The Stray I Took In Corners Me on the Couch Chapter 1

Ethan pressed me against the corner of the sofa, his eyes blazing red: "Emily, I'm asking you for the last time, do you want to be with me or not?"

I opened my mouth but couldn't speak, too many worries preventing me from answering.

He slowly released me and stepped back, his reddened eyes full of disappointment.

I quickly grabbed his hand to stop him from leaving, whispering:

"Can you give me some more time to think about it?"

"Emily, you're really going to be the death of me."

I found him on a rainy day. He was soaked to the bone, hiding alone behind a pillar on the sidewalk, curled up in a ball and shivering uncontrollably.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He looked up at me briefly, then quickly lowered his head again, turning away as if he didn't want to talk.

I went into a convenience store, bought some hot food and water, and sat by the window to eat it all at once. Hot food on a rainy day always brings comfort.

When I came out, he was still in the same position, looking like he might be washed away by the heavy rain at any moment.

Unable to bear it, I went back and bought another portion of food, placing it in his arms.

"Eat this, it's still hot."

After a few seconds of hesitation, he shakily took the food and stuffed it all into his mouth, finishing everything including the soup in just three minutes.

After eating, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and softly said, "Thank you."

Seeing him like this, I thought he might be a runaway kid. I couldn't do much more, so I left my umbrella and turned to leave.

Just as I stepped into the rain, my sleeve was tugged. I turned to find the young man who had been crouching there following me.

With hesitation but also a hint of desperate courage, he asked:

"Can you take me home with you?"

Out of selfishness, I agreed. After all, in my final days, I wanted someone to keep me company. Just having someone there would be enough.