Hi all, just to clarify one thing: what happened to Klaus' family happened more than ten years ago. What started ten years ago was him bringing flowers to the river. I guess I should clear this up hehehe

fantasyanimegirl283: Hi! Glad to see you again! Klaus' backstory will be released slowly as the story progress ^^

Candied Snowflakes: seeing that she's the way she is, it will take some time! But, on the record, I'm waiting for that moment as well! fufufufu

teamBLAZE: Aw, she'll come around eventually. As for Klaus' parents, I can tell you that there is no drowning involved. He's just throwing the flowers into the river because it feels like it will reach them somehow? (same way like sometimes people attached a letter to their deceased loved one to a balloon and then let it go)

BubbleFettTea: whops! Double apology! *place the bandage back* Like I said, she (they, in this case) will come around! *wink*

tootertay: I wonder about that too HAHAHA

CrimsoonCrush: Tbh I'm still thinking on how Raelyn knows about that hahahaha I'll think of something

"Brother?" Raeger echoed amusedly as he watched Raelyn beating the eggs for the omelet rice. "He does have that elder brother feel about him, so I guess that can't be helped."

Raelyn pouted slightly but not tearing away her attention from her beaten eggs. "Why it feels that you're making fun of me?"

"I'm not," Raeger said. "Why would you feel that way?"

She huffed. "Forget it."

Raelyn could hear the chef chuckled and looked up. His face was even redder than when she came in. She cocked her head aside. "Are you sure you're all right?" she asked. Actually, Raelyn had a feeling that Raeger wasn't feeling well when she stepped into the restaurant and saw him, but he insisted that he was fine.

"I'm fine," the chef replied dismissively. "It's just a bit warm in here."

Raelyn frowned. The kitchen was indeed warm—and it was summer—but it shouldn't be enough to make his face flushing that way. Raeger took two bottles and slid it over to Raelyn. "There's the salt and pepper."

Raelyn took one of the bottles and read the label. "Raeger…" she hesitated. "It's oregano."

Raeger gasped. "Really? Ah, I'm sorry…"

Raelyn looked at the clock nearby. The restaurant was still in business hour. There was no customer currently, but she knew some people who came by late to have their dinner peacefully, away from the dinner rush. "Do you need any help?"

"Hm?" He turned to face her. He seemed to weigh his option, but his head was so heavy that he couldn't help it anymore. "Actually, that would be great…"

Raelyn smiled. "I won't let you down!"

Just as she said that, the bell chimed and she turned towards the counter. "Welcome!"

"Raelyn…?"

Raelyn was slightly taken aback. She didn't expect Klaus, from all people, to show up. "Good evening, Mr. Klaus."

While both of them were frozen in a mix of shock and disbelief, Raeger—ever the workaholic—had prepared Klaus' usual order in his usual place. "Wine and cheese," Raeger said. "This way, Klaus."

Klaus took a deep breath and nodded. "Right, thank you, Raeger."

Afterwards, Raelyn smoothly took over Raeger as waitress/cashier. She was so immersed in her work that she didn't realize every time a female customer came in, she was glared at nor did she realize that every time she was nearby, Klaus would watch her movement. As for the latter, it wasn't so obvious—at least not as obvious as the female customers glaring—so it was no wonder that she didn't notice.

Klaus rose from his seat after he finished his wine and gave an exact payment. "Thank you, come again!" She bowed politely and he chuckled silently before leaving.

When the closing time had passed and the last customer left, Raelyn turned the door sign to 'Close'. Just as she did that, she heard the sound of something heavy fell on the floor and turned to see Raeger lying unconscious on the floor.

"Raeger!"

Somehow, she managed to help Raeger to the second floor, his house, laid him down on his bed and then wrapped him in the blanket. She found a cloth and dampened it with cold water before putting it on his forehead.

Oh, gosh… I should've known sooner that he is sick! What should I do now… oh, right, Dr. Marian!

Raelyn hurriedly turned but she was being held back. She turned around and found Raeger, with his half-opened eyes and flushed face. "Where… are you going?"

"I'll call Dr. Marian. It's just for a moment."

Raeger shook his head. "I'm okay."

She shook his hand off her. "You're totally not." She turned around again and walked towards the stairs, but then she heard the young man muttered. "…mom…"

"Huh?" Raelyn blinked. After a moment, she decided to get back to Raeger. Last time (with Klaus), Iris was there to look after him when she went to get the doctor, but this time, there were only the two of them. Perhaps she shouldn't leave him behind? In the end, she walked back to his bedside. "Raeger…" she called carefully.

He shuffled and turned his body to face her. The cloth on his forehead fell when he did that, so she fixed it for him. "You really sound like a mom, just now," he said. "Although I wouldn't know much about it."

"Sorry?"

"I hadn't met my mother for a long time since I was sent to stay here with my grandpa," he said weakly. "I… couldn't remember much about her."

Raelyn held her breath.

"Tell me about your mom…"

"Huh?" Raelyn looked at Raeger and was greeted back with his warm blue eyes.

"I want to know about your mom, if that's okay with you."

Raelyn was torn; should she really tell him?

But it was he who asked me… she thought. Eventually, she took a nearby chair and sat next to him. "My mother… has the same pink hair like I do, but hers is better—straight, not a mess of waves like mine. She's tough and her words can be quite harsh, but she is very kind."

Raelyn continued with her story until she was sure that Raeger was in deep sleep. She rose and fixed his blanket and damp cloth.

He must be hungry when he woke up.

Hoping that he wouldn't be mad at her, Raelyn cooked some porridge and left in on the stove—turned off, of course—and left him a note: Here's some porridge if you're hungry.

After cleaning up the kitchen, the pinkette stepped out from the restaurant. Much to her surprise, there was someone sitting on a nearby bench: Klaus. She carefully made her way towards him. "Mr. Klaus?"

He looked up and met her eyes. "Oh, Raelyn… have you been in the restaurant until just now?"

She nodded. "Raeger is running a fever," she said. "Thank goodness tomorrow is Wednesday."

"Ah, right…" Klaus rose from the bench and walked beside her. This time, there was no word needed between them; he would walk her home.

"Raeger… he has quite a number of admirers," Klaus noted as they walked to the Piedmont.

"I guess so…" Raelyn said. "But, I bet you do, too, Mr. Klaus."

"Hm?"

"Admirers," the pinkette emphasized, not realizing her own acerbic undertone. "You must have a lot of admirers, Mr. Klaus."

Klaus laughed. "What makes you think that way?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Raelyn asked back. "You're a gentleman, good-looking, and your job is really one of a kind and you're good at it."

"That's just what I appear to be," Klaus remarked. "You have heard the saying… don't judge a book by its cover, right?"

Raelyn watched the dirt road they were walking on. She began to wonder what did he mean by his words, although she must admit that there were some truths in them.

"Which reminds me, Raelyn, I have to caution you."

She looked up. "Huh?"

"You should be more careful towards… people," Klaus chose his words carefully. "It doesn't mean that you should stop being kind. It's just that there are people who would take advantage of your kindness, especially men… seeing that you're a beautiful young lady."

"What are you talking about, Mr. Klaus?"

He stopped walking, so she did too. At that time, they already reached the mountain area. She craned her neck and lifted her chin to get a good look at his face. His golden eyes seemed to glow even more with the scenery.

"Raelyn…"

There were some fireflies around them, glowing and floating. His eyes slightly looked like them in her eyes.

"If you're not careful, you can be eaten by a big, bad wolf, you know?"

She blinked several times to get her senses back. "But, Mr. Klaus," she said. "I've never seen a wolf in this area."

They stayed that way for a moment, before Klaus broke into a soft chuckle. "You're right," he said. "I apologize. I couldn't hold myself back with the warning earlier."

"Huh?"

Klaus patted her head. "Just be careful, okay?"

She smiled. "Sure I will," she said. "But, I know I'm always safe when you're with me… right, Mr. Klaus?"

He seemed not to be expecting that. Nevertheless, he quickly regained his composure and replied. "Of course."

Stay tuned for the next chapter! Thanks for reading!

Please rate and review ^^