Bloodbound: Mr. Billionaire's Contract Wife Is a Retired Ghost

"Where are you going now, Alessia? It's getting late already." Kiera asked, a mug in her hand as she leaned on the white mini fridge near the stove in their apartment.

They lived in a small studio unit and everything in it was old and in need of repair, the walls were damp and some kind of moss grew in some corners but it wasn't like they had a choice. It was all they could afford.

Alessia paused with her palm on the handle of the door leading outside. She smiled at her friend sheepishly and winced when the strain of it caused the bruise on her cheek to hurt.

She placed a gentle hand on the bandaged area and stroked it soothingly.

Kiera's brows furrowed as she watched her, her fingers tightening around the handle of the mug she was holding. "Does it still hurt that much?"

Alessia nodded. "It does, but don't worry about me too much. It will heal soon."

Kiera's frown deepened further. "That's what you have been saying for the past few days and it doesn't even look any better."

"Well, a bruise like this won't heal in just a few days." Alessia defended, as she pulled open the door. "I'll be back soon."

"Wait! You haven't answered my question!" Kiera called out just as Alessia was about to walk out the door.

Alessia swallowed the urge to groan. "I recently got a part-time job…" She trailed off, trying her best not to meet Kiera's eyes.

"Another one?" Kiera asked as she dropped the mug on top of the mini fridge and folded her arms. "Lessie, you're going to work yourself to death!"

"You know the reason why I had to leave all the other ones, so please don't scold me. I can't just sit on my hands doing nothing… we need to pay the rent and eat." Alessia paused. "You can't do all the work."

Kiera scoffed, her lips curving up to a dejected smile. "We wouldn't be in this mess if we just stayed in that apartment Xandro got you and took all the reward money from our missions."

Alessia pursed her lips, but she knew Kiera didn't mean what she said. She simply shrugged as she stepped outside the door. "Well, we don't take either, so here we are. I'll see you soon."

"Sure." Kiera sighed. "Don't get into any trouble on the way!" She yelled out after Alessia had left the house.

'I just hope it takes him longer to find her this time.' She let out a breath before silently taking another sip of her beverage.

Alessia finally got to the roadside, her mind in a daze as she watched cars pass by. She pulled out an old, damp purse from the bag she was carrying and took a peek inside.

She pressed her lips together at the sight. 'I don't have enough money for a cab…' She sighed as she stared up at the darkening sky. 'Looks like I'll have to walk again today…'

...

The door to a local café swung open when it was a bit past seven, ringing the bell attached to the top of it. Alessia walked in and made her way to the back of the counter looking like she could pass out at any moment.

"Oh, you're here early–" Someone said from beside her, his words suddenly cut short. It was a man that looked to be in his early twenties, tall and good looking. His brown eyes stared at the bruise on Alessia's face and his brows furrowed slightly.

He carefully pointed at his own face to indicate. "Your cheek… what happened to it?"

Alessia swallowed. This was exactly what she was afraid of when going out, even on her way to the cafe, people gave her strange looks. She didn't like when others asked her about things she didn't find comfortable talking about.

"I fell in the bathroom. Don't worry, it's not as serious as it looks." She answered dismissively.

The man seemed to sense her unwilling tone and didn't ask further. "I see… Did you walk all the way here?" He asked.

Alessia managed a small smile. "You have no idea." She answered with a sigh. "So, where do I start… uhh…"

The man paused. "You've... forgotten my name already? I can't believe it."

Alessia flinched, a little taken aback by his tone. "Sorry... there's usually a lot on my mind..."

The man sighed. "It's fine. My name is Shawn... don't forget it this time, okay?"

Alessia nodded. "I'll keep it in mind, Shawn."

Shawn smiled and pointed at a wooden door just a few meters from where they stood. "In there you will find your uniform and a locker where you can keep your stuff. Put your hair up and wear the cap before you come back out and I'll tell you what to do."

Alessia nodded again. "Alright."

It didn't take her up to ten minutes to do as he asked. Soon enough, Alessia was already with him at the counter waiting for instructions.

"Do you know how to take orders?" Shawn asked.

"Yes."

"Hmm? Is this not your first time working in a place like this?." He asked, then continued without waiting for her answer. "For today, you will take orders and deliver them while I prepare the drinks. We can switch roles everyday like that if you like."

Alessia blinked up at him. 'He's probably giving me the easier task because he thinks it's my first time…'

"Okay." She responded and took her place behind the counter, with the computer directly in front of her.

"...one iced latte and a burger, please." The third customer ordered without even looking up. The girl simply chewed on gum and tapped on her phone like it was the only thing that mattered.

"Alright." Alessia answered as she inputted the order. "Anything else?"

"Nope, nothing." The girl said before she turned around and left to sit at one of the empty tables.

"It seems like you have a lot of experience with this kind of work." Shawn voiced after a while.

Alessia laughed nervously. 'That's because this is the only normal thing I'm good at…'

"Thank you–"

Just then, the bell at the cafe door rang and a customer walked in. He was wearing a pair of average jean trousers and a dark hoodie. On his head was a black face cap.

No one in the cafe seemed to pay much mind to him, it didn't seem like they knew who he was either, but Alessia could instantly recognise his face.

Those piercing, indifferent looking green eyes and pale skin were almost impossible to forget. Her eyes widened.

'M–Mr. Salviati?!'