Fated to the full Moon.

hed his reaction and continued, "Your budget assumes a 60% discount. I assume you've ac

s palpable on his face; he realized how careless he had been. He had two options: negotiate the price of the medicine down or ensure lo

ghtly, and let the silence linger, clearl

asked, knowing he had to focus on the big

finally learning that the road ahead wouldn't be smooth, and und

tics company that will ensure the goods arrive in East Africa on

kie asked, wary of wh

ooked at him with a grin

s taken aback, confu

an eat, but you can't comp

pplies were limited. He could manage, but he knew he could never match

e during that time, so you'll cook for me for the next two weeks," Azriel said, pressing h

steep price to pay for a home-cooked meal. His instincts were on high alert,

the chapter, with added detail a

you can cook, it saves me the trouble of finding someone else," Azriel said, leaning bac

Rickie replied, gritting his teeth. Cooking wasn't a daunting task, but the thought of living un

ght as well live here. Pick any room you like," Azr

t do you mean, pick any room?

of it. Besides, it'll be nice to have someone arou

pletely trust this pharmaceutical company, and he knew that even minor variations in drug concentration could have significant

d him. Rickie nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief. Despite his reservations about Azriel, he couldn't de

clock. You should take a look at the kitchen. My aunt stocked the fridge with ingredie

. He hadn't expected Azriel to embrace this role so quic

ally eat?" Rickie ask

ance in his tone. He often struggled with his appetit

ckie noted. But then he scolded himself f

ts are available," he said,

ket from his legs and slowly fo

rigerator brimming with fresh produce, meats, eggs, and even

ually make?" Rickie asked,

at it all by myself," Az

That doesn't fit the stereotype of a capitalist. Shouldn

"Capitalists are human too. If you w

There was something familiar about Azriel's laught

iel had helped him significantly, and despite any past prejudices, he was determined to make the most o

was stepping into a new chapter of his life-one wher

d, waving Azriel toward a chair. The kitchen suddenly felt like a pl

n. Instead, he sat on the sofa in the living room, watching as Rickie tied on his apron, deftly pulled out meat and veget

he little boy he had first met had grown up so quickly. He found himself reminiscing abou

nd. He knew he was taking advantage of the situation, but he was deter

water hitting the hot oil filled the air, infusin

wo dishes, calling ou

sautéed with celery. Rickie soon brought out two more plates: sweet and sour ribs, and a plate of popular crayfi

p too," Rickie said, return

is this?" Azriel

oots in your kitchen. It's good for you to have four dishes an

Azriel remarked, picking up his chopsticks and tasting the celery

ht about the hefty price of this meal-the rice

ble silence, the atmosphere w

e asked, recalling that Azriel

d softly, a hint of warmth in his gaze. "Hav

's been fulfilling," Rickie said, though he ate with the

laced with concern. The mention of protection brought back memories of a certain individual whose fate remained un

ry's earlier comments about Azriel being a shareholder who rarely appeared at the company. L

s," Azriel replied, his appetite waning. He sipped f

, skepticism evident in his voice. He couldn't imagine a worka

g his head. "No, nothing like

he decided not to pry further. They both sat in comfortable silence, the warmth