Chapter 37: Chapter 37

JONEA

I regretted being angry for no reason at Daran yesterday. I haven't even had time to apologize to him yet. Over the weekend, I kept locking myself in my room and busying myself with things that weren't really important. I'm just looking for a way to avoid Daran and Owen.

I tidied up the books and stationery I had to bring to campus today and put them in my backpack.

"Wait, where's my sketchbook? Why isn't it here?"

I took the cell phone and immediately called Marilyn. As soon as she answered my call, Marilyn spoke at length, telling me about the clothes she had to wear today to go to campus. She even asked me to change the voice call to a video call to ask my opinion on which clothes she should wear today.

"I think blue looks better on you," I said nonchalantly.

"Is it true? Are you sure? But, red is more suitable for winter." Marilyn shows the red shirt to the camera in her right hand.

"OK, then just wear the red one. Actually, from the start you already knew which clothes you wanted to wear, right? Why bother asking my opinion?"

"Jonea!" complained Marilyn while rolling her eyes. "Oh my gosh, I forgot you grew up as Miller Fallon!" She glared at me. "Of course women always need validation."

When she mentioned Miller's name, my heart suddenly broke again. My eyes suddenly became hot. Marilyn looked panicked, seeing me cry. She immediately apologized.

"I... didn't mean to hurt you," said Marilyn with a face full of regret.

"It's OK," I answered simply. "I have to get used to it. I hope Miller is OK out there."

Marilyn changed the topic of our conversation. "So, why did you call me so early in the morning? Do you want to ask me to skip class today? Come on, let's do it if it makes you feel more comfortable."

"No, well, I forgot my purpose of contacting you. Are you the one who brought my sketchbook? I couldn't find that book anywhere."

Marilyn left her cell phone on the table and ran to bed. I saw her take the bag and then show me my sketchbook.

"You left it at the studio last time. So I saved it."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, well, thank my Savior Goddess. Don't forget to bring it to campus today."

After ending the video call with Marilyn, I left the room. I passed Owen, who was having breakfast. He took a bite of his sandwich while glancing at me.

"You didn't have breakfast? Are you still angry? Do you have PMS? Over the weekend you kept holed up in your room."

Like it or not, I stopped and responded. "Where can I go? You said that the world out there is like a wilderness filled with many wild animals. I could even die before my six months are up, just from meeting warlocks who have red marks on their foreheads!"

I said all that without pausing at all, and Owen just stared.

"Alright... Alright... If you don't want breakfast, that's fine. But, don't waste your energy grumbling in the morning. You're killing my appetite."

Owen put the rest of his sandwich onto a plate. He quickly downed the orange juice and screamed when he saw me walking away.

"Jonea, wait for me! I will take you to campus. Wait a few more minutes, let me finish my juice!"

I opened the door and stepped into the yard. The fresh air in the morning hits my body. I've worn a hoodie to ward off the cold weather.

In the yard, I saw Daran taking care of his plants. I was amazed at how these plants could still grow well and be beautiful even in this cold weather.

"This is a magic plant, if you're curious," Daran said without me even saying anything.

The closer I get here, the more I suspect Daran can read my mind.

"Will these plants be useful for my wolf seal unsealing ritual later? If not, then it's been a waste of you taking care of them this far," I grumbled.

Even though I intended to apologize for my behavior yesterday, I said something more harsh and sarcastic in front of Daran instead. He put down his watering can and turned to look at me. He assessed me from head to toe. I couldn't help but look down at my clothes and appearance this morning.

With his towering body, Daran stood before me with his hands behind his back. "Jonea, one must always look neat and dress modestly. But…"

Daran took a step forward and held out his hand to me. He turned me around and looked at my clothes from front to back. I really frowned at his behavior.

"Why? Do you think my clothes are very shabby and messy?" I looked at Daran sharply. How dare he judge me.

"Aren't you going to campus? It seems you don't care about how you dress. I think before coming here, Loko had prepared a number of suitable clothes for you to wear. Why do you now choose sweaters and jeans that are ripped at your thighs and knees?"

He looks like a parent who lived in medieval times, a.k.a. old-fashioned. Did he mean to ask me to wear a flannel dress to campus? Oh, that's right.

Then he reached out to touch the ends of my hair. This morning, I just tied my hair carelessly into a ponytail. Even some hair still falls on my forehead and shoulders.

I looked at Daran seriously. He also seemed to be breathing heavily.

"Wait, you took a breath? Does everything in this world annoy you? Or is this just your way of replying to my attitude yesterday? You even regulate the way I dress. Yes, even though I am your slave and prisoner textually, I still have myself and my consciousness in full. At least let me choose what clothes and food I want!"

"What?" Daran looked confused.

I stepped forward and brought my face closer to him, even though I had to look up to look at him. "I think... Are you experiencing symptoms of elderly syndrome? You experience excessive anxiety and always seem fussy about everything around you."

"What? Old man? You mean…" Daran was increasingly confused.

"How old are you? 100 years? 200 years? Or even thousands of years? Isn't it time for you to admit that you're not young anymore? That's why you always dress old fashioned and force others to be like you?"

Daran suddenly hissed behind his mask. "Jonea Rawling!" Daran said exasperatedly.

Owen ran over quickly and stood next to me. One hand rose, and his breath hitched. He tried to speak. "Calm down, Uncle. I will take and pick up Jonea. I will ensure her safety. As long as you continue to give me decent pocket money and guarantee all the best facilities for you!"

Daran didn't say anything. He just waved and asked us to leave immediately.

When I was about to get into Owen's car, Daran suddenly said in a slightly louder voice. "Be careful and come home safely. Remember to always say my name three times whenever you are in danger!"

I pursed my lips and slammed Owen's car door hard. "He thinks he's a genie--whose name must be said three times in order to come and grant every wish?"

"Hey, can't you be more gentle? I just bought this car. If you close the door that hard, you'll only damage it. And one more thing," said Owen as he fastened his seat belt. "My uncle is not a genie. He's even more terrifying than a genie!"

Because I was bored and didn't feel like talking, I just played the radio in Owen's car for fun. After searching several channels, my hand stopped on one of the news broadcasts.

"A few days ago, several prisoners locked up in a special prison on the border of Blue Sapphire city managed to escape. Blue Sapphire residents are asked to be careful and always alert. These prisoners are known to be high-class werewolves who once rebelled during Luke Draken's occupation."

My hands gripped the seat belt tightly across my chest.

Aland? Are you one of them? How are you now?