Ruby walked into her room, her eyes immediately landing on the computer. She leaned closer to check the progress, her hands brushing over the keyboard. She paused for a moment, noticing it felt slightly warm. She frowned, but then remembered—it was common for computers to heat up slightly during prolonged use.
"That’s fine," she muttered to herself, double-checking the settings to ensure everything was running smoothly. Satisfied, she left the computer to do its work.
Her mind drifted to the gift box she had received earlier. The thought of it made her lips curl into a small smile. Excited, she headed back to the living room.
When she entered, she noticed the place was spotless. Julian had already swept and tidied everything, the room looking cozy and welcoming. Her gaze shifted to the gift box, which was neatly placed near the sofa.
Ruby walked over, her steps light with anticipation, and picked up the box. She ran her fingers over the smooth wrapping, her curiosity growing. What could it be? She hadn’t had a chance to open it earlier with all the commotion.
Julian glanced at her from the corner of his eye but said nothing, simply continuing with his quiet work. Ruby, oblivious to his subtle glances, sat down on the sofa, ready to open the box and see what is inside.
Ruby had just started to untie the ribbon on the gift box when Milo suddenly appeared behind her, his face full of curiosity.
"What’s inside, wife?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he leaned in closer, almost bumping into her shoulder.
Ruby raised her head and found Milo’s face just inches away from hers, his honey-brown eyes locked on the gift box. His expression was so eager and innocent that she couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
As her gaze shifted, she noticed Karl nearby, standing a bit off to the side. He wasn’t saying anything, but his baby-blue eyes kept flicking nervously between her and the gift. He bit his lip, his dark, fluffy hair slightly messy, making him look even more boyish and Cute.
Julian, walked over too. He stood silently near Ruby, his posture calm yet curious as he glanced at the box she was about to open.
With all three of them watching, Ruby sighed lightly and continued opening the box. The ribbon slid off easily, and she lifted the lid, her fingers steady. The room seemed to grow quieter as everyone leaned in, anticipation thick in the air.
Inside the box was...
"Thank you so much, Brother Kenji," Adrian said, his voice calm but filed with genuine gratitude.
He stood next to Kenji, his usual serious look softened. For once, a small smile appeared on his face. It was tiny, but it was there, like ice slowly melting in the warmth of the sun.
Kenji stopped for a moment, looking at Adrian, and his smile grew wider. "No need to thank me, Adrian," he said, giving his shoulder a light pat. "You’ve got a chance now—make it count."
Adrian nodded, and his eyes held something they hadn’t in a long time: hope.
After Ruby left, Adrian felt uneasy, as if the silence in the house made his feeling of uselessness even stronger. Without much thought, he stepped outside, lost in deep thought. That’s when he noticed Kenji carrying several bags that looked like tiffin boxes.
Curious, Adrian walked over. "What’s this?" he asked, his tone neutral but his eyes focused on the neatly packed bags.
Kenji looked up, a warm smile on his face. "Tiffins. I do a small job nearby. There’s a company that orders food for their workers, and sometimes, big clients. I cook the meals and deliver them daily. It’s a good way to earn some extra money," he explained, adjusting the bags in his hands.
Adrian’s brow furrowed slightly, and without a second thought, he reached out. "Let me help you," he said, taking a few of the bags from Kenji’s grip.
Kenji shook his head quickly. "Oh no, Adrian, really. It’s not necessary. I can manage."
But Adrian was firm, shaking his head as well. "No. Let me help you," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Kenji chuckled quietly, his smile widening. Even though Adrian usually kept a blank face, Kenji couldn’t deny that the ghost had a good heart. "Alright, alright," he said with a small laugh, stepping back as Adrian effortlessly took the bags from him.
"Wait for me. Let me tell my family I’ll be going out for a while," Adrian added, turning on his heel to head back into the house. He returned moments later, his steps confident as he rejoined Kenji. "Let’s go," he said.
As they started walking, Adrian glanced at Kenji, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he spoke up. "I want to be independent too. If you know of any jobs, let me know.."
Kenji paused for a moment, glancing at Adrian. His smile turned softer, more understanding. "I’ll keep an ear out for you," he said. "And don’t worry. We’ll find something that works for you. It’s good you’re thinking about this."
Adrian nodded, his usual blank expression softening slightly. For the first time in a while, he felt like he was taking a small but important step toward something better.
The small company Kenji delivered to was in a plain building, with workers quietly making different products.
Adrian observed everything quietly as they handed over the neatly packed tiffins to the staff. It was a simple place, yet bustling with activity, the faint hum of machinery blending with the chatter of the workers.
After the delivery was done, Kenji struck up a casual conversation with one of the supervisors. "You know," Kenji said with a friendly smile, "my friend here is looking for work. If you have any openings, he’s a hard worker."
The supervisor, a middle-aged witch with a kind face, looked at Adrian curiously. "Well, actually, we do need an extra pair of hands. The work isn’t fancy—basic tasks like carrying goods and assisting the workers. But we can manage to pay 10 coins a day for it," She said.
—To be continued...🪄