Chapter 44 - Stay For A Moment

Devon covered her lips with her palm, staring at the woman across from her with fear. They both bore the exact face, but their demeanor, expression, and everything were different.

"Nice to meet you, Self." Devon's breath hitched as a chill ran down her spine when the spirit spoke. "Ah… this is nice. You can really see me. Just how?"

The Spirit laughed. It was cold, and Devon shivered. "It doesn't matter," she said, "as long as you can see me, that's good enough for me."

"De — devil?" came a meek, tiny voice from Devon. She gazed up towards the door when Lewis suddenly barged in.

"Miss Lin!" Lewis trudged inside but made a huge turn upon realizing the situation. "Ah, sorry! I was worried when I heard you screaming. Are you okay?"

His expression mixed with utter worry until his face colored with red. His imagination had run wild, especially when she suddenly went silent. He imagined seeing her lying unconscious once again. Just like that night, he rushed her to the hospital.

"Please, say something." A hint of vulnerability crept in his voice, wanting to face her squarely and inspect her to make sure. But how could he do that when she's still inside the bathtub, naked?

"Tell him there's a spider!" The Spirit instructed while Devon wept internally.

"It — it's, there's a… spider." Devon let out a shallow breath as she hung her head low, terrified. 

"'But it's gone now,' tell him that." The Spirit added and Devon said it in great difficulty.

"A spider?" Lewis frowned. This place had been taken care of because he hated those as well, so that was impossible, but he didn't point that out. "Goodness. I will call for someone to get rid of those tomorrow, but are you alright?"

'No, I'm not. Please, help me,' Devon replied internally, but ended up letting out a soft hum.

A heavy sigh slipped past Lewis's lips as he briefly closed his eyes. "Come out when you're done. Just scream and don't run if you see another spider, it's slippery." Lewis instructed before he trudged away.

"Don't you dare," The Spirit threatened, just in case Devon would stop Lewis from leaving.

Devon reached her hand towards the door, silently crying for him not to leave her with the real owner of this body. Her heart sank when the door clicked as it closed.

"No," she whispered, as Devon knew exactly what would happen. "I haven't thanked him yet." At least, before she returned this body, she wanted to thank Lewis for his kindness.

Although her time in this body was brief, Lewis made it memorable compare to the years she lived as a princess. The freedom and sincerity she experienced in this world made her crave for more, but she was afraid of being too greedy. After all, the thing she had feared the most was right in front of her.

The real owner of the body, the real Devon, had come back to take her body.

Tears spilled out from the corner of her eyes as she met the Spirit's gaze squarely. The Spirit quirked her brow with an affected air of nonchalance.

"How can you make me look so pitiful?" The Spirit broke the silence with an arrogant tone. "Hey, snapped out of it already and listen."

The spirit clicked her tongue as her patience was running thin. Good thing she's only a hollow soul, or else she would've forced Devon to look at her.

"I will…" Devon trailed off as she slowly turned to the Spirit. "… return your body. However, may I ask for a favor?"

"Huh?" Baffled, the Spirit cocked her head. "A favor?"

"Can I bid my farewell to my friends?" Devon meekly requested, a little ashamed to make such a request even after inhabiting this body. "Just this once, please."

She bowed her head. If she could kowtow, she would. Devon just didn't want to leave, just like that. Although she came into this world and was thrust into someone else's body, she wanted to bid her farewell to the friends she ever had in both her life.

"What the hell are you saying?" The Spirit's face scrunched up and watched Devon raise her head and their gaze met.

"Aren't you here to take back your body?" Devon asked in a low tone, a little confused at the Spirit's nonchalance.

"What gave you that impression?" The Spirit asked, despite knowing the Princess had already planned to do so. She just didn't expect she wouldn't put on a fight.

Devon frowned, but still explained. "You won't be here if not for that, correct?"

"Ahh." The Spirit nodded, as it actually looked like that. "Well, okay, whatever."

The Spirit's answer was akin to a dagger stabbing Devon straight into her chest. Part of her hoped the Spirit would tell her, she didn't want her body back. But who wouldn't want a life like this?

"Thank you." Devon's eyes flickered with bitterness, clutching one bicep. "I will return everything, I promise."

"Mhm," The Spirit hummed in nonchalance as she waved. "Finish bathing or my body will catch a cold. I'll haunt you to the ends of the world if my precious body falls ill."

***

Lewis clicked his tongue as he stared at his reflection on the wine. "A stupid spider…" He trailed off as he raised his gaze towards the entrance of the dining hall.

"You're done?" He asked Devon, who was just standing and staring at him. When he noticed her gloomy expression, he put the wineglass down before crossing his arm and propped his side against the kitchen counter.

"Something wrong?" He inquired, but Devon only trudged in his direction, alarming him. "Hey, I didn't mean to barge in…"

Lewis trailed off as he instinctively raised his hand as Devon flung her arms wide, wrapping them around him tightly. He froze but was not flustered. Instead, he felt worried as he could tell there's definitely something wrong.

"Miss Lin?" He called out, puzzled. He wanted to pat her shoulders lightly and ask what was wrong. But he froze when she spoke softly with utter sadness in her voice.

"Just a moment," Devon whispered as her grip around him tightened, pulling him closer. "Don't ask and let me stay like this… just for a moment."

His brows furrowed as he frowned. He didn't like being kept in the dark, nor did he appreciate her constant shift of mood that threw him in a loop. But Lewis didn't voice out his innermost thoughts as he cradled her in his arms and patted her back. 

"Stay for as long as you want," He whispered, resting his chin on her head.. "I won't ask, not now, not ever."