Instant Ramen

"Ramen?"

Anna looked confused by the reaction. Don't say this guy also has a gastric allergy to ramen too?

"You have a problem with this food?" Anna asked. But the answer hit her hard.

"It's not that I don't like it. It's just that I don't like eating this kind of food."

WHAT THE... Anna totally lost her patience. What did he mean by this kind of food? She was the one who made this ramen in the fastest way she could. She felt a little sad for this guy because he didn't get to eat anything the whole day. Though it was kinda his fault too, still she thought she should at least let his rudeness slide for this once. After all, it's been a long since he had returned to his homeland. But, no! This selfish guy didn't even thank her for once after driving here on this chilly night just to feed him but for god's sake, he is now throwing tantrums. He even insulted the mighty food king 'Ramen' which definitely isn't tolerable. Anna was furious. If she had the chance, she really would have thrown the food at his pretty face. But she regained her consciousness. That was not the method in which a proper lady should behave, right? A lecture could do, I guess? So, she cleared her throat for the big lecture.

"Okay, I totally get that. But when you are hungry, you should not run your mouth too much right? Or else, you are gonna use up all your stored energy. I suggest you listen to your growling stomach and cut this crap."

Maybe he finally realized that his stomach was really growling loudly. All of a sudden, Annabelle saw a little pink tint on his cheeks. OH, MY F***ING GOD! He looks so pretty in blushes! Annabelle was stunned as if she had seen one of her idol's naked pictures in a fashion magazine. No, actually it was more worthy than that. This guy and his face are making a heavy impact on her.

After all, she is a writer. And writers are always very observant when it comes to human reactions. They are just the sucker for it. Maybe her ogling at him was for this reason? Though she said it was the only reason, her intense gaze was enough to make that guy notice.

"Why are you staring at me like a fool?"

Anna was still in a daze. Despite addressing her as a 'fool', she was nonchalant about it. Because all her attention was still on his face. He badmouthed her and here she is, founding his expressions as a hungry little cute sulky guy with his big puffed cheeks. She chuckled on her own. That made him scrawl.

"What do you think you are doing?"

At last, Anna returned to the present.

"What......? What did you say?"

"I said you are a fool, a total fool," he said still looking like a sulky little boy.

But Anna still didn't get angry. She giggled again as if she was reading a comic. So, this guy can act cute sometimes, huh?

"But I think the person who is hungry but refuses to eat is the biggest fool here." Anna was still smiling.

"I added a lot of chicken and made it less spicy. It's not that bad. At least try it a little bit," she added, passing the soup bowl to him.

He reluctantly took the bowl. Though he started eating with a frown, the frown was soon gone. He started to gobble as if it's going to run away. Anna wanted to laugh. But it's not good to laugh at someone who is eating. Remembering her principles, Anna tried to avoid seeing his face by looking here and there.

They were sitting on the living room sofa of Kiera's apartment. Kiera's apartment interior was more mature than hers. However, it actually emitted a bit of a cold and sad vibe. Anna wanted to change this interior to a comfortable one but Kiera always refused to do that. Why does she want to make her home suffocating for no reason? Anna wondered. Come to think of it, who is this cousin of hers that Kiera never mentioned to her before but she lets him live in her apartment? If he is that close to her, then she should have mentioned him in front of her one or two times at least. Suddenly she thought to ask about it to the present person.

"Umm well, Theo. What type of cousin are you of Kiera?"

He lifted his head from the bowl to her with his brows twitched.

"It's Theodore."

Annabelle was a little taken aback. The name sounded like a melody to her that her heart skipped a beat. Nevertheless, she regained her composure.

"As if you introduced yourself to me. I just saw 'Theo' on the billboard and thought that maybe it was your name." she lied. "Who would have thought that it was just a nickname?"

"You know now so don't make this mistake again."

Anna felt a bit of anger from his voice. Looks like this guy doesn't like this nickname of his. But it is not that she is some kind of weirdo, she just didn't know his full name as he never bothered to tell her himself. So, she felt a little hurt by it. Who would give a complete stranger a ride home let alone cook for him? But for some reason, she couldn't get angry at him. Maybe it would be good to leave him as he is. And it's not that she is gonna see him every day.

"I see, it won't happen again. Looks like you finished your bowl. If you need more, you can get the hotpot beside the kitchen stove."

As soon as she finished her sentence, she stood up to leave. Theodore hesitated for a bit. Then he opened his mouth.

"You are leaving?"

Anna was already halfway towards the door. His question made her halt.

"Yes, it's getting late. If you need anything, you can call me until Kiera comes."

She said like that to make it clear that she is not going to help him anymore when Kiera is back from her trip. There was no response from the other side. Anna felt a bit hurt though she wondered about why she even felt hurt.

"My number, you can find it in the directory...."

This time he interrupted her.

"I already have your number."

Anna turned towards him.

"You have?"

"Yes, and I called you earlier too."

"When?"

"When you were busy reporting me to the police, I guess?"

Anna looked confused for a while. Finally, she realized what that meant. She hit her head hard with her own hand.

"So.... it was you?"

Theodore didn't say anything. He just looked at her as if he was watching a clown dance. Anna was totally embarrassed.

"I am so sorry; I didn't know that it was you. There were so many prank calls coming these days that..."

"So you are that famous huh?"

"What did you mean... eh! Wait but why did Kiera give you my number? I refused to give my number to anyone without my permission," she mumbled. But her mumbling was loud enough to reach his ears.

"Because you are going to take care of me the following days."

"What?!"

Annabelle was in great shock. Never in her 27 years old life, she felt this hopeless. She can avoid it. But the thing she did to Kiera before going on her business trip was bad enough to give her a tight punishment. It's not that she disliked her punishment. She just hates the fact that this rude guy is the one she is going to take care of as a punishment. And the worst is that this guy is too handsome. So handsome that she herself can't tolerate his glow.

Chapter end