Chapter 115: VIVIAN2

VIVIAN

He had never seen Vivian behave like this.

One moment, she was kissing him and calling him handsome. The next, she was ordering him around as though he were her personal servant.

He let out a long sigh and followed her.

Whatever was happening, he needed to keep her safe until he could figure it out.

And preferably before she decided to throw him off a cliff.

...

The Transporting Array

By the time they reached the transporting array, Vivian had complained about nearly everything.

The path was too narrow.

The trees were too tall. They should stop and cut them all.

The flowers weren’t colourful enough. They should plant theirs. He thought "Who on earth plants flowers in an abandoned forest."

And Serial wasn’t walking fast enough.

Serial, for his part, had reached a new level of exhaustion.

He had fought dangerous beasts without complaining.

He had endured countless hours of searching for her.

He had even tolerated her sudden attack of affection.

But this? This was a completely different kind of torture.

When they finally arrived at the transporting array, a large grav-ship was already waiting.

It belonged to Vega.

A sleek metallic vessel rested above the platform, its engines humming quietly as blue lights illuminated its hull.

A small robot approached them.

"Welcome back. Please proceed to the vessel."

Vivian glanced at the machine.

Then at Serial.

Then back at the robot.

She smiled. "How convenient."

Serial said nothing.

He was still trying to understand how the woman beside him had transformed from his difficult, sharp-tongued fiancée into someone who seemed determined to test every nerve in his body.

The robot extended one mechanical arm toward Vivian’s bag.

"Please allow me to transport your belongings."

Vivian handed it over without hesitation. "Thank you, little fellow. You are cute. So cute that there is nothing bad about you. I need to change...."

The robot paused. He was confused if it was a compliment. "You’re welcome." The robot said.

Serial stared. She thanked a robot? Or is it really a thanks?

And Vivian had barely thanked him for saving her life on several occasions.

Yet she had just thanked a machine for carrying her bag.

Serial’s suspicion deepened.

Before he could question her, Vivian suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Come with me."

He looked down at their joined hands.

"Where?"

She leaned closer, smiling sweetly. "I want us to spend the night together."

Serial stopped breathing. For one terrible second, his mind went completely blank.

Then his face turned crimson.

His cheeks burned. His ears burned.

He was fairly certain that if someone placed an egg against his forehead, it would cook instantly.

"W....w..What? W..w..why...?"

Vivian blinked at him. "What do you mean, what?"

She tightened her grip on his hand. "I said I want us to spend the night together. Aren’t you Vivian’s fiancee?"

Serial nearly swallowed his tongue. "V..Vivian, I..."

He quickly pulled his hand away.

Vivian’s smile disappeared. "What are you doing?"

"I just remembered something!"

Serial blurted out the first excuse that came to mind.

Vivian frowned. "What something?"

"I... I received a call!"

She stared at him. "A call? When? I didn’t see you get a call?"

"Yes! An important call. I have to go back immediately."

He took several steps backward. Vivian’s eyes narrowed. "Serial Right?."

He froze. "Y..Ye..Yes?"

"You’re lying."

"No, I’m not!"

"Then why are you sweating?"

Serial wiped his forehead. "It’s hot. The weather is hot. The Desert is close by."

Vivian glanced at the weather.

The air was cool. That is the wonder of IGNORA. The desert is close by and hot but here which was a stone throw was Cold.

She looked back at him. "Really?"

"Very hot!"

Before she could question him further, Serial turned and ran. Actually ran.

He dashed away from the transporting array as though a terrifying beast were chasing him.

Vivian watched him disappear. He never turned back.

Her mouth fell open. For several seconds, she remained motionless.

Then she stomped her foot.

"Useless!"

She folded her arms and glared at the direction he had gone.

"Absolutely useless! What kind of fiancé runs away when his fiancée wants to spend time with him?"

She kicked a small stone.

It rolled across the platform.

Vivian let out an irritated sigh.

"And why does my entire body feel so strange?"

She scratched her arm. Then her neck. Then her shoulder. The sensation was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

It felt as though her skin were itching from the inside.

She frowned.

"What is happening to me?"

The little robot approached her again. "Miss, it is time to depart."

Vivian turned sharply. "And who are you again??"

The robot stopped. For a moment, its mechanical eyes blinked.

Then it turned around and began walking toward the grav-ship without answering.

Vivian stared after it. "Hey! I’m talking to you!"

The robot continued walking.

Vivian’s expression darkened. "How rude!"

She hurried after it.

"If I weren’t in a good mood.., I would have taught you some manners!"

The machine didn’t respond. Vivian muttered under her breath as she climbed aboard the vessel.

"First, Serial runs away from me. Now this stupid robot is ignoring me. What a wonderful day."

She settled into one of the seats and crossed her legs.

The grav-ship’s doors closed. A moment later, the vessel lifted from the platform and accelerated into the sky.

Vivian leaned back and looked through the window.

The forest gradually disappeared beneath them.

She smiled. At least something was going right.

She was finally leaving that dangerous place. And she was going somewhere comfortable.

Somewhere with a proper bed, delicious food, and, hopefully, a bathroom that didn’t smell like damp rocks. And men for her.

Her smile widened. This is the life.

Vega’s ResidenceThe grav-ship landed in front of an enormous mansion.

Vivian stepped outside. Then she stopped. Her eyes widened. The mansion was magnificent.

Tall pillars framed the entrance, while enormous glass windows reflected the evening sunlight. Beautiful gardens surrounded the building, and a wide stone pathway led toward the grand entrance.

Several fountains stood along the grounds, their waters sparkling beneath the lights.

Vivian slowly turned in a circle, taking everything in.

"Wow."

She placed her hands on her hips. "So this is where I’m going to live?"

A pleased smile spread across her face. "Not bad at all!"

She walked up the steps with a spring in her stride.

The robot followed behind her, carrying her belongings.

Vivian glanced over her shoulder. "Hey, little fellow. Is the food here good?"

The robot didn’t answer.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course. Why am I even asking?"

She pushed open the enormous front door and stepped inside.

The mansion’s interior was even more impressive than its exterior.

A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the polished marble floor. Elegant furniture filled the spacious sitting room, and a magnificent staircase curved upward toward the second floor.

Vivian’s eyes sparkled.

She had definitely found herself a comfortable place to stay.

She took another step.

Then she noticed someone standing near the staircase. His hand rested on the stair reel.

A male.!!

He wore a dark shirt that fitted his broad shoulders perfectly. His trousers accentuated his long legs, and his long green and black hair fell slightly across his forehead.

He was looking down at something in his hand, seemingly unaware of her arrival.

Vivian stopped breathing.

Her eyes widened.

Oh.

She stared.

My.

Her lips parted.

Goodness.

The male lifted his head.

Their eyes met. Vivian felt something inside her chest explode.

He was handsome.

No!

Handsome wasn’t enough. He was devastatingly handsome.

The kind of handsome that made a person forget every sensible thought they had ever possessed.

His face was beautifully sculpted, his gaze sharp, and his entire presence radiated an effortless confidence that made the room seem smaller.

Vivian’s heart began pounding.

Who is this man?

She stared at him without blinking.

Then she smiled. A bright, delighted smile.

The man barely had time to react before Vivian suddenly rushed toward him.

"YOU!"

His eyebrows lifted. "Wait...."

Too late. Vivian threw her arms around him and hugged him with all her strength.

The impact caught him completely off guard.

His eyes widened.

"What..What.. "

His feet slipped backward.

And before he could regain his balance, Vivian’s momentum sent them both crashing to the floor.

THUD! The sound echoed throughout the mansion.

For a moment, everything went silent.

Vivian found herself sprawled on top of the handsome stranger, her arms still wrapped tightly around him.

She blinked down at his face.

He stared up at her in complete disbelief.

Neither of them spoke.

Then Vivian’s smile slowly widened.

Oh, my goodness.

I’m definitely going to enjoy living here.