Obed knew staying indoors wasn't the way to live, no matter how busy he was. He needed fresh air, new faces, and the energy of the city. But his current situation made it hard. He was alone, stuck in the small room, with only his thoughts for company.
He was plotting his next move, but he knew he couldn't achieve his goals from within these four walls. He needed to make connections, build relationships, and find his "virgins" – but not like this. He needed to be out there, amongst the people, blending in. This was his new home now, and he needed to find his footing, make friends, and feel comfortable before he could seek his revenge and move on to a new place.
After a restless sleep, he decided it was time. He stepped outside, into the bustling heart of the city. It was a vibrant place, a massive marketplace teeming with life. The air was thick with the scent of spices, and the sounds of bartering and laughter filled the streets. The city was protected by a powerful force field, a shimmering dome that kept out unwanted intruders. It was a haven, a sanctuary for the people who lived within its walls.
The soldiers and the body guards were trained perfectly to keep the walls safe and it's their only job and they must not mess it up for any reason.
The city was built around the King's palace, though the palace itself stood apart, surrounded by its own impenetrable walls and a legion of guards. It was a fortress, a symbol of power, keeping the King safe from those who would seek to harm him.
But beyond the palace, the city thrived. Traders from distant lands, from every corner of the world, flocked here to buy and sell their wares. They mingled with the citizens of the Genesis Kingdom, creating a melting pot of cultures and languages. It was a place where dreams were made, and fortunes were won and lost. And it was here, in the heart of this bustling city, that Obed hoped to find his place. Make new friends and try out the life here to know how it goes.
Obed stepped out of the palace and into the bustling city. As he navigated the crowded streets, his eyes locked onto a familiar face – the girl he'd bumped into yesterday. She was even more beautiful than he remembered, her features radiant in the morning light. He was drawn to her, captivated by her presence.
She was a busy woman, a trader like her parents. They all worked together, managing their family business, a bustling marketplace filled with the sights and smells of fresh produce. Her parents were busy with their own customers, selling meat and other goods, but the girl was momentarily free, having just served a customer.
Obed felt a surge of nervousness as he approached her. He wanted to get to know her, to learn more about her, but he was shy. He cleared his throat and stammered out a greeting.
"Hello!"
She looked up, her eyes widening slightly. She pretended not to recognize him, her expression cool and aloof.
"You're welcome! What would you like to buy?" she asked, her voice professional and polite. She began to list the prices of her fruits, her gaze focused on the goods before her.
She rattled off the prices of her fruits, each word a measured beat in the rhythm of the marketplace. Obed felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him. He wasn't there to buy anything, not really. He just wanted to talk to her, to get to know her better.
"I... I'm sorry, but I'm not here to buy anything," he managed to say, his voice barely a whisper. He felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment.
She raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of curiosity and annoyance. "So what exactly are you here for?" she asked, her tone direct.
He took a deep breath, trying to find the words. "I... it's me, the boy you ran into yesterday. We had a little accident, remember? When I was coming into the city..."
She cut him off, her voice sharp. "Yes, I know it was you. What exactly are you doing here? What do you want? want to have another accident"
He stumbled over his words, feeling increasingly flustered. "I... um... nothing much... I..."
She knew he had nothing important to say, nothing that mattered to her. She wanted him gone, to leave her alone.
"You what? Since you said nothing much, that means you have nothing to talk about. You're not here to buy anything, so please, this is my workplace. Do me a favor and leave. You're making my customers uncomfortable, and I don't appreciate it."
He felt his heart sink. He was so smitten with her, but she clearly wasn't interested. He tried one last time.
"Okay then! If so, can I know where you live? I can meet you at home, we could talk there, I also live close by, inside the golden castle, you can come there let's talk...." He said with the girl looking at him with a very much disappointing face, then he swallowed hard and almost making full of himself.
"Maybe we can meet somewhere else?" He requested.
She shook her head, her answer a firm and immediate "No."
"At my place then?" He asked with a brief smile.
"No....! not any where!!" She yelled at him.
And you shouldn't know my place, and that's it. Please leave right now!" she yelled, her face flushed with anger. Obed swallowed hard, his heart sinking. He took a step back, his gaze locked on hers. Her eyes were still wide open, blazing with fury.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the air, a rough, gruff tone. "Hey!" A man pushed past Obed, shoving him roughly out of the way. "Don't stand in the way, you little boy. You want to buy something, buy something and then leave. Don't block the road next time! Damn you!"
The man then turned his attention to the girl, his voice softening as he placed his order. Obed watched, a wave of jealousy washing over him. The girl was smiling at the man, her face alight with a warmth he hadn't seen before. She was treating this man, who looked older than him and had nothing particularly special about him, with a kindness and attentiveness that made Obed feel like he was invisible. Was she flirting with him? Was this why she had been so harsh with him?
The man pushed Obed again, sending him stumbling to the ground. It was clear they were mocking him, deliberately trying to humiliate him.
Obed had tried his best to win her attention, but it was clear she wasn't interested. He looked around, relieved to see that no one was paying attention to him anymore. He took the opportunity to slip away, but he knew he would be back. She was too beautiful, too captivating, for him to simply walk away.
He would be back in a few hours, or maybe tomorrow would be a better time to try again. No one has to give up that easily on things they like, but Ruth was actually watching him from the top floor of the castle, her heart breaking as she saw him so smitten with another. She loved him already, and she was starting to doubt her own beauty, wondering if she wasn't good enough for him.
Leaving the market area, Obed wandered around the neighborhood, unsure what to do with himself. Eventually, he decided to head back to the golden castle and retreat to his room. He entered, shut the door, and locked it, feeling a sense of relief at being alone.
He hadn't been in the room for a minute when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it to find Ruth standing there, a tray of food in her hand.
"Umm, I brought you some lunch," she said, stepping into the room without waiting for his permission. She placed the tray on a small table near the window.
Obed felt a surge of annoyance. He was tired of her attempts to force herself on him. He didn't want her around.
"I... I don't understand why you're bringing me lunch now," he said, his voice flat and unenthusiastic. "It's not even lunchtime. I just ate breakfast not long ago." His words were a clear indication that her presence was unwelcome and that he wanted her to leave.
"No... this isn't the real lunch, this is just warm up fruits" she said, a slight smile playing on her lips. "When I make the real lunch, it will have meat and lots of spices, and it will be delicious. I'll bring it to you personally." But Obed didn't smile back. His face was serious, his expression unyielding.
"So, if this isn't the real lunch, why are you bringing it here? I don't remember requesting fruits," he said, his voice firm.
"I... at the market today... I saw you... you were trying to buy some fruits," she stammered. "I saw you... um... I thought it would be nice... um... I brought you some."
"No! It's not! I'm not interested. Can you please take it and leave?" he demanded. Ruth stared at him, her heart sinking. She didn't know how to tell him how she felt. She loved him, and she would do anything to make him happy. Maybe if she helped him get the girl he wanted, he would see her in a different light.
"Okay then..." she said, picking up the tray and turning to leave. But then she stopped and turned back to him.
"Um... the girl... I saw you talking to her," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Obed's eyes narrowed. "And you're jealous, right? I know that's why you came. You just pretended to bring some apples." His tone was harsh, accusatory.