudolf replied, his eyes sparkling as we talked about the things we loved. In every conversation, I felt that Rudolf was not just a hired man, but also someone with many sides that were relatable and understandable.
We moved on to our respective favorite foods. “I really like Italian food,” I said. “Pasta and pizza are my favorites. And you?”
“Oh, same! Kudos to pasta! And I will never say no to pizza, especially the ones with lots of toppings,” he added, a big smile on his face.
Then we talked about the places we wanted to visit. “What’s your dream place to visit?” Rudolf asked.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Kyoto, Japan. The culture and natural beauty fascinate me. What about you?” I replied excitedly.
“I’d probably choose Iceland. Seeing the aurora borealis and the natural scenery there would be amazing,” he replied, his face lit up with excitement and awe as he imagined the place.
Every topic we talked about made me feel closer to him. I began to realize that despite his initially mysterious appearance, he had a warm and welcoming personality.
As the night wore on, we fell into a flowing conversation, sometimes interspersed with laughter and funny stories. In this comfortable atmosphere, the burden on my shoulders felt lighter. I felt a little more connected to life, as if a new ray of hope was shining, despite not knowing what the future held.
Our connection deepened, and I felt as if he was no longer a stranger by my side, but a friend willing to listen and share experiences. That night brought some relief to my anxious and uncertain heart. Maybe, just maybe, there is hope to start a new chapter here.
The next day, I woke up at exactly 10 am, feeling the warm sunlight seeping into the room. However, when I looked, Rudolf was not at home. "Where is he?" I thought, feeling a little confused.
With curiosity, I tried to go out of the house. The atmosphere outside seemed quiet, almost silent. Everything around me felt strange, and questions crossed my mind. Am I really living with a werewolf? I began to feel doubtful, with mixed feelings of comfort and uncertainty.
However, as I pondered all this, I also remembered how Rudolf had treated me all this time, which seemed normal and comfortable. Even though he was a paid man, he had shown another side that I couldn't ignore.
Not long after, I heard the sound of the door being unlocked and saw Rudolf returning home. "Where have you been?" I asked, trying not to show my worry too much.
He smiled as if all the tension inside me was starting to subside. “I went out for a bit to get some groceries. We need supplies for lunch later,” he replied, carrying a few bags of groceries.
“Oh, so you already planned it all,” I said, feeling a little relieved to hear that he came back with good intentions. “I thought something happened.”
Rudolf chuckled. “No, nothing to worry about. Just went to the nearest grocery store. I wanted to make sure you were comfortable here.”
“Thank you, Rudolf. I really appreciate all this,” I replied sincerely. That simple act showed that he was really trying to keep the peace and warmth in our relationship.
Finally, we started talking about plans for the day. “Is there anything you want to do or somewhere you want to visit today?” Rudolf asked as he placed the groceries on the table.
“I don’t know, I’m not sure. But maybe we can explore the area or go to a nearby cafe?” I suggested, feeling the urge to discover more new things.
“That’s a great idea! We can find a comfortable place to relax. Let’s prepare lunch first, and then we can go,” Rudolf replied with a smile.
We started preparing lunch. In the warmth of this simple moment and interaction, I felt a new hope for building a better relationship, despite all the uncertainties.
“What do you want to cook?” I asked curiously, watching Rudolf who already looked skilled at using cooking utensils in the kitchen. His skilled movements showed that he was indeed good at cooking, very different from me who could only look confused when I was in the kitchen.
He smiled broadly, looking excited. “How about we make pasta? It’s quick and easy. We can add some fresh vegetables and a delicious sauce to add flavor,” he replied, showing no signs of difficulty.
I nodded, but inside I felt awkward. While he looked so confident, I felt helpless. So far, I have been more busy working and hanging out, than learning to cook. My kitchen skills are not as many as I thought.
“To be honest, I’m not very good at cooking. I only deliver food or occasionally cook something very simple,” I said, expressing my honesty about my abilities.
“No problem! I’ll help you. The important thing is that we can cook together and have fun,” he said, excitedly. “You can help prepare the ingredients and help me while cooking. This can be a new experience for both of us.”
Hearing that, I felt a little more at ease. He didn’t take me for granted but instead wanted to make me a part of this activity. “Okay, I’ll try to help as much as I can!” I replied with renewed enthusiasm.