Chapter 3: Roman's POV
I unlocked my front door, cleaning my shoes off on the "Come back with a warrant" doormat before entering the apartment I shared with Neo. "Neo! I'm home!" I called out. She raised her head above the back of the couch. "Oh, there you are."
She typed out a message on the text-to-voice app on her scroll. "Where's your jacket?"
"Ah, I was just getting to that. You'll never guess who came over to speak to me." I took off my shoes and set them beside the door, beside Neo's boots.
Neo raised an eyebrow.
"Ruby Rose." I gave a light laugh as I said the name.
Neo crossed her arms.
"I know, I thought the same thing when she first approached, but she wasn't actually there on a mission." I moved to sit beside Neo on the couch. "Her friends made her go to socialize. I guess she decided that talking to me was better than talking to a stranger." I didn't normally keep secrets from Neo, but the details of why Ruby's friends were making her attend seemed too personal to share.
Neo began to glare at me. She typed a message on her scroll. "And you let her?"
I shrugged. "I didn't see any harm in it. I'm a law-abiding citizen now. She doesn't have anything to use against me."
Neo leaned back, arms still crossed, and raised an eyebrow. She typed a message on her scroll. "That doesn't explain the missing jacket."
"Ah, about that. I walked Ruby home, and I gave her my jacket because it's cold out and she didn't bring one. I told her to give it back to me tomorrow at coffee."
Neo continued to glare at me. She typed a message out on her scroll. "I think you're making a very bad decision."
I waved my hand dismissively. "Don't worry, I just plan to use her and throw her away when I'm done, like I always do. I know what I'm doing, but thank you for your concern, Neo." He stood from the couch and stretched. "I'm going to bed, Neo. Goodnight." I patted the top of her head and left for my room.
Shutting the door behind me and locking it, I propped up Melodic Cudgel beside it and hung my hat on a hook on the wall. I stripped down to my boxers and climbed into my king-sized bed. I checked my scroll one last time before going to sleep. Oh, Red actually messaged me back. I thought she would be asleep by now. I read the message and a small, tired smile spread across my face. She's adorable.
Ruby: Sweet dreams! :)
I set the scroll beside my pillow and turned over.
