"You're leaving for work already?" Mike asked, yawning as he rolled around in the sheets, his voice hoarse.
"Today's Tuesday. Have you forgotten?" Putting on her heels, Claire glanced at him.
Last night had easily been one of the best she'd had. They'd done it until late into the night, and then had to microwave the meals again.
After that dinner, they found themselves on Mike's bed, going another round before finally sleeping naked.
"Can I come over tonight?" Now that she had discovered such a delicious cock existed somewhere, Claire didn't think she would ever get tired of it.
Mike yawned, rubbing his eyes. It was such a tempting offer, but he had something more important to do. If he succeeded, he'd be able to have her when he wanted.
"I'm actually going to my hometown...today."
"What?" Claire paused in her action, eyes wide.
That came out of nowhere.
"Yes."
Her eyelashes fluttered, dropping to cover the emotions surging in her eyes. Her mind felt heavy, and she clenched her fists.
"Does that mean... I likely wouldn't be able to see you again?"
The doctor had said he likely would close his eyes forever after three months. And now, a week had just passed, and only one night since she got into his bed after years of secretly admiring him. Yet, he was now leaving.
How could she not feel sad?
Her heart hurt.
She knew this would happen soon, but she had faintly hoped she'd be with him during his last hours, now, that hope had been shattered into dust, along with her heart.
Mike covered his eyes.
"Well, it seemed so. I'm not really certain yet. I might come back, who knows." He ended it with a chuckle.
He might find a cure in the game, and that would be enough.
"....Then, take care," Claire finally said with difficulty while ignoring the sharp pain in her heart.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Can I call you?"
"My hometown is a village." That was a lie. "And the network there is really bad... "
"So this is like our last farewell?"
"...You can say that."
In fact, he didn't even know why he was lying to her. Perhaps, he didn't want to give her any hope.
It's enough if he could come back. But if he didn't... It's okay too.
"Then... Can I take a picture with you?"
"Oh, sure." Mike nodded and sat up.
Claire smiled and took out her phone.
She went ahead and sat beside him on the bed.
Raising the phone, she leaned against him gently, her lips curved into a smile, but that smile clearly hid a lot of words her mouth couldn't say.
"1."
"2."
"3."
Mike smiled.
"Chakam."
It turned out good.
Mike was shirtless, and his muscular chest was like that of a Greek god. He had a smile on his face, and she too, had a smile on.
They looked like a couple, the man just waking up, his hair a mess, and the woman ready to go to work.
Looking at it, it somehow made Claire's mood plummet even further, her chest constricting. It hurt so bad she almost couldn't hold it in and burst into tears. In the end, she had to run away after kissing his forehead and hugging him.
After Claire left for work, Mike also went to take a shower.
Looking at the room he had lived in for years, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
Would he come to meet it again?
Or would this be his last moment in it?
"I don't have time for that." He mumbled, letting the curtain flutter down.
He then dialed a number on his phone.
After a few vibrations, it was quickly answered.
"Hi, James. It's me, Mike."
"How have you been, Mike?" James asked in a softer voice, at the same time, a hint of uncertainty could be faintly detected in his voice.
"I want to inform you that I'm ready."
"You WHAT?!"
"I'm ready."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"..."
No words can describe the feeling of happiness that welled his chest, engulfing his being.
James' hand clenched tightly against the phone.
This felt like a dream, like a beautiful dream.
His wish was finally coming true? It felt surreal! So surreal! He had imagined it so many times, but now, it was finally happening?!
"I-I'll send a driver over to pick you up, just send me your address." His voice quivered with so much happiness. He felt giddy.
"Okay, no problem. I will send it now."
"Y-Yes"
"By the way, are you okay?" Mike couldn't help but probe. Why does it feel like the other party was on the verge of tear?
"Yes, don't worry about me... It was just... I was just happy." James wiped his red eyes. It's been so long, so long he couldn't remember when he started this whole recruiting stuff, yet no success was ever achieved.
Now he finally had someone who was very willing to become a tester. The feeling of happiness couldn't be described with words. A dream of many years, now finally achieved.
"If you say so."
After the call ended, James smile didn't finish, his eyes growing moist.
"What made you so happy?" A gruff voice sounded in front of him.
Ah, the happiness he felt had made him forget he was in front of a wolf.
Feeling a headache coming in, he massaged his temple. "Mr. Simons..."
He addressed the tall man in a sharp suit.
"You see, we now have a beta tester. I'm afraid to say, our company wouldn't need your help again." He bowed slightly. "We really appreciate your offer though."
"Is that it?" Simons sneered, his finger drumming the desk. "If you appreciate my offer, you would have accepted it."
"I will see you out." James changed the topic.
"Well well, now you're even chasing me out." Simons didn't move a bit despite getting the intention. Instead, he crossed his legs.
"But I'm not in a hurry to go, I want to see the brave volunteer. Wouldn't you let me meet him?"
"That would take much of your time, wouldn't it?" James patiently asked, despite being annoyed, before the game's success was confirmed, he still had to put up with powerful men like Samuel Simons.
Offending him would do no good, after all.
"So you're really chasing me out, huh? How brave of you, James Charles Chadwick." Simons scoffed.
'You really don't have to call my full name.'
Knowing well whatever he said will probably offend the man, James chose to say nothing again.
'Let him wait, it's not as if he could take Mike away.'
Mike's already in his nest, he can't be poached under his gaze, right?
So even if Simons watch like a hawk, nothing will happen.