Chapter 46 - Ramen

Lizette looked at her phone, scoffing as she read the message from Eira who asked her permission to use her name as an excuse to stay at the hotel with Cor. Eira wanted to tell her parents that she was staying at Lizette's place tonight. She didn't mind it, but it was funny to think that Eira was a bit naughty now. Staying at the hotel with her secret boyfriend and lying to her parents. A bad little girl.

"Who's that?" a husky voice gently stroked her ear as the owner of the voice kissed her cheek.

"Eira." Lizette quickly typed 'Okay. Use protection! … Or not using it is okay too. I want to see a little marshal or a little Eiei.' She sent it then locked her phone and leaned comfortably against the chest of a big guy who was hugging her from behind.

"Hmm?" There was a trace of curiosity from the man's tone.

"She was going to tell her parents that she's staying here." Lizette explained.

"She's staying here?"

"Of course no. She's with Cor." Lizette grinned, still thinking that Eira was so adorable.

"Oooh…" He chuckled, quickly understanding why the young lady of House Heallint lied. He knew that she hid her relationship, of course her parents didn't know about her affair with the marshal.

"Can I stay the night here instead?" he asked, perhaps getting the idea from Eira's message.

"Don't you think that my bed is too small for you?" She didn't hate the idea though.

"Don't think so."

Lizette chuckled then turned around to see a bearded guy who had been flirting with her all this time. She sat on his lap, placing her arms over his shoulders.

Gladio Amicitia was a stubborn man. They were totally not a couple, but they met weekly and had nice sex everytime they met. It had been four months, and both of them hadn't been bored with each other.

Lizette was not seeing any other men, and she was certain that Gladio was only doing it with her. She thought that she would bore him and thus he would find another woman. But he stayed, and she appreciated his presence by her side.

However, since then he never said that he loved her nor asked her to be his girl anymore. She really appreciated it though, as it was perhaps his way of respecting her and not wanting to rush her. But, it had already been four months. Four fucking months. She didn't know if Gladio was persevering or just a masochist for staying in this kind of relationship with her.

She stared at him, to the pair of amber eyes which were gazing at her. He had such a soft gaze, and without words she knew how much he loved her through his gaze.

The man got a scar on his left face, that he got just recently from protecting the prince from a drunk guy. Couldn't lie, but she was dead worried when she heard about that news. Glad that it wasn't a life threatening situation.

He was strong—as expected from the prince's royal shield. She was often lost at sparring with him, even though sometimes she beat him. But perhaps it was because he went easy on her.

Gladio smiled at her, and she could say that his smile was beautiful. She loved how he smiled like that with eyes locked on her.

"Hei…" she whispered, still staring into his eyes.

"Yeah?"

"I guess…" she was still a bit hesitant, but then continued, "I don't mind having you as my boyfriend."

Gladio didn't react. Probably because he was shocked at Lizette's words. His smile disappeared from his face as he parted his lips, yet not a single word left his throat. After a few seconds he finally blinked—and took a breath—then tilted his head.

"Wha—" his voice was almost unheard, then he cleared his throat and said, "Really?"

Lizette felt her cheeks were hot and she just realized that her heart was beating a little bit faster. Just a little bit!

"Yeah…"

Grinning widely, Gladio tightly hugged her, "Oh, how much I want to scream right now."

Lizette giggled, "Don't disturb the neighbor."

"I know. I know. I'm so happy."

Another chuckle left Lizette's throat. She, too, was happy right now.

.

.

.

Lizette stopped the car as she arrived at the citadel lobby. The lady she was going to pick up noticed her then walked down the stairs to enter the car.

Eira got in the car then said, "It's so cold."

"It is." Lizette nodded then drove the car.

"Next time I'll just go to the basement parking lot. Winter is fierce."

"Isn't the advanced training this winter though?" Lizette stated her concern.

"Yes. Wish I could survive." Eira tapped her cheeks then said, "No. I must survive."

Lizette chuckled, "I believe in you, Ei."

"Wish me luck!"

"Of course!"

The car stopped at the red light. Peeking at the rear mirror, Lizette asked, "So, Cor is busy again today?"

"They have another meeting tonight. And after that he will have dinner with Clarus." Eira explained.

Knowing one or two reasons why the marshal had meetings so often recently, Lizette gave a soft sigh, "Seems like the situation outside the wall is getting harsher."

"Yes…"

Lizette could hear from Eira's voice that she was worried.

Eira continued, "He probably will leave the city in the near future. The more reason why I need to be a field medic as soon as possible."

Lizette was actually worried if Eira was assigned outside the wall. But she could understand that she wanted to be with Cor.

"Just one more step." Lizette said. The red light finally turned green and she drove again.

"I'm so excited but nervous as well," said Eira.

"You can!" Lizette cheered her up.

"Thank you!" Eira replied.

The two of them then stopped talking as Lizette drove the car in the busy road of Insomnia. There was traffic due to the rush hour of people coming home from their work. But, since Eira's house wasn't too far, it would only take 30 minutes even with this heavy traffic.

But then suddenly Eira spoke, "Hei, Lizette. It's been a while. Let's eat dinner together."

"Sure. What do you want?" Lizette quickly agreed. Her stomach was also already begging for some food.

"Recommend me something."

Lizette pondered. The other day she went to this delicious noodle restaurant with Gladio and she loved it so much. Perhaps she would want another bowl of it tonight. Also, cold winter night like this were so perfect to enjoy a hot bowl of those noodles.

"Do you like ramen?" Lizette asked.

"Ramen? Of course!" Eira sounded excited and it brought a smile into Lizette's face.

"I just found a good restaurant in the eighth district. If you want?"

"Sure sure!" Now Eira sounded like a little girl as she used her high-pitch voice.

"Got it!"

It didn't take a long time until they arrived at a certain parking lot in the middle of a quiet neighborhood far from the main road. The wind was surely freezing as they stepped out of the car, and Lizette could see that Eira was shivering whenever the wind hit her face.

As they walked a bit far from the parking lot and entered a small and dark alleyway, Eira muttered, "Isn't it quite dark here? Are you sure there's a restaurant here?" She sounded worried.

"It's a hidden gem. You'd love it. Oh and as the place is literally hidden. You might want to visit it with Cor later! Good for a backstreet couple." Lizette laughed, teasing her.

"Sure. He might love it," Eira chuckled.

At the end of the alleyway, there was a small house on the left with "Ramen" written on the curtains. Lizette opened its wooden door and walked in before Eira.

It was a small diner with dim, warm light. There was only a long bar table and six seats right in front of it. The master who was standing behind the bar table greeted them, "Welcome!"

Glad there were two available seats in the middle, thus Lizette and Eira sat there. As they sat, she glanced at Eira who was observing her surroundings.

"It's a nice place." She whispered.

"Yes." Lizette nodded.

"Ready to order?" the master asked.

Without looking at the menu, Lizette quickly stated her order, "Spicy chicken shoyu."

"And how about you miss?" he turned his head to ask Eira.

"The same as her," she replied.

"Okay! Two spicy chicken shoyu!" While repeating the order, the master began to prepare the menu. He moved swiftly and with no mistake. It didn't take too long and their ramen was served.

It looked so delicious and Lizette couldn't wait to sip the soup. But before that, she looked at Eira, waiting for her to eat before her as she wanted to see her reaction first.

Taking her spoon, Eira tasted the soup. She looked surprised but her eyes were sparkling, indicating a good sign. Turning her head quickly to Lizette, she said, "It's so good! It's spicy but it's good!"

"Right?! It's the best in Insomnia." Lizette grinned, happy that Eira enjoyed her food recommendation.

The master chuckled, "You're exaggerating Miss."

"No! It's true." Lizette smiled at the master.

After giving a prayer. Lizette then began to eat her ramen. A warm and spicy soup, soft yet firm noodles, tender slices of meat—this bowl of ramen is a perfection.

"How do you know this place?" Eira said as she gulped her ramen.

"Ah… Someone told me about this place." Lizette answered.

"Oh." Eira smirked. "Who is this someone?"

Lizette glanced sideways as a reflex to avoid her gaze. But then she thought that there was no reason to hide her relationship with Gladio from Eira. Turning her head to look at Eira who was slurping her noodles, she then confessed, with a sheepish smile on her face, "It's Gladio. We're dating now."

Eira widened her eyes and coughed, "Ack…!" The spicy soup choked her and she quickly grabbed her glass and drank it.

After calming herself from her continuous cough, Eira turned her head to Lizette with glittering eyes, "Really?! Finally?!"

Lizette nodded. "I'm giving him a chance. But… I'm not sure…"

"Why?" Eira frowned.

"I'm just worried if I accept him because I pity him and not because I like him…" Lizette shrugged.

Eira tilted her head then asked, "You don't like him?"

"Hmmm…" Lizette gave a pause then said, "I like him… But… It's more just… I'm comfortable with him. I don't feel butterflies in my stomach. There are no nervous feelings like I usually have whenever I'm close with someone I liked in the past."

"Hmm…" Eira pondered. "Even until now I still have these butterflies in my stomach whenever I'm with Cor," she chuckled.

Lizette sighed, now she got more confused about her own feelings. Was it really love? Or just a pity?

Eira continued, "But the most important thing is that you're comfortable with him right? Maybe it's that kind of different romantic feeling from me, or from your past. Maybe you're already used to his presence all this time."

"Maybe…"

"Hmm… Let's try…" Eira tapped her cheek with her forefinger then asked, "Do you want to marry him in the future? Having a family with him?"

Lizette chuckled. "I haven't thought about that but the idea isn't too bad…"

.

.

.

Lizette stared at Gladio. Once again, he came to her apartment. Having a nice sex and now basking in afterglow. She was lying on his shoulder, while he was caressing her head gently.

"Do you want to marry him in the future? Having a family with him?"

Eira's words were being replayed in her head. And now while she was inside his embrace, she pondered about it again. Marrying Gladio… Maybe not now, or in the near future, but it wasn't a bad idea. It might be funny seeing him as a dad, holding his kids in his big arms, with a wide grin on his face.

She loved him… Yeah, perhaps she loved him.

She couldn't imagine if he wasn't here by her side. She didn't like the idea of him being with someone else. She didn't want to return to the days when she wasn't with him.

She loved his presence. She loved the way he hugged her and caressed her head like this. She loved his smile, and the way he looked at her whenever he was with her.

Gladio then opened his eyes and stared at her. She didn't budge and stared back at him, admiring a pair of amber eyes that reflected her figure.

"Are we having a staring contest?" Gladio smirked.

"Sure." Lizette chuckled.

"The winner gets the loser to do anything the winner asks."

"Interesting." Lizete smirked and thus the staring contest began.

As she stared at his eyes for more than five seconds, she began to feel something in her chest. She could feel her heart beat a little bit faster. His gaze was intense yet so tender, it made her… blush….? She was blushing?! Oh, wait, it was pretty embarrassing—being stared like this.

Gladio didn't smile. He was intending to win this. But, Lizette didn't want to lose either.

A minute felt like forever and her eyes were already dry. Gladio seemed fine and relaxed, yet Lizette was already on her verge.

Blink.

She lost.

"You lost." Gladio chuckled.

"I lost." She hated to admit it. "Okay, as promised, I will do anything you say."

Gladio caressed her head, tucking a few strands of her brown hair behind her ear then whispered softly, "Don't leave me."

Lizette frowned hearing his desperate request. Giving a wry smile, she said, "I'll try my best."