Preston stopped short, like something clicked, and leaned down to meet her eyes. “Regina, wait a sec–don’t tell me you’ve got no clue how to make friends.”
Chapter 41
Chapter 44
Leonardo walked up from the other side and froze when he saw Preston getting close to Regina.
Preston’s golden hair fell softly over his eyes, which gleamed as blue as the sea. He smiled warmly.
“You bought me a strawberry milk, so I’m getting you cake. That’s how it works—give and take.”
Regina understood but didn’t quite get it. “But the prices don’t match. They’re not equivalent.”
Preston grinned wider. “That’s the whole deal with friends.”
He tossed her a quick wink. “It’s always a little lopsided, so we keep going back and forth. After a while, you stop keeping score. That’s how it rolls, got it?”
Regina froze, totally sold on the idea.
She seemed to have captured a bit of what he said.
She’d always figured it was just being nice to someone for no reason.
And what was why she had treated Leonardo in exactly that way.
Her feelings were always fuzzy and far–off, so she’d focused on picking apart actions, words, and looks instead.
Back in the slums, Leonardo had stuck to her like glue. He didn’t do much for her, but he always knew what to say, and she never caught the shady stuff he was after.
It wasn’t until he ditched her after moving back to the rich part of town–and didn’t even show up for Melinda’s funeral–that she realized she’d picked the wrong guy to trust.
Her thoughts drifted. “I didn’t know.”
Preston didn’t seem surprised. “Well, with only one point in your Humanity, it makes sense that you wouldn’t.”
Not far away, the group was stunned by what they heard, never expecting Preston to say it so bluntly.
They were actually afraid that Regina might get mad.
But Regina wasn’t mad at all. Instead, she looked troubled. “One point, that’s really low, isn’t it?”
Preston nodded and answered honestly, “It is. Even serial killers in prison score higher than you.”
Her expression turned serious. “That’s bad. If people find out I have such a low Humanity, they’ll treat me like a murderer and won’t want to interact with me. That’ll hurt my chances of making money.”
Preston shrugged. “Some people just won’t care.”
Regina crossed her arms, not buying it. “Yeah, right. Guys like that are hard to come by.”
Preston smirked. “Why don’t you look up and see one right here?”
Regina raised an eyebrow, speechless.
She looked up. puzzled, and met Preston’s tense expression.
His ears were flushed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed nervously as he spoke with solemnity. “I’m an exception.”
Regina blinked, speechless still.
Preston clenched his fists at his sides, his tone resolute. “You don’t know how to make friends? I’ll teach you. You don’t understand emotions? I’ll help you figure them out.
“I won’t ostracize you. I won’t bully you. I’ll take you anywhere I go and introduce you to everyone I know. I’ll make sure you earn loads of money.
“I’ll be good to you.”
He declared with the gravity of a vow, “No matter what happens, I won’t leave you at home alone. As long as I’m here, you’ll never feel lonely again.
1/2
Chapter 41
Regina stared at him, silent.
This was… odd.’ She thought.
But those words hit her like a warm wave, sinking into her chest and spreading all over.
The feeling was entirely new to her and a bit frightening.
Regina took a quick step back. “Look, we’re just boss and hired help here. You start being all nice to me, and that’s crossing a line. Let’s keep it professional.”
Preston blinked, bewildered. “Wait–what?”
Regina hurriedly turned and left.
Preston took a couple of steps after her, still confused.
Why was she fleeing?-She wondered.
From way back, Brad smirked. “Told you–she’s impossible to crack.”
Ding!”
Another chime sounded on the phone.
[Regina Mitchell’s Humanity +5]
[Tips: Her emotions are spiking–faster blood flow, racing pulse. Keep an eye on her!]
Brad froze in confusion.
