Chapter 27: Chapter 27

I was fascinated by the skin on my leg. Yesterday, I could still recall an ugly gash that I got from the raging wolf girl. But now that I removed the bandage as I was hoping to change it, there was nothing there. Even the bruises on my back from the previous attack were also gone, as if they were never there.

I guess that the witch doctor from yesterday was simply being humble when he was talking about his magic. Not only did he heal my injuries from yesterday, but he healed the bruise from my past attack. And not only that, but I was feeling better than I did the day before. I feel healthy and strong.

And because of that, I don’t even know what to do for the day. My parents had already called the school before they left and told them that I would take at least three days off before I could walk properly. And with the help of Tyrelle’s influence, the school allowed it.

I was home alone at the time because my parents were away for work and wouldn't return until later that evening. I thought of it as soon as I walked into my closet. Why don't I go into town and explore for a while since I have the day off? I haven't gone into a store or a bookshop in a long time. In addition, I wanted to buy a novel about a girl and five princes that I spotted online. I heard it was newly published, so I'm going to look for it.

With a destination in mind, I chose to dress casually as I prepared to go. I put on my gray hooded short-sleeved shirt and paired it with blue pants. Then I went to my desk to retrieve my phone, wallet, and keys before heading out. I should have told my parents where I was going, but given how panicked they became when they saw my injuries, I opted not to. I'll just have to make sure I'm home before they go.

I pulled the hood over my head when I left the house and locked the door behind me. And then I ran as fast as I could towards the nearest bus station before our nosey neighbors could see us.

As I waited at the bus station, I could not help but have this ridiculous expression on my face because it was the first time in a while that I was alone. No werewolf or hybrid was beside me all the time and arguing with each other. I no longer have to keep up with the fact of being in a relationship with someone too!

This is the best day ever!

Tears almost slid down from the side of my face from pure happiness. I even fought the urge to jump up and down while dancing in excitement because I was pretty sure that someone would call the cops if people saw what I was doing.

When the bus arrived, I almost hummed to myself as I merrily took a seat by the window and enjoyed the scene outside as the bus began to move. The bus took about ten minutes before it stopped at the area near the shopping district.

When I got down from the bus, I wasted no time as I began to navigate my way through the number of stores. I didn’t stop until I arrived at one of the bookstores in the area and decided to head inside.

Since it was a school day, most people here were either adults or retired seniors. And because I didn’t want to be questioned why I was not in class, I pulled my hood over my head again before I began to head to the fantasy section of the bookstore. As I slowly passed books after books and carefully read through the titles, I heard footsteps following behind me. The footsteps would also pause when I stopped, but there was a slight delay. I was first wondering that maybe it was all in my head. In the end, I chose to ignore it and continued my journey to search for the book that I wanted.

I began to pause at one section because it seemed like the book could be there with all the similar genres. I started flipping through the books since it didn’t seem like the book I was looking for was here. But I still didn’t want to leave the place because there were so many potential books that seemed interesting enough to read. One particular book that caught my eye that I began to read it all throughout the prologue.

“You’re not planning on staying here all day, are you?” Air escaped my lungs at that second that made me yelp and abruptly turn to the speaker. When I saw who it was, there was an automatic crease on my forehead.

So much for my time alone.

“What are you doing-!” Aelfric placed a hand over my mouth while he used his other hand to press a finger over his lips, making me aware that we were in a book store. I slapped his hand away and tried again, but this time, in a much quiet but demanding voice, “What are you doing here? Are you following me?”

“Following you?” He breathed out and snorted. “I mean, sure. If I’m a stalker.”

“But you are a stalker.” I informed him without blinking.

“Er…well yeah. Maybe I did follow you.” He unshamefully admitted while flashing me a wide grin. “So, where are we going for our date?” He started rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

“A date? No, what we’re going to do is for you to go home while I go and continue my book hunt.” I suddenly wasn’t feeling the book that I was reading that I shut it close and placed it back on the shelf. Then, I started to turnaroundk to get as far away from him as possible. But Aelfric began to move as well when he blocked my path from the other side.

“Woah, a book? What sort of book at we looking for?” He asked.

“None of your business, Prick.”

“It’s Aelfric. Not Prick.” His eyes were looking at me with disappointment as he said it. “But you know, you can also call me hubby, honey, love, dear-”

While Al was counting down the list of endearments he’d like me to call for him, I took that opportunity to move past him. The longer I listen to the guy, I feel like I’ll start to get sick with disgust. As I moved for the exit, I heard the scuffling of feet, and I already knew that the hybrid was following me even as I exited the store.

“Good idea leaving that bookstore. All the sexy magazines on the corner shelf are so out of date.” He started to complain while walking beside me.

I cast him a side glance with one of my brows raised, “And you know this how?” I asked suspiciously.

Al seemed to chock the moment I asked the question because he started to fiddle with his hands while his eyes began to wander around like he was looking for something. “I um…no reason.”

I guess no matter how obsessed he is at stalking me; I cannot deny that he is still a guy with needs. I don’t see why he’s so embarrassed about it. I shook my head and began to walk through the compound like deciding which bookstore I should head for next.

“So, tell me about this book. What’s the title?” He continued to interrogate me.

“I told you, it’s none of your business. Leave me alone.”

“It’s ‘Five Prince and I,’ isn’t it?” He asked in a deadpanned tone, making me stop in my tracks so I could look at him.

“What!? How did you-” Aelfric shoed my phone in front of my face and revealed my search history on it.

“You should really clear your search history, babe. As your boyfriend, I don’t want other people to see your private searches.” I snatched my phone from his hands and stuffed them in my pocket.

I felt like I was going to explode out of rage and yell at him right at this moment for constantly invading my privacy. That I closed my eyes as I tried to calm myself. “Aelfric, I’m not in a good mood right now, so please. Leave me now because I begin to lose my patience.”

“But, Gabby poo, I-”

“I told you to leave!” I was yelling at him at this point that some bystanders were looking our way.

Aelfric was silent while he studied me. His face was emotionless that I couldn’t tell what he was thinking at that moment. But then, he began to look up, but he wasn’t looking at me. He was looking at something else. When I turned to follow his gaze, I saw nothing but a clothing store behind me. I turned back to ask what Al was looking at and probably apologize for raising my voice, but just as I was going to say something, Al was already gone. I turned around to search for him, but I found no signs of the hybrid anywhere.

An unsettling feeling rested inside of my chest. It was heavy, and I feel burdened just thinking about it.

What is this feeling? Was I actually feeling sorry for the hybrid?

I shook my head and began to slap my cheeks lightly. No way. There’s just no way I was feeling sorry for that guy. But then again, I think I did it a little too far when I yelled at him in public. I mean, he usually would ignore my plea and continue to bug me. But earlier, he just left without a word, leaving me trouble with these unwanted thoughts in my head.

I should be happy that he left, but at the same time, why was I feeling disappointed that he did?

As I gaze at the spot where he was before, I cannot help but wonder what he was thinking when he left.