"I have been thinking," he starts nonchalantly as if he hasn't broken into my room.

"Do tell," I add dryly as I close the door behind me and walk to the bed.

"I have accrued one hundred points. I am entitled to a boon."

My jaw falls open as I stare at him dumbfounded. Of all the things... He's gone for an entire week and then he swoops in to tell me he wants his boon? The gall of him. My ire rises as I note his relaxed manner. His arms are behind his head, his legs propped up on the bed frame—of course he'd be too big for my bed. He's sitting there as if he owns the place.

"Is this what you came for? Where have you been in the last week?" I ask him before I can help myself. The moment the words are out of my mouth, heat engulfs my cheeks. That sounded rather...needy. But just as he is entitled to his boon, I'm entitled to know when he's going to suddenly pop up—more like break in—into my room. As that thought arises, I make a mental note for myself to remind him that it's not okay for him to simply barge into my room—or teleport himself or whatever. If a door is locked, it's for a reason. I value my privacy—not that Ze seems to have any notion of what the word means.

His gaze meets mine, an intense look crossing his face.

"You were expecting me?" he asks slowly, his voice gravelly.

"Right, it's my mistake for thinking you'd at least send word that you'd be gone for so long." I roll my eyes.

He blinks slowly as if it just dawned on him that he should have sent word. But then again, I don't think Ze is used to accounting for his whereabouts to anyone.

His entire body tenses, his lips fighting to stay still as the corners of his mouth curl up.

Time freezes as he stares at me, his Adam's apple bobbing up, a mix of awe, satisfaction and fear echoed in his features. Eventually, he swings his legs off the bed and silently walks toward me, stopping when the tips of his feet meet mine. I glance up at him to find him watching me pensively, his brows bunched together.

Reaching into the pocket of his trousers, he takes something out and thrusts it toward me.

"For you," he says as he unfurls his fist to reveal a gold bracelet crowned with a small purple pearl in the middle.

My lips part as a shaky breath escapes me, my eyes instantly arrested by the simple yet beautiful piece of jewelry. At the same time, my brain tries to make sense of the reason behind such an extravagant gift.

When I take too long to speak or react, he clears his throat, grabbing my hand and dropping the bracelet in my palm.