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Chapter 6 - His name's Red?

Neva enters the bakery café, the mystery man still in tow. The warm aroma of freshly baked bread and the strong smell of coffee fills the air, and a small smile tugs at her lips.

She scans the room until she spots an empty table tucked by the window. Without a word, she makes her way toward it, the man trailing behind her like a persistent shadow.

Settling into the seat, she lets her gaze drift to the street beyond the glass. The city here is quiet—more like a hidden town than a sprawling metropolis.

Across from the café sits a quaint boutique with a cottage-style façade, its windows dressed in lace and soft colors.

The neighborhood breathes serenity: no towering skyscrapers, no frantic crowds—only the gentle rhythm of a life unhurried.

It's why she chose to live in this place.

For the stillness, and the charm tucked away from the chaos.

Meanwhile, her pursuer claims the seat across from her, leaning forward with his elbows on the table, chin resting in his hands—watching her deeply.

Neva, her thoughts tangled in the scenery outside, in the gentle spell of the peaceful town, remains unaware of his lingering gaze.

A waiter approaches with a polite bow. "What shall I get you, ma'am?"

Neva tears her eyes away from the scenery she'd been glued to and glances up.

"I'll have some crêpes with chocolate and strawberry fillings, please."

"Alright, ma'am." The waiter nods, jotting quickly in his pocket-sized notepad before turning toward her companion.

"And for you, sir?"

The mystery man, he says nothing.

He's not quite on Earth.

He doesn't even blink.

His gaze remains fixed on Neva, as though the waiter doesn't exist.

Neva bites her lip, then exhales slowly, exhausted. His eyes are still on her, refusing to look away.

"He asked you something," she says, her tone sharp.

He'd been pretending not to hear.

Snapped out of his daydream, he shoots the waiter a glare—dark and oddly threatening. The poor waiter flinches.

What's wrong with this guy?

The waiter had done nothing wrong… or had he?

Neva sits frozen, mouth slightly agape.

"You want something to eat?" she asks.

"No money," he replies shamelessly with a shrug.

What is he even doing here?

How does he survive?

The waiter likely shares her confusion.

Neva sighs, guilt pressing into her.

"Please bring two crêpes with chocolate and strawberry fillings," she tells the waiter softly.

Then she turns to the strange creature across from her.

"You'll have that?"

He nods, lips curling into a smile—giddy, as if her small act of kindness were the grandest affection he'd ever known.

---

On their way to the university, Neva and her mystery man gradually close the distance between them—mostly due to his persistent efforts to keep a conversation going.

Neva's part mostly consisted of nagging him to leave her alone.

By the time they reach the gates, the campus is buzzing with students. The crowd thickens, and heads turn toward them—toward the pair that seems, at least from the outside, oddly matched.

"We're parting now, aren't we?" Neva tilts her head, meeting his soft, searching eyes.

"I guess we are," he replies, offering a gentle smile.

"See you later, Neva." He lifts his hand, brushing the top of her head with a light pat.

She shrinks just a little at the unexpected warmth, a faint flutter stirring in her chest

Their eyes tangle for a heartbeat before he turns and steps away, his figure fading into the sea of students until she can no longer see him.

Her brows knit together as she touches the spot on her hair where his hand had been.

''Did he mess up my hair?'' Neva whispers to herself.

She purses her lips, looking away—bewildered by the strange hollowness blooming in her chest.

---

Inside the lecture hall, most of the seats are already taken despite the early hour. After scanning the room, Neva finds a lone empty seat at the far end and slips into it, grateful for the anonymity.

Neva makes her way over and settles in, barely getting comfortable when she senses a presence beside her.

She turns, and within a second, a girl with wavy, medium-length brown hair tied in a ponytail drops into the seat next to her.

"Hi! Nice to meet you. I'm Emma," the girl says brightly, flashing an alluring gummy smile—her dimples making the expression even more charming.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Neva," she replies with a small smile.

"Can I ask you something?" Emma leans in a little, curiosity sparkling in her hazel–brown eyes.

"Sure," Neva says.

"Do you like Rhett?" Emma asks, her gaze narrowing, watching Neva closely.

"Huh?" Neva blinks.

"Oh... yeah, I guess I like red," she replies, slightly thrown off, her lean, softly arched dark brows knitting together in confusion.

Emma's eyes light up. "Can I ask another?"

Neva nods. "Ask away."

"Is he your boyfriend?" Emma presses on, still watching her.

"What?" Neva frowns, dumbfounded.

When did people start dating colors?

"Man~ the guy you were with.

At the campus gate?" Emma clarifies, already seeming warmed up to Neva.

A jolt runs through Neva's brain like a snapped wire. Her eyes widen. "His name's Red? As in the color red?"

She's visibly stunned by the revelation.

Emma chuckles. "No! It's Rhett. R-H-E-T-T," she spells it out, emphasizing each letter with playful firmness. Then she tilts her head, her expression turning a bit uncertain. "I guess?"

"At least, that's what my boyfriend calls him," she says with a grin.

Neva nods slowly. Finally, she has a name for her mystery man.

Unable to help herself, she leans in slightly. "How do you know him?"

"Oh, he owns a car maintenance workshop a few miles from here. My boyfriend works there," Emma answers brightly, still brimming with curiosity about where Neva and Rhett stand.

"I see," Neva nods, her voice soft, absorbing this newfound knowledge about her mysterious man.

So his name is actually Rhett.

The name lingers in her mind, echoing like a whisper through the quiet corners of her thoughts.

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