He smiled and took the bowl of chowder from me, then he sipped from it. He nodded, probably thinking it was fine. “Do you cook a lot in the past?”

I could never understand how he managed to shift the topics that fast. I shook my head. “No. I often saw my grandma making this when I was little.”

He nodded and sipped the chowder in silence, as if reminiscing the past. I didn’t want to break the silence, so I observed him. A short while later, he looked up at me. “Was it hard living in R Province?”

I stared at him, stupefied. “How did you know that’s where I lived?”

He found that question amusing. “That’s not too hard to figure out. I told you I helped you out so I can get my hands on that sandalwood box. Is it that surprising that I’d look into your past then?”

Well, that argument was sound, so I nodded. “I see.” He waited for me to continue, so I said, “Not really. I didn’t starve or die out in the cold. At least it was better than how I live now.”

He smiled at me again and put the bowl away. “Have you ever regretted at choosing Ashton?”

me by surprise, and I couldn’t answer him. “There’s still some in the kitchen. Do

at me and shook his head, then he stopped asking any more

back to my bedroom, spaced out. Have I

rolled in the skies as rain poured. I thought of Armond and his wound, and I wondered if the

nobody came to open it, though I heard something crashing inside. Surprised, I went inside, but Armond was nowhere to be found, though the night light was on. Then I heard sounds from the

on it. “Are you alright, Mr. Murphy?” He didn’t answer, and I started to worry. “Mr.

he interrupted, but he

against the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Looks like I’ll have to wait. He came out a long while

fuming. Then I pulled his towel away to check his wound again, but I overlooked one thing. He just came out of

to check his wound. Nothing else. I noticed that he was

and a pus is forming,” I cursed and looked at him. “Just wipe yourself off with a towel if you want to take a bath. Going under the shower is going

smiled at me again. “I’m used to

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