Do you like me?

As Ben settles the chilled glass of water on the table, he turns to Gallian, who has just returned from the hospital after admitting Marquis. Twirling the straw, the clinking of ice echoes in the room. "What did the doctor say?"

"He's okay. The injury wasn't severe. Marquis shielded the strike with his hand, so that took a deeper cut, but it'll mend soon," Gallian replies, wondering how Ben knows about it.

"That's a relief. Hopefully, Oryx won't lose her composure over this," Ben remarks, taking a seat while noticing Gallian's troubled demeanor. "Is something else bothering you?"

With a frustrated sigh, Gallian gulps down the cold water. "She's utterly fixated on him. He's shown no interest in her, doesn't want her, yet... I can't fathom why she persists. She seems content despite not having him!"

"Here, try some beer," Ben offers, sliding another glass toward him while reaching for a napkin to tidy up the table.

"Why is she so unperturbed witnessing him with another woman? He even pu