Chapter 16- Only two days off a month?

Chapter 16: Chapter 16- Only two days off a month? Blaine said nothing but went to the kitchen to ask the chef to make breakfast. While Eva waited for the food to be served, she saw Ethan come down. ’’Good morning,’’ she greeted politely, his deed of giving her money was still clear in her mind. So her expressionless face had a smile. Ethan nodded in response as he pulled out a chair to sit. They lapsed into silence while waiting for their breakfast. Eva straightened in her seat when she saw Blaine bringing out trays of food. He set the tray on the table and served them just as Julian arrived. ’’Eva dear, did you dream of me last night?’’ Julian teased, ruffling her hair. Eva nearly choked on her bread by his actions, grabbing a glass of water to soothe her throat. ’’Stop touching my hair- it takes time to make it look perfect,’’ She warned with a glare, using her clean hand to fix her hair before dipping her bread into the stew. But no matter how hard she tried, no meat seemed to surface from the broth. Julian chuckled at her actions and sat down to eat his meal quietly. When they finished, Eva leaned back in her chair, her finger covering her lips as she let out a low burp. Feeling full and relaxed, she asked, ’’Are entering the dungeon today?’’ Ethan glanced at her. ’’No, today’s a free day.’’ He replied and watched her try to suppress her smile from showing. ’’Enjoy it while it lasts,’’ Julian added, raising two fingers. "From tomorrow, the hunt begins. Only two days off each month." Eva’s smile froze, and the little bubble of happiness in her mind popped. ’’Only two days off a month?’’ Eva echoed painfully, watching them nod. ’Can she resign now? Or was this the process of them upgrading to such a height- hunting nonstop? Suddenly she felt her future was bleak.’ she shivered outwardly thinking of always spending her time in a moist, decaying dungeon air. Her expressionless face held no signs of her distress if you ignore her nothing to live for gaze. She stared at their handsome faces and wanted to plead for an additional rest day but choked remembering, that her food and tax payments were in their hands. So she painfully nodded like she was fine with it. ’’Do you want me to tour you around the city, and show you where you can exchange your monster corpse,’’ Ethan suggested, being he had nothing much to do today. Eva’s eyes lit up at the thought of earning money, ’’Yes, thank you.’ She quickly answered not giving him the chance to take back his words. ’’I’m tagging along. I need to pick up something too.’’ Julian chimed in from the side. They decided to leave now and be done with everything before the city turned on the night sky. Eva ran upstairs, slipping into jeans and a top, she tied the space bag firmly and tightly around her waist, she still felt insecure but there was nothing she could do about it. She put on her footwear and jogged downstairs where Julian and Ethan were waiting. They got into the car with Ethan driving, Eva’s face was glued to the window, she could see better than when she first got here, and her eyes trailed the tall buildings. ’’That building with the ’S’ logo is where scientists produce more new tech for the City,’’ Julian whispered, pointing it out as Ethan slowed down. They passed the weapons guild, the night market where things from the dungeon were sold, and some restaurants that specialize in cooking non-toxic monster meat. Eva’s eyes shone in curiosity as she took everything in. Ethan stopped the car in front of a building and entered through the door, the smell of herbs blasted into Eva’s nose and she felt slightly refreshed from the smell. The walls were lined with vials of various liquids, and her thoughts went back to those vials in her space bag. Julian didn’t explain what those liquids were, since she was meant to know them being she’s a dungeon raider. ’’Julian, boy! why are you here so early.’’ An old man came out from the side room, with a box in his hands. The old man smiled, his wrinkles visible when he saw the familiar faces. ’’What? You don’t welcome me again. How are you doing old man? Where’s your staff?’’ Julian asked in a familiar tone, his smile sincere as he talked with the older man, Eva watched quietly from the side and noticed Ethan going into the other room and coming out with a box in hand. ’’Thank you, boy.’’ Marcus patted Ethan on the back in thanks, ’’I gave them an off day. Who is this young lady?’’ Marcus motioned for Eva with a kind smile. ’’Guess,’’ Julian said playfully as he dragged Eva closer to the counter. Marcus’ hands paused on the box he was opening and said with surprise. ’’Don’t tell me, your girlfriend. Finally, I thought something was wrong with you. In that case, the potion I made for you can go to Ethan.’’ The man’s tone was filled with joy, like a father seeing his son bloom in love that he didn’t pay attention to their frozen expressions. Eva’s mind was attracted by his words and couldn’t help but look at Julian’s lower half covertly, ’Tsk, a pity, such a fine specimen.’ She shook her head internally. She thought her gaze was unnoticed but Julian could feel the prickling sensation of her stares on his body. Ethan took a step back slowly, so Eva wouldn’t notice him. He wasn’t about to be dragged into Julian’s situation and hoped she forgot Marcus’ last words. ’’Old man make wild guesses like that again, and I’ll tell your wife you snuck into the dungeon last week,’’ Julian warned through gritted teeth, regretting why he asked him to guess in the first place. ’’She’s our new teammate, Eva Quinn. And I don’t have a problem in that area!’’ Julian raised his tone at his last sentence making sure Eva heard every word.