Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 138: Hard Choice

"If we hadn't listened to you, that money would've just kept losing value. Grandpa keeps saying we should give you some supplies as thanks. I even told him I wanted you to be my girlfriend—and he didn't object!

"Mariella, I'm not joking about that. I'm serious. Think about it, okay?"

Mariella was speechless. She was trying to talk about something important, and he suddenly brought up dating again.

"If you don't flirt, will you suffer or something?" she snapped, finally losing her patience.

She hung up and stood there, quietly fuming.

Chandler handed her a bottle of water with the cap already opened.

"Have some water. Calm down."

Only then did Mariella realize someone was still beside her.

She often ignored Chandler without thinking. Maybe it was because he had such a low presence—or maybe she trusted him too much.

Have I already treated him as one of my own without even noticing?

She took the bottle and drank a few sips. Her head finally cleared a little.

"Kieran did that on purpose," she said firmly.

Chandler nodded. "He wanted to make you angry, so you'd hang up first. He didn't know how to answer you. Or maybe he doesn't even know what he wants himself."

The decision for the Hancocks—whether to stay or leave—was a matter of life and death. There was no way he could give a quick answer.

"Guess it really takes a man to understand a man," Mariella said, glancing at him.

Chandler pressed his lips together and corrected her seriously, "Other than being a male, I have nothing in common with that playboy."

Mariella teased, "You're usually so calm. Getting worked up like this makes it obvious—you really don't like him."

Chandler looked away and focused on the drone controller in his hands. "I just don't like how fake he is. He wants to use you, but he's also afraid of getting into trouble."

Mariella thought about it and realized he was right.

The Hancocks were facing a hard choice. Even Wallace didn't know what to do.

At the start of the disaster, Mariella had told Kieran to stock up. To the Hancocks, she had been like a guide.

Wallace had probably praised her in private. That made Kieran see her value.

He did want her on his side. If they moved to the official base, he wanted to bring her along.

But he underestimated her. Mariella had no plan to leave.

Kieran was hesitating. He didn't know whether to stay or go. But he kept bringing up the idea of a relationship, trying to leave room for something more between them.

Chandler, however, saw right through him.

Mariella laughed softly. "Looks like you understand things better than I do. I was so mad just now."

Chandler turned his head and looked at her, his gaze deep. Then he said calmly, "The one watching from the outside sees the game more clearly."

Mariella stepped closer and leaned in, curious. "You've been staring at that thing. See anything new?"

She looked at the drone controller in his hands. A strand of her hair brushed lightly against his collarbone, sending a faint shiver across his skin.

Chandler froze for a second, his breathing tightening.

A moment later, he handed her the controller.

Mariella took it but then noticed something strange—Chandler had buttoned his shirt back up.

She frowned, confused.

They had worked together for a while. He had only recently relaxed around her enough to leave a button undone. But now, just because she got a little closer, he closed it again.

After fixing his collar, Chandler answered calmly, "Those two groups have already taken Imperial Crest Plaza and Greenfield Organic Farm. Number Four and Number Seven seem to have joined the front line."

Mariella let out a cold laugh. "They're really eager to impress their new boss."

It made her feel like she hadn't punished them hard enough before.

Chandler glanced at his watch. "No need to get upset over trash like them. It's past 2 a.m. Go get some rest. Number One and I will set up shifts for watch duty."

...

The next morning, Number Six limped over to Mariella.

"I heard Number Four and Number Seven betrayed us..."

There was disbelief, pain, and confusion in his eyes. He couldn't accept that the people he once worked with had turned like this.

Mariella nodded and motioned for him to sit.

She looked at him calmly and said, "Everyone makes their own choice. Maybe theirs wasn't wrong. If they hadn't surrendered back then, they might've died. But I don't accept disloyalty here."