Chapter 23: Complicated

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Lennox POV

Upon taking the position as the head of this city, I've done my best and pushed my boundaries in order to accomplish my job properly.

Without inviting the media and resorting to propaganda acts, I swore to work honestly and earnestly for the sake of the people I serve.

I've always been a rational person and with the heavy responsibilities I carry, I've figured that there was absolutely no space for other trivial matters.

But I guess, life loves to surprise people. Just when you plan out things you want in an orderly manner, life comes around and threatens to make you quiver.

I've always planned everything meticulously but somehow, along the way, an unforeseen variable appeared.

"Mayor, it's already lunch time. Are you going to going to eat with Miss Millen?" a staff reminded me.

"Yeah." I replied with a slight smile.

Although it started from a mere joke, Millen really carried out what she promised when I ate with her last time. Now, she brings food that she apparently cooked during the days where she volunteers at the city hall.

Out of curiosity and slight intrigue, I really ate what she brought for me. Since the first time, she's consistently brought lunch just for us two every time she visits the city hall.

I've skipped lots of my lunches before since I thought it wasn't necessarily. Instead of having lunch, I'd have a small sandwich and accomplish more paperwork during the supposed break time.

But now, with her enthusiastic attitude about food and nutrition, I've been somehow forced to eat more properly. She would always text me, reminding me to eat properly like I'm some elementary school kid...

Somehow though, it doesn't annoy me. I would usually ignore trivial things, especially if it was done by someone else. But... it's her. Just when I used to think of lunch as extra time to accomplish more paperwork, now, I look forward to it because I get to spend time with her.

"I might be out of line for saying this, but I'm really glad you're taking your meals seriously now, Mayor. Miss Millen is really an angel! You used to use all your time to do paperwork or visit on-going projects all over the city. But now, you leave a little spare time during lunch and get to relax with Miss Millen's company. You deserve it." the staff casually said with a somewhat teasing tone.

In the city hall, there wasn't that much formalities and everyone is comfortable with each other. I guess in a way, it also helps that I'm the youngest to have ever seated at this city's mayoral position.

It took me a while to uproot everyone from the past administration who only knew how to laze around and swindle citizens, but it was worth it. Now, I am confident that the city hall employees and volunteers are all thoughtful and have the genuine concern for the citizens.

It's small changes like this that would eventually lead to a bigger change. One step at a time.

I smiled at what the staff said but didn't say anything else before walking out.

When I finally arrived at the place I was always unconsciously looking forward to during the day, what welcomed me was a pretty girl who was sleeping in an uncomfortable position on a couch.

I smiled upon seeing her face but slightly frowned at the position she's in. She's just sitting on the couch and her head is facing down, slowly tilting to another direction.

I clenched my jaw as I sat next to her on the couch and carefully placed her head on my shoulder.

In such a close moment like this, I observed her sleeping face and it didn't even take long for me to be mesmerised with her beauty.

I smiled meaningfully at her before drowning in my musings.

Honestly... it's not hard to tell that this girl is interested in me.

Her coquettish smiles... earnest eyes... the little things she does for us to interact...

To be quite frank, it's difficult to resist her charms too. I don't think anyone can be immune to it. She's sensible, genuine and hardworking in everything she does. With the effort she puts in and the caring gestures she does, who would not be trapped in her web?

She's a bit young? I'm too busy with my work? I've only started my job?

All of those, I know they're just excuses in order to convince myself. They're the last strand of hope I'm holding into so I won't be completely trapped into her web.

Aside from those excuses, the main reason why I resist myself to be entangled with her is her complicated background.

Her grandfather, Zeus Costales, is the current senate president of the country. He is very well-known since he has been a politician for a very long time. But truthfully, he's nothing but a figurehead. He has not had any significant contributions to the country.

Instead of contributions, he'd instead spout mischief during formal senate hearings or remark unwanted opinions. In a sense, he's making a clown of himself all the time. The latest issues related to him was a plagiarism issue regarding one of his speeches and a clownery act, where he showed a conspiracy video to the senate regarding a national issue.

But since he is famous and people are already used to him being around, he keeps on being elected. People also quickly overlook his mistakes and forgive him.

It's this very endearing attitude of the citizens that also causes them damage... they don't criticise politicians and the government who is not doing its job properly. Instead, they get swayed by emotional propaganda that portrays futile politicians as somewhat pitiful beings.

It's ridiculous and it's miserable how things just won't change overnight. There's a long way to go before this country can properly progress.

Aside from that, I've heard once from my relatives a few years back that Millen Yu's father, Kenneth Yu, is involved in underground swindling cases. Although not confirmed, I have heard that there were strong evidences and there may be a time he would get charged with an estafa case.

I know Millen is not them and she's certainly different from them. It's also not fair to judge her solely because of her familial relations.

But... being with her, to be able to be properly be with her, it's far too risky to do that right now.

It's tricky to be with her and aside from that, I want to prioritise the public service I'm currently responsible for over anything else. The most I can do is take it slow with her and hope that her feelings would not waver.

It's too selfish of me but in my heart, I hope that she would be able to wait for a little while... I won't pursue anything because I am not confident I can give her my whole attention and a proper relationship, which she doesn't deserve.

But once I find a solution, once I find the time to calmly analyse and acknowledge all of my feelings, I'll surely confront her properly.

Until then... I hope she can wait for me.

I admired her sleeping face once more before stroking her head slightly. I carefully moved her head from my shoulder so I could stand up. Then, I carried her and laid her down carefully in the couch in a more comfortable position.

"Miss Millen..." a staff mindlessly greeted upon entering.

But when she saw me, her eyes widened a bit and looked down.

"Mayor, you're also here... I was just going to report to Miss Millen..." she said sheepishly.

I gave her a polite smile.

Actually, I know that even though Millen is just a volunteer at the city hall, she is actually doing a lot of work. Dr. Ging, the chief in charge of medical services in the city, puts a great trust in her. I know Millen does things not limited to arranging medical inventory and free medication.

She experienced media frenzy lately and she's also attending medical school. I'm sure it's pretty tough on her but knowing how she is, she won't back down and just continue tackling all of it...

In that sense, we are actually quite similar.

"I apologise, but if I may request, please let Millen rest for a while. Don't wake her up unless there is a citizen who will make a medical inquiry. She's only a volunteer here but she's consistently been working hard and helped us a lot. I think a mere break for her is not enough to give back the help she has given willingly." I said politely.

The staff listened to me attentively and nodded immediately.

"I understand, Mayor! Don't worry, I've got it." she smiled.

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