"Can I order more?" Malik asked after clearing up eight plates, a bitter smile curling on Carita's lips as she slowly devoured her food.
"I didn't come out with my main credit card… and I wasn't expecting to meet the almighty Devourer here," Carita shook her head.
Malik rested his back against the seat dejectedly. He had only ordered three plates at first, but after Carita offered to foot the bill, he went wild—adding two extra, then three more from different dishes. Never in his wildest thoughts did he think eight plates would clock over two hundred thousand naira.
"So you have a main credit card… and an extra one?"
"Yeah. One's for miscellaneous—that's the one I brought with me."
"This one you're calling miscellaneous, how much do you even keep inside?"
"The least is 200k… highest, maybe 300k."
"And you actually call that miscellaneous?" Malik's eyes widened in disbelief.
A bitter smile tugged at Carita's lips. "It's not even enough to spend in one night. You're a living testament to that."
Malik arched a brow. "What do you mean?"
"I was just kidding," Carita chuckled. Just then, the waitress walked over, eyes shooting Malik another loaded glare before she looked at Carita.
"Ma, this is your card, and these are the receipts," she said, dropping them on the table with a slight bow before turning to leave. Of course, she didn't forget to toss Malik one last look.
"That waitress seems to have taken a liking to you," Carita teased, causing Malik to arch his brow. That look of disdain? What kind of satire was the young miss of the White Mansion pulling now?
Malik didn't bother replying. Instead, his hand darted to the bill. He picked it up, checking Carita's side first—it was just 50k. A simple meal. But when he flipped over to his...
He almost fell from the chair.
"What?!" he screamed, drawing the attention of half the restaurant. But Malik couldn't be bothered—his soul was locked on the paper in his hand.
The weight of the gazes made Carita shoot to her feet. She grabbed Malik's arm, dragging him away from the table with urgency. Thankfully, she was wearing a white face cap that shielded her identity unless someone got real close.
230k?! I ate a meal worth 230k in less than an hour… and I was still ordering more? If she had brought her main credit card, would I have kept going like a glutton possessed? This debt… how am I going to pay it back? I can't believe... I—
Carita let go of Malik's arm after they had walked a good distance from the Triple Star Restaurant.
"Is something the matter with you, Isiaka?" she asked, watching him bite his lower lip.
Shame. If one could define shame at its highest peak, this was it. This was what Malik was swimming in.
"I've truly inconvenienced you, Miss White. To think I still wanted to order more. I'm truly an ingrate... Miss White, please forgive me. I'll do whatever you want to make up for it."
"Whatever I want?" Carita's eyes gleamed slightly as she folded her arms across her chest.
"You mean, you'll do whatever I want?" she asked again to be sure.
Malik nodded firmly, not even hesitating.
A sly smile curled on her lips as she sized him up—her fellow coursemate, someone she barely noticed until today. But now? He was becoming… amusing.
"I want you to be my bodyguard for one day. Will you be able to?"
"Just one day? I'm willing. Do you want anything else?" Malik interrupted quickly, surprising her.
Carita blinked in shock. She didn't expect him to agree so easily.
Or does he have another motive? But the look on his face... it seems pure. Innocent even. Could it be he's really just doing this out of guilt?
She studied him, eyes dancing with amusement. Meanwhile, Malik was silently thanking God she didn't ask for something outrageous—or worse, something beyond his capabilities. But then again... God's Realm Online.
"So, which day is it?"
"Today's Friday. So, Sunday it is. I'll be attending a meeting, and I'll need you to follow me as my bodyguard. Don't worry, you won't have to do much. Just follow me around," Carita said, turning to walk away.
Malik exhaled in relief. "Thank goodness it didn't clash with my plans. Before Sunday, I should be able to clear the pathway leading to Redstone Town."
He nodded to himself as he watched her take a few strides ahead before suddenly stopping.
"Have you consumed the Nutrient Field yet?" she asked, turning back slightly.
Malik nodded. "Yeah."
"So how was the effect on your body? You know the first fill-up is meant to flush out impurities, and then the second fill-up after three days will—" she paused, narrowing her eyes at Malik's expression.
"...How many times have you taken it?"
"I gulped the whole thing down at once."
"You did what?" Carita's body trembled as she stared at him. Malik could only manage a bitter smile.
She didn't even react like this about the money… that just shows how valuable this Nutrient Field is.
But Carita's thoughts were running differently.
He drank an entire bottle of C-rank Nutrient Field... and nothing happened? He even looks healthier than the last time I saw him. What kind of human being is this guy?!
"You truly amaze me, Isiaka. Not only are you the almighty Devourer, you're also the almighty Consumer. I'm starting to wonder if there's a void in your stomach that just stores everything."
Carita burst out laughing, and Malik could only give a bitter smile.
"Young Miss, you can just call me by my first name. After all, I'm now your bodyguard until our deal is over."
Her eyes gleamed with brightness.
"If you say so… Malik, carry me to the car," she said cheekily.
Malik stepped forward instantly. "It'll be my pleasure," he said with a grin and bent to lift her up.
Instead, he received a sharp knee to the face that sent him staggering back a few steps.
Carita spun on her heel and took off running, laughter trailing behind her.
Malik held his nose and watched her fading figure with amusement.
For some reason… it doesn't even hurt.