Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 246: Opportunity

Hearing her say that, Number One couldn't insist any further and finally sat down next to her awkwardly.

The children were scrambling for the nuts and snacks, which were now scattered across the floor. Only Denton's two children stayed where they were politely and didn't grab or snatch at the food.

His older son acted like a young adult, asking his younger brother, "What do you want to eat? I'll get it for you."

The women scolded their own kids loudly. "Stop running around! Where are your manners? Look how well-behaved Jake and Keith are! You should learn from them!"

Jake was Denton's older son, and Keith was the younger.

Natasha said gently, "They're just kids. It's normal for them to run around like this. No need to be too hard on them."

The women then brought out two large plates of roast beef slices, a big plate of barbecue ribs, and a plate of roasted chicken.

Now, the nuts lay forgotten, and the children dived straight for the meat.

"So good!"

"Amazing!"

"I haven't eaten meat like this in forever!"

"It tastes freshly cooked!"

"Hey, you rascal! Don't grab it with your hands! How are other people supposed to eat that?" Patrick said awkwardly, then looked at Mariella. He cleared his throat. "The kids are just used to being wild at home. I'm sorry, Mariella."

Mariella and Number One had already eaten earlier, so they weren't hungry at all. She slowly cracked the nuts. "It's fine. It's not like there are any outsiders here."

That one sentence instantly boosted everyone's impression of her again. Patrick and the others looked at her with admiration, warmth, and gratitude.

"Mariella, you're really a good person," Patrick said, wiping the corner of his eye.

Mariella didn't say anything.

This trip wasn't a waste after all. I've even been labelled as a good person.

She casually asked Denton, "How's it going with the supplies I asked you to get?"

Denton patted his chest. "It's been arranged. Guaranteed delivery to No. 98 before tomorrow night!"

...

On the way back to No. 98, Mariella's steps were light, and she was in a good mood.

Number One, however, walked slowly, looking unusually preoccupied.

Mariella glanced at him with a puzzled look and asked, "Something on your mind?"

Number One stopped in his tracks. As if he'd made up his mind, he took a breath and said, "Ms. Townsend, can we talk?"

Left with no choice, she stopped as well and nodded. "Go ahead."

People getting emotional at work wasn't unusual, but Number One didn't seem like someone who stirred things up for no reason.

If something was up, Mariella felt it had to be something serious.

"Ms. Townsend, I..." Number One hesitated. Thankfully, the dim light hid the flush of his cheeks.

Something seemed to strike Mariella all of a sudden, and she made a quick guess. "You want a raise?"

"No!" Number One quickly denied it.

She thought about it again and tilted her head. "What is it then? Have you fallen in love and need my help in winning her over?"

Number One lowered his gaze and stayed silent.

Mariella pursed her lips, not very pleased. However, there was nothing she could do.

He was a young man after all. Staying single forever wasn't realistic.

Besides, she had said before that she'd make sure they'd have food, supplies, and even dates.

She just hadn't expected Number One to be the first person to bring up dating.

The quiet ones really weren't always as quiet as they seemed.

"Whose daughter is she? What's her family situation?" Mariella asked, deciding that if it was complicated, she'd try to talk him out of it.

Number One huffed for a long moment before finally blurting it out, "I... I actually liked you before Captain Zimmer did. It's just that he's better-looking, better at talking, and he knows how to please women. I... I've never had a girlfriend before, and I'm not good at this kind of thing. I was too cautious, and he beat me to it. These past few days, I've been wondering... if I had been braver and confessed earlier, would things be different? Ms. Townsend, can you think about it? Could you... let me be your boyfriend too... even if I'm just one of them?"

Number One still had some self-awareness.

He knew Mariella wasn't going to give up Chandler easily, so he didn't dare to hope for exclusivity. He just wanted to be one of her boyfriends who would be able to stay by her side, like Chandler.

He couldn't even describe how much he envied Chandler, watching him come and go with her all the time.

He hid it well enough that no one noticed.

But even if he could fool everyone else, he couldn't fool himself. Only he knew how much it tormented him.

He hadn't given up hope completely. He just hadn't found the right chance to confess.

After all, she was always with Chandler. Every time she went out, it was only with him. So, all Number One could do was watch from the sidelines.

After suffering in silence for so long, Number One had finally made up his mind to change and take the initiative.

And tonight, the opportunity had finally arrived.