Chapter 3

I went to work as usual.

Every day, I couldn't wait to get out of work and see Victor.

But these comments were talking about something I didn't realize.

[Didn't Victor already find out his real identity?]

[Yeah, so what's the deal now? Didn't he start suspecting their relationship? Is Victor really going to play along with romance with that brooding techie?]

[What else can he do? He's broke, the hero has shut him out, and there are tons of people after him. For now, hiding out at this office worker's place is his safest option.]

So, Victor had already figured out who I was.

[Isn't Victor straight? He used to fight the hero for the heroine like his life depended on it. How could he suddenly be into guys? I think he's playing along so Avery will look after him.]

[That's probably it. Victor has always been a sly sneak.]

[Avery's being used and still happily serving Victor. Poor guy, he's the one being used and deceived.]

Watching the comments scroll by, honestly, I didn't really care if Victor was using me or what kind of person he was.

As long as he was still Victor, that was all that mattered to me.

[Honestly, I think Victor only went after the heroine to piss off the hero. He wanted to take whatever he could from the hero.]

[Seriously, I can't with this. Can that brooding techie stop grinning like he won the lottery?]

I checked myself out in the office restroom mirror.

My lips, which never really smiled, were now turning up without me noticing.

But with my thick bangs and those black-rimmed glasses, I still looked pretty gloomy, so after work, I headed to a barber shop.

I hadn't been to one in years.

Despite my social anxiety, I sat stiffly in the chair, waiting for my haircut.

I didn't know what to tell the barber, so I asked him to cut it short.

By the time I got home, it was way later than usual.

As soon as I opened the door, Victor called out, sounding pretty irritated, "Why are you back so late?"

I remembered how the barber kept insisting on getting my number after the haircut, and it took me a while to turn him down.

I made up an excuse. "I had to work overtime."

With that, I threw on my apron and made a beeline for the kitchen. "You must be starving. I'll start cooking right away. I grabbed some ribs today."

Victor walked in from the living room, his brows furrowed as he studied my face for a moment.

His gaze put me on edge.

Then he stepped closer, took hold of my chin, and turned my face from side to side, examining me closely.

I watched Victor, nerves jangling.

Then, out of nowhere, he chuckled and said, "Not bad. The new cut suits you."

I stood there, holding the spatula, staring at him in a daze.

Did Victor say I look good?

I'd never been complimented before. Not once in my whole life.

These comments popped out again.

[Seriously? Avery's got that face and was stuck with those gloomy bangs every day.]

[Are we all still recovering from the shock? Avery had the kind of face you'd see in a classic Renaissance painting: a sharp jawline, deep-set eyes with an intense, piercing gaze.

[He must be six-one or six-two. I never realized how tall he was when he was always hunched over, but now that we can actually see his face, he's a total knockout.]

[Damn, that gave me a heart attack.]

[And dude is built like a tank, too.]

[Come on, dude, where's your dignity? Victor gives you one compliment, and you're all giddy? Did you lose your mind from that? Also, your pot's about to boil over!]

Victor was still holding my chin, and I mumbled awkwardly, "I... I have to make dinner now."

Victor finally let go and walked out of the kitchen.

I took a steadying breath, collected myself, and went back to cooking. I hoped I could always have moments like this with Victor.

Victor was sprawled out in the living room with his legs propped up, waiting for dinner like always.

The comments complained.

[Losing memories doesn't make him change a bit. He's still got that big-shot attitude, sitting there expecting someone to serve him.]

[He's been pampered for so long. It's like his body knows how to act. Spoiling himself is practically in his DNA.]

Victor ate slowly, with that laid-back style. It was oddly satisfying to watch.

But he could really eat. His appetite was as big as he was, and he always polished off everything I cooked.

I stole glances at him when I thought he wasn't looking.

Now the comments began to complain about me.

[Well, well. Someone's actually eager to spoil him.]

[Man, Victor's luck is unreal. He goes bankrupt and still scores a handsome guy as his meal ticket.]

I was honestly happy to take care of Victor. After dinner, I quickly cleaned up the dishes and got his bath ready.

I figured tonight would be like any other. Victor would sleep in the master bedroom, and I'd be on the couch.

But Victor grinned and invited me to join him in bed.