25- Don't interrupt when the adults are talking . I sort of want to hang around and watch Jackson and Ronny work , but it's never nice having someone hover over you while you're trying to get things done so it's probably better that I find something else to do . I'm still sleepy . I wish I had a book to read or something . Really all I have to do here is work . I could clean but there's no point when they're still making more mess . " Where did Torin go ? Did he leave ? " I wonder aloud . Jackson raises an eyebrow . " You think he would leave us alone in his precious bar ? No way ." Jackson sounds incredulous at the suggestion . I'm confused by it . Torin knows Jackson better than me and he's left me here alone . I feel like I'm missing something . Jackson doesn't notice my confusion and just continues speaking . " I think he went to his office . I could tell he wanted to stand over us and supervise but Ronny here wasn't getting anything done . " Jackson comments . " Who could with the demon staring down at them like that ? " Ronny comments and I give him a reproachful look . " There's nothing wrong with Torin being in his own building . " I respond sternly and Ronny looks confused . Jackson pats me on the arm gently . " I'll have a chat with him . Besides , anyone would be uncomfortable with the boss hoverin ' over them . He didn't mean any harm by it . " he says soothingly and I shrug . Jackson pokes me in the side . " Rina ? " He prompts and I smile . " Alright , fine . I guess I should take that as a hint that I should get out of your way and let you two get to work . I'll go look for Torin . " I decide . ' Should I call him for you ? " Jackson offers . I raise an eyebrow . " Dude , the office door is like five steps away . I'll knock on the door myself . " I tell him , maybe a little snarkily but hey , I'm tired . Jackson stares . " You're going to ... Well , if you insist . " He seems reluctant but I don't know why . Whatever . 29 29 ل 1/4 Aug Lesson 25- Don't interrupt when the adults are talking . 100 % Being careful not to step on anything sharp or knock anything over , I make my way to Torin's office . Very aware of Jackson and Ronny watching me closely . I reach out and knock on the door firmly . A moment later it swings open and Torin is standing in front of me . Damn , every time I forget how huge this guy is . Standing this close I have to practically look up at him . " You're awake . " He observes and I give a dramatic sigh . " Reluctantly , yes . So are you . " I respond and he blinks in confusion . " Yes . " He agrees and then falls silent . Why isn't he saying anything ? He glances over my shoulder and I hear a shuffling sound as Jackson and Ronny rush to get back to work . Torin relaxes a little , but not much . Is he nervous around them or something ? Why ? They're terrified of HIM so I can't see why he would be bothered . When I don't say anything or leave , Torin huffs out a breath . " Did you want something ? " He finally asks . I smile at him brightly . " I was thinking we could hang out for a bit or something . There isn't exactly much for me to do here when I'm not working . " I explain . Torin seems even more surprised and I think I hear something heavy fall in the bathroom . Did someone drop something ? Torin doesn't answer for a really long time , so I continue . " Uh ... Torin ? " I poke his arm and he stares at the spot on his arm that I touched . མ " Ah ... I'm working . Trying to get caught up on some of the paperwork . " He responds as he heads back into his office . I contemplate if I should follow or not . Well , he didn't close the door in my face , and he didn't say no . I decide to just go in and make myself at home . I step inside and pull the door shut behind me . " Get caught up ? Can you even find anything here ? " I tease him and Torin shrugs . How is he even less talkative than usual ? I get comfortable in the second chair , pulling my legs up and crossing them . Torin still seems uncomfortable . He's theoretically working on his paperwork , but he isn't even looking at it . He keeps glancing at the door and then back to me . Did I misread this ? Does he want me to leave? " Am I annoying you ? " I ask bluntly . Torin shakes his head . " No. You're fine . I'm not very good company though . I'm busy . " He answers . I frown . 29 20 ل ) O 2/4 11:20 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 25- Don't interrupt when the adults are talking . 100 % ! " You're alright company , and I don't mind that you're busy . But ... Is something bothering you ? You seem kind of ... Off . " I tell him , badly explaining my observations . " I'm fine . " He responds blankly . I don't believe him at all . I lean forward in my chair and prop my elbows on the edge of his desk . " Then why do you keep looking at the door ? You're acting weird . " I accuse him . Torin grunts a sound that sounds vaguely like agreement . I wait and stare him down . He eventually relents . " I don't like having the workmen here . " He answers . I raise an eyebrow . " Because you would rather be sleeping ? " I reason and he shakes his head . " No. Because I'm a demon and we're very territorial . " he explains . Huh ? " I'm going to need a little more than that . What do you mean you're territorial ? " I ask . " This bar is my territory . My natural instinct is to guard it against intruders . " He clarifies . " But ... It's a bar . You have guests constantly . Jackson was here last night and you seemed fine . " I point out . " It's ... Different . It's the front of the bar . I let people in there . I don't let people back here , not unless I have to . And even then I usually stay and keep an eye on them . But when I tried to supervise them they didn't seem to be getting much done . " He sighs and I nod . " I can see why that would be distracting for them . " I agree then tilt my head sideways as I think . " What about Laura and Kyle ? They're here all the time and you seem fine . Plus that Catcher guy who I haven't met yet . " I add as an afterthought . I swear the guy might as well be a ghost . Everyone talks about him , but he isn't actually here . " I'm used to them . I don't need to supervise them quite as much . Besides , since they work for me , on some level I consider them to be ... Mine . So I'm less bothered by it . " He decides . " Oh ... Well what about me ? You barely know me but you've left me alone here for hours . " I point out . 29 29 ل ) 3/4 O Aug Lesson 25- Don't interrupt when the adults are talking . " Having you here doesn't bother me . " Torin answers . He seems surprised by his own answer , like he only just realised that he feels comfortable with me here . " Why not ? " I ask . I know I'm pestering him . But this is interesting and I have nothing better to be doing . " I'm not sure why . Maybe because you're technically my captive . In my mind , it's like you belong to me , so you're meant to be here . " I back off of his desk and glare at him . Torin isn't paying much attention to me as he puzzles things through . He feels like I BELONG to him ? Like a toy , or a pet . This is ridiculous . I find myself glaring at Torin . He looks confused by my aggressive expression . Well this is going to be interesting . Chapter Comments 2 Reviews > Leslie W