Chapter 3: Capable, But Not That Way

That’s right. I brought Adrian home just to have him do housework for me.

Honestly, the idea hit me in the office kitchen, chatting with Jasmine while my sad lunch spun in the microwave. Jasmine had just gotten an incubus online, too. She bragged in the break room about how her incubus was diligent and obedient, always cooking, doing laundry, and making her happy every night.

The other coworkers snickered, but my slow-on-the-uptake self only caught one key phrase: helps with housework. My eyes lit up. As a workaholic, always too busy to clean, my place looked like a disaster zone. It really bothered me—especially when my mom FaceTimed and caught my laundry mountain in the background. So an incubus who could do housework? Way too cost-effective. That’s why I ordered the most ‘capable’ Adrian.

Glancing at that tall figure in the kitchen, washing dishes with a cold face, I comfortably went to bed early. The gentle sound of running water was almost as soothing as a white noise machine.

For the next week, my capable incubus Adrian buried himself in chores. He was a bit clumsy at first, like he’d never seen a dishwasher before, but he caught on fast. Super smart. He’d fold my comforter with military precision, hand me a fresh towel when I washed my face, and by the time I got home, the apartment smelled like something off a Food Network show. Before bed, there was even a bed-warming service. Lying in sheets he’d quietly warmed with his scent and body heat, I let out a satisfied sigh, my soul melting.

Nice. Very nice. Worth every penny—super practical. I bragged to Jasmine about my place looking like a home decor magazine.

The only thing that puzzled me was Adrian’s noises. That rumbling, purring sound in his throat. At first, I thought he was just nervous, being new. But a month passed and he still made that noise. Every night he’d just lie by my bed, not talking, not even playing with his phone, just staring at me, his pretty tail sweeping the floor. He looked so... aggrieved and pitiful.

I pressed my hand to Adrian’s forehead. Scorching. Great. Did I break my demon with laundry? Was there a warranty for this?

I hurriedly patted my bed. "Adrian, don’t sleep on the floor tonight, sleep next to me."

"I can sleep on the bed?" Adrian looked stunned. I took his hand, guilt flaring. "You always could. From now on, you always sleep next to me."

Given permission, Adrian hugged his comforter and lay down next to me. He looked totally out of place, like someone had put a Calvin Klein model in a Target dorm set—my pink pillow under his perfect face. The sight made my mouth go dry, and I suddenly wished I’d brushed my hair before bed.

But he still kept making that noise, and his body temperature was off the charts. I reached out to check his pulse, but my hand just ended up resting awkwardly on his bicep.

"Adrian, get a good rest tonight, you don’t have to get up early to make breakfast tomorrow."

"But you’ll be hungry."

"I’ll just grab a breakfast sandwich."

"That’s not clean. I’ll make it for you." He stared at me—no, at my lips—his gaze dark and intense. My slow-witted self just felt touched. How could there be such a thoughtful, considerate incubus? It’s my fault for not taking better care of him, making him uncomfortable and sick.

Guilt surged, and I couldn’t help but lean over and kiss his forehead, to show my remorse.

Adrian’s eyelashes trembled. His breath caught. He called my name, voice hoarse. "Morgan..."

Just as he was about to raise his arm to hug me, clueless me had already pulled away, even thoughtfully tucking him in. I wrapped up the hand he’d just raised and his restless, wagging tail. Afraid he’d catch a cold, I even pretended to scold him:

"Be good, don’t move around, and don’t kick the comforter."

The way he went silent made me want to laugh and apologize at the same time.

Adrian closed his eyes in utter despair, but I was already scrolling through Instagram, oblivious.

Lying there, I wondered why I felt so guilty about a demon’s feelings. Maybe I was lonelier than I thought.